Presenting the worlds first consumer 1080i high definition camcorder, the Sony Handycam HDR-FX1. A revolution in form and function, the HDR-FX1 allows you to play and record interlaced high definition video at resolutions up to 1440 x 1080 for professional quality video with vivid colors and striking detail. It even offers the ability to switch to standard DV recording and playback as the situation warrants.

The HDR-FX1 features the Real-time HD Codec Engine, which offers professional-level MPEG2 video compression, and 14bit HD DXP (Digital Extended Processor) for increased processing speed. Images are captured on three chip Advanced HAD CCD system that provides increased detail and improved video performance without the color bleeding found in other system. Optical capabilities include a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 12x optical zoom and Super SteadyShot image stabilization.

The HDR-FX1 offers an unprecedented amount of control to the user, including manual zoom, focus, and iris control. Picture Profile allows the user to create a number of preset video modes for a variety of shooting settings. Composing shots is easier than even with the 3.5" precision hybrid SwivelScreen LCD display1 and the extra-large electronic viewfinder.

The Sony HDR-FX1 HDV Handycam camcorder… the revolution begins.

3-1/3" 16:9 Advanced HAD CCD Imagers 1,120K Pixels Gross
Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD imagers with 1,120K effective (video) pixels provides excellent detail and clarity with exceptional digital video performance. Using a 3 chip Advanced HAD CCD system and dichroic prism to separate color information, colors are extremely accurate, and color “bleeding" and “smearing" are greatly reduced.

Advanced HAD CCD Technology
Enhanced CCD design allows more light to reach the imager which reduces video noise to improve signal-to-noise ratio by up to 6db (2x better than a standard CCD). Particularly effective when shooting in dark situations.

HDV Recording Format
From the innovators in camcorder technology, Sonys HDR-FX1 camcorder is the worlds first HDV1080i consumer level camcorder and player. Now you can record all your memories in true high-definition video.

Switchable HDV/DV Format Recording
The HDR-FX1 is capable of recording and playing back both High Definition and Standard Definition video recorded on standard MiniDV cassettes.

Real-time HD Codec Engine
A Sony developed Real Time MPEG Encode/Decode system with reduced in energy consumption and compact size to fit inside a personal camcorder. Provides efficient MPEG2 compression, and recording and playback of clear HD images at the same bit rate of the DV format, so that High Definition video can be recorded on the same cassettes as are used for MiniDV recording.

12X Optical Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens
From the authority in lens technology, the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens provides a high quality 12x optical zoom which maintains image clarity and color while reducing glare and flare.

3.5" Wide Precision Hybrid SwivelScreen LCD Display1 (250K Pixels)
Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The 250K pixel LCD display makes images sharp and detailed during playback or when monitoring recording. The Hybrid Reflective-Transmissive LCD Screen provides accurate viewing in sunlight or bright light, virtually eliminating the “wash-out" common with traditional LCD Screens.

Super SteadyShot Optical Stabilization System
An advanced form of Sonys SteadyShot Image Stabilization system that controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies. This optical stabilization system achieves an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of video like some digital stabilization systems.

Analog/Digital Conversion with Pass-Through
Convert and/or record any analog NTSC video source to digital video via the analog inputs. Analog NTSC video can also be passed through the digital Handycam camcorder directly into a PC via the i.LINK2 interface in real-time for easy PC editing of your analog footage.

Manual Zoom and Manual Focus Ring
Dual independent Zoom and Focus rings provide precise and detailed control over the amount of zoom and the overall focus of the image with just a turn of the rings. Fast, intuitive framing when zooming, and finely detailed focusing is easy with the natural “feel" of the rings.

Expanded Focus Indicator
The camera‘s LCD image is magnified, temporarily, up to 4X its original size without any loss of distortion. This allows the user more finite control while focusing the camera for greater detail and clarity.

Picture Profile
Allows the user to set manual adjustments for a scene (color, sharpness, white balance, etc) into any one of six presets, so they can be called up at just the touch of a button. Useful when shooting under the same conditions repeatedly, as options do not have to be re-set each time. Settings for various shooting conditions are offered as defaults.

CineFrame Recording
Provides the option of recording video at either 30 fps or with a feeling of “film-like" 24 fps.

Assignable Buttons
Three buttons on the exterior of the camcorder are user-assignable so that they can be set to the options most commonly utilized, for ease of recording.

i.LINK2 DV Interface (IEEE1394)
A high speed bi-directional digital video/audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VCRs, and PCs.

MPEG 1 Audio Layer II
The HDR-FX1 records audio in MPEG1 Audio Layer II while recording in HDV format that provides outstanding sound quality even when compressed. In the standard DV format audio is recorded in either 12/16 bit (selectable) PCM Digital Stereo for audio quality that rivals that of a CD.

Manual Iris Control
By turning the Iris dial on the side of the camera, the user can manually adjust the amount of light entering the camera. The iris is adjustable from f1.6 to f11, in 24 steps.

Shot Transition
Allows for a smooth automatic scene transition. Settings for focus, zoom, iris, gain, shutter, and white balance can be set to the A/B button and a smooth transition will take place according to the set time. This function enables the focus to gradually shift from the front of the screen to a deeper part of the screen. Thus the iris enables a smooth change of depth of field.

Additional Information:

Apple iMovie '08 compatibility

USB: No
FireWire: Yes
HDMI: Yes
PC Compatible? Yes - FireWire
Mac Compatible? Yes - FireWire
Recording Media: mini-DV Cassette