Sony DCR-VX1000
The Sony DCR-VX1000 is a Digital video camera that was produced by Sony Electronics in 1995, being replaced in production by the Sony DCR-VX2000 in 2000 and the DCR-VX2100 in 2004. It was the first prosumer camera that enabled the user to transfer video information via IEEE 1394 firewire to a Windows or Macintosh computer. It was also the first camcorder in which both the MiniDV format and 3CCD color processing technology were used. It was based on Sony's earlier Hi8 camcorders VX1(PAL) and VX3 (NTSC) which were also prosumer grade camcorders. During the mid-1990s, Sony dropped Hi-8 in favor of the emerging DV format, and as a result the VX3 and VX1 were discontinued in 1995. However they went on to serve as the framework for a line of professional DV cameras, including the DCR-VX1000.
The camera sold for about USD $3500 when it came out, and its resolution and video clarity were nearly unsurpassed at the time, even by models far past its price point. Together with Canon's rival XL1 (and shorter-lived "budget" variants like the Canon GL1 and Sony DCR-TRV900), it revolutionized low-end video production; to some it is considered the "grandfather of digital cameras." The camera imaged in 410,000 pixels with a horizontal resolution of better than 530 lines. However, the camera has now been replaced by most professional/semi-professional cameras with more recent models, such as the Sony PD150 or PD170 and the Sony Z1. Videos recorded in DV can have up to two times the horizontal resolution of VHS. The use of three CCDs can yield up to three times the component color sampling of single CCD cameras. In addition to its FireWire out, it also had a set of female RCA outs (yellow, white, red/video, R audio, L audio) and a stereo microphone array at the front of the handle. The DCR-VX1000 camera is also considered by many to be the quintessential "action sports" camera, for filming things such as skateboarding and bmx. Despite their age, the cameras still fetch a good deal of money due to a devoted following from action sports filmers; many of whom still consider it the best camera ever made for fisheye lens use.
Specs
| Description | Specification |
|---|---|
| System Format (SO Digital-Video) | * |
| TV-Standard | CCIR – PAL |
| Lens / Camera Part | |
| Image Device (Size / Pixel, gross / net) | 3x 1/3' CCD / (470.000/440.000) |
| Min. Illumination / Recommended Illumination | 4 Lux (0.1 Lux Slow Shutter) > 100 Lux |
| Zoom / Digital Zoom 6 | 10x / 20x |
| Manual Zoom / Motor Zoom | - / * |
| Motor Zoom Speed Control (Variable / Steps) | * / - |
| F Lens Data | 1:1.6 |
| Steady Shot (electronic / optical) | Optical (Super) |
| Focus System | Full Range Inner Focus |
| Focus Mode (Normal / Infinity) | * / * |
| Manual Focus (Ring / Dial) | * / - |
| Push Autofocus / Macro Autofocus | * / * |
| Built-In Lens Cover / Built in ND Filter | - / * |
| Filter Diameter | 52 mm |
| Function Camera Part | |
| White Balance (auto / man.) | * / * |
| (Indoor / Outdoor / One push) | * / * / * |
| Iris-/ Gain Control (man.) | - / - |
| Iris- / Gain Control via Exposure | * |
| Shutter Control (man.) | * |
| Shutter Speed: Detail Steps | 1/50;75;100;120;150;215;300;425;600;850;1.250; |
| 1.750;2.500;3.500;6.000;10.000 sec | |
| Slow Shutter: Detail Steps | 1/3, 1/6, 1/12 and 1/25 sec |
| Program AE (Steps) | 3 (Priority Iris, Priority Shutter, Twilight) |
| Fader (Black / Overlap / Wipe) | * / * / - |
| Zebra Pattern Option | * |
| Photo Mode Recording | * |
| Effect Generator: | - |
| Picture Effects | - |
| 16:9 Wide Record Mode) | • (Full) |
| Date / Time | Data Code |
| Viewfinder | |
| Colour LCD Viewfinder (Size Pixel) | |
| Information Sub-panel | * |
| EVF (Fixed / Movement) | * / - |
| Player Part | |
| Functions (Play / Stop / Rew FF / Pause) | * |
| Still Picture / Noiseless | * |
| Digital Still Picture | * |
| Time Base Corrector | * |
| 16:9 Convert in 4:3 (P13) | * |
| Time Code / Extended Data Code | * / * |
| Interval Record / Frame Record | * / * |
| Interval Waiting-/ Recording Time | 30 sec; 1 min; 5 min; 10 min / 0,2; 0,5; 1; 2 sec |
| Self Timer (Waiting Time) | • (10 / 2 sec) |
| Date/Time- and Photo Search | • (List via Cassette Memory) |
| LCD Function -Display | * |
| Tape-/ Battery Remaining Indicator | * / * |
| Menu Options / Edit Switch | * / - |
| Insert Edit (Zero-Memory) | * |
| Audio Part | |
| PCM-Digital Stereo Alive | * |
| Low Cut Filter (Wind Noise Reduction) | • auto. |
| Record Level (auto / man.) | * / * |
| Audio Level Meter | • (via LCD) |
| Connectors In/Out | |
| Video In / Out (RCA) in/Out | - / * |
| Audio In / Out (RCA) | - / * |
| DV-Out (Digital Out) | - / * |
| Lanc (Remote / Control L) | - / * |
| Ext. Microphone Jack (Mini Jack) incl. Power Out | • (3,5 mm) 2,5 – 3V |
| Separate DC-Out for ext. Microphone | - (RFU DC–Out, 5V) |
| Headphone Out | • (3,5 mm) |
| General Data | |
| Power Supply | 6,5; 7,2V / DC |
| Power Consumption | 9,5 W |
| Operation Temperature | 0° – 40° C |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 110x144x329 mm |
| Weight (Without Tape / Battery) | 1,460 g |
| Supplied Accessories | |
| Charge / Power Adapter | • AC–V 515 (110 – 240 V, AC) |
| Recharg. Battery Type | • (NP-720/Lithium ]on) |
| Remote Commander | • (RMT-803) |
| DV-Mini-Cassette | • (DV–M 60) |
| AV Cable / Scant Adapter / S-Video Cable | • (Stereo) |
| Shoulder Strap / Wrist Strap Belt | * / - |
| Battery for Commander | 2x R6 |
| Lens Cap / Sun Shade (LCD) | * / - |