Sony HVR-M35U, HVR-M25AU, HVR-M15AU Brochure & Specs

HVR-M35U
HVR-M25AU
HVR-M15AU

Digital HD Videocassette Recorder

(images simulated)

www.sony.com/HDV

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The Perfect Choice for Cost-effective HD
Productions-the Sony HVR-M35U, HVR-M25AU
and HVR-M15AU HDV 1080i VTRs

Sony has introduced an affordable, yet high-performance
HD recording system incorporating the HDV™ 1080i
specification for use in its products, thereby offering
the HDV format to a wide range of professional
videographers. Since they were introduced, HDV
systems have gained rapid and wide acceptance
due to their high picture quality, outstanding
performance, and cost effectiveness.

HVR-M35U

HVR-M25AU

HVR-M15AU

Today, in response to the demands for greater levels of
operability, such as longer recording time and
progressive format playback/record capabilities, Sony
has introduced its latest HDV recorders – the HVR-M35U,
HVR-M25AU and HVR-M15AU.
The HVR-M35U, HVR-M25AU and HVR-M15AU enable
users to record and play back video in a choice of
formats –HDV 1080i, DVCAM™, and DV. They also
feature the HDV native progressive format capability,
which provides stunning 1080p image at 24, 25 or 30
frames per second.*
One of the most powerful features of these VTRs is their
compatibility with standard cassettes in addition to
mini cassettes, which provides extended recording
time of up to 276 minutes.
These models are optimized for use with nonlinear
editing systems thanks to their highly compact size
and ease of operation. However, the HVR-M35U and
HVR-M25AU provide additional powerful features such
as a built-in 2.7-inch*1type, 16:9 LCD monitor and an
HD-SDI or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)
output for more demanding production environments.
The HVR-M35U, HVR-M25AU and HVR-M15AU are highly
powerful, yet cost-effective tools for nonlinear editing
systems that will serve both today’s production needs,
as well as those of tomorrow.

*In this brochure, "24p" means "23.98p" video signal and
"30p" means "29.97p" video signal.

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1 Viewable area measured diagonally.

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HDV FORMAT

HDV 1080i Specification

The HDV 1080i specification
1,080 effective scanning lines (interlace scanning system)
and 1,440 horizontal pixels. It adopts the MPEG-2
compression format (MP@H-14 for video),which uses 8-bit
digital component recording with a sampling rate of 4:2:0.
The HDV 1080i specification provides high picture quality
that can be used for HDTV program production.
In HDV format, the progressive recording format is also
defined as an option for HDV 1080i specification.With this
format, called HDV native progressive format, 1080p images
at 24, 25 or 30 frames per second can be recorded.
The HVR-M35U /M25AU/M15AU enables users to play back
1080p images recorded with camcorders featuring this
format and to record with i.LINK

Track Pattern of the HDV 1080i Specification

Direction of tape travel

Direction
of head motion

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of the HDV format features

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®

input.

10 μm

Sub Code sector

MPEG-2 PES sector

(Video + Audio + Search + AUX)

6.35 mm
(1/4 inch)

Compatible with Existing and New DV
Videocassette Tape

As a member of the proven DV family of formats, the HDV
format has, from the outset, been developed for
compatibility with all grades of DV videocassette tape.
This allows operators to use high-grade DV videocassette
tapes for applications where high robustness is critical, or
consumer-grade videocassette tapes for more economical
operations. For heavy-duty applications, the DigitalMaster
high-grade cassette tape has been developed. This tape is
compatible with the HDV, DVCAM, and DV formats.

Long Recording Time

The HDV format adopts the same track pitch and tape
speed as the DV format, thus offering the same recording
time – a maximum of 276 minutes when recording on a
DigitalMaster standard cassette tape and a maximum of
63 minutes when recording on a DigitalMaster mini
cassette tape.

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ITI sector

ITI: Insert and Track Information
PES: Packetized Elementary Stream

FEATURES OF HVR-M35U, HVR-M25AU AND HVR-M15AU

Switchable Recording and Playback
– HDV 1080i/DVCAM/DV SP and 60i/50i

M35

The HVR-M35U/M25AU/M15AU can switch between HDV

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1080i, DVCAM, and DV

recording, providing full flexibility to

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record in either standard definition or high definition
depending on your production needs. In addition, it can be
switched between 60i and 50i modes (NTSC and PAL), which
allows for flexible production operations, without the need
for two separate VTRs of each standard. These models also
supports HDV native progressive recording format, so they
can playback/record;

•HDV1080i: 60i/50i/24p/30p/25p

•DVCAM/DV:60i/50i

M15AM25A

Dual-size Cassette Mechanism

The HVR-M35U/M25AU/M15AU has a dual-size cassette
mechanism that accepts both mini- and standard-sized
DigitalMaster,DVCAM,and DV cassette tapes – without using
any special adaptor. This feature allows the six different
types of cassette tape to be used without the cumbersome
process associated with additional mechanical hardware.

M35

M15AM25A

2 The HDV format also defines the HDV 720P specification,which features 720 effective scanning lines (progressive scanning system) and 1,280 horizontal pixels.*3 The HVR-M35U/M25AU/M15AU

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supports DV SP mode only; no support for DV LP mode.

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