Sony DCR-SR220, DCR-SR85, DCR-SR65 & DCR-SR45 HDD Camcorders

CES 2008 Events News Sony

NEW SONY HARD DRIVE CAMCORDERS OFFER LONG RECORDING TIMES AND ENHANCED FUNCTIONALITY

LAS VEGAS(CES Booth 14200), Jan. 6, 2008 – Sony is debuting four hard drive Handycam camcorders with sleek bodies and robust capacities to capture life’s longer moments.

Generally, most of the models are more compact than last year’s models. The 60GB DCR-SR220 and DCR-SR85 camcorders deliver continuous recording times (LP mode) of up to 41 hours, while the 40GB DCR-SR65 and 30GB DCR-SR45 models provide up to 27 and 20 hours, respectively.

“Our new hard drive models incorporate intelligent and fun-to-use functions that will make people feel more confident in their moviemaking abilities” said Kelly Davis, director of camcorder marketing at Sony Electronics.

The SR220 model features 15x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* optics, 4-megapixel digital still capture, and a 2.3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor. Like most top-of-the-line camcorders in Sony’s 2008 line, this model includes imaging technologies shared with the company’s digital camera business to improve picture quality and performance.

This high-end model integrates face detection technology for both video and photos. It can identify up to eight faces in the camcorder’s LCD frame, and automatically adjust focus, exposure and color control for natural-looking skin tones. Photos get an added boost with the application of flash control.

Its ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor technology features dual noise reduction to keep picture noise at a minimum. This optimized sensor, combined with the Bionz signal processing engine, produces vivid, natural-looking video and photos. Dynamic range optimization is also included to counter the unfavorable effects of high-contrast shooting such as loss of picture detail in harsh lights and deep shadows.

New Hybrid Movie Recording

Hybrid movie recording on an optional Memory Stick PRO Duo media card as well as hard drive is available on all camcorders to extend their recording options. Almost 11 hours of video (LP mode) can be stored on Sony’s new 16GB media card. Both movies and photos can be transferred from the hard drive to the media card in the camcorder without having to use a PC.

Exceptional Audio Performance

All of the new models incorporate a new built-in zoom microphone that zooms in on subjects for clearer sound recordings. The SR220 model records audio in Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound, while the other models capture Dolby Digital 2-channel audio.

Sophisticated Ease

The SR85 and SR65 models have 1-megapixel CCD imagers for first-rate video and 1-megapixel photos, along with 25x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lenses for image clarity and optimal color resolution. The SR45 unit features a newly-developed 1/8-inch, 680K-pixel CCD imager with a high pixel count in order to produce widescreen (16:9) video, and a potent Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 40x optical zoom lens to zoom onto distant subjects with minimal loss of picture quality.

All models integrate Sony’s HDD Smart Protection system, which combines physical shock absorbers, G-sensor shock protection and video stream buffering to safeguard against data loss.

For greater ease of use, all hard drive models incorporate a new quick-on feature that takes the camcorders out of standby mode in about one second; 2.7-inch, (16:9) wide LCD touch panel screens for easy framing and viewing of footage; film roll index to view several seconds of video within a thumbnail file; face index to quickly search for scenes by face; and search by voice, color and face using the bundled Picture Motion Browser software.

Archive and Share Movies with Ease

DVD creation is simple with Sony’s one touch DVD burn feature with smart controls. When camcorders are connected to compatible PCs or Handycam stations (supplied on select models) via USB, they will automatically synchronize newest content and burn that footage to DVD with the supplied Picture Motion Browser software.

These models also work with the Sony’s VRD-MC5 DVDirect recorder, which now supports video transfer from Memory Stick media cards.

The SR220 camcorder will ship in March for about $850. The SR85, SR65 and SR45 units will ship in February for about $700, $600 and $500, respectively.

All will be available with a full line of accessory options. They can be purchased online at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), at military base exchanges, and at authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin on Jan. 7 at www.sonystyle.com.

For additional information about Sony products, call toll-free at (888) 222-SONY, or visit Sony’s web site at www.sonystyle.com.

Sony DCR-SR220Sony DCR-SR85Sony DCR-SR65Sony DCR-SR45

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  • I recently purchased a SONY DCR-SR220. I have had no success with the supplied software. It installs without error but as soon as the Handycam utility is invoked it fails to access the management information in the camera. I have sought a response to a detailed question from SONY without any success to date. Right now I am able to use the camera and download from the memory stick but cannot download from the hard drive using the SONY supplied software.

    Apart from this minor issue (!) the camera performs very well.

    Martin Fuggle

  • Eric King says:

    My wife and I bought the Sony DCR-SR220 as a “true” two-in-one camcorder/digital camera. Two days after purchase we took it on our trip to Europe and read the owner’s manual on the plane. For the most part, this camcorder is user-friendly. The touch screen makes it especially easy to use. We never had to worry about switching between or losing tapes/DV’s, never had to worry about running out of space on the hard drive (video) or memory stick (photos). Now we are back from our trip with almost 7 hours of video and over 600 beautiful, clear digital photos. I would recommend this camcorder to anyone with important events to capture who also appreciates ease of use and convenience. The fact that the camera is 4 megapixels also makes this a “true” two in one for those who don’t yet own a very good digital camera or those who don’t want to pack or switch between two cameras during important events.

  • fergus says:

    I bought a DCR-SR35, loved the easy filming with endless amounts of memory, but found it would not download on to Vista operating system. So i took it to work where I have XP – I tried to download all the holiday videos, but found I can not get sound on the pc with the files? The Sony help line is only 9am-5pm Monday to Friday which is so inconvenient it’s untrue for a company of it’s size – I am now taking it again on holiday, having been unable to get through on the help line – to download files with sound unsure whether I should delete the camera content – so the memory is being used to the full at present. Nightmare

  • alyson says:

    i need help

  • Emma says:

    I got the DCR-SR35 and now the touch screen has stopped working?? please anyone help i dnt want to loose the footage i have on there but i have lost the cd to download the stuffonto the pc with and now the touch screen has stopped
    shld i jst give up?

  • HELP says:

    i got the sr85 and the screen wont turn on help me!

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