Sony HANDYCAM DCR-HC51E User manual

7th January 2008
BRAND NEW HANDYCAM®: MORE WAYS TO ENJOY
BEST-EVER HD PICTURES
Whether you’re a first time movie-maker or trading up from your current
camcorder, this season’s Handycam®line-up delivers more great ways to
shoot, share and enjoy your memories.
For 2008, Handycam®offers best-ever image and
sound quality,plus innovative, easy-to-use shooting
features that put amazing pictures within everyone’s
reach.
Six new High Definition Handycam® models raise
the bar with brilliantly true-to-life Full HD images
and sound. In a world first*, CMOS models now feature Face Detection for
both video and photos, alongside smart new functions throughout the range
for viewing, managing and sharing your memories.
There’s also a generous choice of thirteen Standard Definition Handycam®
models. Offering superb value for money, they’re generously equipped with
convenient features like HYBRID movie recording onto removable Memory
Stick (DVD/HDD models) and a 40x optical zoom Carl Zeiss lens (all entry
range) that brings distant subjects closer than ever.

High Definition Handycam®–ultimate quality and convenience
The dramatic uptake of HD television across Europe is driving demand for
better-looking High Definition content. As recent Sony research reveals,
picture quality and ease of use are now prime factors for consumers
considering their next camcorder purchase.
Six compact, beautifully styled new HD Handycam®models offer the perfect
complement for your personal needs and shooting style –whether you’re
capturing holidays, special celebrations or those unforgettable moments with
family and friends. Pick HDD models for super-long record times, Disc for
convenience and simple dubbing (HYBRID Plus) or the familiarity and rich
manual functions of HDV tape.
Highest ever picture quality
The entire Sony AVCHD range (HDD and Disc models)
now offershighest-ever 1920x1080 resolution to assure
stunning Full HD pictures.Still image quality has also
been enhanced up to 10 megapixels, rivalling the quality
of top-flight digital cameras.
This amazing picture quality has been achieved through Sony’s leading
imaging expertise. The ClearVid CMOS sensor now features Exmor™
technology that adds a column A/D converter to the sensor, realising ultra
high resolution with high sensitivity and lower noise.
The powerful BIONZ image processor that made its
debut in Sony’s Alpha and Cyber-shot digital
camerasis now incorporated into Handycam®range. This high-performance
imaging engine supports the high-speed signal processing that’s required for
many new features. In addition, the premium Carl Zeiss lens now offers a
maximum 15x zoom range, with Super SteadyShot Optical Image
Stabilisation for all models.

Innovative, easy-to-use shooting features
HD Handycam® also introduces groundbreaking new
shooting features for 2008 that make this superb image
quality accessible for every user. In a world first*for
video, Face Detection promises better-looking faces by adjusting focus,
exposure and colour control automatically. Face Detection Bit Allocation takes
this a step further, allocating more information to faces within the frame for
the best-possible quality.
*As of December 2007, Sony Research
Another smart function previously found in high-end Sony αDSLR and
Cyber-shot still cameras is the D-Range Optimiser. This controls exposure
and contrast for great results, even when you’re shooting against the sun or
in tricky high-contrast conditions.
Handycam®also features enhanced audio features that take your memories
a step closer to the picture and sound quality of professional movies shot
with special equipment. Superb 5.1 channel surround sound is now enhanced
with an internal zoom microphone that operates automatically during image
zoom-in/out.
You’ll be proud to watch and share your memories with Handycam®,even if
you’re not near to a television. In another Handycam®first,a photo-quality
Xtra Fine LCD touch screen reveals incredible detail with excellent contrast
and a wide viewing angle.At home, you can sit back and enjoy your videos,
assisted by new BRAVIA Sync for easy control of camcorder playback
functions using your Sony LCD television’s remote control.
AVCHD HDD (Hard Disk Drive) –Longest-
ever HD record times plus ultimate picture
quality: With no tapes or removable discs to
worry about, AVCHD HDD Handycam®is great
for holidays and extended trips when you need
HDR-SR12E

to travel light. Now with up to an incredible 120GB of hard disk storage on
board,the range-leading HDR-SR12Eshootssparkling Full HD images for two
whole days.Despite such generous recording times, it’s easy to track down
your favourite shots in moments with handy Film Roll Index and Face Index
for quick browsing through hours of footage. Imaging quality is equally
impressive, with industry-leading 16Mbps Full HD picture quality mode, up to
10 Megapixel resolution still image capture, Face Detection and D-Range
Optimiser for shooting, plus Xtra Fine LCD for viewing (HDR-SR11E/12E).
AVCHD DVD –Full HD pictures and sound
with easy sharing in a slim body:AVCHD
DVD Handycam®lets you archive all your HD
recordings onto compact 8cm DVD discs and
removable Memory Stick.Recording time is
extended to almost 7 hours with dual layer disc
and the new 16GB Memory Stick*(optional). In
addition, the UX19Efeatures HYBRID Plus
technology, which records another 3 hours to its 8GB internal memory.When
you’ve finished shooting, touch the ‘Dubbing’ button on Handycam®and
burn your movies onto 8cm DVD discs for sharing with friends and family.
With no need to connect to a PC or other recording devices, it’s easy to share
memories wherever and whenever you want.
HDV –Convenience and manual functions
for video enthusiasts:HDV remains the
supreme choice for keen videographers who
enjoy editing their own clips while valuing
backward compatibility with their existing DV
tape collections.Packed with professional
features, the new HC9E adds advanced functions
like spot metering and focus using the LCD
screen, peaking to assist manual focus and manual focus to infinity.
Standard Definition Handycam®–great value &easy-to-use features
Even if you’re picking up your first ever camcorder, Standard Definition
Handycam®makes it easier to shoot great-looking images.
Range-topping Standard Definition Handycam® models achieve highest-ever
picture quality using the same technologies found in High Definition
HDR-UX19E
HDR-HC9E

Handycam®. Unique Sony technologies like ClearVid CMOS Sensor with
Exmor and BIONZ processor feature alongside Super SteadyShot Optical
Image Stabiliser, Face Detection and D-Range Optimiser for clear, beautifully
exposed footage –even if you’ve opted to shoot in Standard Definition.
The handily-placed ‘Quick On’ button lets you respond in an instant when the
unexpected happens (except DV model).A powerful zoom microphone plus
convenient Face Index and Film Roll Index browsing functions are now
available for all HDD and DVD models.
HDD –Longer record times with easy-to-
use features:Enjoy crisp, clear images and
sound, with no need to carry extra tapes or
discs when you’re travelling. For 2008 the HDD
range adds HYBRID recording. This enables an
additional 10 hours of SD movie recording onto
16GB Memory Stick (optional), plus the ability
to copy footage from the internal Hard Drive to
Memory Stick for sharing with friends and family. New in Standard Definition,
Face Index and Film Roll Index manage your shots automatically for quicker,
simpler browsing.
DVD –Shoot, eject, play, enjoy: The ultimate in
convenience, DVD Handycam®shootsbrilliant
pictures directly onto compact 8cm DVD media.
Then simply eject the disc and enjoy the results
immediately on your home DVD player or PC’s DVD
drive. Like HDD range, DVD models are also
equipped with HYBRID function to add extra hours
of recording using optional Memory Stick. In
addition, DCR-DVD410E offers HYBRID Plus –with 8GB internal memory for
longer recording, easy dubbing and instant sharing.
DV –Superb value with serious features:
The affordable choice that doesn’t compromise
on great features, this year’s DV Handycam®
DCR-SR210E
DCR-DVD410E
DCR-HC 51E

line-up now starts with powerful 40x zoom in the entry range, plus a step-up
1Megapixel model with 2.7” LCD. Supplied software assists with uploading
movies to websites, and also adds a ‘Map View’ function for your movies
when used with an optional GPS unit.
Handycam®Accessories
There’s a complete line-up of quality Sony accessories to help you get the
best out of Handycam®. A choice of compact, high-performance wide angle
and telephoto lenses makes a perfect match for the superb imaging quality of
HD Handycam®. A new range of tripods features oil-fluid heads for silk-
smooth operation, plus a pan handle/remote commander with controls for
record start/stop, a choice of variable zoom speeds and a ‘Guide Frame’
button that superimposes on-screen framing lines for accurate shot
composition. An expanded range of soft carry cases now features a choice of
holster-style ‘Active Jacket’ cases that allow quick camcorder access, while a
flexible new modular case incorporates a detachable pocket.
-Ends -
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information, please contact:
Silke Schild, Corporate Communications Europe
Sony Europe
[email protected]
[phone]
About Sony:
Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the
global consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, game and online
businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be one of the world’s leading digital entertainment
brands. Sony recorded consolidated global annual sales of EUR 55.83 billion (yen 8,296 billion)
for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, based on an average market exchange rate for the
same period of yen 148.6 to the EUR. It employs approximately 163,000 people worldwide.
In Europe, the Sony Group recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 13.71 billion (yen 2,038
billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Sony Europe, headquartered at the Sony
Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for the company's European electronics
business and registered consolidated sales of EUR 9.12 billion for the same period.
For more information on Sony Europe, please visit http://www.sony-europe.com
and http://www.sony-europe.com/presscenter.