Three Chip Model Will Ship in May For $3000, Sony Says

PARK RIDGE, NJ -- Sony Electronics introduced the DCR-VX2000 Digital Video Handycam camcorder, an advanced three-chip CCD camera tailored to meet the demands of the high performance digital video camera user.

This new camcorder offers state-of-the-art DV recording with a 2 1/2-inch plasma LCD monitor, digital still photography capability with Memory Stick media and extremely high resolution for advanced imaging needs.
The DCR-VX2000 mini DV camcorder, the successor to the popular DCR-VX1000 -- a staple of the independent film community -- now offers improved picture quality features and the option to capture still images either direct to Memory Stick media or from a single frame of video footage. Still images are saved in 640 x 480 (VGA) image size, making them useful as "still video grabs" during filming or for transferring into documents, e-mails, on-screen presentations or to other peripheral devices. The supplied Memory Stick USB adapter allows for fast and easy Memory Stick media connectivity to virtually any PC.

The high-quality 2 1/2-inch plasma LCD screen enables the DCR-VX2000 to playback recently shot footage for on the spot editing and re-shooting decisions. With this new addition, users now have the option to film with the high quality, 180,000-pixel color viewfinder or the 200,000-pixel plasma LCD. In addition, the LCD displays battery life information and tape time remaining in minutes.

"With the addition of advanced imaging features, an LCD screen and Memory Stick media compatibility, the DCR-VX2000 is again set to raise the bar for digital video excellence like its predecessor did when we introduced it in 1996," said Tim Alessi, director of camcorder marketing for Sony Electronics. "This new camera is sure to set the new standard in quality recording for the industry -- from independent filmmakers to ultimate video enthusiasts."

Highest Quality Digital Video Imaging
The DCR-VX2000 is equipped with a brand-new, three-chip CCD imaging system that records up to 530 lines of horizontal resolution and delivers outstanding digital video quality. These new CCD imagers contain 380,000 pixels each and have been optimized for digital video recording. Super HAD progressive scan CCD technology offers a superior signal-to-noise ratio that is double that of the DCR-VX1000. The result is a sharper picture and natural, lifelike color reproduction, allowing users to capture a truer representation of hard-to-reproduce colors, such as flesh tones.

Also new in this camera are a 58-millimeter aspherical lens and a two-position neutral density filter. The aspherical lens minimizes the distortions that usually occur around the edges of video shot by a standard spherical lens, while the neutral density filter compensates for unique lighting situations such as studio lights or direct sunlight.

In addition, the camera also offers increased audio recording flexibility with PCM Digital Stereo Audio in 12 and 16-bit audio modes. Sixteen-bit offers high quality stereo sound, while the 12-bit Audio Dub mode records digital video in two stereo tracks for the simple addition of background music or voice-over to the video.

The DCR-VX2000 brings together several other high-quality features, including built-in color bar generator, 16:9 wide screen recording, an intelligent accessory shoe, 12x optical and 48x digital zoom, Sony's Super Optical SteadyShot(R) picture stabilization and up to eight hours of operation with the optional NP-F960 InfoLithium(R) battery.

The camcorder provides the choice of automatic or manual control for all aspects of exposure, shutter and depth of field. In addition, there are several pre-programmed background digital effects available for on-the-go taping options, including Still, Flash Motion, Luminance Key, Trail and Old Movie. And the DCR-VX2000 camcorder offers other picture effects including slim, solar, monotone, sepia, negative art and solarization.

DV Editing For Aspiring Filmmakers
Editing video is made easier with drop frame time code and built-in 20 segment assemble editor. In addition, the DCR-VX2000 camcorder can connect directly to Sony VAIO(R) PCs, or any 1394-enabled PC, with an optional i.LINK(R) (IEEE 1394) digital cable. i.LINK is an industry standard, bi- directional digital interface offering seamless video transfer with virtually no generation loss between two camcorders or between a camcorder and a PC.

By combining digitally recorded video with a personal computer, DCR-VX2000 camcorder owners can record, edit and produce professional quality, digital video productions. A field that was once limited by the high cost of video production equipment now becomes accessible to a whole new generation of aspiring video and filmmakers.

Digital Still Imaging with Memory Stick Media
With the addition of digital still imaging with Memory Stick media, the DCR-VX2000 provides maximum imaging options all in one camera. Sony's Memory Stick media, which is about the size of a stick of chewing gum, is a durable and reliable solid state storage media with a secure 10-pin connection and erasure protection. The DCR-VX2000 camcorder includes a 4MB Memory Stick and can capture up to 60 JPEG compressed images to the Memory Stick in standard mode.

Memory Stick media is currently available in 8, 16, 32 and 64 MB capacities for about $30, $50, $80 and $140, respectively. Memory Stick media can connect to virtually any PC with the use of the floppy disk adapter, PC card adapter or high speed USB port adapter.

The groundbreaking DCR-VX2000 DV camcorder will be available in May and is expected to sell for about $3,000.

SOURCE Sony Electronics