Sony DSR-PD170 Professional Camcorder

DSR-PD170 Professional Camcorder

Manufacturer
Sony
SKU
DSR-PD170
16-09-2008
Effective communication requires sharp focus and uncompromising professionalism. The DSR-PD170 digital camcorder was developed for professional needs. From college campus to large-scale enterprises, the rush is on to leverage the power of the “new media" because there’s no time to lose.

The DSR-PD170 combines the latest technology: DVCAM record and playback, state-of-the-art 1/3-inch CCDs, PC-based editing, professional sound and built-in special effects. Add to that surprising ease of operation at an unexpectedly low cost and seamless compatibility with a host of other Sony products, and your multimedia, video-streaming or documentary-style messages are a lot closer to realisation than you would have thought possible.

Picture quality & reliability are two of the key features that helped make the DSR-PD150 such a phenominal success - widely regarded as the de-facto standard for professional 3CCD compact camcorders since its launch in 2000. The new DSR-PD170 builds on this success with improved video-audio performance, as well as a host of ergonomic and operational improvements - specially developed in response to customer requests.

1/3-inch 3CCD with high sensitivity and S/N ratio
The DSR-PD170 incorporates three 1/3-inch CCDs with 450,000 pixels (effective 400,000 pixels). The 1/3-inch size contributes to high sensitivity, improves the signal-to-noise ratio and reduces smear levels. The optical system supports a 58 mm lens with 12x zoom.

Professional 2ch audio input
The DSR-PD170 has two XLR audio input connectors which provide balanced connection to a range of professional microphones and other pro-audio signals. It also features independent control of two audio channels.

Hybrid 2.5-inch LCD colour monitor
The DSR-PD170 features a fold-out, tilting colour monitor that allows you to check recording quality, confirm playback on location, and conveniently set levels using the on-screen menu. A new precision Hybrid LCD panel (Transmissive and Reflective, 211,200 dots) has been adopted allowing clear viewing even in bright sunshine.

Precision Black & White viewfinder
The DSR-PD170 is equipped with an 180,000-dot LCD black-and-white viewfinder, which provides 500 lines of horizontal resolution - more than 20 percent higher than equivalent colour viewfinders. A larger size viewfinder and eye-cup are supplied as standard, and the window size of the magnifier has been enlarged allowing more comfortable use of the viewfinder than those of the previous model.

The LCD panel and viewfinder can be turned on simultaneously, allowing the user to control the focus on the viewfinder and set the camera angle on the LCD panel.

Optical Super SteadyShot
The DSR-PD170 employs the Super SteadyShot to detect the horizontal and vertical movements separately. The prism system located in the front of the lens adjusts and optically compensates for any unsteadiness.

Large carrying handle with zoom lever and Rec Start/Stop button
A zoom lever and a Rec Start/Stop button on the handle provides much easier zoom control and recording during low-angle shooting. Zoom speed can be selected by three position slide switch located on the side of the handle, from H (fast), L (slow) or Off.

The handle which is 10 mm higher than that of the previous model helps a better and easier grip.

DVCAM & DV recording
The DSR-PD170 adopts DVCAM format to offer professional video and audio quality as well as high reliability. It is also capable of recording and playing back DV format (SP only).

Manual functions
In addition to the auto functions, the DSR-PD170 has various for manual adjustment for professional use.
- Zoom
- Focus
- Iris
- Shutter speed
- Gain
- AE (Auto Exposure) Shift
- White Balance
- Custom Preset (Colour Level, Sharpness, White Balance Shift, AGC Limit)
- ND Filters (1/4 and 1/32)
- Spotlight
- Backlight
- Digital Effects (Still, Flash Motion, Luminance Key, Trail, Auto Movie)
- Audio Recording Level (CH1/CH2 separate or linked)
- Zebra Patterns (100% or 70%)
- Guide Frame

Time code preset
A unique feature of time-code settings on the DSR-PD170 is that they can be used to uniquely identify tapes. Time-code mode can be set to “record runEor “free runE

Memory Stick and protection features
A 4MB Memory Stick lets you store up to 60 VGA images (with progressive scan mode) and use them to create various special effects. Because these functions are password-protected, Memory Stick works as a key to camcorder operation and therefore protects against theft.

Supplied wide conversion lens and new lens hood
The popular wide conversion lens VCL-HG0758 and new lens hood LSF-S58 are bundled with the DSR-PD170. The lens hood can be used with the wide conversion lens, or without lens.

Supplied hood with built-in lens cap
Another new hood with a built-in lens cap is also bundled. By using the lever on the side of the hood, the lens cap can be opened or closed.

i.LINK cable strap
This small plastic plate straps and protects the supplied i.LINK cable. It is useful for avoiding mishaps when an external hard drive (for example DSR-DU1) is being used for recording.

Storage

Camcorder tape type 
Mini-DV

Technical details

Colour of product 
Black
Built-in speaker(s) 
Y
Weight 
1.5 kg
Aperture range (F-F) 
F1.6 - 2.4
Focal length range (f-f) 
6 - 72 mm
Analog signal format system 
NTSC
Audio recording formats
48KHz/16-bit, 32KHz/12-bit
Camera shutter speed 
1/3 - 1/10000s
Display 
LCD
Optical sensor resolution
450000 pixels
Optical sensor size 
1/0.118 mm (1/3")
Optical zoom 
12x
Sensor type 
CCD
Total megapixels 
0 MP
Viewfinder type 
B&W LCD
I/O ports 
1 x Video IN/OUT (RCA pin)<br />2 x Audio IN/OUT (RCA pin)<br />2 x Audio IN: XLR 3-pin female<br />1 x LANC: Stereo mini-mini jack(0.25mm)

Ports & interfaces

S-Video out 
Y
DC-in jack 
Y
DV port 
Y
Microphone in 
Y
S-Video in
Y
S-Video inputs quantity 
1
S-Video outputs quantity 
1

Power

Power consumption (typical) 
4W

Performance

Auto focus 
Y
Manual focus
Y

Display

Display resolution 
960 x 220 pixels

Technical details

Display diagonal 
6.35 cm (2.5")

Image sensor

Effective megapixels (movie)
0.4 MP

Lens system

Digital zoom 
48x

Camera

Minimum illumination 
1 lx
Progressive scan 
Y

White balance

Indoor white balance
Y
Onepush white balance
Y
Outdoor white balance
Y

Packaging content

Battery technology 
Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)

Weight & dimensions

Filter size 
5.8 cm
Width 
13.6 cm
Depth 
18 cm
Height 
45.6 cm

Other features

Lens system 
12:1