Press Release

January 15, 2008

New Sony Hard Drive Camcorders Go The Distance

HDD Handycam camcorders offer longer recording times and enhanced functionality

Toronto, ON – For 2008, Sony of Canada is debuting five hard drive Handycam® camcorders with sleek, compact bodies and robust recording capacities. The 60GB DCR-SR220 and DCR-SR85 camcorders deliver continuous recording times (LP mode) of up to 41 hours, while the 40GB DCR-SR65, DCR-SR46, and 30GB DCR-SR45 models provide up to 27 and 20 hours, respectively.

"Our hard drive models incorporate intelligent and fun-to-use functions that will make people feel more confident in their moviemaking abilities" said Mio Ozawa, marketing manager, Sony of Canada. "The new quick-on feature powers the camcorder up in a matter of seconds, ensuring that even the most spontaneous moments are captured on video."

The SR220 model features 15x Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* optics, 4-megapixel digital still capture, and a 2.3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS Sensor™. Like most top-of-the-line camcorders in Sony's 2008 line, this model includes imaging technologies shared with the company's digital cameras that improve picture quality and performance.

This high-end model integrates face detection technology for both video and photos. When enabled, it can identify up to eight faces in the camcorder's LCD frame, and automatically adjust focus, exposure and color control for natural-looking skin tones. Photos get an added boost with the application of flash control.

This camera also features a ClearVid CMOS Sensor with Exmor™ technology for dual noise reduction to keep picture noise at a minimum. This optimized sensor, combined with the Bionz™ signal processing engine, produces vivid, natural-looking video and photos. Dynamic range optimization is also included to counter the unfavorable effects of high-contrast shooting such as loss of picture detail in harsh lights and deep shadows.

New Hybrid Movie Recording
Hybrid movie recording on an optional Memory Stick™ PRO Duo™ media card as well as hard drive is available on all camcorders to extend their recording options. Almost 11 hours of video (LP mode) can be stored on Sony's new 16GB media card. Both movies and photos can be transferred from the hard drive to the media card in the camcorder without having to use a PC.

Exceptional Audio Performance
All four models incorporate a new built-in zoom microphone that zooms in on subjects for clearer sound recordings. The SR220 model records audio in Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel surround sound, while the other models capture Dolby Digital 2-channel audio. 

Sophisticated Ease
The SR85 and SR65 models have 1-megapixel CCD imagers for first-rate video and 1-megapixel photos, along with 25x Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® zoom lenses for image clarity and optimal colour resolution. The SR46 and SR45 units feature a newly-developed 1/8-inch, 680K-pixel CCD imager with a high pixel count in order to produce widescreen (16:9) video, and a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 40x optical zoom lens to zoom onto distant subjects with minimal loss of picture quality.

Each model integrates Sony's HDD Smart Protection system, which combines physical shock absorbers, G-sensor™ shock protection and video stream buffering to safeguard against data loss.

For greater ease of use, all of the hard drive models incorporate a new quick-on feature that takes the camcorders out of standby mode in one second. A 2.7-inch, (16:9) wide LCD touch panel screen makes for easy framing and viewing of footage, while the film roll index can be easily used to view several seconds of video within a thumbnail file. The face index feature allows consumers to quickly search for scenes by face and the bundled Picture Motion Browser™ software enables searches by colours or voice.

Archive and Share Movies
DVD creation is simple with Sony's One Touch DiscBurn feature with smart controls. When camcorders are connected to a compatible PC, they will automatically synchronize newest content and burn that footage to DVD with the supplied Picture Motion Browser software.

These Handycam camcorders also work with Sony's VRD-MC5 DVDirect recorder, which now supports video transfer from Memory Stick media cards.  

DCR-SR220, SR85, SR65 are supplied with a Handycam Station dock that makes it easy to connect to a PC, TV, DVDirect, or other devices.

The SR220 camcorder will ship in March for approximately $949. The SR85, SR65, SR46 and SR45 units will ship in February for an MSRP of $799, $749, $699, and $649, respectively. All will be available with a full line of accessory options. They can be purchased online at sonystyle.ca or the Sony Store.

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Editor's Note: A portion of the hard drive capacity is used for data management functions. Available storage capacity on Memory Stick PRO™ and Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media may vary as portions are used for data management functions. Viewable area of LCD screens is measured diagonally.

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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