Sony high end Handycam Offers 3 Megapixel CCD DV Model

[James Fee]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.sony-europe.com/PageView.do?site=odw_en_EU&page=PressReleaseDetail&section=en_EU_Press&pressrelease=1101282462952' target='_blank'>http://www.sony-europe.com/PageView.do?site=odw_en_EU&page=PressReleaseDetail&section=en_EU_Press&pressrelease=1101282462952</a><br /><br /></div>Sony plans to launch the 3 Megapixel CCD DV Camcorder DCR-HC90E in March 2005. Features include Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lenses, 5.1channel Surround audio capability, Wide LCD, True 16:9 widescreen and still camera recording on Memory Stick Duo. Sony's other new Camcorder is the DCR-PC1000E, equipped with three CMOS Sensor and Enhanced Imaging Processor, enable it to capture a wide dynamic range for precise gradation detail and high processing speed for wide angle of view. It appears you need the special microphone to record the 5.1 sound (makes sense).<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/PC1000_cradle_section.jpg" />

[Philip Colmer]

These two camcorders, as it turns out, aren't the only ones that support the new 5.1 feature that Sony has introduced.

Among the other new models is one of Sony's direct-to-DVD camcorder which, astoundingly, can actually create the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack entirely within the camcorder!

More info here: http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20050110_163329.html

It will be interesting to see how the DV camcorders are storing the additional soundtracks and what steps you have to go through in order to extract them on the computer.

--Philip