Sony HVR-V1U

More on this product: overview; user reviews; specifications; compare; related products; shop

Share
- Digg
- Del.icio.us
- Reddit
- Facebook
E-mail
Print

Average user rating:
Write your own review
See all user reviews

Product summary

Sony HVR-V1U

Manufacturer: Sony

Part Number: HVR-V1U

Specifications: Video input type: Camcorder; Effective sensor resolution: 1.04 megapixels; Optical zoom: 20 x; See full specs

Price range: $2,599.00 - $3,379.95

CNET editors' buying advice

We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Digital Camcorders. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of digital camcorder.

MiniDV format

Most consumer digital camcorders use MiniDV cassettes, which record DV-format video. The DV standard produces high-quality footage that is superior to video recorded by consumer analog camcorders and can deliver more than 500 lines of horizontal resolution, depending on camcorder quality. Consumer and semipro digital camcorders that capture high-definition footage record HDV-format video on MiniDV cassettes.

Best for: Budget buyer; trendsetter; home and vacation moviemaker; independent filmmaker; business videographer.

ADVANTAGES

Broad range of video cameras, from bargain to professional three-chip models

Widely supported by video-editing and -effects software

MiniDV decks and other hardware products widely available

CD-quality 12- and 16-bit PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) sound capture and audio dubbing

Camcorders may be connected to TV for display or to VCR for copying

Some video cameras provide analog-to-digital conversion for digitizing older video

DISADVANTAGES

Camcorders can't play analog 8mm or Hi8 cassettes

Cassettes with built-in memory chip for indexing video segments are relatively expensive

Supporting manufacturers: Canon; Hitachi; JVC; Panasonic; Samsung; Sony.

Read more in the Digital Camcorder Buying Guide

Exposure control

Every digital camcorder has a fully automatic mode that lets you simply point and shoot, but it's best to be able to adjust your exposure setting a little. Special shooting modes for capturing subjects lit by a spotlight or other specific sources can be helpful. For full control over exposure, you'll need a camera that lets you manually set both the aperture and the shutter speed. Advanced camcorders offer zebra stripes, which highlight overexposed areas with a striped pattern so that you can fine-tune exposure. Low-light performance is the Achilles' heel of many digital camcorders. Look for a model with a minimum lux rating of seven or lower. Many camcorders offer special low-light shooting modes, but they don't all work the same way. Some simply slow down the shutter speed so that you get full-color but impressionistic-looking footage. Others use an infrared emitter to capture greenish monochrome video in total darkness.

User reviews

Average user rating: 0 stars Not yet available
Back to product review
My rating: 0 stars Write review

Showing 1 of 1 user reviewSee 1 user review
4.5 stars

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

"Great film-like footage in a feature-rich camera."

by mjrei1 on January 9, 2008

read more
See 1 user review Write review

Submit your review

Sony HVR-V1U

1. Rate this product:: (Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.): 0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.): 0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.): 0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.): 0 of 5000 characters; Submit

Where to buy

Sony HVR-V1U: $2,599.00 - $3,379.95

store	price	in stock?	rating
	$3,375.00	Yes
	$3,379.95	Yes

see prices from 2 authorized stores

Reviews from around the Web

techradar.com

Editors' rating: 90

Summary: Three Assign buttons here also double as MemoryStick play, index and delete controls. Gain, shutter speed, white balance and menu changes are all initiated by pressing the relevant push button at the rear of the camera and then altered using the push-butt

Read full review
gadgetguy.com.au

Summary: The CMOS chips use less power so longer life can be had from the battery. All in all this is a fine piece of kit and will carve a nice place in Sony's line-up. Whether it achieves PD-150 fame remains to be seen

Read full review
videomaker.com

Read full review
camuser.co.uk

Editors' rating: 80

Summary: The FX7 offers impressive HDV recording, a good quality built-in lens and a raft of manual facilities. However, professional users hoping for a worthy successor to the VX series need to wait a while longer. The FX7 is good, just not great

Read full review
goodgearguide.com.au

Editors' rating: 70

Summary: If you're an indie filmmaker with a medium-sized budget on your hands, you could do a lot worse than this consumer/professional hybrid camera.

Read full review