Press Release

January 15, 2008

Sony Debuts Full 1920 X 1080 HD Camcorders With Face Detection Technology at CES 2008

Toronto, ON – As the leader in the high-definition camcorder category, Sony is further expanding the industry with the introduction of five new HD models. The HDR-SR12, HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR10 hard drive camcorders, along with the HDR-UX20, are all based on AVCHD™ technology and feature full 1920 x 1080 high-definition recording for outstanding clarity and detail.

These camcorders deliver the highest HD resolution available without sacrificing recording times and all of them feature a new high-profile encoding system to optimize encoding efficiency. They are also compatible with many third-party editing suites, due to the incorporated industry-standard MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video codec.

 "With a portfolio of six models including the current HDR-CX7, we are committed to providing customers with choice," said Mio Ozawa, marketing manager, Sony of Canada. "Our new 2008 AVCHD models provide the utmost functionality so consumers are better able to enjoy creating and viewing their home movies in HD."

Face Detection for Video and Photos
Sharing advanced imaging technologies from Sony's digital camera line, these AVCHD camcorders incorporate face detection technology for both video and photos – up to eight faces can be identified in the camcorder's LCD frame. Focus, exposure and color control are automatically adjusted and flash control is applied when photos are taken, resulting in breathtaking snapshots and natural-looking skin tones.  These camcorders also allocate more pixels to the detected face during the AVCHD encoding process for the best possible picture when people are the subjects.

Other technologies incorporated include x.v.Color and ClearVid CMOS Sensor ™ with Exmor™-derived technology.  x.v.Color can allow video to be captured in fuller colour range expression, approximately 1.8x wider than colour space of conventional models, resulting in the reproduction of brilliant reds of a rose and the turquoise blues of an ocean.  The ClearVid CMOS Sensor ™ with Exmor™-derived technology utilizes column analog/digital conversion on the sensor itself to minimize picture noise. With the high processing speed and noise reduction capability of the Bionz™ processing engine and dynamic range optimization, the new camcorders produce high-resolution video and photos with natural colour reproduction and rich details.

High Resolution Digital Still Capture
The HDR-SR12 and SR11 camcorders mark the introduction of Sony's 5.7-megapixel ClearVid CMOS Sensors with 10.2-megapixel photo capture. In dual record mode for simultaneous video and photo capture, these 10.2-mega models can take 7.6-megapixel photos up to the full capacity of the media card.

These two units can also pull 2.1-megapixel photos from video footage while in playback mode, and 3-megapixel photos from footage using the bundled Picture Motion Browser software on a compatible PC.

Focus and image quality can be checked with much greater accuracy on the 10.2-mega models with their 3.2-inch, Xtra Fine™ (16:9) wide LCD screens with a wide viewing angle (160 degrees) and ultra-sharp resolution (921K).

Enhanced Audio Performance
Designed to deliver first-rate video performance with Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* optics and Super SteadyShot® optical image stabilization for smooth video and clearer photos, the AVCHD models also feature enhanced audio capability.

All record in Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel surround sound and newly integrate built-in zoom microphones that zooms the audio along with the video for clear recordings of subjects. They are also compatible with Sony's ECM-HW1 Bluetooth® microphone for recording sound wirelessly at distances up to 100 feet. 

Hybrid and Hybrid Plus Movie Recording
The 120GB SR12, 60GB SR11, and 40GB SR10 camcorders provide extremely long continuous recording times (1920 mode) of nearly 15, seven and five hours, respectively. They also feature hybrid movie recording on optional Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media cards, as well as their built-in hard drives. Recording times on the media card will vary depending on capacity, but nearly two hours of video (1920 mode) can be stored on Sony's new 16GB media card. Both movies and photos can be transferred from the hard drive to media card in the camcorders without having to use a PC.

The HDR-UX20 camcorder features the Hybrid plus recording technology, which allows the user to record onto three separate media, including 8 GB of internal memory, Memory Stick PRO Duo media card, and a 3-inch DVD media.  The internal 8GB memory can hold almost an hour of video (1920 HD mode). Movies can be transferred from the internal memory and media card to the disc, while photos can be transferred from internal memory to the media card. The dubbing button allows quick access to the menu to dub movies by scene or by date as well as dub separate video files incrementally to either DVD or a media card.

DVD Creation for Playback and Archiving
All models allow for quick data transfer via USB to compatible devices such as DVD burners and recorders including Sony's VRD-MC5 DVDirect® recorder. This recorder supports 1920x1080 HD video recording as well as video transfer from Memory Stick media (firmware update required).

While the DVD-based models record directly to DVD, the high-definition hard disk drive units integrate Sony's One Touch Disc burn button for easy DVD creation using a compatible PC with the bundled software. HD video recorded on DVDs can be played back on compatible Blu-ray Disc™ devices, including Sony's Blu-ray Disc players and PlayStation® 3 video entertainment consoles.

HDV Recording for Editing Lovers
The new HDR-HC9 camcorder is based on the HDV™ format for recording 1440 x 1080 HD video to standard mini DV tape and offers compatibility with a wide range of video editing suites. It features Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* optics, a 3.2-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor, and 6.1-megapixel photo capture.

The unit has extensive manual controls to meet the demands of advanced videographers, including "focus to infinity;" spot meter and focus to change exposure/focus at the same point at the same time; center mark to use as a guide frame in the LCD screen or viewfinder; and peaking to facilitate better focusing by outlining objects with a colour line. White balance, shutter speed and focus can also be adjusted manually.

The HDR-HC9 camcorder will ship in February, 2008 for an MSRP of approximately $1,199.The HDR-SR12, SR11 and SR10 will also ship in February, 2008 for an MSRP of approximately $1,499, $1,299 and $999 respectively.

The HDR-UX20 will ship in March, 2008 for an MSRP of approximately $1,099.All can be purchased with a full array of accessories online at sonystyle.ca or the Sony Store.

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Editor's Note: One gigabyte equals one billion bytes. A portion of internal memory is used for data management functions. A portion of each hard drive camcorder and Memory Stick® media's memory is used for data management functions.

About Sony of Canada Ltd.
Established in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan, a world leader in High Definition.  Sony provides end-to-end solutions through products that include the market-leading Blu-ray player, BRAVIA televisions, Cyber-shot digital cameras, Handycam Camcorders, VAIO computers, broadcast cameras, IPELA security cameras and video conferencing and many more products that deliver the true entertainment experience.

Sony is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world with a portfolio that includes electronics, music, movies, games and online businesses. 

With headquarters in Toronto, sales offices in Vancouver and Montreal and distribution centres in Coquitlam, British Columbia, and Whitby, Ontario, approximately 1,200 employees support a network of more than 500 authorized dealers and 79 Sony stores across Canada.          
Sony Canada is proud to support the communities in which it operates through corporate sponsorships of organizations that include the Make-a-Wish Foundation Canada, the United Way and Earth Day Canada. 

For more information contact:
Sony of Canada     
Tony Smith       
Vice President, Marketing Communications  
(416) 495-3707     
tony_smith@sony.ca

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