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Sony HDR-TG5 review
Sony’s HDRTG5V Smallest, Lightest High Definition (AVCHD) Camcorder
featuring Full HD Recording, Geo-tagging with built-in GPS and Hybrid
recording to 16GB internal memory or MS media.
HDR-TG5V High Definition Handycam® Camcorder - Perfect for travel and
everyday recording, the unbelievably compact HDR-TG5V Handycam® camcorder
captures stunning Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution video. Its slim,
pure-titanium body is not only lightweight and stylish, it also houses a
GPS receiver that maps your photos and videos while displaying your current
location. For easy recording, you will enjoy 16GB of built-in flash memory,
good for nearly two hours of HD video at the highest quality settings. Face
Detection technology is also included for fantastic results when recording
family and friends, and Smile Shutter™ technology captures smiles as they
happen.
Rapid signal transmission enabled by BIONZ - The BIONZ Imaging Processor
works together with the “Exmor” CMOS Sensor to provide high performance
through high-speed signal transmission of massive pixel data. This
high-speed processing enables a number of handy features like the Dual Rec
function for capturing 2.3 megapixel still images while shooting video
footage up to the maximum capacity of the recording media, the Smooth Slow
Rec function for slow motion that highlights details of actions from golf
swings to football goals, and Face Detection technology for speedy and
precise tracking of up to 8 subjects’ faces while shooting movies.
The technology also improves Auto Focus, Auto Colour Control, and new Auto
Backlight Correction that compensates for backlighting when shooting
landscapes as well as portraits.
Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lenses - High-contrast Carl Zeiss®
Vario-Tessar® lenses originally designed in Germany are world-renowned for
delivering quality images. This lens gives your movies an extra boost of
emotional impact. By adding 10x Optical Zoom and 20x Digital Zoom, Sony
gives you the power to capture nearby and faraway subjects with stunning,
richly textured results.
x.v.Color - "x.v.Color" conforms to xvYCC, an international
standard for colour space in video endorsed by the IEC (International
Electrotechnical Commission). The xvYCC standard expresses a colour range
1.8x wider than the conventional sRGB colour space. When played back on an
x.v.Color-compliant TV, various colours like brilliant hues of flowers and
the turquoise blue of the sea can be more faithfully reproduced.
x.v.Color-supported Handycam® camcorders deliver high-resolution HD
performance as well as rich colour reproduction.
What’s AVCHD? - AVCHD is a high-definition (HD) video standard that
uses highly efficient MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video compression technology. This
technology provides a high data compression ratio that is approximately
twice the amount of conventional MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 compression while
enabling HD video content recording. AVCHD also handles the video stream
and offers a variety of HD video recording and playback options on various
media like memory cards, HDD and DVD. When the audio stream is managed by
Dolby Digital, a 5.1 spatialised recording can be created. AVCHD now
features High Profile encoding that compresses the image based on
visibility characteristics, as well as complexity, for even greater
efficiency.
Convenient storage for your memories - The 16 GB internal memory stores up
to 6 hours and 10 minutes of HD video in the AVC HD 5M (LP) 1920 x 1080i
high-definition mode or up to 1 hour and 50 minutes in the AVC HD 16 M (FH)
1920 x 1080i Full HD mode. You can also record video footage and still
images to Memory Stick media using the Hybrid function. For expanded
storage capability, use 16 GB Memory Stick media in conjunction with the
internal memory to store up to 12 hours and 40 minutes of video. In
addition, conventional MPEG2-PS is supported, allowing SD video recording.
Thanks to the nature of non-linear media, you don’t have to worry about
over-writing recorded footage: new data is automatically written in blank
unrecorded space. Moreover, you can immediately watch or erase newly
recorded footage without rewinding. Just press the desired thumbnail on the
touch panel LCD.
Easy "dubbing" within your Handycam® - Recorded images and
movies on the HDD can easily be copied to Memory Stick media. Using various
"dubbing" functions, you can copy specific scenes, all recorded
footage registered in the playlist, or footage shot on certain dates. Now
it’s easier than ever to share image and video highlights with your
family and friends.
Highlight Playback automatically extracts scene highlights and plays them
with background music - The camcorder can automatically extract scene
highlights ? based on factors such as the use of Face Detection, Dual Rec,
and Smile Shutter ? and then display them using a variety of transition
effects between scenes along with background music. This is a highly
satisfying, effortless way to enjoy memories on an HDTV. You can also
manually select a particular background tune, theme, and range of dates for
scene highlight extraction. Moreover, PMB software lets you play your
favorite tunes in place of the supplied background music. Note: The
processing time and total length of Highlight Playback may vary depending
on the total length of targeted movies.
HDMI - To enjoy your HD video footage on a large screen, simply connect the
HDR-xxxx with your HD television via HDMI cable.
BRAVIA Sync - The Handycam® playback screen is automatically displayed
when you use an HDMI cable to connect your Handycam® with a BRAVIA HD TV
that is compatible with BRAVIA Sync. You can also command your Handycam®
with the BRAVIA’s remote controller. Such easy operation makes
watching your recorded footage on a large-screen TV even more enjoyable.
PLAYSTATION®3 - You can play your HD video footage on a PLAYSTATION®3 via
USB connection and control playback, including skipping, with the
PLAYSTATION®3 remote controller.
Archiving video - The key to easy archiving is automation: this Sony system
is intelligent enough to know that only fresh HD or SD footage on the
Internal Memory or Memory Stick media needs to be transferred to HDD or
burned to DVD. Easy PC Backup lets you transfer your original recordings to
a connected PC, for storing, managing and editing. It only transfers new
files created since the last backup. For sheer simplicity, though, there is
nothing to beat the Disc Burn button in the menu of Handycam® camcorder:
one press and your video is archived on DVD. It only transfers new footage
shot since the last disc was burned. Discs created in the AVCHD format can
be played in HD quality on the PLAYSTATION®3 as well as on Blu-ray players
and recorders.
Map your memories with built-in GPS capabilities - Built-in GPS
capabilities and pre-installed data-rich maps let you record where movies
and still images were taken. Simply slide the GPS switch to “ON” to
record position information with your movies and still images. The current
time is also recorded at the GPS-corrected time for the local time zone. In
addition, you can view your current position on a pre-installed map: a
handy feature when traveling. The Map Index function further enhances your
pleasure by displaying markers on the map to show where your movies and
still images were shot. So you can search for desired content on the map
and play it back by simply touching a thumbnail on the screen. Recorded
movies and photos can also be imported to a PC installed with bundled PMB
software and displayed along with location and time information in Map
View. Simply clicking on Map View thumbnails plays the movies.
Smile Shutter technology - While shooting your original movie footage,
Smile Shutter automatically detects and takes a still image of your subject
if he or she smiles. Face Detection also optimises focus, exposure, skin
colour, and flash settings* to ensure subjects always look their best.
It’s a great way to record snapshots of smiling friends and family
members. Save the best smiles with Smile Shutter both in videos and photos
up to the full capacity of the recording media. There’s no need to change
settings, so it’s easy for anyone to use.
Smile Detection Setting - By default, Smile Shutter operates in the Dual
Capture setting and automatically takes photographs if a smile is detected
while video footage is being recorded. Users can also select the Always ON
setting that automatically takes photos of smiling subjects whenever the
camcorder is in Recording mode - even if in Still Image Recording mode.
Note: Photos can be taken up to the full capacity of the recording media. *
Flash is not optimised in default settings.
Smile Sensitivity Setting - You can easily set the Smile Shutter to only
capture smiles of a certain level if desired. Simply select the High
sensitivity setting to shoot even the faintest smiles, the default Medium
setting to capture normal everyday smiles, or the Low sensitivity setting
to photograph huge grins.
Smile Priority Setting - In the default Auto mode, Smile Shutter detects
and photographs subjects of all ages when they smile. But you can
prioritise smiling children by selecting the Child Priority setting or
smiling adults by activating the Adult Priority setting. Then leave the
rest to advanced Face Detection technology. Note: In the Child Priority
setting, smiling adults are automatically photographed if there are no
children in the scene.
Face Detection Technology - This is the camcorder with Face Detection
technology for movie recording. Sony synergizes this technology with BIONZ
to deliver highly precise, high-speed auto focusing with detection for up
to 8 subjects’ faces and precise focusing of the main subject. This
synergism ensures quick camera tracking of subjects even when their faces
are moving and significantly improves the performance of various features.
For example, it enhances colour control adjustment of skin and other facial
features. When shooting movies, it prevents under/over-exposure of your
subjects’ faces. And when shooting still images, it optimises the
flash settings to prevent loss of detail in face highlights and shadows.
Portrait Adjustment - When shooting portraits, Face Detection and BIONZ
work with three automatic features - Auto Focus, Auto Exposure, and Auto
Colour Control - to optimise reproduction of your subjects’ faces. The
extra-pleasing outcome is more sharply focused faces, better skin colour,
and appropriate exposure of faces even in challenging lighting conditions
or when shooting still images with the flash. By detecting subject faces,
and allocating more data capacity to them, this video compression
technology greatly enhances facial image quality.
Compression Rate - By detecting subject faces, and allocating more data
capacity to them, this video compression technology greatly enhances facial
image quality.
New Auto Backlight Correction optimises portraits and landscapes. - Auto
Backlight Correction automatically recognises backlit situations ? when
shooting portraits as well as landscapes - and corrects exposure to provide
clear optimised results. When shooting portraits, the exposure is
controlled by Auto Exposure Control (based on Face Detection technology).
The D-Range Optimiser prevents underexposure of subjects and overexposure
of skies to reproduce scenes more naturally, as seen by the naked eye.
User-friendly interface - The intuitive touch panel interface makes
operation simple and quick. Convenient navigation features, ergonomic
controls, and accurate LCD colours all mean you can enjoy user-friendly
performance right out of the box.
Easy-to–use GUI and customisable My Menu - Redesigned and with additional
functionality, the new GUI greatly enhances usability. It now features
improved scrolling, which can be easily performed by lightly moving your
finger on the roomy 2.7-type flat LCD touch panel screen. There is also My
Menu, a customisable screen that allows you to display up to six playback
and six recording functions. This speeds access to frequent operations such
as setting image size, switching to flash mode and activating smile
detection.
Built-in zoom microphone - The zoom microphone can widen or narrow its
pickup angle in accordance with the image zoom setting to focus on nearby
or faraway sounds. When zooming in on birds perched in a distant tree, for
example, the microphone automatically zooms in to capture their song.
Capture key moments in slow motion with Smooth Slow Rec! - Action sequences
of 3 seconds become 12 seconds of slow motion playback with smooth,
high-quality results. Just activate this feature and shoot any 3-second
action sequence, such as a golf swing or football kick. Then play back the
sequence and enjoy 12 seconds of stunning slow motion video. It’s fun to
watch and perfect for close analysis of sports moves. This remarkable
feature was made possible by the exceptional combination of Sony’s
high-quality “Exmor R” CMOS Sensor and BIONZ Imaging Processor.
Scene Selection modes - Scene Selection modes let you easily create
beautiful images in almost any type of setting. Whether capturing a sunset
with friends in the foreground and illuminated skyscrapers in the
background, natural beauty at beach resorts, fireworks bursting at night,
or festive white landscapes of snow, the results are as spectacular as the
scene you shoot. The Portrait mode, for example, can produce sharp images
of people or flowers on soft backgrounds.
High-quality 4.0 megapixel still images - In addition to capturing moving
images, Handycam® can capture high-quality still images whenever you like.
These images are shot at a resolution of up to 4.0 megapixels (2304 x 1728
pixels), which is ample for producing large, high-quality prints.
2.3 megapixel Dual Rec function - This remarkable function lets you shoot
fine-quality 2.3 megapixel still images while capturing moving images at
the same time, thanks to high-speed BIONZ image processing. Simply press
the Photo button while shooting in the movie mode. There is no limit beyond
storage capacity as to how many still images you can shoot.
2.1 Megapixel frame extraction - right in the comcorder - After shooting
video footage, you can easily extract frames and save them as still images
using nothing but the camcorder. Simply enter the Playback Mode, search
your footage for the desired frame, and extract it as a 2.1 megapixel still
image of outstanding quality.
3.0 Megapixel frame extraction - on your PC - After shooting video footage,
you can easily extract frames and save them as still images using nothing
but the camcorder. Simply enter the Playback Mode, search your footage for
the desired frame, and extract it as a 2.1 megapixel still image of
outstanding quality.
PhotoTV HD - Now you can enjoy breathtaking image quality when displaying
still images on any BRAVIA that is compatible with PhotoTV HD. The new
PhotoTV HD picture mode optimises the display of still images captured with
the HDR-TG5V to deliver higher resolution, finer gradations and richer
colour. Whether human skin, flowers, sandy beaches or breaking waves, the
beautiful photo-like quality is sure to delight you and your audience.
System Requirements for Picture Motion Browser - The combination of Optical
SteadyShot™ image stabilization and High ISO sensitivity helps compensate
for shaky hands, minimizes blur and allows flash-free shooting to preserve
the mood. Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization uses a built-in gyro
sensor to detect camera shake and automatically shifts the lens to help
prevent blur without sacrificing image quality. High ISO allows for faster
shutter speed, so you can take pictures indoors or in low light without the
need for a flash. In addition to High Sensitivity Mode (ISO), you can
select up to eight ISO settings (Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200)
when shooting in Program Auto Mode to adjust sensitivity to your shooting
conditions.
Stamina® Battery Power - You never know when one of life’s special
moments will come around. Be sure your camcorder is always ready to capture
the action with Sony batteries. The compact NP-FH70 rechargeable battery
pack features InfoLITHIUM & ActiFORCE technologies which ensure maximum
power, minimum charging time and excellent battery performance. It’s
the perfect battery for newer, ultra-compact camcorders.
ACCHDH6 Accessory Kit - Keep your compatible camcorder plus accessories
safe and secure with this convenient accessory case. Included in this handy
ACCHDH6 accessory kit is a soft carrying case (LCSVA30) to keep your
compatible Handycam® camcorder safe from bumps and scratches. Also
included in this kit is a spare InfoLITHIUM battery (NPFH60) for longer
shooting times and a 1.5-foot mini HDMI cable (VMC15MHD) for fast,
convenient connection to your HDTV.
Fun personal home printing - It’s easy to print digital photos without
using a PC. Just insert your camera’s memory card in Sony’s digital
photo printer, select images on the printer’s LCD, and print. Enjoy
compatibility with various kinds of memory cards including Memory Stick,
Memory Stick Duo, SD, xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash*. Take your choice
of four digital photo printer models to match your needs. For example,
DPP-FP97 printer make printing fun and easy and deliver beautiful
high-quality results. They also provide Auto Touch-up features (Auto
Dodging, Auto White Balance Correction, Red-eye Correction, Exposure
Correction, Skin Smoothing, Focus Correction), Creative Print features
(Scrapbook, Frame, Stamp, Superimpose, Calendar) and Filter effects. By
connecting the printer with a BRAVIA Sync compatible HDTV via HDMI cable,
you can even enjoy big-screen viewing of your full HD photos at
unprecedented quality. In addition, user-friendly DPP-FP77/FP67 printers
feature excellent print quality and helpful picture icons on the LCD that
simplify operation. The DPP-FP77 is equipped with a large 3.5-inch LCD, and
the DPP-FP67 printer has a 2.4-inch LCD. Both LCDs allow easy previewing
and selection of the photos you want to print. Additionally, there is a
convenient Red-eye Correction button for better looking flash photos of
people. All models make it easy to enjoy high-quality digital photo
printing at home. * CompactFlash is compatible with the DPP-FP97 only.
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