Sony’s double full HD 3D camcorder enables users to shoot 3D content

Sony Gulf, the leading consumer electronics brand today announced the Middle East launch of the world’s first ‘Double Full HD’ 3D Handycam HDR-TD10, and the only 3D-enabled consumer camcorder.

Unveiled at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) at Las Vegas earlier this year, the 3D Handycam is a feature-packed Full High Definition (HD) revolutionary innovation. The camcorder employs an integrated dual lens system, which includes two of each key component - double Sony G Lenses, double ‘Exmor R’ CMOS image sensors, and double BIONZ image processors.

The dual recording system allows 3D content to be recorded in 1920x1080 Full HD resolution and viewed with 3D active glasses on 3D-capable HDTVs or in Full HD 2D on non-3D displays. The 3D footage can also be played back without glasses on the camcorder’s 3.5-inch Xtra Fine LCD 3D touch screen. In addition to other innovative features, 10x optical zoom incorporating Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation with Active Mode and iAUTO are offered even in 3D mode. It is further enhanced with a 64GB flash memory.

In line with Sony’s camcorder family, the HDR-TD10 boasts sleek designs and best-in-class features such as high-speed BIONZ imaging processor that offers unparalleled performance. This model uses the “frame packing” 3D signalling method to send data over HDMI by switching between two Full HD videos signals, one for the left and one for the right, to achieve very high3D image quality.

The HDR-TD10 provides ultra-realistic stereoscopic effect with optimum distance between each lens. Studies show that the optimum distance between the two lenses of a 3D camera should be in the range of 20-35 mille-metres when compared to the human eyes(roughly 64 mille-metres between the human eyes).To maximize the 3D depth effect without sacrificing the usability of the camcorder, a distance of 31mm was chosen to provide the best 3D experience.

It is also equipped with new features like ‘Event Browse’ for automatic grouping of content by events, and ‘Highlight Playback & Share’to create simple highlight reels automatically.

Recognising that optimal sound plays a vital role in a good video, Sony equips the model with a high quality built-in microphone with 5.1ch surround system, stereo speakers with ‘Clear Phase’ and ‘S-Master’ technology, wind noise reduction, and a mic/headphone jack.

In addition to the built-in flash memory, the new camcorder can record video and still images directly to Memory Stick PRO Duo media, Secure Digital (SD), or SDHC media card (all sold separately).

The Direct Copy feature lets users copy footage directly from Handycam camcorders to any brand of external hard disk drives (USB2.0; under2TB) via a USB cable (VMC-UAM1; sold separately), when connected to AC power, for PC-free back-up and archiving. Video stored on the external HDD can be played back through the camcorder for viewing on a compatible TV.

The Handycam camcorder is compatible with both PC and Mac computers. Mac users can transfer AVCHD content and edit video clips in HD quality using iMovie software (sold separately). For PC users, the bundled Picture Motion Browser (‘PMB’) software allows viewing, editing, organizing and uploading images to most video and photo sharing websites.

The 3D Handycam HDR-TD10 is currently available at select Jumbo Electronics showrooms and will be availableshortly in other leading electronics stores in the UAE.