Sony’s Second Offering In Its PRO HDV Lineup Is The HVR-A1U. This
camcorder is squarely aimed at the budget HDV’er, and for the price is
a surprising offering. I recently had the opportunity to work with the
camera for a few weeks as my company, VASST, offers a plug-in
specifically for HDV use. Sony sent me the new camcorder to test with
our plug-in. In the course of the two weeks we’ve had the camera, I’ve
taped a wedding, some wildlife and performed several tests under
various lighting and motion conditions, in order to report back to Sony
on how the camcorder performs. Because of this, and because I am
testing a prerelease version, this is not a standard, rated Studio/monthly review. But Sony was gracious enough let me speak my mind and offer a sneak preview for readers.

This camcorder is aimed squarely at the entry-level professional who
wants to get into HDV but doesn’t want to spend a lot of cash doing it.
It’s optimal for event shooters or for shooters that need a low-profile
camcorder. Although this isn’t an ENG camera, it’s perfect for
reporters to stash in their cars for those "last minute/no crew" shots.
Additionally, the camera fits into the "I want the best video possible
for my family projects, but I don’t want a big camcorder" techno-nut.

The HVR-A1U is centered around a single 1/3-inch CCD coupled with
CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and the Sony proprietary
EIP (Enhanced Image Processor). While only a single CCD, CMOS
technology provides a surprising level of visual quality, and makes the
camera a perfect stepping stone to get into the world of HD, or an
inexpensive second HDV cam in a Z1/FX1 production lineup. Sony suggests
that it would make a great crash cam, helmet cam or low-profile device;
given its size, I’d have to agree.

Every menu aspect of this camera is accessed in the camera’s LCD
screen. While a fingertip accesses the menu easily, I suggest using a
PDA pen-it won’t leave finger smudges on the screen. The audio is
impressive for such a low-cost model, offering two balanced,
low-impedance connectors complete with phantom power and bass roll off.
The audio module, mounted atop the camcorder body, features a holder
(which can be removed) for an external microphone. The module plugs
into the camcorder body via Sony’s proprietary AIS, or Active Interface
Shoe, which is a little strange on the consumer version (HVR-HC1), but
fits right into the setup of the HVR-A1U. The audio unit mounts on a
shoe on the front of the camera body, and the shoe could be used to
mount a light, microphone or wireless accessory if the professional
audio unit wasn’t needed. The HVR-A1U offers unbalanced inputs if the
balanced module ins’t used.

If you regularly shoot in badly lit environments, you’ll appreciate
Super nightshot, a feature similar to Hypergain in the HVR-Z1U that is
wonderful for shooting in extreme low light, particularly when you use
it with Black Stretch.

When you consider what’s inside the AIU-transitions, manual or auto
focus/zoom, an exposure lever that lets you adjust exposure on the fly,
Black Stretch, CinemaTone, off settable time code, and 4:3 framing
markers-it’s hard to believe the price is so low. It’s got a lot going
for it in such a rugged, compact size.