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DSR-PD170 is sony's latest mini DV.

Article Excerpt
Sony has just introduced the DSR-PD170 camcorder, which replaces the venerable DSR-PD150, a camcorder that is widely used by advanced consumer and industrial videographers. When you look at it externally, it looks very similar to the new DCR-VX2100 Mini DV camcorder that was also just released for consumers. But, the DSR-PDI70 has advanced features that go beyond the VX2100, and for a price that's still affordable--about $4,000 MSRP.

Probably the most significant improvement is the use of the DVCAM recording format. DVCAM uses 8-bit digital component recording with a 5:1 compression and a sampling rate of 4:1:1. DVCAM also has an Audio Lock mode that synchronizes audio to the video for professional editing results. The PDI70 can also record in standard DV mode on a Mini DV tape. Another big improvement is the inclusion of twin XLR balanced Audio Input connectors, which means professional audio microphones can be connected directly into the PD 170 for the best noise-free recordings.

The DSR-PD 170 can also record in the 16:9 wide-screen mode for a more realistic cinema movie-like effect. It's a true 16:9, which is anamorphically squeezed, not just a letterbox effect where the top and bottom of the image is cut off by black bars. For available light shooting, the sensitivity has been increased to 1 lux, which makes shooting in low-light environments a reality. A Gain switch is also provided to give 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, of 8dB of increased sensitivity.

Three third-inch Advanced HAD CCD sensors make up the "eye" of the PD170. Each is 340K pixels effective, so the resolution is quite sharp and detailed. The scanning of the sensors can be set to either Interlace for conventional video, or Progressive for a more cinema-like effect.

The zoom lens is a robust 12X, ranging from 6mm-72mm with a...