Sony HDW-F900R CineAlta 24P HDCAM Camcorder

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Product Highlights

2/3" 2.2MP FIT CCD

1920 x 1080 Active Pixels

Sony Bayonet Mount

24P, 25P, 29.97P, 50/59.94Hz Interlace

4:2:2 RGB Color Space

Dual HD-SDI

Cinema-Quality Imagery

320 ISO Equivalent

Enhanced Gamma & Colorimetry Controls

 Hours

Drum     1230

Tape      409

Operation    1519

Thread    1048

 Comes with

Viewfinder HDVF20A

Tripod Plate 

Microphone 

In an era when even the least expensive prosumer camcorder touts the latest flavor of high-definition 24p, it's easy to forget that as recently as 2000, aspiring to--much less achieving--the cinema-like imagery of 24 frames per second on HD video was the exclusive domain of George Lucas, busy pushing the envelope on his Star Wars prequels. The camera he used, the first of its kind, was Sony's CineAlta HDW-F900, and the number of prestigious widescreen and television productions it went on to shoot ultimately won it a 2004 Primetime Emmy for Engineering. If you wanted to achieve the rich look of 35mm film on video, at dramatically reduced costs, shooting HDCAM on the HDW-F900 was the only game in town.

HDCAM's reputation as the go-to HD production format for top quality programming was built on the shoulders of the HDW-F900. And now Sony's HDW-F900R (the 'R' stands for "refined") continues that tradition. It's a smaller, lighter, more versatile version of the workhorse F900, incorporating such refinements as two built-in HD-SDI outputs, hyper gamma capability, reduced power consumption, and (with optional boards): image inversion, slow shutter, picture cache, interval recording, and downconversion with 2-3 pulldown.

On top of the F900's original, industry-standard features and large 2/3" sensors, these refinements provide the greater flexibility and creative control that professional shooters have been asking for. And in terms of image quality and accessories, the F900R remains fully compatible with its predecessor--no modifications are needed for existing third-party items.

The HDW-F900R, like the F900, continues to excel at what it does best: capturing high-end, film-like imagery that meets the most rigorous broadcast standards. And it does so with the ease and control of shooting 35mm--without film's higher cost. That's something the most tricked-out prosumer minicam can only dream about.

HAD Sensor Technology

The HDW-F900R uses Hyper HAD sensor technology incorporating the latest FIT sensor and on-chip lens structure. Three 2/3" FIT CCDs each with 2.2 million-pixels provide excellent imaging quality, acquiring pictures at 1920 x 1080 CIF (Common Interchange Format) resolution.

12-bit ADSP

12 bit A/D conversion and advanced digital signal processing ensures excellent tonal reproduction, for the most demanding applications.

Choice of Multiple Frame Rates

You can select from a number of frame rates to match the required look for each production. 50i and 59.94i can be selected to acquire interlaced "TV look" pictures, with 23.98P, 24P, 25P and 29.97P also available for "film look" (progressive) images. (Please note that 30P and 60i modes are not supported.)

TruEye Processing

TruEye virtually eliminates hue distortion, especially in extreme lighting conditions. TruEye processes video data in a similar way to the human eye--processing brightness, hue and saturation. This significantly improves the reproduction of natural skin tones.

Multi Matrix

Multi Matrix provides further in-camera creative control and can be used to match colorimetry during multiple camcorder shoots. It is also effective for manipulating the hue and saturation of specific selected colors within a scene. One example would be to adjust the hue and saturation of a flower petal without changing other colors within the picture.

Auto Trace White

Auto Trace White (ATW) is a feature that automatically adjusts the white balance as lighting conditions change. This is ideal when shooting in rapidly changing lighting conditions (for example, when moving from an indoor to an outdoor location). Conventional Auto White Balance is also available.

Creative Control with User Gamma

The CvpFileEditor can be used with the HDW-F900R for creation of custom gamma curves. Existing gamma curves, generated for use with the original HDW-F900, can also be applied.

Long Record Duration onto HDCAM Cassettes

The HDW-F900R records up to 50 minutes onto a small HDCAM tape when shooting in 24P mode. Maximum record durations at 50i and 59.94i are 48 minutes and 40 minutes.

Dual Optical Filter Wheel

The HDW-F900R is equipped with dual optical filter wheels. You can choose from the following Neutral Density (ND) settings: CLEAR, 1/4ND, 1/16ND and 1/64ND, and the following Color Correction (CC) settings A:5600K, B:3200K, C:4300K and D:6300K.

Optional HD to SD Downconversion

The HKDW-702 HD to SD downconverter option used with the HDW-730S and HDW-750P HDCAM camcorders can be used with the HDW-F900R. SDI or analog VBS can be output from the camcorder when this option is fitted. Alternatively, the new HKDW-902R board can be installed. In addition to downconversion, 2-3 pulldown is supported which allows NTSC monitoring at 59.94i when the camcorder is running at 23.98PsF.

Slow Shutter and Image Inversion

The new HKDW-905R option can be installed into the HDW-F900R to add slow shutter capability (up to 64 frames) and image inversion. The slow shutter feature can be used to either boost sensitivity or to enable motion blur to be used as a creative tool. Image inversion allows the camcorder to be used with a wider range of anamorphic and film lenses.

Picture Cache Recording

It's always annoying to miss a great shot, especially when shooting wildlife footage. Picture cache recording provides an additional chance to capture the action even if it occurred before the REC button was pressed. An optional HKDW-703 can be installed into the camcorder to provide this feature. This allows you to capture up to 8 seconds of material immediately before you press the record button.

Time Lapse

The optional HKDW-703 also provides Time Lapse (Interval) Recording. In MANUAL mode, 1 to 8 frames are recorded each time the REC button is pressed. In AUTO mode, the overall recording time is set (e.g., 10 minutes) along with the playback time on tape (e.g., 10 seconds). Using the picture cache to achieve Time Lapse reduces the mechanical wear to the record mechanism.

More Choices for Signal Output

The HDW-F900R is equipped with two HD-SDI outputs as standard, allowing high definition pictures to be monitored directly on-site without the need for an additional adapter. One of these outputs can be switched to standard definition when the camcorder is fitted with an optional HKDW-702 or HKDW-902R board.

Same Optical Axis as the Original HDW-F900

The HDW-F900R uses the same optical axis as the original HDW-F900. That means the lens accessories developed for the HDW-F900 can be used without modification.

Great Audio Performance

Four channels of digital audio can be input to the HDW-F900R via two XLR inputs. Each XLR receives 2 channels of AES/EBU audio data at 20 bits resolution.

Slot-in Wireless Receiver

You can slot a Sony wireless receiver directly into the chassis of the HDW-750P. This adds wireless receiver functionality without compromising the compact ergonomic design of the camcorder. A Sony WRR-855A/B can be used.

Rugged and Ergonomic Design

The design of the HDW-F900R is based on years of Sony experience in camera design and provides a high level of mobility and balance to minimize fatigue in all shooting conditions. Combined with the viewfinder, battery, cassette and microphone, the total weight is only 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg).