Product Probe

Consumer-level digital video is no longer just a dream, thanks to the introduction of DVC (digital video cassette) camcorders from such major manufacturers as Panasonic and Sony. One of Sony's first entries into the DVC race is the DCR-VX1000 Digital Handycam. Its introduction marks a major turning point in the development of consumer camcorders. For the first time, consumer videomakers have access to a 500-line resolution camcorder they can both hold in one hand and afford without robbing a bank.

Before we get into the test, here's a quick summary of the DVC technology that makes the DCR-XV1000 so special. Analog camcorders record signals as a changing voltage with a virtually unlimited number of values. Digital camcorders convert the analog video signal to a binary number, storing just "0s" or "1s" on tape. Because of this, the DV system is basically impervious to tape noise, inconsistent record levels and tape inconsistencies. When recording from one digital unit to another, generation loss is a thing of the past.

DVC camcorders record the digital signal to tape using a helical-scanning system, as in an analog camcorder. How the tracks end up on tape distinguish the digital unit from analog. The recording pattern of an analog VCR (8mm or VHS-family video) consists of only 2 tracks (fields) for every one frame of video. In the NTSC recording system, the rotating head drum spins at a speed of 1800 rpm. The digital camcorder's drum rotates at 9000 rpm, allowing the DVC units to record 10 digital tracks for every one frame of video.

Each track consists of four sectors. Time code, index ID for searching points, and IDs for still picture recording and playback lie in the subcode sector. A video sector contains the video information and additional data for video processing, such as recording date and time, wide mode and input source information. A separate audio sector records digital sound information. The Insert Track Information (ITI) sector records signals for audio dubbing and additional data for the camcorder itself. Since the digital camcorder records video and audio signals in separate sectors, true video-only insert editing is possible.

DVC's component color system offers three times the information carrying capacity of NTSC. The result is dramatically improved color reproduction.

The Mini DV cassette allows for 60 minutes of NTSC/PAL recording. The standard--and much larger--DV cassette records 270 minutes of NTSC/PAL video. The DCR-VX1000 plays and records only on the Mini DV cassette. Sony plans to release a digital VCR that will record and playback both the standard and Mini DV cassettes.

An optional cassette memory IC (integrated circuit) is also available for both cassettes. In addition to any standard data recorded on the tape, the cassette memory will store other index info as well. This includes a table of contents of the tape, and the dates and times of still video "photos." With this optional chip, you can easily search for specific recordings by selecting from the data list.

There are two audio recording modes available in the DVC format; both record PCM (pulse code modulation) digital signals. A 16-bit single stereo audio mode offers the highest quality recordings. A 12-bit dual-stereo mode allows sound recordings on four channels for audio dubbing.

The Digital Handycam has a sturdy die-cast, magnesium-alloy main frame and side cabinet. It has the look and feel of a professional camera, without the professional price tag. I found the DCR-VX1000 to be light for its size and extremely comfortable to use. All of the camera controls are easily accessible, sitting in a logical arrangement on the back and left side of the camera.

Most of the controls are push-button types, except for the exposure and manual focus ring.

The DCR-VX1000 boasts a three-CCD camera system which uses a dichroic prism to separate the image into red, green and blue components. Each of the three CCDs supplies a respectable 410,000 pixels.

A very responsive eight-speed 10X power zoom lens graces this model. The manual zoom rocker is continuously variable right up to where the digital 20X zoom kicks in. The rocker makes it possible to perform quick focal length changes. If you don't want to use the 20X digital zoom, it's simple to disable the digital zoom function in the menu system.

Pictures remain stable in the DCR-VX1000, thanks to Sony's Super SteadyShot image stabilization system. Using a variable prism compensation system, the SteadyShot system reduces serious hand-held and high-frequency shake.

The DCR-VX1000 also offers a unique Zebra Pattern feature, which places black and white lines in the viewfinder where portions of the picture exceed a certain brightness level. You use the zebra pattern as a guide for adjusting the exposure and shutter speed. A neutral density (ND) filter cuts down the amount of light entering the lens, allowing it to function in the middle of its f-stop range even under very bright conditions.

Focus, exposure and white balance controls are both manual and automatic. Three program auto exposure modes are available for shutter priority, iris priority and natural night mode. The DCR-VX1000 offers various digital features including A/V digital fade, scene overlap and slow shutter. The digital fader lets you fade to and from black. In overlap mode, the camcorder captures the last scene in digital memory. The next scene then smoothly transitions with this still image. When using the slow shutter mode, it's possible to record in extremely low-light situations.

The DCR-VX1000 boasts a photo mode that records a still image on tape for up to seven seconds. In this mode, automatic high-speed shutter achieves blur-free stills. The Sony uses a new frame interpolation technology which effectively prevents image shaking while in photo, digital zoom, or 16:9 wide modes.

The DCR-VX1000 records "extended data codes" onto a special area of the tape. This data includes date, time, shutter speed, iris and gain, allowing you to easily recall your settings after recording. Interval and frame recording modes are also available for single frame recording and time-lapse effects. The frame recording on this camcorder is the best I've ever seen.

The DCR-VX1000 has both automatic and manual (20-step) audio record level controls. Its built-in microphone is a unique four-capsule system, which consists of two sets of microphones for each left and right channels. These sit face to face to reduce wind noise. In addition, the built-in microphone is mounted away from the camera body, which significantly reduces mechanical noise pick-up. The DCR-VX1000 has an external microphone input jack.

The DCR-VX1000 has a special IN/OUT jack for digital-to-digital editing. Sony's optional connecting cable for digital editing conforms to the IEEE P1394 protocol. When using this cable, you don't need to change the audio or video signal connections since the direction of signal flow changes automatically within the DV connecting cable.

With this new protocol, you can connect up to 64 digital VCRs or camcorders. Remember--you can only make perfect digital dubs or edits with the DV connector cable and at least two DCR-VX1000s. In the near future, Sony will release a digital VCR that will also offer a digital IN/OUT jack. Because this standard is actually a computer protocol, you can expect the next wave of nonlinear editing packages to offer you a way to connect your DVC camcorder or VCR directly to a computer.

In the meantime, the DCR-VX1000 has Sony's standard LANC connection for editing. Both S-video and composite outputs will allow you to create very high quality video when transferring to VHS or 8mm-family formats. Since the DVC format boasts over 500 lines of horizontal resolution--with PCM stereo digital audio to boot--"second generation" footage looks and sounds like first.

Time code for hours, minutes, seconds, and frames is written to tape for extremely accurate editing. The time code format is compatible with Sony's popular RC time code. When working with edit controllers that read time code, simply choose RCTC for the DCR-VX1000.

The Sony offers an edit search feature. This function allows the user to scan the recorded video before recording. While using the edit search mode, you can also monitor the recorded sound by plugging headphones into the DCR-VX1000's headphone jack.

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