Monday, November 21, 2005
Sony's PC1000 3-CMOS Camcorder
Posted by Philip Colmer in "HARDWARE" @ 09:00 AM
Like previous PC models, the PC1000 has a fold-out LCD panel on the left-hand side and a fixed viewfinder at the rear of the camcorder (Figure 1).
Figure 1: PC1000 and PC120 body comparison
This model has moved back to a rear-loading tape. The battery now fits inside the camcorder which leads to better balance but restricts the size of the battery. It also means previous batteries aren't compatible.
USB and Firewire sockets have moved from the camcorder onto its docking station and the headphone & microphone in sockets have been removed completely. There are hardly any external controls - the PC1000 uses a touch screen which does have the downside that you need to open the panel up to change the settings.
This model uses 3 x CMOS chips for capturing the image, instead of the single CCD chip, resulting in better colour and less power consumption. The chips are designed to capture a true 16:9 image.
The camcorder has an integrated lens cover - it slides open & shut as you need it. Unfortunately, it isn't a silent operation so you cannot turn on the camcorder in a quiet environment without it being heard.
Two display aids for setting the exposure have been added - Zebra and Histogram (Figure 2). Zebra creates a zebra pattern over the image where the brightness is either over 70 IRE or 100 IRE depending on the setting. Histogram displays a graph showing the distribution of tones.
Figure 2: Zebra and histogram aids
There are quite a few features that give you control over the final image but I think that the manual could have done with a better explanation in places as to exactly what these do and, more importantly, why you might change them.
Two features have been dropped. Nightshot mode (where the image goes green and the camcorder uses IR light to capture the picture) and support for cassettes with memory chips. Now, if you take a tape out and put it back in, the camcorder will not find the end of the recording.
This really has been a very quick look at the PC1000. I haven't even touched on its photo capabilities! On the video side, the quality of recordings is the highest yet that I've had from a PC-range camcorder. I do feel, though, that Sony couldn't quite make up their mind where this model fits with their customer base. The price point is good - exceptional, even, compared to what models used to cost!
Philip Colmer is an I.T. Manager for a global electronic publishing company. In his spare time, he enjoys researching his family history, developing his videography skills and going shopping with his wife.
Figure 1: PC1000 and PC120 body comparison
This model has moved back to a rear-loading tape. The battery now fits inside the camcorder which leads to better balance but restricts the size of the battery. It also means previous batteries aren't compatible.
USB and Firewire sockets have moved from the camcorder onto its docking station and the headphone & microphone in sockets have been removed completely. There are hardly any external controls - the PC1000 uses a touch screen which does have the downside that you need to open the panel up to change the settings.
This model uses 3 x CMOS chips for capturing the image, instead of the single CCD chip, resulting in better colour and less power consumption. The chips are designed to capture a true 16:9 image.
The camcorder has an integrated lens cover - it slides open & shut as you need it. Unfortunately, it isn't a silent operation so you cannot turn on the camcorder in a quiet environment without it being heard.
Two display aids for setting the exposure have been added - Zebra and Histogram (Figure 2). Zebra creates a zebra pattern over the image where the brightness is either over 70 IRE or 100 IRE depending on the setting. Histogram displays a graph showing the distribution of tones.
Figure 2: Zebra and histogram aids
There are quite a few features that give you control over the final image but I think that the manual could have done with a better explanation in places as to exactly what these do and, more importantly, why you might change them.
Two features have been dropped. Nightshot mode (where the image goes green and the camcorder uses IR light to capture the picture) and support for cassettes with memory chips. Now, if you take a tape out and put it back in, the camcorder will not find the end of the recording.
This really has been a very quick look at the PC1000. I haven't even touched on its photo capabilities! On the video side, the quality of recordings is the highest yet that I've had from a PC-range camcorder. I do feel, though, that Sony couldn't quite make up their mind where this model fits with their customer base. The price point is good - exceptional, even, compared to what models used to cost!
Philip Colmer is an I.T. Manager for a global electronic publishing company. In his spare time, he enjoys researching his family history, developing his videography skills and going shopping with his wife.
