Sony Video Camera and Wireless Kit

The Sony DSR PD170 is a fantastic camera that comes packaged with a Sony Wireless lavaliere microphone system.  If you are looking for a professional grade video camera and the convenience of a wireless lav mic, then this would be a great buy for you.   I selected this camera as part of my Video Production Tips Camera Store because it will record fantastic video and audio, plus, be a pleasure to use.  This video camera also takes top-notch still images.

The Sony DSR PD 170 records in the DVcam format using three large CCD chips, which is one reason the image it gets is such high quality.   (Three chips give much better clarity than one-chip cameras.  Plus, these are large chips.)

3-CCD, 1/3″
Interline Transfer-type
380,000 Pixels Each

For high quality, professional audio recording, this camera gives you two XLR audio inputs.

Two inputs are great because professional videographers should always have two microphones going at once.  Have a wireless on your main speaker and a shot gun mic to pick up natural sound.  Then you can mix them in editing for better storytelling.

The Sony DSR Pd 170 can supply phantom power to microphones, with a 48-volt power supply if necessary.  XLR audio inputs can also accept audio from a wide range of sources that utilize input line level audio, such as an audio cassette deck or VCR.

Videographers who select a video camera as sophisticated as this Sony DSR PD 170,  usually want complete manual control over as much as possible.  This camera supplies you with manual focus and exposure control as well as variable shutter, gain control, and two internal neutral density filters.

Built-in Filters
1/4 ND (1.5 stops)
1/32 ND (5 stops)

Shutter Speed
1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/90, 1/100, 1/125,
1/180, 1/250, 1/350, 1/500, 1/725, 1/1000,
1/2000, 1/3000, 1/4000, 1/6000, 1/10,000 seconds

Gain Selection
0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 dB

This package deal is under $3,000, which is a fantastic price for a camera of this quality that includes a wireless mic.  You can buy the Sony Camera Kit from the Video Production Tips Store here.

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

Input and Output Connectors
Composite Video: RCA (x1 Input, x1 Output)
S-Video: 4-Pin (x1 Input, x1 Output)
Firewire/iLINK: 4-Pin (x1 Input, x1 Output)
Mic Audio: XLR (x2 Input)
Line Audio: RCA (x2 Input, x2 Output)
Headphone: Stereo Mini (x1 Output)
Control L: Stereo Mini (x1 Input)
Control 1: LANC
Power: Coaxial (x1 Input)

Tape Format
DVCAM / DV Sony PDVM-40N 40 Minute DVCAM Mini Videocassette is a compact professional digital video tape format for broadcast and professional users. It is made to record and playback massive amounts of video and audio data with higher carrier-to-noise (C/N) ratios, less dropouts and more durability.

DVCAM is Sony’s professional version of the ubiquitous DV format. The camera comes equipped with iLink for fast capture into almost any non-linear (computer based) video editing system.

DVCAM runs the tape at a higher speed than standard MiniDV, creating a more robust video signal and ensuring little or no dropouts.

In still-capture mode, the Sony DSR PD 170 gets great resolution with an  output of 480 lines progressively. With recent technical improvements, the DSP now works more efficiently, the camera is more sensitive, and less light is required for great images.

A digital circuit could effectively stop the subtle hand shaking while holding the camera. But that would degrade the picture in the long run. The DSR-PD170 has a system of motors that correct the angle of the lens hundreds of times per second eliminating minute variances caused by your hand. This system works prior to image capture thus does not affect the quality of your video.
Useful in legal and security environments, the PD170 will, with a menu selection, burn time- down to seconds- and date onto the tape in a window over the image.

If you purchase this kit from Video Production Tips and B&H Photo, the kit comes with a wireless lavaliere microphone.

Sony UWP-V1 Wireless Lavalier ENG Microphone Package (30/32 – 566 to 590MHz)
* UTX-B2V Body-pack Transmitter
* URX-P2 Portable Receiver
* Omnidirectional Lavalier Mic
* 3 x Windscreen
* Mic Holder Clip
* Belt Clip (Transmitter)
* Shoe-mount Adapter (Receiver)
* Belt Clip (Receiver)
* 1/8″ (3.5mm) Mini to Mini Output Cable
* 1/8″ (3.5mm) Mini to XLR Output Cable
* 1 Year Warranty

Visit the Video Production Tips Video Store to look at the Sony DSR PD 170 and other fine video cameras.