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The Sony HVR-HD1000E comes with the luxury of both HDV and standard DV filming modes. This adds a great option allowing you to record exclusively in DV mode should you wish to and with a simply option change you camera becomes a high-definition recorder as well.

The camcorder also features a number of lower quality modes giving you the option to down convert and make use of the standard definition output signals for a users current SD production. The camcorder does this while still retaining an HD master tape as a backup. The Standard definition recording mode includes DV non-linear editing systems and displays.

The HD1000E features the well known Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonner T* 10 x optical lens (f = 5.4 to 54 mm and the filter diameter is 37 mm) which, apart from being a brilliant lens, helps to reduce reflection while recording. The lens has optical Super Steady Shot which acts as an image stabiliser and assists to avoid any image deterioration while recording. The Carl Zeiss Lens shifts on an X and Y axis to compensate for the polarized light axis (in real time).

A unique feature on the Sony HVR-HD1000E is that it features both an LCD monitor and an Electronic View Finder which are, due to location, both usable when using the camera mounted on your shoulder. The LCD monitor sits directly in front of the operator when the camera is snugly on your shoulder and it is linked to the Electronic View Finder’s leveller.

The2.7 inch LCD has a 180 degree tilt mechanism which allows you to see your recording when the camera is held high or low to the ground and the 360 degree swivel allows you to turn the LCD to face the person being recorded or the person doing the recording. This is great feature, for example for a reporter to keep tabs of where they are in the frame while they are being recorded. Clear Photo technology on the LCD gives bright, crisp images with fantastic colour reproduction when viewing your film and stills.

Making use of Sony’s 1 / 2.9 inch ClearVid CMOS sensor with its unique 45 degree tilted pixel layout the Sony HVR HD1000E has higher resolution and improved sensitivity.

Super Nightshot is great for night time surveillance. Using infrared light emitters the camcorder is able to record subjects in extremely low light.

The Smooth Slow Record features allows the user to capture film at four times the normal speed for three seconds of filming, The result, when played back, is a 12 second slow motion scene. The camera captures the three seconds of action, stores it to the built in buffer memory and then saves it to tape in the selected format (either DVCAM, HDV or DV). Note that when you use this feature the resolution of the Sony HVR HD1000E is decreased slightly.

The Sony HVR-HD1000E weighs in at 2.7 kilograms without the battery or tapes attached. Depending on the battery you use the camera will weigh between 3 and 3.2 kilograms with the battery installed.

Power consumption varies depending on which mode you are recording in. In HDV you will use between 4.4 watts and 4.8 watts. In DV mode you will use between 4.2 watts and 4.6 watts.

If you purchase the optional NP-F970 battery you are giving yourself around 10 hours of operation time with the Sony HVR-HD1000E camcorder.

The camcorder allows you to also capture still images at 6.1 megapixels in Photo-Mode. If you don’t switch the camcorder to Photo Mode you are still able to capture 4.6 megapixel images while you are busy recording in HD. You are also able to select stills from your video footage and save them as 1.2 megapixel, print ready, still images.

In HDV format you will be able to shoot about one hour of footage on a 6mm cassette tape. For the Sony HD1000E it is recommended that you use Sony’s highest quality 6mm DigitalMaster videotape. This tape makes use of Sony’s Advanced Metal Evaporated II technology and has dual active magnetic layers.

A feature on the camcorder, Photo Creation, helps you to create data to make photo albums, DVD covers, web images and other content.

On the body of the Sony HVR-HD1000E you will find a lens ring that you are able to assign any one of the following functions to: Zoom, Shutter, Focus, Brightness, White Balance shift and Exposure shift. This personalised options gives you quick access to your most used function.

The Sony HVR-HD1000E features a Memory Stick Duo Slot, an external Microphone jack, an automatic and a manual focus option and a stereo mini-jack headphone input amongst other things. (an ECM-PS1 external shot-gun stereo microphone is supplied)

The shoulder-mount design is incredibly comfortable and takes the strain off long recording hours and the placement of the record button and the zoom controls, on the handle, make for easy access and comfortable operation.

The Sony HVR-HD1000E is a brilliant camcorder for professional use.

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