HDR-XR350V 160GB AVCHD-HDD Handycam camcorder

HDR-XR350V is the new advanced AVCHD-HDD Handycam camcorder that comes with many of the outstanding features available in higher models. This model boasts features such as the highly acclaimed "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for great videos even in low light conditions, the new Optical SteadyShot (Active Mode) for steady footages from wide to tele, and the newly developed class leading 29.8mm (in movie mode) wide angle Sony Lens G, all in a compact body. Besides, convenient features such as the new Intelligent Auto that automatically optimizes up to 90 scenes, built-in GPS and Golf Shot will also enhance the overall user experience. This model is a dream come true for users looking for long recording time, rich features, and a compact body.

Exmor R CMOS sensor:

The Exmor R CMOS Sensor is twice as sensitive as conventional CMOS sensors thanks to back-illuminated technology that places metal wiring beneath the photo diode instead of above it. Since light is used more efficiently, you can enjoy smoother movement in action sequences and higher image quality in dark conditions such as night scenes.

BIONZ:

The BIONZ Imaging Processor works together with the Exmor RECMOS Sensor to provide high performance through high-speed signal transmission of massive pixel data. This high-speed processing enables a number of handy features like the Dual Rec function for capturing 8.3 megapixel still images while shooting video footage up to the maximum capacity of the recording media and Face Detection technology for speedy and precise tracking of up to 8 subjects' faces while shooting movies. The technology also improves Auto Focus, Auto Colour Control, and Auto Backlight Correction that compensates for backlighting when shooting landscapes as well as portraits.

24Mbps AVCHD video:

Handycam High Definition camcorders capture high definition footage in the AVCHD format. The newly added maximum bit-rate (in AVCHD format) of 24Mbps is now available for the most demanding users to record in the best quality when necessary. Also HD video content is automatically up-converts to 60 progressive frames per second when connected via HDMI cable (sold separately) to a compatible high-definition television for best viewing quality.

1920 x 1080 Recording:

Preserve every moment at 1920 x 1080i Full HD video resolution with 6 times the detail of SD (Standard Definition) video. A single glance is all you need to see the remarkable difference achieved by Sony's new "Exmor R " CMOS Sensor. You can also shoot still images at a vibrant 7.1 megapixels to make every detail come to life.

Sony G Lens:

The G Lens was developed based on Sonys unique optical design concept and quality control. It fully complements the Exmor R CMOS image sensor and BIONZ image processor to deliver superior optical performance. The 14-element 10-group design of Sonys advanced G Lens features five aspherical lenses, an Extra-high Refractive Index (ER) lens, and two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) lenses that reduce chromatic aberration caused by light refraction. This structure contributes to beautiful images with high resolution, minimal noise, crisp contrast, and less colour bleeding in various shooting environments, including low-light conditions.

Wide Angle Lens:

Whether shooting movies or still images, the class-leading wide-angle lens opens doors to exciting new possibilities. Youll capture more of what you see in magnificent landscapes and indoor scenes where theres not enough room to step back. Even without adding a wide conversion lens, this compact Handycam shoots as wide as 29.8mm (16:9 aspect ratio) in movie mode.

Image Stabilization:

The new Optical SteadyShot (Active Mode) ensures smooth movie footage in various shooting situations: when chasing your child, strolling around sightseeing, or even zooming in on the action. This latest version of image stabilization technology realizes up to 10x steadier images on the wide end than conventional Optical SteadyShot. As the user zooms in, an intelligent digital image stabilizer works together with its optical counterpart to effectively reduce camera shake blur even while zooming. Furthermore, this technology compensates for shake in the rolling direction that commonly occurs when shooting while walking.

Golf Shot:

Golf Shot makes it easy to analyze your golf swing and see what needs improving. Just switch it on, frame your subject in the white rectangle, and press the Rec button when the swing is complete. Golf Shot automatically pre-records the scene and, based on the sound of impact, saves a multi-frame sequence extending from before and after the moment of impact. During playback, you can watch the multi-frame sequence as a movie or still image to easily and precisely check your golf swing. This feature is useful for other sports as well, such as baseball and tennis.

Convenient storage:

The 160GB HDD stores up to 67 hours and 10 minutes of HD video in the AVC HD 5 M (LP) 1920 x 1080i high-definition mode or up to 15 hours 10 minutes and in the AVC HD 24 M (FX) 1920 x 1080i Full HD mode. You can also record video footage and still images to Memory Stick media. In addition, conventional standard definition video recording is supported. Thanks to the nature of non-linear media, you dont have to worry about over-writing recorded footage: new data is automatically written in blank unrecorded space. Moreover, you can immediately watch or erase newly recorded footage without rewinding. Just press the desired thumbnail on the touch panel LCD.

Highlight Playback and Highlight Scenario:

Highlight Playback can automatically extract scene highlights from your movies based on factors such as the use of Face Detection, Dual Rec, and Smile Shutter. It can then display the highlights with music and visual effects as a digest of your movie footage. You can even mix the music with the movies soundtrack and adjust their balance as desired. Highlight Scenario lets you store up to 8 of your favourite scene highlights for later viewing with friends and family Ewhenever you like*. This is a highly satisfying, effortless way to enjoy memories on an HDTV. You can also manually select a particular background tune, theme, and range of dates for scene highlight extraction. Moreover, PMB Software Music TransferElets you play favourite tunes in place of the supplied background music.

BRAVIA Sync:

The Handycam playback screen is automatically displayed when you use an HDMI cable to connect your Handycam with a BRAVIA HD TV that is compatible with BRAVIA Sync. You can also command your Handycam with the BRAVIA's remote controller. Such easy operation makes watching your recorded footage on a large-screen TV even more enjoyable.

DVDirect Express:

Just connect your Handycam via USB with the optional DVDirect Express (VRD-P1) DVD writer and press the One Touch button on DVDirect Express. Thats all it takes to burn movie footage onto a DVD Ewithout using a PC. You can burn the AVCHD DVD at HD resolution or use the down-convert function to burn a DVD-Video at standard picture quality (SD) for playback on more DVD players. For instant playback of the DVD you just created, simply press the Play button on DVDirect Express with Handycam still connected to it. You can also enjoy watching the DVD on a large-screen TV, or share it with your family and friends.

Built-in GPS:

Built-in GPS capabilities and pre-installed data-rich maps let you record where movies and still images were taken. Simply slide the GPS switch to ON to record position information with your movies and still images. The current time is also recorded at the GPS-corrected time for the local time zone. In addition, you can view your current position on a pre-installed map: a handy feature when traveling. Whether browsing contents from a family trip or overseas travel, the Map Index function further enhances your pleasure by displaying markers on the map to show where your movies and still images were shot. So you can search for desired content on the map and play it back by simply touching a thumbnail on the screen. Recorded movies and photos can also be imported to a PC installed with bundled PMB software and displayed along with location and time information in Map View. Simply clicking on Map View thumbnails plays the movies.

Intelligent Auto:

Creating beautiful results is easy with Intelligent Auto. This feature automatically recognizes the type of scene you are shooting and chooses the optimum combination of settings from three groups to provide the best results. For example, the camera might select the Baby setting from the Face group, the Low Light setting from the Scene group and the Tripod setting from the Camera-shake group when capturing a baby indoors. Selected settings are displayed as icons on the LCD screen for easy reference. Even in challenging night and backlit scenes, you can always count on Intelligent Auto for great results.

Face Detection & Smile Shutter:

Its easy to prioritise a particular face for Face Detection and Smile Shutter. Simply touch one of the faces on the screen framed by Face Detection technology and a double frame will appear to indicate that face has been chosen. The face will remain prioritised even if the person leaves and returns to the scene (until you switch off the power), and various automatic settings will place a priority on reproducing that face as beautifully as possible.

Store and Share Your Memories:

Now there's an easy way to transfer and store videos directly from your camcorder to an external hard disk drive (sold separately), without a computer. You can even use handy playback features of this camcorder to access the videos stored on your external drive and share your memories on a compatible HDTV or monitor.

Dual Memory card slot:

HDR-XR550V now accepts two types of memory cards so that everyone can fully enjoy the benefit of the Cyber-shot experience but still enjoy the flexibility to select the type of memory cards depending on their needs.

Works with iMovie:

Handycam camcorders are compatible with both PC and Mac computers. Mac users can transfer AVCHD content and edit video clips in HD quality using iMovie software (sold separately).

2.7 type Clear Photo LCD Plus:

Clear Photo LCD Plus delivers roughly 1.6 times more accurate colour reproduction than conventional hybrid-type LCDs. A multi-layered coating reduces reflections, increases display contrast, and ensures excellent visibility even in bright sunlight on the large, 2.7 type wide screen.

Built-in zoom microphone:

The zoom microphone can widen or narrow its pickup angle in accordance with the image zoom setting to focus on nearby or faraway sounds. When zooming in on birds perched in a distant tree, for example, the microphone automatically zooms in to capture their song.

High-resolution still images:

In addition to capturing moving images, Handycam can capture high-quality still images whenever you like. These images are shot at a resolution of up to a stunning 7.1 megapixels (3072 x 2304 pixels), which is ample for producing large, high-quality prints

 

System Requirements for Picture Motion Browser

	OS		Microsoft Windows XP SP3 * / Windows Vista SP1 ** * 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not supported. ** Starter (Edition) is not supported. Standard installation is required. Operation is not assured if the above OS has been upgraded or in a multi-boot environment.
	CPU		Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz CPU or faster (Intel Pentium 4 3.6GHz or faster, Intel Pentium D 2.8GHz or faster, Intel Core Duo 1.66GHz or faster, or Intel Core 2 Duo 1.66GHz or faster is recommended.) For the following operations, an Intel Pentium III 1GHz or faster is necessary. -Importing videos and still images to a computer -One Touch Disc Burn -Creating a Blu-ray Disc / an AVCHD disc / a DVD-Video (An Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz or faster CPU is necessary when creating DVD-Videos by converting from high definition image quality (HD) to standard definition image quality (SD).) -Copying a disc -Processing content with standard definition image quality (SD) only
	Application		DirectX 9.0c or later (This product is based on DirectX technology. It is necessary to have DirectX installed.)
	Memory		Windows XP 512MB or more (1GB or more is recommended.) For processing content with standard definition image quality (SD) only, 256MB of memory or more is necessary. Windows Vista 1GB or more
	Hard Disk		Disk volume required for installation: Approximately 500MB (10GB or more may be necessary when creating AVCHD format discs. Approximately 50GB of disk space may be required when you create Blu-ray Discs.) The NTFS or exFAT filesystem is recommended for best results.
	Display		Minimum 1,024 X 768 dots
	Others		USB port [this must be provided as standard, Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0 compatible)], Blu-ray/DVD burner (CD-ROM drive is necessary for installation.)

The combination of Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and High ISO sensitivity helps compensate for shaky hands, minimizes blur and allows flash-free shooting to preserve the mood.

Optical SteadyShot image stabilization uses a built-in gyro sensor to detect camera shake and automatically shifts the lens to help prevent blur without sacrificing image quality.

High ISO allows for faster shutter speed, so you can take pictures indoors or in low light without the need for a flash. In addition to High Sensitivity Mode (ISO), you can select up to eight ISO settings (Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200) when shooting in Program Auto Mode to adjust sensitivity to your shooting conditions.