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Top Sony Handycam HDR-SR8E Camcorder Reviews
Trusted Reviews wrote a review on the
Sony Handycam HDR-SR8E and said: "In good lighting, such as
bright sunlight, the SR8E's x.v.Color technology accentuates
Sony's already excellent colour saturation. However, quite a bit
of noise is evident compared to HDV, since AVCHD's MPEG-4 H.264
AVC compression is more aggressive than the HDV's MPEG-2. The
image quality is still excellent, but the same footage from a
similarly specified HDV camcorder would be superior."
Camcorder Summary:
The Sony Handycam HDR-SR8E features an 100GB HDD; it records
1080i HD movie for up to 38 hours in LP mode. This is made
possible by the AVCHD compression technology that allows long
recording durations with HD picture quality. The SR8E has
a new kind of Face Detection technology which allows the SR8E to
automatically identify scenes from your footage containing
faces. It can capture still images up to 6.1 megapixels
regularly and 4.6 megapixel photos in dual record mode. It
includes optical image stabilization and Dolby Digital 5.1ch
surround sound.
Sony Handycam HDR-SR8E News Release
Summary:
25th April 2007 - Beautiful styling meets amazing HD recording
times with the smallest, lightest AVCHD hard disk Handycam
models ever from Sony. Offering up to an incredible 38 hours of
recording, the new line-up makes shooting your own High
Definition pictures even easier and more rewarding.
Longest-ever record duration… with no tape or discs
The ultra-compact, stylishly-designed new HDR-SR Series is
headed up by the flagship SR8E. With an immense 100GB hard disk
capacity, it records beautiful HD pictures and digital surround
sound for an incredible 38 hours (in LP mode). The amazing shooting capacity of the
new line-up is enabled by powerful AVCHD compression technology
that allows long recording durations with excellent HD picture
quality. As well as offering high compression efficiency,
variable Bit Rate recording adjusts bit rates while shooting,
balancing optimal picture quality with maximum storage
efficiency for higher picture quality.
High Definition recording directly onto the camcorder’s hard
disk drive means there’s no need to carry any tapes or discs
when you step out with the latest HDR-SR Series. Not having to
change media in the middle of recording means you don’t miss any
moment while shooting. Phenomenal record times are complemented
by HDD Smart Protection technology – so your precious memories
are safeguarded, even in the event of unexpected bumps and jolts
while you’re shooting.
Weighing just 530g (excluding battery), the latest HDR-SR Series
models are around 20% smaller and 17% lighter (SR7E/8E) than
their predecessor, the SR1E.
Superb HD picture quality
All new HDR-SR Series models use the AVCHD format to capture HD
1080 images for incredible detail and vibrant colours. The
ClearVid CMOS sensor with Enhanced Imaging Processor offers
excellent dynamic range and reduced smear compared with
conventional CCD sensors. Exceptional sensitivity with a minimum
illumination of only 2 lux (Auto Slow Shutter “ON”) allows
successful shooting in twilight or dimly-lit interiors.
High-quality still images up to 6.1 Megapixel can also be
captured. In Dual Rec mode, 4.6 Megapixel still images can be
shot without interrupting video shooting. (SR7E/8E only)
Based on the new xvYCC international standard, x.v.Colour
technology assures supremely life-like colour reproduction.
Compared to conventional camcorders, x.v.Colour approximately
doubles the range of colours that can be reproduced, very close
to what human eye can recognise. This ensures vivid, expressive
tonal reproduction with greater detailing and clarity when
viewed on the growing range of xvYCC compliant televisions and
players including new Sony Blu-ray player BDP-S1.
The Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens features a 10x optical zoom
range to bring distant images closer with superb clarity. Super
SteadyShot optical image stabilisation (SR7E/8E) ensures sharp,
clear images during still shooting, plus improved picture
stability when shooting video in slow shutter mode.
An on-board microphone allows recording of Dolby Digital® 5.1ch
surround sound – an essential part of the total HD entertainment
experience with a home theatre system.
There’s a growing range of exciting possibilities for enjoying
your HD pictures at home. The SR series connects directly to any
BRAVIA HD-ready television via a mini-HDMI cable (optional) for
fantastic results in your living room. Alternatively, AVCHD
discs can be burned using a PC for playback on PLAYSTATION®3 or
an AVCHD-compatible Blu-ray player.
New technology means faster scene searches
Even with up to 38 hours (SR8E) of footage on board, the new HDR-SR
Series makes it beautifully simple to find exactly the right
scene in moments.
‘Visual Index’ divides all your footage into a series of
convenient chapters, corresponding with each press of the Record
Start button. Thumbnail images are automatically created for
each chapter and displayed on the camcorder’s touch screen for
handy reference.
It’s complemented by smart new indexing features that make it
even quicker to track down your favourite memories after a day’s
shooting.
‘Film Roll Index’ automatically creates scene index points at
user-selectable intervals from 3 seconds to 5 minutes within
each recorded chapter. All that’s required is a single press of
the ‘Film Roll’ button on the camcorder’s body. The right scene
can then be tracked down quickly on the camcorder’s
touch-screen. Film Roll Index searches can also be performed on
a PC using supplied Picture Motion Browser software.
For the first time ever on a camcorder, ‘Face Index’ uses new
Face Detection Technology to simplify searches for ‘people
pictures’ within a scene of continuously shot footage – like
your child in a school play. The HDR-SR Series automatically
identifies scenes from your footage containing faces. Faces
appear as thumbnail images, making it fun and easy to browse
scenes featuring your child or other people – just make your
selection by pressing the touch screen and the clip plays
immediately.
NB: Faces may not be detected depending on recording conditions
Bundled Picture Motion Browser software also permits ‘Highlight’
Searches to track down brightly-lit, colourful scenes with
voices. It’s ideal for finding those shots from the beach,
poolside or concerts and other special events.
For ever greater flexibility, scenes can be searched by shooting
date using the ‘Date Index’ function.
Despite its superb picture quality and advanced new features,
the new AVCHD HDD Handycam line-up is also beautifully simple to
use. Clear, simple function navigation on the touchscreen is
complemented by direct buttons for playback.
Convenient disc burning and back-up
It’s easy to keep all your memories archived to enjoy again and
again. Once the camcorder’s hard disk is filled up, there’s a
choice of methods for transferring your precious video footage
to a PC or onto DVD for safekeeping.
The bundled Handycam Station features ‘One Touch Disc Burn’ –
just press a button to transfer your shots from Handycam to a
connected PC for fuss-free creation of AVCHD format DVDs.
Shots can also be stored safely to your computer’s hard drive
using ‘Easy PC Back-up’. This intelligently detects and
transfers only new files that have not previously been saved for
faster back-ups.
Sony Handycam HDR-SR8E Best Prices
(When Available)
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