SONY HDR-HC9 1080i CAMERA WITH 3.2 MP ClearVid™ CMOS SENSOR

Super NightShot® Infrared System

With the Super NightShot Infrared System, you can capture video in total darkness (0 lux) up to 10 feet away.

  SONY HDR-HC9 specs

Vision Wrangler Daily Hire $135

Full HD1080i recording on Standard MiniDV Tapes
HDR-HC9 captures stunning Full HD1080i footage on standard Mini DV tapes in the widely supported HDV standard. Utilizing a powerful ClearVid CMOS sensor & Carl Zeiss lens, the HDR-HC9 boasts some of the most powerful optics in the entire Sony HD Handycam range.

Optical Super SteadyShot
Super SteadyShot (Optical) lets you shoot stable images with reduced blur even during telescopic shooting, (when images tend to blur due to camera shake.) Employing an optical method efficiently reduces motion blur and maintains superior image quality without altering any data obtained through the lens. Motion blur is also reduced when shooting still images.

Manual Shooting Function – Camera Control Dial
Easily assign a variety of camera settings to the Manual button and adjust them with the Camera Control Dial for smooth manual operation.

Microphone & Headphone Jacks
For those who are serious about sound, the HDR-HC9 enhances the recording experience by allowing you to connect a powered external microphone to the camera. Monitoring audio levels is also made easier thanks to the external headphone jack. Simply attach your favorite pair of headphones (using a standard 3.5mm plug) and you can instantly hear what you are recording.

Removable Lens Hood
The addition of a removable Lens Hood reduces glare when shooting in direct sunlight. It also enhances the professional styling of the HDR-HC9.

Compatible Editing with Sony Vegas, Apple iMovie, Avid Liquid and More
Footage from this Handycam can be imported to Intel Macs using iMovie and the latest operating system update (Mac OS X 10.5). As well as a host of other editing programmes like Sony Vegas, Avid Liquid, Edius 4, Adobe Premiere.

Key features

• Record Full HD1080i on standard Mini DV Tapes
• 6.1MP Still Image Capture with Flash
• 2.7" WIDE Touch Screen
• Manual Control Dial
• Lens Hood
• Microphone / Headphone Jacks

• Primary Video Recording Medium: Mini DV

• Carl Zeiss Lens Type: Vario-Sonnar T
• Filter Diameter: 37mm
• Zoom: 10 x Optical (20x Digital)
• F: 1.8-2.9
• f (Focal Distance): 5.4 - 54mm
• f (35mm Conversion) in 16:9 "MOVIE" Rec position: 40 - 400mm

• Sensor Size & Type: 1.29/1" ClearVid CMOS
• No. of Pixels (Approx. Gross): 3200K
• No. of Pixels 16:9 "MOVIE" Rec (Effective): 2280K

• Max. Video Resolution: 1440 x 1080i (High Definition)
• Video Format: HDV
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Widescreen
• x.v. Colour: Yes
• Super Steady Shot: Optical
• Focus System: Auto / Manual (via Touch Screen)
• Spot Focus: Yes (via Touch Screen)
• Spot Meter: Yes (via Touch Screen)
• Minimum Illumination: 5lux (Auto Slow Shutter on)
• White Balance: Auto / Outdoor / Indoor / One Touch (via Touch Screen)
• Shutter Speed: 1/3 - 1/10000 (Manual mode)
• NightShot: Yes
• Colour Slow Shutter: Yes
• Exposure Control: Yes (via Touch Screen / Control Dial)
• Smooth Slow Recording (with audio): Yes
• Iris Control / Gain Control: Auto Only
• Zebra Pattern: Yes
• Guide Frame: Yes
• Histogram: Yes (via Touch Screen)
• Fader Functions: Fade to Black / White / Mosaic / Mono (via Touch Screen)
• Picture Effects: Skin Tone / Mosaic / Solarization / Monotone / Sepia / Neg. Art / Pastel
• Digital Picture Effects: Still / Slath Motion / Trail / Old Movie / Cinematic effect
• Tele Macro: Yes (via Touch Screen)
• Viewfinder: Colour
• Active Interface Shoe: Yes
• Easy Handycam: Yes

• Size: 2.7" (16:9 WIDE)
• No. of Pixels / Resolution: 211,200 dots (960x220)
• LCD Type: Clear Photo LCD Plus

• Recording: 2ch Stereo (PCM)
• Playback (via camera): 2ch Stereo (PCM)
• Recording Media: Memory Stick Only

• Max. Image Size (Still Mode): 6.1MP
• Max. Image Size (Dual Record): 4.6MP
• Compression: JPEG
• PictBridge: Yes
• Built-in Flash (with Red-Eye Reduction): Yes

• Weight Without Battery: 550g
• Dimensions Without Battery (W x H x D): 82x82x138mm

• SD Video / Audio Out (via Multi AV RCA Cable): Yes
• HD Video Out (via Component RGB RCA Cable): Yes
• HDMI Out: Yes
• Mic. / Headphone Jack: Yes (3.5mm Jacks)
• i.LINK: Yes
• USB Terminal: Yes (USB1 Mini Jack)
• DC In: Yes

1/2.9” ClearVid™ CMOS Sensor 3.2 Megapixel (Gross)

Sony’s original ClearVid CMOS Sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video performance (up to 1080 lines of horizontal resolution in HD format, or 530 lines of horizontal resolution in SD format). Additionally, the megapixel technology enhances your digital still photography experience with the ability to shoot high-resolution (6.1 Megapixel) still images. Unlike traditional CCD Imagers, CMOS Sensors require less power, providing improved battery performance.

10X Optical / 20X Digital Zoom

The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zoom.

2.7" Wide (16:9) Touch Panel Clear Photo LCD Plus™ Display (211K Pixels)

The 2.7" Wide (16:9) LCD screen provides exceptional viewing clarity with improved resolution (211K pixels). The display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles, as well as provides sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback. The widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.

Switchable HDV/DV Format Recording

Record and play back both High Definition and Standard Definition video recorded on standard MiniDV cassettes.

Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T Lens

Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T lenses use highly advanced optics to deliver vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T coating further reduces unwanted glare and flare for increased contrast and color.

Active Interface Shoe

Sony’s proprietary hot shoe makes it easy to use Intelligent Accessories, such as external lights and microphones, by providing power and on/off capability directly from the camcorder.

HDMI™ Connection

HDMI™ connectivity provides a simple, high-quality video and audio connection, with the ability to transmit HD video from the camcorder to compatible HDTVs via a single cable.

i.LINK® Interface (IEEE1394)

Quickly transfer images from the camcorder to compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VCRs, and PCs, using this high speed, bi-directional digital video/audio connection.

USB 2.0 Interface

The USB 2.0 interface provides an easy way to connect your camcorder to a PC for fast transfer of video and still images for editing.

InfoLITHIUM® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System

Unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony's rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "Memory Effect," so you’re free to charge the battery at any time. Additionally, Sony's exclusive AccuPower™ meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.

Stamina® Battery Power Management System

When using the Sony InfoLITHIUM® Battery, the Stamina® Battery Power Management System helps the camcorder prolong battery life for extra long continuous recording times from a single charge.

Assignable Buttons

For ease of recording, three buttons on the exterior of the camcorder are user-assignable so that they can be set to the options most commonly utilized.

Battery Information

At the touch of a button, battery information is displayed on the LCD screen when charging and when the camcorder is turned off. When using the LCD screen or viewfinder, the display will show how much the battery is charged -- in 10% increments -- and the recordable time left.

Built-in Intelligent Flash

For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reduces shadows.

Cinematic Mode

Perfect for creating your own movie masterpieces, Cinematic mode lends a 24 frame film-like effect to your recordings.

Easy Handycam Button

Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people. With a press of the Easy Handycam Button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are "locked out," letting you focus only the buttons essential for recording.

Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media Slot

Capture still images directly onto Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media (sold separately) for easy transfer to PCs for emailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick® devices.

On Screen Zoom and Record Buttons

For additional control of the camcorder, Zoom and Record buttons are features on the frame of the LCD screen. This allows for more flexibility when holding the camcorder, especially in overhead or low angle shots.

Picture Effects

Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony's Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Monotone, Pastel and Sepia. Effects available in Playback mode: Monotone, Pastel and Sepia.

PhotoTV HD Viewing with HDMI™ Output

With direct HDMI™ output to your BRAVIA® HDTV and other compatible HDTV screens, so you can view and share photos in breathtaking clarity and detail. You can choose between standard 4:3 and widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio -- and with select BRAVIA® HDTV models, your photos are automatically optimized in sharpness, gradation, and color reproduction.

Progressive Shutter System

A mechanical shutter system that provides progressive scan performance while utilizing an interlaced scanning system. Digital still images will be sharp and clear with excellent definition.

Scene Selection Modes

Scene Selection modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Beach, Candle, Fireworks, Landscape, Portrait, Sports Lesson, Spotlight, and Sunrise & Sunset.

Smooth Slow Record

By increasing the record rate from 60 frames per second (fps) to 240 fps, you can capture 3 seconds of fast motion and play the video back in 12 seconds. The Smooth Slow Record mode is a great tool for analyzing a golf swing or a viewing a bird in flight. In addition, you record an audio track to narrate the video footage.

Super NightShot® Infrared System

With the Super NightShot Infrared System, you can capture video in total darkness (0 lux) up to 10 feet away.

Super SteadyShot® Optical Image Stabilization System

The Super SteadyShot® Optical Image Stabilization System from Sony reduces blur caused by camera shake and vibration, so your images stay crisp and clear. This optical stabilization system achieves an even higher level of smoothness without the image degradation that can occur with some digital stabilization systems.