Sony Professional HVR-A1U CMOS High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

I recently had the Canon GL1 & thought it was time 2 upgrade 2 Hi-Def. After reading about 30 customer & 20 pro reviews it was the only camera that was offered pro features & great image quality worth way more then the price. It is all because of the CMOS sensor the camera uses. It consumes less power, less money 2 produce, better image quality then CCD & does not smear light. Some people say it's a consumer camera because it only has a one chip sensor instead of three like a CCD sensor but a CMOS sensor is a lot different then a CCD. A single chip CMOS sensor is three mega-pixels just like three CCD chips. It should be considered a pro camera instead of a consumer camera.
OK; now what the camera can do..... It has a touch screen which is handy but you have 2 keep wiping it off because it smudges easily. The personalized menu is a great idea; you can have all your most used items at a touch away. The cineframe & cinematone features are a good idea if you want your movies 2 have a more professional Hollywood look 2 them. The picture quality in good light is almost identical the image quality of the Sony Z1U which cost $4,000 & that's really amazing!! The low light performance is not that good, this is a downside of the CMOS sensor. I really like the exposure lever, one strange thing is that the camera does not give exposure increments like F1.6 ..... F2.6 it just gives you a bar. Three quarters of the bar is 4 exposure & the last quarter of the bar is gain which digitally brightens the picture & makes the picture real grainy. Just make sure you adjust the exposure manually in dark places & turn the gain off by not going 2 the last quarter of the bar. It has some other great features & that I am not going 2 go in 2 but you can read about them on this page. One other thing is that this camera is quite compact & I am really amazed at the picture quality that it takes.
Over all it is great camera & a good choice 4 any one who needs a good Hi-Def camera 4 a low price.
I hope this review helps & I will be adding more 2 this review.
06/29/08
I don't know what the problem was with the guy below me. I think he had problems in low light with the camera, this camera is not the best in low light. The auto focus is a little slow indoors but it's a lot better in good light. He also had problems with the mic, there are a lot of settings 4 the mic & you have 2 set them right 2 get good sound. When rewinding tapes I did not think it made a horrendous noise but it does make different pitches as you rewind it. The camera is small, they made it compact so pros could get great images in tight places. If you need a good low light camera go with the Sony V1U.
07/18/08
Price went up $300 from when I bought it, I guess I made a good investment.

I purchased this camera last month, & almost at once I knew it was not the camera 4 me. For several years, I've owned & used a Sony DCR-VX2100 3 CCD Mini DV Camcorder, & have been truly impressed with it. I thought that buying a high definition camera from the same company would be a great move. I was so wrong.

The HVR-A1U is the most disappointing camera I have ever come across in my life. It is astonishingly slow 2 auto focus, & at lower light levels makes nearly continuously adjustments. Even with the CCD turned up 2 full brightness, the picture looks washed out. Admittedly, I used it mostly at 480i, but even in 1080i mode, the result was no better. So much 4 the manufacturer's boasts about the Zeiss Vario-Sonna lens; they are, in my opinion, thoroughly unwarranted.

The sound quality was also poor, despite the large mic, & when rewinding tapes, this camera makes the most horrendous noise. It is actually designed 2 do so since the noise changes pitch as the tape spools from one segment 2 the next. The sound is irritating at all pitches, & I cannot imagine why anyone would want 2 listen 2 it.

The camera was also a lot smaller than the photos lead one 2 believe, so check the dimensions if you're used 2 a bigger, semi-professional camcorder.

I returned this camera after trying it 4 10 days. Buyer be warned about this one.

I have been shooting consumer video since 1981. I started with a reel 2 reel system, worked with a camera & VHS portapack, did 8mm, Hi-8 & replaced my Digital 8 camcorder with this HDV camcorder earlier this year. Primarily, I use it 4 family functions, but I do shoot things that require me 2 gather better sound than what comes out of the built-in mics. The primary reason I bought this camcorder was - at the time - it was the lowest price HDV camcorder that had a way 2 connect 2 external audio sources. I wanted a Canon A1, but didn't want 2 wait the extra year or two it would take 2 save up 4 that!
I also liked the idea that it used tape. I have a DVR that I fill up all the time & then have 2 dump onto tape or DVD 2 store what I want 2 keep. Also, in my informal in-store tests, the picture with the AVCHD codec just didn't look as good... at this time. I use standard DV tape mostly, but I clean my heads regularly & only record on the tapes once. I can think of two lost half-seconds of video where the key frame was corrupted in about forty hours of collection.
Primarily, I found three things 2 be important going from SD 2 HD. One, picture stability. Use a tripod as much as you can & don't make sudden movements. Two, you need a lot of light 2 shoot good HDV. Three, focus is absolutely critical in HD.
The touch screen menu system took me awhile 2 get used to. However, you can adjust the menus 2 have a personal set of menus; putting the menu selections you use mostly at the beginning of the list. Even so, Murphy's Law seems 2 dictate that you need 2 hit at least two menus 2 get 2 what you want. On a tripod, I find I can navigate quickly 2 the fader button without too much shake; this is much harder 2 do when I am doing a handheld shot. Also, I strongly suggest you get an LCD protector 4 the screen.
In bright light, the camera is fantastic. I've shot landscapes that just blew me away watching on a 46" plasma HDTV. My son played flag football & I covered that - a la NFL films - all in close up & with lots of action in the frame. It looked great & very clear, even in slow motion.
Inside, it's a little different. Family functions tend 2 take place in low light: table lights, kitchen overhead light, that sort of thing. The camera is not designed 2 shoot in those light levels (to be fair, no HDV camera seems 2 be at this time). The video can get very grainy (especially with a lot of dark areas in the frame) & the colors tend 2 go reddish. I'd say it compares 2 my Hi-8 camcorder from the early 90's in terms of sensitivity. On the small LCD screen, it's pretty much impossible 2 determine how grainy it will look. You won't be able 2 tell until you play it back on something normal sized & then the artifacts can be distracting. I would say anything below a bright kitchen needs some additional light. I've tried a couple of LCD lights that fit on the camcorder, but I haven't found one that I like yet, so I won't recommend one at this time.
However, so far, the stuff I have shot at school seems 2 look fine under lots of fluorescents. And HDV seems 2 have a wider range than standard video. You can have a lot of light & dark in a frame before you completely blow it out & have white glowing blobs instead of kids in a spotlight against a dark background (parents have had camcorders 4 an entire generation; you'd think they would have noticed this by now!). And the camera does have a "Zebra" function that will alert you 2 areas of your frame that need 2 be toned down.
The final thing is focus. Again, in bright light, this isn't too big of a problem. Even in flag football, the auto focus worked remarkably well, adjusting 2 the focus point within a second in almost all cases. Indoors, it does okay with one big exception that I just found out: Christmas tree lights totally screw it up. I don't know what it is, but our tree lights, my friend's tree lights & my aunt's tree lights all had the auto focus totally confused. However, the focus can be manually controlled by a switch on the side & through the dial at the front of the camera. I quickly zoomed in all the way, focused & then began 2 shoot. In any case, I recommend you zoom in all the way before you shoot as it is very difficult 2 tell on a three inch LCD screen if the scene is properly focused, but it is very easy 2 tell when you are watching it on a 46" HDTV!
There is a single button on the side called "ASSIGN" that you can have set up 2 do a number of things. However, you cannot assign ANY function 2 the button, just SOME functions. For example, you can't set it 2 black fader.
A "nice 2 have" would have been an HDMI out. You have two proprietary outputs 4 standard video & component HD video that I have hooked 2 my HDTV permanently. I need both of them because the component only outputs the video, so I have 2 use the RCA outs of the standard audio as well.
The 10X zoom is okay. I think I would have liked about 15 - 20X though, especially since I primarily use the camera with a tripod. Another issue with a tripod is when you eject a tape. It exits from the bottom, so - at least on my tripod - you have 2 take it off the tripod, take the connection plate off & then reconnect it after you put in a new tape. This is an annoyance 4 me about twice a month as I generally shoot 60 minutes of tape every couple of weeks; not critical, but more of why did they change it from the top loading mechanism on my Digital 8 camcorder?
The battery life with the original stock battery that would get sucked dry in less than an hour. However, I picked up a six hour battery & got rid of that issue. Actually, that helps 2 balance the camcorder in my hand when I use the audio breakout box which fits on the top of the camera towards the front. I use that a lot because the built-in microphones seem 2 pick up more sound from the sides rather than straight on & they really seem 2 pick up a lot of wind noise. The external microphone that comes with the camera isn't bad. I shot a football game with thirty mile an hour gusts & only the worst ones came through the wind screen.
The camera will shot still pictures 2 a Sony MemoryStick. I have a 1GB stick & can fit something like 800 pictures on it. The pictures are okay (no flash) & they are in the 16:9 format of the camcorder. One nice thing is 2 be able 2 take a still while recording video. Again, in flag football, I could be shooting the action & then taking a still or two while the kids were running & the 10X zoom was much better than my 3X on my snapshot digital camera.
The camcorder comes with a hood 4 the lens with a built in lens cover. Unfortunately, if you want 2 put on any filters, the lens shade can't be used. I have a clear filter on my lens 2 prevent scratches, use the 37mm lens cover from my Digital 8 camcorder & generally live without the hood.
All in all, I'm pleased with the camera & generally astounded with the quality of the video. It took me a couple of months of use before I was totally comfortable with the camera layout & didn't accidentally turn it off when I wanted 2 start shooting. It's taken me longer 2 figure out how 2 best shoot in HD versus SD, but I'm getting there! I'd recommend the camera though there are now consumer level camcorders with external audio options that you might want 2 research before buying this one.

This is a great camcorder, taking nice videos.
One thing I like 2 see in their next version is using hard disk, instead of using tape. Tape is not reliable. HDD is a lot easier 4 repeat use.

At first i wanted 2 buy the DVX100B ,i did not know that better products could exist, in other hand every time i called DVX100b dealers they were very rude, i really don't understand why !!!!!and they told me i could not use the DVX unless i purchased the lens which was so confusing, so after arguing many time because of their rude & cold attitudes i decided 2 call Panasonic them self, they told me that NO lens should ever been purchased 4 that camera 2 work, & that the lens already comes attached , they also said that such dealer are illegally their try 2 rip people off big time , seller like bestcameraprice, or express cameras & other expocameras ,are doing the same stupid thing , & on top they are very rude, like it's out of style,!!! it also look as if it's the same Dealer that has several website & try 2 act up as different one from the other be ware!!!
I started 2 accept the possibilities of using other brands,for my work, cause i was looking 4 the Hollywood look & 24fr/PS & a pro camera, so i stared looking around after many ,many long, & sometimes frustrating hours Thank God i discover the SONY HVR A1 the Perfect one " The one hat gives you 24fr/s & the Hollywood look, & the craziest of all it delivers AMAZING HIGH DEFINITION which the DVX 100B don't so in conclusion the Sony HVR A1 is a great Professional Power Pack Camcorder it is a slap in the face 2 those that are accustomed 2 the same thing !
The HVR A1 is a must have.

Sony HVR-A1U 1080i HDV camcorder provides real 1080i HD acquisition, with superb image quality & comprehensive functionality 4 professional use, in a "handy" camcorder form factor. This new HDV camcorder will help 2 expand the adoption of HDV & lead the entry level HD market by providing a compact & low cost solution. The new HVR-A1U features a newly developed 1/3 inch C-MOS imager. This new 1920x1080 native imager is also capable of 3 mega-pixel still images. Combined with a high quality Optical Zoom Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar® T* Lens & Sony's new 14 bit A/D & DXP digital Extended Processor, result in precise image acquisition with superb detail & clarity. The new HVR-A1U records this exceptional imagery using the recently adopted HDV 1080i format onto a DVCAM mini cassette. Resolution of up 2 1440x1080 with pixel shift 2.7 16 - 9 Hybrid LCD Display with touch panel function (simultaneous use of LCD & viewfinder is possible) Image Stabilization XLR Audio input connectors Built-in Wide Range Stereo Microphone Built-in Dynamic Speaker

The HVR-A1U is a compact & lightweight handy-type camcorder, ideal 4 shooting environments that require mobility. Its size, combined with its long battery life (up 2 80 minutes of high-definition recording with the included battery), make it easy 2 get the shots you need, when you need them.

See large image

HDV 1080i
The HDV 1080i specification features 1080 effective interlaced scanning lines & 1,440 horizontal pixels. Interlaced pictures, which have been common 2 TV broadcasts from the beginning, alternately display odd & 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 & 1,280 horizontal pixels. Progressive scanning fills both odd & even numbered lines with each refresh, providing a flicker-free picture.

Not yet ready 4 HD? The HVR-A1U can convert material from 1080i down 2 480i & 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 2 4:3, & 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 4 a 4:3 aspect ratio. The advantage of a CMOS sensor over CCD is it's ability 2 process a large volume of picture data at a very small size, which makes it possible 4 a camera this size 2 capture HD video. The trade off 4 this kind of chip over CCD, however, is a small loss in picture uniformity & 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 4 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 4 use with professional-grade microphones or external audio sources. Each input level 4 CH1 & CH2 can be independently adjusted using two audio level dials on the camera body & 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 2 facilitate zoom control & recording operation during low-angle shooting, an additional zoom lever has been added 2 the camera body. There's also a zoom/focus ring located on the lens body that allows 4 fine adjustments in zoom position. Furthermore, the supplied wireless Remote Commander unit can be used 4 external control.

Large, 16:9 widescreen color viewfinder & 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 & 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 2 use one 4 adjusting focus & the other 4 monitoring audio levels. When eschewing auto focus 4 the fine-tuning manual focus, you can double the magnification at the center of the screen, making it easier 2 confirm focus settings during manual focusing. Also, the camera's "peaking" function can provide sharp outlines on the monitor 2 help with manual focus.

Electronic Super SteadyShot system
Sony's electronic Super SteadyShot System helps remove the slight hand jitter & 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 2 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 2 capture a macro image from a distance, which is useful 4 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 2 quickly setup & load a gamma curve with similar contrast characteristics 2 a film gamma curve. The Cineframe feature allows movement 2 be reproduced at 24 frames per second--the speed of film--as opposed 2 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 & 60% fewer dropouts compared 2 regular DV tape.

More camera features

·Assign button -- get quick access 2 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 4 audio, output signal, assign button & exposure lever functions & hours meter on the LCD monitor		·Zebra -- displays a striped pattern in the LCD monitor & viewfinder across highlight areas, helping manual exposure settings
·Quick REC -- shortens the record interval from stop mode.		·Personal Menu -- allows operators 2 customize the setting menu
·Battery Info -- displays the attached battery's current charge level & its current remaining recording time on the LCD monitor		·Histogram Indicator -- allows you 2 easily evaluate the brightness of your scene
·Super Night Shot -- allows operators 2 capture images in black & white using a built-in infrared light		·Skin Tone Detail -- reduces detailed signal 4 skin color, smoothening the reproduction of human skin
·Black Stretch -- allows more contrast 2 be seen in dark parts of the picture without affecting mid-tones		·Backlight Compensation -- produces natural tones 4 both light & 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, & operating instructions.