Sony DSR-250 DVCAM Camcorder

With the stability of its shoulder mount design, its light weight and a long list of innovative and convenience features, its no wonder the DSR-250 has become the prototypical event-video production camera for shooters big and small. The DSR-250 can record in both DVCAM (the professional format) and DV (the consumer format), and it accepts both large and small cassettes for a maximum recording time greater than 3 hours.

CCDs and DSP
Sony has equipped the DSR-250 with 3 1/3 inch CCDs containing 380,000 pixels each. The chips' high technology result in low smear levels giving the camera great bright scene image quality. And a high signal to noise ratio means that the camera will operate effectively in low light conditions also.

The DSR-250 allows you to set custom picture looks by adjusting the different parameters within the Digital Signal Processor. Now you can match multiple cameras for various color requirements. The custom settings may be recalled at a later time.

12 x Optical Zoom Lens with Super SteadiShot
The DSR-250 has a dedicated, non-detachable zoom lens that has a 6mm wide angle. Conveniently, the lens accepts 58 mm screw on filters and accessories. There are a number of lens adapters that will mount directly onto the lens.

With the stability of shoulder mounting the camera, all but the most accomplished camera operator will generate a certain amount of subtle hand-shake. Image stabilization comes from the optical system Super SteadiShot. The SteadiShot system checks for horizontal and vertical movements and corrects them with a small motor hundreds of times per second. All this is accomplished without digitally degrading the image.

DVCAM Professional Recording Format
Using a steeper track pitch, the DVCAM format lays down more information onto the tape frame for frame than the DV consumer format. And DVCAM locks audio to video for drift-free long duration recording. The technical numbers speak volumes: 8-bit component recording, 5:1 intra-frame compression and 4:1:1 color sampling. The DVCAM format offers realistic color and contrast quality, multi-generation dubbing capacity, and worldwide compatibility. The DSR-250 accepts large and small cassettes and will even record in the consumer format DV. Maximum tape length is over 3 hours.

SMPTE Standard Time-Code
The DSR-250's professional features include striping SMPTE time-code. Set hours, minutes, seconds and frames to best identify individual tapes. You also chose from FREE-RUN and REC-RUN and DF (drop-frame) and NDF (non-drop-frame) for consistency throughout your production. User-bits, alphanumeric coding, can be set to give additional information to the editor or producer.

Analog and Digital Ins and Outs
The DSR-250 will accept both analog Composite (RCA) and S-Video for input and output. This allows the operator to use standard home-type VCRs for source material and most standard televisions to playback the video. The digital Firewire (IEEE-1394, I-Link) interface is both input and output (as always).

Sophisticated Titling Functions
Using the more expensive IC chip cassettes gives you some interesting features including saving titles to the cassette's memory. These titles are not super-imposed on top of the video, but are displayed during playback. Use this function as an indexing function. In addition, the DSR-250 also has a tape title function that displays a title on the tape during the first 5 seconds of the recording.

Professional Quality Viewfinder
A DXF-801 viewfinder with 600 lines of horizontal resolution is standard with the DSR-250. The CRT is a 1.5 inch B/W, very similar to the DXC-D35 standard viewfinder. The viewfinder has a lens light to illuminate the rear of the lens in conditions with poor ambient light.

LCD Monitor
With 200,000 pixels and great picture quality, the LCD screen allows you to compose the shots while your eye is off the eyepiece. It also allows the producer to see what the operator sees in the viewfinder. The LCD monitor makes setting menu selections easier also. Now carrying a heavy field monitor from location to location is probably not required.

Time and Date Stamp
As required by legal deposition videographers, the DSR-250 has a time/date stamp. This feature gives you the ability to insert (super-impose) time and date onto the lower third of the frame.

Built-in Transition Selections
Five fader modes are built into the DSR-250 for professional looking in-camera effects.

Black Fade- In and Out
Monotone Fade- From black and white to color
Overlap- Last image becomes still and overlaps into new scene
Wipe-From left to right or right to left
Dot- Picture breaks into dots and dissipates

Capture Still Images in JPEG
In a pinch, the DSR-250 will record still images in 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution on a Memory Stick media card. The 4mb card will hold a approximately 60 images. Once the images are stored, you can download the data to a computer and manipulate the images with software. Furthermore, you have the ability to e-mail these images for review at another location or at another time.

Audio Section
The DSR-250 records onto 2 channels of balanced audio built right into the camera. XLR connectors on the front and rear of the camera allow you to connect almost any professional microphone, wired or wireless. In addition, you may chose to record line-level audio (the type that comes from a CD player, audio cassette deck, or from cable or broadcast TV). You may also choose to supply 48-volt power (Phantom power) to special microphones that require such power.

PowerTap DC Output for On-Camera Lights
No longer do you have to wear a heavy battery belt to power an on-camera sun-gun. The DSR-250 has a special 2-pin DC PowerTap output specifically for powering camera-mounted lights. PowerTap was first available only on Anton Bauer lights but now a good selection of companies produce units that will plug directly into the camera.

Signal System: NTSC, 30 frames, 60 interlaced fields per second

Image Device
3-CCD, 1/3-Inch
Interline Transfer-type

Lens
6mm to 72mm
12x Optical Zoom, 48x Digital Zoom Available
f/1.6-2.4
58mm Filter Diameter

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Not Specified by Manufacturer

Horizontal Resolution: 530 Lines

Sensitivity: Not Specified by Manufacturer

Minimum Illumination: 2 Lux with 18 dB Gain

Vertical Smear: Not Specified by Manufacturer

Built-in Filters: 3200 k, 5600 k, 1/4ND, 1/32ND

LCD Monitor: 2.5-Inch

Viewfinder: 1.5-Inch Black and White

Scan Matching: No

Memory Card Slot: Yes

Shutter Speed Range: 1/4, to 1/10,000 seconds

Gain Selection: 0 dB, (+)3 dB, 6 dB, 9 dB, 12 dB, 15 dB, 18 dB

Tape Format: DVCAM / DV

Tape Speed
DVCAM- 28.2 mm / sec.
DV- 18.8mm/sec.

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Not Specified by Manufacturer

Maximum Recording Time: 180 Minutes

Audio Dynamic Range: Not Specified by Manufacturer

Audio Signal Format
Recording
16-bit/48kHz
12-bit/32kHz
Playback
16-bit/48kHz
12-bit/32 kHz
16-bit/32kHz
16-bit/44.1kHz

Audio Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz

Signal to Noise Ratio: Not Specified by Manufacturer

Input and Output Connectors
Composite Video- RCA (x 1 input and output both)
Composite Video- BNC (x 1 output)
S-Video- 4-Pin (x 1 input and output both)
Firewire- 6-Pin (x 1 input and output both)
Mic Audio- XLR (x 2 input)
Line Audio- RCA (x 2 input and output both)
Headphones- Mini Stereo (x 1)
Remote Control- Mini Stereo (x 1)
DC Power- 4-Pin XLR (x 1 input)
DC Power-2-Pin PowerTap (x 1 output)
DC Power- 4-Pin Lemo (x 1 output- for wireless audio receiver)

Power Requirements: 12 Volts DC

Power Consumption: 12.1 Watts Maximum

Operating Temperature
32 to 104 degrees F
0 to 40 degrees C

Dimensions (WxHxD)
9 5/8 x 10 x 20 1/8 Inches
241 x 251 x 508.8 mm

Weight 9 lbs. 11 oz.
4.4 kg