Sony Professional HVRM15U HDV Record/Playback Deck

by Sony

Product Details

• Item Weight: 9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000FTLMSU
• Item model number: HVRM15U
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #13 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Professional Video Accessories > VTR Decks
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 1, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Incorporating a compact and simple design, the HVR-M15U is well suited for desktop applications. With its included stand, the HVR-M15U can also stand vertically during normal operations. The HVR-M15U offers HDV 1080i, DVCAM and DV SP recording and playback capability for easy migration from standard to high-definition production, as well as playback of HDV 720p pre-recorded tapes (analog output only). Compatible with mini-size DV cassettes, it is also compatible with standard-size cassettes that allow up to 276 minutes of HDV recording with compatible tapes. Additionally, the HVR-M15U has a down-conversion function from HD to SD and is switchable between 60 and 50 Hz (NTSC/PAL) to provide full flexibility depending on production needs.

HVR-M15U Highlights

Up to 276 minutes of HD on a single tape
While the HVR-Z1U and HVR-A1U camcorders support Mini cassettes only, these studio decks also support Standard cassettes, for extended record/playback time. Using a single Sony PHDV-276DM DigitalMaster cassette, you can record up to 276 minutes of record/playback time in HDV and DV mode, 184 minutes in DVCAM mode.

SMPTE time code and external time code copy
As true professional decks, the HVR-M25U and HVR-M15U both offer SMPTE time code to identify each hour, minute, second and frame. Both decks can also copy external time code thanks to the HDV/DV in TC. The HVR-M25U goes further with the Duplicate Plus dubbing function, which carries audio, video, time code and user bits over the i.LINK IEEE 1394 interface. Duplicate Plus enables you to copy an HDV, DV or DVCAM work tape with the original time code intact by activating the Duplicate Plus function on the recorder.

Point of information display
You can also use the HVR-M25U and HVR-M15U as high definition players at retail, tradeshows and other points of information. The HVR-M15U offers a playback repeat function, while the HVR-M25U adds programmable Custom Repeat and an HDMI output for consumer high definition televisions.

HDV/DVCAM/DV compatible
The HVR-M15U can switch between HDV 1080i, DVCAM and DV recording and play back, providing full flexibility to record and play back either Standard or High Definition depending on production needs.

Dual-size cassette mechanism
This innovative feature allows six different types of cassette tapes to be used without the cumbersome process associated with additional mechanical hardware. It allows for HDV long-time recording for up to 276 minutes with a PHDV-276DM, Digital Master Tape.

Down-conversion capabilities
Allows for the easy migration to HD, and the backward compatibility to SD.

HDV/DV IN TC
Useful when dubbing tapes or recording to tapes with material edited by nonlinear editing systems.

Color bar/1KHz audio tone
The HVR-M15 is equipped with a signal generator for three types of color bars that is activated from the set-up menu. In addition, the recorder is also equipped with an audio signal generator of 1 kHz (60i: full bit -20 dB, 50i: full bit -18 dB). These are useful when checking system conditions.

60/50Hz (NTSC/PAL) switchable
Worldwide compatibility.

HVR-M15U exclusive features

• Vertical or horizontal operation saves precious desktop real estate
• Audio recording level -6/0/+6 dB settings and Automatic Gain Control (AGC)

Common features of the HVR-M15U/HVR-M25U decks

• HDV 1080i record/playback for superb high definition imagery
• Playback of HDV 720p30 recorded material via analog component outputs for broad compatibility
• DVCAM and DV record/playback integrates with SD infrastructure, SD tapes
• Downconversion of HDV 1080i recordings to SD via the i.LINK IEEE 1394 interface
• Conversion from 1080i to 720p via analog component outputs and (in the HVR-M25U only) HDMI output
• Choice of edge crop, letterbox or squeeze in HD to SD downconversion
• i.LINK IEEE 1394 input/output in HD and SD enables digital transfer of A/V
• Analog component video output in HD and SD
• S-Video and composite video input and output in SD
• Audio Dubbing in SD and HD for flexible postproduction
• SMPTE time code with reset
• HDV/DV IN time code copies external time code
• Auto repeat

Product Description

Incorporating a compact and simple design, the HVR-M15U is well suited for desktop applications. With its included stand, the HVR-M15U can also stand vertically during normal operations. The HVR-M15U offers HDV 1080i, DVCAM and DV SP recording and playback capability for easy migration from standard to high definition production, as well as playback of HDV 720p pre-recorded tapes (analog output only). Compatible with mini-size DV cassettes, it is also compatible with standard-size cassettes that allow up to 276 minutes of HDV recording with compatible tapes. Additionally, the HVR-M15U also has a down-conversion function from HD to SD and is switchable between 60 and 50 Hz (NTSC/PAL) to provide full flexibility depending on production needs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great unit, sort of small, does the job, a bit noisy, February 25, 2008

By 

Eugene Naber "Video Guy" (Windsor, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony Professional HVRM15U HDV Record/Playback Deck (Electronics)

I replaced my Sony DHR-1000 with this unit because it does both DV and HDV. It functions just fine. It's much smaller that the old unit, it even can be set on it's side so it has a very small footprint. It has no display, it seems that it is just the inner workings of the old unit with the HDV ability. It has the same fan sound, but the old unit was huge and hid a lot of the noise, with this unit, there is nothing to hide the fan. The remote that it comes with is very simple, but it works. It does the job, Sony gets its money for it, but there's not much that will do the DV and HDV off the mini-DV tapes. My reason for getting it was to keep from having to use my camcorders and wearing them out capturing and editing video. The 4 stars rather than 5 is the fact it's a bit noisy, no display and the remote isn't anything like the old DHR-1000. It just does the job.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice HDV upgrade to DSR-11 but doesn't playback 24p/30p, August 20, 2008

By 

EMC (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Professional HVRM15U HDV Record/Playback Deck (Electronics)

I purchased this VTR from J&R about 1.5 years ago to replace my DSR-11 and for the most part it works as advertised. It plays back DV, DVCam and HDV from Sony's FX1/Z1 shot at 60i but it does not playback 24p footage shot with Sony's V1 or Z7, or 24p/30p footage shot with Canon's HV-20/30. I just got an email today from J&R saying Sony has released the HVR-M15UA which is essentially the same model but it will playback 24p/30p HDV. Not sure if Sony us planning a firmware update or some other kind of upgrade program for us (unfortunate) M15U owners but given it's lack of universal HDV playback, I really cannot recommend this VTR unless you're only shooting/editing 60i material.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sony HVR-M15U, July 28, 2006

By 

Adam Barnum "VisualAphex" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony Professional HVRM15U HDV Record/Playback Deck (Electronics)

This is yet another great product from Sony. It's the perfect follow up of the DSR-16 with its integrated HD support. I spent hours and hours talking to professionals in the field and reading spec sheets and this was the best bang for the buck. Great product and highly recommended. Works great with my Canon XL2 and X1 H1.