Article Summary:

Last month, Sony announced its new HVR-V1U HDV compact camcorder. Providing “film-look” footage via 24p/30p progressive scan capture and 3 ClearVid CMOS Sensor chips, this HD dream captures images at up to 240 fields per second (faster capture is at reduced resolution), allowing very fast movements (shark tails flicking and divers freaking out) to be recorded in extreme detail.

The professional-quality unit also features two XLR microphone inputs for independent sound recording, a 3.5-inch Clear Photo LCD plus viewing screen and a 20x optical zoom lens with F2.8 at the telephoto end.

Douglas Spotted Eagle managed to get his hands on a pre-production model of the new, drool-worthy HD jewel and has posted his review on UWDV. In short, he loves the unit - especially the lens, the sensors, and the unit’s button placement.

Although he’s dissatisfied with the dearth of assignable buttons on the HVR-V1U, as well as the apparent thoughtlessness behind the Power button, he still managed to provide a few short clips so you can see the fantastic-ness that this $4800 camera provides.