White Paper 034 Addendum 19: Sony-HVR A1/HC1

Alan Roberts

Abstract

Data for this section is taken from a long examination of a productionmodel of the Sony HDV camcorder, HVR-A1E, and comparison with aHVR-HC1E. This is a HDTV camcorder, physically very similar to thestandard-definition PDX10, with a single 1""/3 cmos sensor (5.9mmdiagonal). It records in HDV (1080i/25, 50Hz interlaced) format ontominiDV tapes, and standard definition (576i/25) as either miniDV orDVCAM.

The camera is essentially a consumer model; the A1 has some pretensionsto professional capture, such as having a removable sound pod whichwill accept sound via XLR connectors at mic or line level, and slightlydifferent features from its companion, the HC1. Both have an integrallens (Zeiss, 5.1~51mm) and viewfinder, with side lcd panel, and seemaimed at the high-end consumer market rather than broadcast orprofessional, which would normally demand interchangeable lenses. TheHC1 is the simpler camera, and incorporates a flash for stillsphotography.

The cameras have many internal menus for setting the performance andvery few external controls, although enough to control most of theimportant features. There are analogue-only video outputs (componentsat HD and SD, composite and S-video at SD, all via multi-pinconnectors) and digits via IEEE1394 Firewire (known as ""i.Link"" bySony) and USB.

Measurements were made only on an A1. The normal assessment procedurefor cameras could not be used, largely because the A1 does not have aselectable test signal. Therefore, testing had to be done the hard way,via the lens. Recommended settings allowing for a ""video-look"" and a""film-look"" have been derived, although there are some seriouscompromises that have to be taken into account. It is useful to thinkof the camera, when used in with ""film-look"", to be mimicking a filmcamera and telecine, with ""best light"" transfer to tape. Measurementresults are given after the settings tables, in order to explain thedecisions. At best, the camera can deliver about 10 stops of exposurerange, similar to other HD cameras, but it is easy to use othersettings that can reduce the range to 7 stops or less. For the targetmarket for this camera, a grading operation may well not be used inpost-production, so the settings should be used with care.

While HDV performance is acceptable, there are significant problemswith its performance as an SD camera for professional or broadcastpurposes. Performance, with the recommended settings, is probablyadequate for consumer use. The reasons for this statement are given inthe measurements section (2.2.4 and 2.2.5) of this document.

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