Sony today announced a new professional HDV camcorder, the HVR-HD1000U. Priced at a mere $1900 MSRP, the camcorder is clearly gunning to undercut Canon’s XL H1, at least on looks. It features a shoulder-mounted design, a single 1/2.9” ClearVID CMOS sensor, 10x optical zoom, and a new EVF/LCD design. The HVR-HD1000U is expected to ship in December.The body design is remarkably similar to Canon’s highest-end HDV camcorder, the XL H1, which retails for five to six times the price. The difference in manual controls, internal imaging, and output options is vast, but the intent is clearly there: look like a pro, spend like a consumer.
The CMOS chip in the HVR-HD1000U is the same found on Sony’s top-end consumer HDV camcorder, the HDR-HC7. CamcorderInfo.com’s extensive testing of the HC7, including the complete review and an HD Camcorder Shootout, showed the imaging system was good, but failed to stand up to the Canon HV20 in most respects. The most crucial difference was in video quality, where the Sony HDR-HC7 displayed more artifacting and weaker colors. Once adapted into a professional model, the colors are likely to be processed under a different gamma curve, toward a less saturated tone. The question remains, however, as to whether the basic quality of the video will stand up to professional scrutiny.
Bob Ott, vice president of marketing for professional video products, stated that consumer camcorder and professional camcorders are run off of two different production lines, with much higher standards for the pro models. This entails everything from construction to performance, including signal-to-noise ratio and colorimetry. While consumer and pro lines can share certain parts, it’s the implementation and integration of those components that sets them apart.
The HVR-HD1000U is targeted at a very specific audience, those who need “maximum revenue-generating opportunities at a modest investment,” stated Ott in the press release. The likeliest candidates in the market are wedding and event videographers. Many sources have cited that the adult video market is also a likely candidate. The shoulder-mounted design conveys a level of professionalism impossible with a compact point-and-shoot. The “modest investment” is made possible by the inclusion of a consumer imaging system.
The are some pro-level features that raise the HVR-HD1000U well above the level of the HDR-HC7. Videographers are likely to appreciate the full-sized multifunction ring on the lens barrel, which can control focus, zoom, brightness, shutter speed, auto exposure shift, and white balance shift.
It is unknown what the exact depth of the manual control suite will be. The consumer 
division of Sony is known for restricting certain controls, such as aperture. The HVR-HD1000U is, however, a release from Sony’s Professional division, leaving several questions unanswered.The camcorder allows for shooting in both HDV and standard definition DV modes. It is also capable of down-converting within the camcorder from HD to SD for output to NLES and playback devices. This feature may prove very useful for those ready to begin the costly shift to HD production, but who can’t yet commit to an entire overhaul of their systems.
Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization is included, along with the infrared Super NightShot mode. Output options include Firewire, HDMI, USB, and a MemoryStick Duo slot. An external microphone is included, the ECM-PS1, which mounts to the upper-right of the body. It appears to be replaceable, though the connection type is not specified. The NP-F970 battery is included.
Still photo captures of up to 6.1 megapixels are possible when in Still mode. While shooting video, stills can be captured in resolutions up to 4.6 megapixels. The camcorder also appears to have photo capture during video Playback mode, which allows for low-res images of 1.2 megapixels.
The HVR-HD1000U retails for $1900 (MSRP) and is expected to ship in December. Final specs still have not been released.
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