Sony HVR-DR60 60GB Hard Disk Recorder for Compatible Sony HDV and DVCam Camcorders

Sony HVR-DR60 60GB Hard Disk Recorder for Compatible Sony HDV and DVCam Camcorders Review

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I use the Sony HVR-DR60 with a Sony HVR-V1U HDV camera (outstanding camera, by the way).

IF you are using the V1U camera (or, I think, the Z1U) you can sync the camera and the disk drive so when you start the cam, the drive starts recording. And it works flawlessly (so far -- about two months as of mid-April 2007). So you do not need to buy a HDV tape deck. And you do not need to worry about the tape transport of the camera failing (as happened to me with the Sony PD-170 DV camera).

BUT: two issues.

1. The camera has a (very useful) expanded focus feature, allowing to see more closely what your shooting and check the focus (not a problem if you're on set and are linked to a monitor, but in the field this is a huge help -- especially with hi-def, where all flaws are far more visible).

The expanded focus feature does _not_ work when you sync to the hard disk drive. (So you have to use the drives record button instead -- again, only an issue with cameras that allow you to sync in the first place.)

2. There is a switch for camera mode (when shooting) and computer mode (when downloading to you system). The switch could have been vastly better designed. And the drive uses a Firewire 400 connector (IEEE 1394, or iLink for Sonyish). Why not Firewire 800? And the connector seems a little loose to me.

ALL in ALL -- a great device with a couple of fairly minor weaknesses.

Sony HVR-DR60 60GB Hard Disk Recorder for Compatible Sony HDV and DVCam Camcorders Feature

• 60 GB storage capacity; approximately 4.5 hours of recording time
• Records video to disk as the camcorder records to tape for Hybrid Recording master creation
• Features HDD Smart Protection; special 3G sensor, 14-second buffer memory, and shock absorber
• Handles .m2t (HDV) and .avi (DV) file formats
• Up to 13.5 hours of run time when used with NP-F70 battery

Sony HVR-DR60 60GB Hard Disk Recorder for Compatible Sony HDV and DVCam Camcorders Overview

Sony is pleased to introduce the new HVR-DR60 HDV Hard Disk Recorder. This new lightweight and portable hard disk drive (HDD) recording unit is ideally suited for use with the new HVR-V1U HDV camcorder. Easily connected to a compatible camcorder via its i.LINK interface, the HVR-DR60 offers videographers the ability to record onto both tape and the hard disk drive simultaneously - an ideal hybrid recording solution for your customers providing approximately 4.5 hours of continuous HDV/DVCAM/DV stream recording. The compact HVR-DR60 uses a 60GB, 1.8 inch hard disk drive and weighs a mere 8 ounces (without battery), adding little weight for the cameraman to bear. Using the common FAT32 file system and adopting three recording formats, .m2t (MPEG2 Transport Stream based) file format for HDV recordings and AVI (Type 1) as well as RAW DV for standard definition DVCAM/DV recording, material recorded with the HVR-DR60 can be utilized by a wide variety of non-linear editing systems. The HVR-DR60 provides the choice of video mode and computer mode operation. The video mode (AV/C) enables users to record material in response to REC START and STOP commands from a camcorder with External Record capability via its i.LINK connection. Additionally, material recorded using these camcorders can be viewed on the camcorders viewfinder, or LCD panel (if so equipped). The computer mode (SBP2) allows high-speed file transfers of both HD and SD material directly to a PC or laptop using the i.LINK interface. 60 GB Storage Capacity Approx. 4.5 Hour Recording Time Cache recording: 14 seconds Records video to disk at same time camcorder records to tape for Hybrid Recording automatic master creation. Can be used for Tapeless Recording with the Sony HVR-V1U camcorder Transfers video at ~3x real time (Approx. 80Mbps) HDD Smart Protection Records .m2t (HDV), .avi (Type 1) and Raw DV (DV) file formats Video mode (AV/C) for recording video from HDV and DVCAM/DV camcorders C...

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 26, 2009 14:51:21

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