Sony intros new HDV decks

Sony’s HDV line continues to grow, with the company announcing two new
videocassette recorders capable of 1080i recording and playback.

The new decks, models HVR-M25U and HVR-M15U, both offer HDV
1080i, DVCAM and DV SP recording and play back capability to provide
users with an easy migration from standard- to high-definition
production. Both are compatible with mini-size DV cassettes as well as
standard-size cassettes that allow more than four hours of HDV
recording with compatible tapes. In addition, both decks have a
down-conversion function from HD to SD and are switchable between 60
and 50 Hz (NTSC/PAL) to provide full flexibility depending on
production needs.

The new decks both offer HDV 1080i, DVCAM and DV SP recording and play
back capability to provide users with an easy migration from standard-
to high-definition production.

Other shared features include the ability to copy external timecode
through the “HDV/DV in TC” feature and a range of connectivity options,
including the i.LINK (IEEE-1394) digital interface, component output,
S-Video I/O, composite I/O, and analog audio I/O.

The HVR-M25U deck adds a ClearPhoto LCD plus 2.7-inch (viewable area,
measured diagonally) 16:9 panel for increased user convenience and an
HDMI output for connections to consumer television sets. It also a
feature called Edge Crop that helps operators adjust edge crop areas
manually while down-converting in this mode. Duplicate Plus is a
dubbing function that duplicates work tapes with the same time-code
that the original tape contains through the i.LINK connection.

It also has a Custom Repeat feature and 1080/60i to 720/60p conversion
capabilities (through the analog component and HDMI outputs only).

The HVR-M15U model is compact and can also be placed either horizontally or vertically within a workplace.

The HVR-M25U and HVR-M15U decks are scheduled to debut in June.