Sony Introduces Its Smallest And Lightest Mini DV Camcorder

16-Jun-00

Sony is taking quality digital video to new extremes in portability with todayís introduction of its smallest Mini DV Digital HandycamÆ camcorder. The new DCR-PC5 Handycam camcorder is a palm-sized 2 1/8 (W) x 4 (H) x 3 7/8 (D) inches, and weighs less than one pound (15 ounces). This new camcorder offers digital still image capability, using Sonyís Memory StickÆ digital media, Carl ZeissÆ optics and a 2.5-inch SwivelScreenô LCD Monitor with Touchscreen controls.This tiny package also features a 10x-optical/120x-digital zoom and along with a 1/4-inch, 680k pixel CCD imager. The built-in Memory Mode also records digital still images onto removable Memory Stick digital media. ""Literally millions of vacationers will be using camcorders this summer, and itís those mobile consumers that Sony had in mind when we developed the ultra-portable DCR-PC5 ,"" said Allan Jason, Director of Camcorder Marketing for Sony Electronics.  The tiny DCR-PC5 offers a number of big features:- 2.5-inch SwivelScreenô LCD - touchscreen technology transforms the LCD screen into a convenient control pad. Users simply touch the appropriate button on the LCD screen to search, edit, or operate any number of special effects while recording or playing back their video on the same screen.- Super SteadyShotÆ picture stabilization - using motion sensors to compensate for camera shake, this worry-free feature enhances video and eliminates high frequency vibration without compromising picture quality, meaning no more blurred images during those shaky camera situations.- AccuPowerô battery system - all Sony Handycam camcorders conveniently indicate the remaining minutes of battery life on the LCD or viewfinder display. This allows users to keep an accurate and constant reading on remaining battery power.- Stereo sound with audio dub capability - the camcorder records in either 12- or 16-bit PCM digital stereo audio. The 16-bit offers high quality stereo sound, while the 12-bit Audio Dub mode records digital audio in two stereo tracks, allowing users to add background music or voice-over to the video during editing.Connectivity, High-Capacity Storage With i.LINK DV Interface And Memory Stick MediaThe i.LINK (IEEE 1394) digital video interface maximizes the connectivity of the DCR-PC5 Handycam camcorder, allowing for the transfer of information between two digital camcorders or a camcorder and a computer with virtually no generational loss. With bi-directional digital communication between the DCR-PC5 and an i.LINK DV interface-equipped PC, such as VAIO Digital Studioô desktop and notebook PCs, consumers can transfer digital videos to and from their PCs and then edit them to remove unwanted footage, enhance the transitions between scenes, or simply preserve the best of their home movies digitally.The DCR-PC5 camcorder includes a 4MB Memory Stick media, which can store up to 60 JPEG compressed digital still images. The DCR-PC5 will be available from Sony Electronics in June for about $1,499.

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