Overview 1 Chapter

Overview

1-1 Features

The DVW-970/970P1)is a camcorder, in which a color video camera using 2/3-inch high-definition CCDs of a 16:9 aspect ratio and a recorder of the Digital BETACAM format are combined integrally. The camera’s CCDs have approximately 1,000,000 picture elements (pixels) (the number of effective pixels: approximately 500,000).

Its high imaging quality is established by the combination of Power HAD2) EX CCDs and advanced digital signal processing technologies. In addition to resistance to vibration, dust, and moisture of the Betacam-series camcorders, this unit has various functions that make it ideal as a tool for ENG3) and EFP4).

1)The DVW-970 is for the NTSC broadcast system. The DVW-970P is for the PAL broadcast system. The description given in this manual applies to both models, any differences being clearly noted in the text.

2)Abbreviation of “Power Hole-Accumulated Diode.” “Power HAD” is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation.

3)ENG: Electronic News Gathering

4)EFP: Electronic Field Production

1-1-1 Camera Features

2/3-inch Power HAD EX CCDs

The high sensitivity, low smear 2/3-inch Power HAD EX CCDs provide high image quality which is at the top of its class.

•The unit is switchable between a 16:9 aspect ratio wide image and 4:3 standard aspect ratio.

•You can select an interlaced scan mode or progressive scan mode (30 fps (frames per second)1) for the DVW- 970, 25 fps for the DVW-970P).

•With the optional CBK-FC01 Pull Down Board installed, a 24 fps2) progressive scan video can be recorded subjected to pull-down (24P mode), providing

imaging quality close to that of film (DVW-970 only).

1)More precisely, 29.97 fps

2)More precisely, 23.98 fps

Chapter 1

Camera signal processing for high quality video

•The 14-bit A/D converter provides stable high-quality images and reliability.

•The high-performance electronic shutter allows you to select extended clear scan mode (ECS1)) and high vertical resolution mode (EVS2)), to obtain clear, high- quality video.

1)ECS: Extended Clear Scan

2)EVS: Super Enhanced Vertical Definition System

Shooting functions to cope with different shooting conditions

•A slow shutter function (up to 1/2 second) is provided as a standard feature. This allows noiseless shooting under very poor lighting conditions and a variety of expressive possibilities, such as shots of moving subjects which are smoothed out by afterimages.

•Owing to the scene file function, you can easily recall sets of adjustment values from the built-in memory, to match the particular lighting conditions.

•The ATW1) function provides automatic white balance adjustment in response to changing lighting conditions.

•The TruEyeTM 2) process yields distortion-free video, even with high intensity colors.

•The TURBO GAIN button enables an instantaneous boost of the video gain to the maximum 48 dB.

1)ATW: Auto Tracing White balance

2)TruEye: “TruEye” is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation.

Wide range of menu settings

The menus provide the following operations, among others:

•Status display, message, and marker display settings

•Camera adjustment settings

•Switch function assignment

•“Memory Stick” operations

You can also assign any settings to the USER menu, to create customized menus.

8 Features