The Sony HDR-FX1 is the world’s first consumer 1080i high definition video camera. A revolution of form and function, the HDR-FX1 will allow you to play and record interlaced high definition video at resolutions of up to 1440 X 1080 for professional quality video with plenty of vivid colors and amazing detail.

The Sony HDR-FX1 also features the real time HD codec engine, which offers you professional level MPEG 2 video compression, and a 14 bit HD digital extended processor for increasing the speed of the processor.

The camera images are captured on three chips advanced HAD-CCD system that provides an increased detail along with improved video performance without the color blending that is found with other cameras.

The Sony HDR-FX1 also offers an amazing amount of control for the user, which includes manual zoom, focus, and iris control. The picture profile will allow you to create a number of preset video modes for a variety of shooting. The composing shots are easier than ever with the 3.5 inch LCD display and the extra large electronic view finder.

Home video enthusiasts all across North America are impressed with the vast range of recording features offered by the Sony HDR-HC3 handy cam video camera.

With both HD and SD modes of recording, you can make the move to high definition without retaining compatibility with standard definition equipment.

The Sony HDR-HC3 video camera sets the new standard in resolution quality with its clear vid image sensor, which captures precise detail and superior color. The dual record mode will allow you to capture 2.3 megapixel stills while shooting high definition video.

The smooth slow recording captures fast movement with precise detail for playing back in slow motion. Now, you can record what you want however you want to record it. The HC3 from Sony is everything you could expect and more.

2.1 megapixel clear vid CMOS sensor:

The clear vid CMOS sensor in Sony HDR-HC3 provides a level of stunning detail and clarity with amazing video and still image performance. Unlike the traditional CCD imagers, CMOS sensors require much less power, which provides better performance for your battery.

Dual record:

While you record in Sony HDR-HC3 with HD mode, you also have the ability to capture a 2.3 megapixel still image directly to the memory stick duo media.

Beginning with their adoption of cellular phones back in 2002, Sony’s CMOS sensors for megapixel class camera cell phones and digital high definition video cameras have become widely used in commercial products.

The greatest strength of the CMOS sensors is that by including both digital and analog circuits on the same chip, their readout speed can be made much faster than the CCD.

CMOS sensors in Sony digital cameras:

Sony is now developing high speed CMOS sensors for digital cameras that will provide continuous imaging from all pixels at an amazing frame rate of 60 frames.

Here recently, the trend towards higher pixel counts in consumer digital cameras has continued, and now it’s possible to take high resolution still images conveniently. Until now, Sony focused efforts in the image sensor area on increasing the pixel count and improving the characteristics of the pixels to achieve high resolution imaging that everyone loves about high definition video cameras.

Sony is also aiming for an image sensor that will be able to capture and express surprise and emotion, and is now putting efforts into a CMOS sensor that can do just that.

The Sony BRC-H700 high definition video camera is designed for a variety of remote acquisition applications, especially in television production for recording programs and for use as a weather or even traffic camera.

The PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) camera can display images onto a large screen in auditoriums, teaching hospitals, sporting events, trade shows, and even concerts.

This unit is also ideal for distance learning applications in which clear high definition images need to be projected onto electronic white boards during a presentation or other function.

The Sony BRC-H700 also features three 1/3 inch HD CCDs with 1.07 megapixels, delivers accurate color reproduction, and is ideal for taking pictures or videos in low light environments.

The Sony BRC-H700 has a wide pan range of 340 degrees and a tilt range of 120 degrees. Both the pan and tilt speeds are variable within the range of 0.25 to 60 degrees a second, so the camera can capture both fast and slow moving objects with minimal rocking vibration. The camera also includes a 12X optical auto focus zooming lens, which allows for a zoom capability of up to 48X when used in combination with the 4X digital zoom.

Sanyo has recently brought a new level of credibility to dual use, video and still image cameras with the introduction of the new Xacti HD1.

With measurements of 3.1X4, 7X1.4 inches and 8.3 ounces, it is easily the smallest camera to record 720p high definition video. It will also capture 5.1 MP still images and has a 10X optical zoom lens as well.

Just like other dual use cameras, it will record both video and still images on a memory card, or in this case an SD card instead of video tape. According to Sanyo, a 1GB SD card can record up to 21 minutes of 720p 16:9 widescreen video.

If you prefer to record in standard definition, the HD1 can also record video at 640X480 pixel resolution at either 30 or 60 frames per second. Everything you record is with the popular MPEG 4 compression.

Just in case pocket sized HD recording isn’t enough for you, Sanyo also put a 2.2 inch 210,000 pixel OLED display in the HD1. The OLED is a display technology that many thing will end up replacing LCD very soon. The advantages offered include wider viewing angles and faster response time.

If you are new to HD video cameras, you’ve probably found yourself wondering if you really need to have one around. For a majority of people, a HD video camera represents the best way to capture memories and pictures with the best technology available today.

For producers or those looking to start their own productions, HD video cameras may be easier to rent than to buy. While most HD video cameras cost quite a bit of money, they may be easier to rent than just to go out and buy.

If you only plan to use your HD video camera for a few days or just a short period of time, then renting may be your best option. Producers and professional photographers looking to take things to the next level may choose rent a HD video camera to test the waters before making the purchase.

If you’ve never experienced HD video camera before, renting a camera may be the best idea before you sink a ton of money into buying one of your very own.

This digital HD media camera is small, elegant, and also lightweight. The Sanya Xacti VPC-HD1will beautifully capture your memories in high definition.

The stylish vertical design offered by the camera will make it easier for you to keep an arm steady while you shoot.

2.2″ color OLED:

The 2.2″ flip out organic light emitting diode screen of Sanya Xacti VPC-HD1 will offer easier viewing of your recordings, even in bright sunlight.

Video and pictures:

The Sanya Xacti VPC-HD1 will simultaneously shoot 5.1 megapixel still images and high definition video clips. The HD1 can also record over 21 minutes of 720 pixel HD video on a single 1 GB SD care, or well over 42 minutes on a 2 GB card.

MPEG 4 format:

The Sanya Xacti VPC-HD1 utilizes the high quality MPEG 4 recording format which will deliver amazing video clarity and detail. With the files being conveniently small, you have the ability to record long, high quality video clips.

Start up:

When you close the LCD screen of Sanya Xacti VPC-HD1, the camera will go into standby mode. Open it back up and you are ready to shoot in as little as 2 seconds! The camera also records straight to SD flash memory cards, so it will skip the long process of getting the tape deck started.

With the growing popularity of the variable frame rate VariCam HD Cinema cameras, HD production is on the verge of changing HD video cameras as we know it.

The low cost 24p editing and finishing on the desktop, is what Panasonic likes to call a VariDigcam shift.

It all starts inside of the camera. The AJ-HDC27 from Panasonic replicates several of the key features of film based acquisition, which includes 24 frame progressive scan images, time lapsed recording, and a wide range of film rates for amazing camera effects.

The VariCam also comes with CineGamma software that permits Panasonic’s HD Cinema camera systems to match the latitude of film stocks and effects.

Even though it all starts inside of the camera, it doesn’t stop there. HD has been showing up in many more places besides HDTV. Panasonic is leading the way with compact and affordable HD products. All across the world, you’ll see Panasonic launching HD products that are among the best and very affordable.

Broadcast:

If your digital plans call for a transition to DTV first then HDTV later on down the road, or if you plan to take your station HD now, Panasonic has you covered by making HD both flexible and affordable.

The Panasonic AG-HVX200 is a handheld HD p2 camera recorder that’s designed to meet the emerging needs in HD content production.

The camera debuts and remains Panasonic’s first HD video product to use P2, the cutting edge memory recording device that has the potential to revolutionize the entire production paradigm.

The Panasonic AG-HVX200 can record HD, in either 1080i or 720p video acquired by a new optical system and high performance digital signal processor onto a P2 card using the broadcasting DVCPRO HD codec. This very system achieves a level of image quality that conventional handheld HD cameras simply can’t match, while also supporting HD/SD multi-format and multi codec recording capabilities.

The visual frame rate recording is just one of the many features that make this camera so very unique in its class. By using technology that makes the Panasonic VariCam camera a favorite in movie production, this powerful function will allow the over cranking techniques used with film cameras to create fast motion and slow motion effects.

The P2 card offers you superb reliability, immediate playback, and amazing cost performance. It will also allow direct connection to other editing systems and streamlines the production work flow by providing to the editing system data files ready to be edited, rather than a video tape that would require the tedious task of digitizing.

All video cameras contain 3 major components – the lens, imager, and recorder.

The lens gathers and focuses the light on the imager, which is normally a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS sensor IC. Finally, the recorder will encode the video signal into a form that can be stored. Commonly, the optics and imager are known as the camera section.

Lens components:

The optic lens is the first component in the camera section’s light path. The optics normally has one or more the following adjustments:

1. Aperture - controls the amount of light.
2. Zoom - controls the field of view.
3. Shutter speed - captures continuous motion

In most consumer units, these adjustments are automatically controlled by the video camera’s electronics, normally to maintain constant exposure onto the imager.

Imager components:

The imager is the “eye” of the camera, housing a photo sensitive device or devices. The imager works to convert light into an electronic video signal through an elaborate electronic process. The camera lens projects an image to the imager surface, exposing the photo sensitive array to the light.