Product Information
Sony HDC-1550 ( HDC1550 / HDC 1550 ) HD Portable Camera,

The Sony HDC-1550 portable camera utilises advanced HD Digital Signal Processing with 14 bit A/D converters. HDC-1550 also incorporates a newly developed CCD imager that creates images in either 1080 50 or 60 frame progressive or 1080 50 or 60 field interlace frame rates, depending on desired final system output. The new CCD and DSP LSI are two key devices that allow stunning image creation in a variety of scanning modes.

The new camera system accommodates all popular interlace and progressive scan formats including 1080/50, 1080/24P as well as the highest-quality 720/50P images.

The HDC-1550 includes a triax cable interface, which permits simple integration with existing studio or outside broadcast infrastructure. At the base station, a triax-to-fibre convertor, HDFX-100, allows connection to a standard HDCU-1000 or HDCU-1500 fibre optic base station.

New CCD and DSP provides even greater picture performance
The use of a new, state-of-the-art CCD sensor ensures high quality images even at low light level. The high sensitivity of F10 at 2000 lux, together with a signal-to-noise ratio of 54 dB combine to deliver unprecedented picture quality.

Multi-format operation ensures camera can accommodate all current and proposed HD formats
The HDC-1550 can operate in a wide variety of capturing modes, including 1080 50/60i, 1080 24/25/30P. Furthermore, the CCD can capture 1080 50/60P images, which can be down sampled to deliver the highest quality 720 50/60P pictures.

Ergonomic Design
The design of the HDC-1550 is based on over two decades of Sony experience in manufacturing broadcast video cameras and camcorders, and provides a high level of operability. All control switches and connectors are in the most logical places and are positioned for optimum functionality and ease of use. The HDC-1550's low centre of gravity design allows the operator to carry the camera comfortably on the shoulder. In addition, the shoulder pad of the HDC-1550 can be adjusted either forwards or backwards without using a screwdriver, so the camera can easily be moved to a well-balanced position.

Built-in down-convertor in the camera head for stand-alone use
The camera provides both HD SDI and down-converted SDI or analogue composite output. In addition, viewfinder signals with characters can be output from the SDI output connector, giving camera operators additional convenience. Furthermore, when using 24P operation, the built-in 2-3 pull-down function of the HDC-1550 enables 60i down-converted SD signals to be output on a standard SD monitor —a capability that also minimises the flickers that generally occur on the viewfinder.

New large lens adaptor design with one-touch, cable-free docking
The HDLA-1500 large lens adaptor includes a unique mechanism which allows the HDC-1550 to be quickly and easily attached and detached without removing the large lens. No additional cable connections are necessary between the camera and adaptor, thanks to a novel "hot shoe" system.

Features:

• New DSP delivers standards of picture quality and performance
  The newly developed DSP (Digital Signal Processing) LSI "Visual Image Processor" is the heart of the image-processing device for the HDC-1550. By adopting the latest 0.11 micron design rule, this processor can accommodate up to 1080/60 progressive format and 14-bit resolution, maximising the high-clarity images captured by the CCD. In addition, white balance, white shading, and flare are digitally corrected, allowing for stable image correction.
• Power HAD EX CCD for high sensitivity, low noise
  The HDC-1550 camera is equipped with a newly developed three 2/3-inch type 2.2-megapixel HD CCD. Based on Sony HAD sensor technology and the latest on-chip lens structure, this new CCD offers a high sensitivity of F10 at 2000 lx and an excellent signal-to-noise ratio of 54 dB (typical). In addition to this performance, a wide variety of capturing modes including 1080/50i, 1080/60i, 1080/24P, 1080/25P, and 1080/30P are available. What's more, this CCD can capture top-quality 1080/60P(*) images - a capability that also offers highest-quality 720/50P and 720/60P image acquisition for today's operations.
  (*)1080/60P and 1080/50P signals can be output from the HDC-1000/HDC-1550 camera head.
• 14 bit A/D conversion
  The HDC-1550 is the first HD camera to utilise a 14-bit A/D converter, that enables images captured by the high-performance CCDs to be processed with maximum precision. In particular, this high-resolution A/D conversion allows the gradation in mid-to-dark-tone areas of the picture to be faithfully reproduced. Thanks to the 14-bit A/D converter, pre-knee signal compression at highlight areas can be eliminated and the camera can clearly reproduce a high-luminance subject at a 600% dynamic range.
• Low profile chassis design
  Ensures comfortable operation either on the shoulder or on a tripod.
• Super-sampled 720P operation
  The use of a 1080 line HD imager which can operate at up to 50 progressive frames per second allows the camera system to output a very high quality 720/50P output. Digital filtering is employed to ensure higher resolution and lower aliasing to be achieved than would be possible with a 720P native image sensor.

• General
  
  Mass
  Approx. 4.5 kg (9 lb 14 oz, without VF and lens)
  
  Operating temperature
  -20 to +45 °C (-4 to +113 °F)
  
  
• Camera
  
  Pickup device
  3-CCD 2/3-inch type 16:9
  
  Effective picture elements (H&V)
  1920 x 1080
  
  Spectrum system
  F1.4 prism system
  
  Built-in filters
  1: Clear, 2: 1/4ND, 3: 1/8ND, 4: 1/16ND, 5: 1/64ND A: CROSS, B: 3200K, C: 4300K, D: 6300K, E: 8000K
  
  Servo filter control
  Yes
  
  Lens mount
  Sony bayonet mount
  
  Sensitivity
  F10 at 2000 lx (3200K, 89.9% reflectance)
  
  Minimum illumination
  10 lx (F1.4, +12 dB gain up)
  
  Signal-to-noise ratio
  54 dB (typical)
  
  Horizontal resolution
  1000 TV lines
  
  Dynamic range (1080/60i mode)
  600%
  
  Registration
  Within 0.02% (all zones, without lens)
  
  Shutter speed selection
  1/100, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 s (1080/60i mode), 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 s (1080/50i mode)
  
  Modulation depth
  45% or more horizontally (800 TV lines at center, 27.5 MHz, with typical lens)
  
  
• Input connectors
  
  Audio in (CH-1)
  XLR-3-31 type (1, female), mic or line selectable
  
  Audio in (CH-2)
  XLR-3-31 type (1, female), AES/EBU or mic or line selectable
  
  Mic in (front)
  XLR-3-31 type (1, female)
  
  Return control
  6-pin (1)
  
  DC in
  XLR-4-pin type (1)
  
  
• Output connectors
  
  Test out
  BNC type (1), 1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω
  
  HD SDI out
  BNC type (2)
  
  Earphone out
  Mini-jack (1), 8 Ω
  
  DC out
  4-pin (1), 10.5 to 17 V max. 1.5 A
  
  AC utility out
  Yes (Output connector differs by region.)
  
  
• Input/output connectors
  
  CCU
  Optical fibre connector
  
  Lens
  12-pin
  
  Viewfinder
  20-pin
  
  Remote
  8-pin
  
  Prompter
  BNC type (1), 1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω
  
  Tracker
  10-pin: Tracker R/T, R/G Tally, unregulated 12 V
  
  Crane
  12-pin, Y/Pb/Pr, Trunk data I/O, Serial Data
  
  Intercom
  XLR-5-pin (2, female)
  
  
• Supplied Accessories
  Label for assignable switch
  Lens cap
  Operation Manual