Sony’s professional HVR - A1 is a camcorder that packs an awesome punch when it comes to video resolution and also convenient handling. A high definition camcorder that is still not available on the shelves yet but worth a considerable effort of consideration if you havent already bought the HVR-HC1.

I have had the pleasure to evaluate a prototype from Sony’s professional department during the COMEX show and also for the launch of the Movie Studio Platinum 6 presentation.

Putting the camcorder side by side to the HC1, you will notice that the two camcorders came exactly from the same mould.The significant difference was the additional balance audio outfit that comes with the HVR-A1 and which gave the camcorder its professional appearance.

With closer inspection it was not difficult to see that they had thrown in the same audio module taken from the DSR-PD170 and added into the HVR-A1. The microphone and also entire module can also be removed if you do not require this feature attached in certain shooting situations.

The wonderful part was that when the module was removed, the camcorder in an instance could be easily mistaken as a HVR- H1 but with additonal features thrown in here and there.

Instead of using a hard plastic lens hood the HVR-A1 uses a rubber lens hood. You are still able to flip your lens cover open with the mechanical lever found on the hood.

However the problem is when you decide to add on a filter this rubber hood needs to be removed.

You will find a manual zoom ring on the HVR-A1 but remember that you are only able to use either the zoom or the manual focus as they utilize the same ring. Choosing this option is done via a switch found on the left side of the camorder.

The zoom and focus ring is pretty well designed and has grooves which allow pretty easy manipulation for focus and zooming. Like the HC1, the A1U also has three other buttons that will allow you to activate tele-macro, expanded focus and also backlight. In a way with the way I operate the camcorder, I would have prefered the expanded focus button to in the position where tele-macro is found.

Tele- macro on the A1U works pretty well and pretty effective for those who love capturing insects, birds and small creatures without having to freak the subject up.

I found this feature useable on the A1U unlike some other camcorder models with the same feature built-in where image edges were greatly blown over

The exposure button can be found on the left section of the camcorder and toggles easily with the easy access of a rocker lever. However like the HC1, the A1U does not have the reading displayed in actual F-stops which sometimes a problem especially with videographers who understand exposure and prefer more control of their settings in relation to the shutter speed wth particular shooting conditions.

The HVR-A1U uses the same batteries as the DCR330E and the TRV series. The standard supplied battery that comes along with the package will only give you approximately 2 hours of shooting time. ( NO LCD) It is advisable you purchase the optional top end SONY info lithium ion model QM91D that will give you up to almost 4 hours of operation. The latest batteries also give you a very useful battery level check indicator on the battery itself.

The A1U uses the CMOS technology instead of the actual CCD chips for their imaging. The A1U uses a single 1/3 size CMOS chip. Obviously the reason in using the latter is the obvious higher cost in using CCD as it's imaging sensor.

My preference obviouly fall strongly towards the conventional CCD chips as they produce a better colour quality over the CMOS technology but not necessarily in the case of comparison towards resolution quality.

It would have been really cool if Sony had implemented the manual controls of the FX1 or the Z1U in the HVR-A1U since it was meant to fall under the professional range.

What is interesting in the A1U is the ability to shoot in the 0Lux mode of which you could not do so in the previous models such as the Sony DX10 and also all the other 3 CCD camcoders from Sony. So if you like to be able to capture video in complete darkness the nighmode feature is one awesome to have. Adding an optional IR sensor on the hot shoe of your A1U would also mean you are able to extend the distance of your nighmode capability. The black stretch feature that you find on the A1U is the exact one you will find in its bigger brother the HVR-Z1 and activating this feature allows you a mind blowing low light capability.

Tape Loading

Tape loading in done via the bottom end of the camcorder and can pose a problem for those who use the camorder with a tripod. There again, I do not find that as a tremendously big issue as I rarely shoot over an hour on a tripod anyway.

The camcorder also possess a optical steady shot mode of which will help you eliminate unwanted shakes so if you are a naturally an earthquake zone prone user, this is a must have feature for you in any selection of camcorder you decide to purchase.

Conclusion

My final conclusion for the A1-U is simple. If you do not own the HC1 wait for the A1U and buy that instead, Though you pay more the audio feature, live histogram, black stretch and better zoom response is already a reason worth for you paying the extra dollars. If you already own a HC1 i guess you are already done in. In my case I will sell the HC1 and buy the A1U. A camcorder that shoots great still, great video resolution. On top of that my greatest reason is the ability to shoot great HDV videos without being hassle by the authority in restricted places.