Sony Professional HVR-A1U CMOS High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom | 
| Brand: Sony
Category: Photography
List Price: $2,750.00
Buy New: $1,999.99
as of 9/2/2010 21:28 PDT details
You Save: $750.01 (27%)
New (6) from $1,999.99
Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 1975
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Optical Zoom: 10
Display Size: 2.7
Maximum Focal Length: 51
Minimum Focal Length: 5.1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 6.1
Dimensions (in): 14.1 x 7.6 x 6.6
MPN: HVRA1U
Model: HVRA1U
UPC: 027242687004
EAN: 0027242687004
ASIN: B000ENON1A
Release Date: October 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | High-definition video camera records in 1080i, 720p, and 720i specification with analog down-converting | | • | 16:9 widescreen recording; 4:3 conversion capable | | • | Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 10x optical zoom lens; digital Super SteadyShot System dampens hand jitter and vibration | | • | CMOS camera system; records to conventional DV tape stock | | • | Powered by NP-FM50 InfoLithium rechargeable battery pack |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
The HVR-A1U is a compact and lightweight handy-type camcorder, ideal for shooting environments that require mobility. Its size, combined with its long battery life (up to 80 minutes of high-definition recording with the included battery), make it easy to get the shots you need, when you need them.  | | See large image | HDV 1080i
The HDV 1080i specification features 1080 effective interlaced scanning lines and 1,440 horizontal pixels. Interlaced pictures, which have been common to TV broadcasts from the beginning, alternately display odd and even numbered lines between each screen refresh. The HVR-A1U can also record at the HDV 720p specification, which features 720 effective progressive scanning lines and 1,280 horizontal pixels. Progressive scanning fills both odd and even numbered lines with each refresh, providing a flicker-free picture. Not yet ready for HD? The HVR-A1U can convert material from 1080i down to 480i and output this digital video signal through its i.LINK interface or as analog signals through component, composite, or S-video connectors. When down-converting these signals, the aspect ratio displayed can be converted from 16:9 to 4:3, and display modes can be selected from squeeze, letterbox or edge crop. 1/3-inch Type, 2.97-megapixel CMOS sensor
The HVR-A1U incorporates one 1/3-inch type primary color CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) 2.97-megapixel sensor with a formatted for a 4:3 aspect ratio. The advantage of a CMOS sensor over CCD is it's ability to process a large volume of picture data at a very small size, which makes it possible for a camera this size to capture HD video. The trade off for this kind of chip over CCD, however, is a small loss in picture uniformity and dynamic range.  | | Keep an eye on audio levels on the LCD monitor |
Audio
The HVR-A1U adopts the MPEG-2 compression format, which uses 8-bit digital component recording with a sampling rate of 4:2:0. The camera uses MPEG-1 Audio Layer II audio compression format, allowing for two-channel recording with a sampling frequency of 48 kHz/16-bit. It features a built-in stereo microphone, as well as two XLR audio input connectors for use with professional-grade microphones or external audio sources. Each input level for CH1 and CH2 can be independently adjusted using two audio level dials on the camera body and viewed with an audio level meter on the LCD monitor. Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 10x optical zoom lens
The HVR-A1U is equipped with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* high definition lens with a 10x zoom function. It has the same optical coating as is used on all of the Carl Zeiss prime lenses, which produces sharp, high-contrast images with virtually no chromatic aberration. In order to facilitate zoom control and recording operation during low-angle shooting, an additional zoom lever has been added to the camera body. There's also a zoom/focus ring located on the lens body that allows for fine adjustments in zoom position. Furthermore, the supplied wireless Remote Commander unit can be used for external control. Large, 16:9 widescreen color viewfinder and LCD monitor
View your subject through the built-in viewfinder, the swing-out LCD display, or both. The HVR-A1U features a 0.44-inch type color LCD viewfinder and a 2.7-inch color LCD monitor, both in a 16:9 aspect ratio. You'll save battery time by using just one, but you may want to use one for adjusting focus and the other for monitoring audio levels. When eschewing auto focus for the fine-tuning manual focus, you can double the magnification at the center of the screen, making it easier to confirm focus settings during manual focusing. Also, the camera's "peaking" function can provide sharp outlines on the monitor to help with manual focus. Electronic Super SteadyShot system
Sony's electronic Super SteadyShot System helps remove the slight hand jitter and vibration that is often the bane of video production--especially during telephoto shots. It does this by trimming off edges of the frame on the fly to counteract movement.  | | Tele Macro picks up details on subjects from a distance |
Tele Macro
It may seem like a contradiction in terms, but the Tele Macro function allows you to capture a macro image from a distance, which is useful for shooting small moving objects. Additionally, this function puts your subject in proper focus while leaving the background out of focus. The Hollywood look
The HVR-A1U has features that can make your videos look more like they were shot on film. Cinematone Gamma allows operators to quickly setup and load a gamma curve with similar contrast characteristics to a film gamma curve. The Cineframe feature allows movement to be reproduced at 24 frames per second--the speed of film--as opposed to video's 30 frames per second standard. No new tape stock
The HVR-A1U is compatible with conventional DV tape stock, but Sony recommends the use of DigitalMaster PHDVM-63DM tape, with its dual layer of magnetic material, which delivers higher RF output, lower noise, 95% fewer errors and 60% fewer dropouts compared to regular DV tape. More camera features | ·Assign button -- get quick access to a variety of settings | | ·Time Code Preset -- fill in any timecode starting value | | ·Shot Transition -- creates smooth automatic transitions between scenes | | ·Color Bar -- Two types | | ·Status Check -- displays camera setting menus for audio, output signal, assign button and exposure lever functions and hours meter on the LCD monitor | | ·Zebra -- displays a striped pattern in the LCD monitor and viewfinder across highlight areas, helping manual exposure settings | | ·Quick REC -- shortens the record interval from stop mode. | | ·Personal Menu -- allows operators to customize the setting menu | | ·Battery Info -- displays the attached battery's current charge level and its current remaining recording time on the LCD monitor | | ·Histogram Indicator -- allows you to easily evaluate the brightness of your scene | | ·Super Night Shot -- allows operators to capture images in black and white using a built-in infrared light | | ·Skin Tone Detail -- reduces detailed signal for skin color, smoothening the reproduction of human skin | | ·Black Stretch -- allows more contrast to be seen in dark parts of the picture without affecting mid-tones | | ·Backlight Compensation -- produces natural tones for both light and dark areas of backlit subject | What's in the box
HVR-A1U camera, AC-L15 AC adaptor, power code, NP-FM50 InfoLithium rechargeable battery pack, lens hood with lens cover, RMT-831 wireless Remote Commander unit, A/V connecting cable with S video, component video cable, USB cable, Memory Stick Duo (16 MB), Memory Stick Duo adaptor, ECM-NV1 monaural electret condenser microphone, XLR audio adaptor, shoulder strap, and operating instructions.
Product Description
Sony is expanding its lineup of HDV products for professionals with the new HVR-A1U model, based on a 1/3-inch, 3-megapixel Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) imager.Sony has improved upon the key attributes of traditional CMOS sensors with proprietary technology, & this innovative CMOS device is also accompanied by Sonys EIP, which enables the high-speed processing required for capturing high-definition video images, & allows an HDV camcorder to record & playback high-quality still images.The first professional high-definition application of this enhanced imaging technology is in the HVR-A1U model. EIP technology is also at the core of a new consumer product counterpart, the Sony HDR-HC1 Handycam.The combination of a 3-megapixel CMOS sensor with Sony's Enhanced Imaging Processor enables a camcorder to capture & process high-definition video & still images with unprecedented levels of gradation & detailed image reproduction.Building on Sony's long history of imager & camera development, Sony is now offering customers yet another option to choose from among the many diverse HD acquisition tools in the Sony product family.The HVR-A1U HDV camcorder complements Sonys first entry into the professional HDV market, the HVR-Z1U. Introduced last fall, more than 37,000 units of Sony HDV products have already been delivered to customers worldwide.The new HVR-A1U model now offers professional videographers another option for the
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
great prosumer camera March 19, 2010
Z. Thomas
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
hd cameras are expensive. this prosumer model is a cheaper alternative to all the glam, but actully does a very good job shooting hd video. i have used mine to create green screen videos, travel videos, and other little youtube videos. adobe premier renders the hd video from the camera very well, and setup on the camera is very easy. i have been using sony cameras for about 10 years now and this one is by far my favorite. the mic is decent quality, but has two inputs for mic cables if you want to use your own. there are settings to allow you to do special camera tricks and assign functions to a button. touch screen lcd is nice, but the lcd could be a lot bigger and i would not complain. bottom tape feeding is a little annoying, especially if you are using a tripod. you have to take the camera off the tripod, then you can change the tape. a camera with a side mount for the tape is much handier, and probably faster and quieter too.
a bit different than what i thought January 20, 2010
Jesse N Chandler (LA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
the audio is fantastic the extra place to hook up mikes and stuff is one of the best features. It also can convert hdv to dv or keep it as HDV some other cool effects include sepia shooting, blurred shots, as well as black and white. The touch screen is very nice to have, but it is nothing revolutionary. The picture quality is just OK. i have seen much better quality film on cheaper models. It shoots in a max of 1080i. Night vision is another cool feature. Although, i have found that the infrared DOES NOT shoot well past 15 ft nor does it shoot through car windows(inside to out) unless outside of vehicle is exposed to light. So far no problems with the camera, but something that is very important that i almost overlooked is the fact that the picture in a dim area is very poor even with the exposure adjusted.
Very Handy, But Falls Short of a Great Camera September 8, 2009
Eric S. Nowels (Brooklyn, NY)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This camera is loaded with great features that are hard to find in prosumer grade miniDV / HDV, but the CMOS sensor doesn't cut it for me.
Having xlr inputs as well as minijack that accepts both mic and line level signals is essential in my line of work. So is easy on the fly manual exposure and audio gain control, manual focus, long battery life and consistent white balance and last, but far from least is good image quality in less than stellar lighting conditions. The A1U did not deliver on this last criteria. My only complaint about this camera is it's slow lens and noisy sensor. The camera relies far too much on gain rather than aperture to increase exposure which adds grain, color artifact and a shift in color balance and contrast.
Sony did a great job of cramming a lot of these features into a small camera while retaining an intuitive set of controls. For things like white balance and manual audio controls the LCD menus can be cumbersome to navigate, but the physical buttons and dials on the body of the camera make accessing exposure, focus, and zoom plus a custom assignable button a snap.
Great Second Camera June 23, 2009
Mr & Mrs. Marshall (San Diego, CA USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I intended for this camera to augment my main camera (Sony FX-1) on video shoots. I am a serious hobbyist. My first perception of this camera was "man it's smaller than I thought it would be". The dollars per cubic inch ratio is very high.
Second observation: In daylight I used the cam to shoot some baby hummingbirds in their nest. I thought "no big deal", but when I reviewed the tape on a high def monitor I was stunned by how good the pic was. (I guess I never tried that shot with my FX-1.)
Third: in low light, like at a dance recital, the autofocus can have problems. I don't think you want to be more than 60 ft from the subject. Also be zoomed in, that seems to take care of autofocus issues.
Fourth: the mic is great for live music. This camera excells at guerilla music shoots, where you have to move around a lot. I often put it on a monopod for an overhead shot.
Fifth: must be unmounted to swap a tape. Decide for yourself whether this is important. If you are shooting a recital in the dark and have to unmount the thing, swap tapes, and remount in_the_dark then maybe this camera isn't for you.
Sixth: for what it's worth, the cam captures all colors pretty well except the deep reds. Before the commies start crying ;) let me say that I edit this cam's footage together with the FX-1 footage. The FX-1 goes down to a deeper "blood red" which pwns the a1u's footage.
Seventh: None of my cams have problems with tape. Simply buy the tdk or sony 10 packs at Costco. Try to stick with one brand of tape though. (No need for $10 tapes.)
The A1U has earned its way into my inventory. I am glad that I started with an FX-1 (heavy artillery), augmented with the A1U (when the shot is more important than the deep blood reds), and rounded out with a used FX-1 from B&H.
I'd recommend a preowned FX-1 over a new A1U though.
Great Camcorder March 9, 2009
Jeff Cemer (Salt Lake City, Utah)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a great Camcorder. I'll pick up another soon. It's weakness is low light recording, but is well worth the cost. I can't believe the size. This thing is tiny for the features.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 15
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