Sony Professional HVRM25U HDV Record/Playback Deck

by Sony

Product Details

• Item Weight: 15 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 15 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000FTLMT4
• Item model number: HVRM25U
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #30 in Camera & Photo > Accessories > Professional Video Accessories > VTR Decks
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 1, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer Incorporating a compact and simple design, as well as a built-in 2.7" LCD display, the HVR-M25U is well suited for desktop applications. The HVR-M25U 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-M25U 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.

HVRM25U 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.

2.7-inch 16:9 Clear Photo LCD plus
Wide LCD panel enables operators to check 16:9 aspect picture images, audio levels and set-up menu.

HDMI output
HD video, audio and control signals can be transferred in a single cable, simplifying cable hookups: Five video cables and eight audio cables can be packed in just one cable.

Duplicate Plus
By using the Duplicate Plus button a work tape containing the exact timecode that the original source tape contains can be dubbed. The Duplication Plus function is applicable with HDV1080i, DVCAM, and DV formats.

Edge crop adjust
The HVR-M25 is able to adjust the edge crop position when down converting from HD (16:9 aspect ratio) to SD (4:3 aspect ratio). By displaying the edge crop marker on the monitor, you can check the crop position on the LCD monitor before down converting. Edge cropped pictures can be output from both i.LINK and each analog video jacks.

Marker Burn
Operator can edit pictures for the current simultaneous broadcasting (both 16:9 and 4:3 available).

Custom repeat
The auto repeat function enables it to repeatedly play back a program. Just after the HVR-M25 reaches the end of the tape, the first complete blank portion, or the first index point, it automatically rewinds the tape and repeats the playback of the segment. In addition, the HVR-M25 has a Custom Repeat function that allows operators to set a repeat number of times, a repeat interval, and a start time of repeat.

Time code settings
The time-code mode can be selected between "REC RUN" and "FREE RUN." The frame mode can also be selected between "DF" (drop frame), "NDF" (non-drop frame) and "AUTO." In addition to the time code, user bits can also be set.

Status check
Audio level meter, video out, i.LINK set, assign buttons and custom repeat setting can be displayed by pushing the status check buttons.

Assignable buttons
Other than the default functions, frequently used functions can be assigned to the Assign buttons: INDEX (A1), RESET (A2), and AUDIO (A3).

HVR-M25U exclusive features

• 2.7-inch (viewable area measured diagonally) Clear Photo LCD plus monitor
• SMPTE time code with user bit and reset
• Duplicate Plus with time code and user bit
• HDMI output for connection to consumer HD televisions
• Edge crop adjustment enables you to customize the downconversion from HD to SD
• Assignable buttons
• Custom Repeat enables you to pre-set repeat times, cycle and start time
• Audio recording level controls
• Headphone jack

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, as well as a built-in 2.7" LCD display, the HVR-M25U is well suited for desktop applications. The HVR-M25U 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-M25U 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

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only game in town, May 27, 2008

By 

International Ron "Everything Online" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony Professional HVRM25U HDV Record/Playback Deck (Electronics)

For professional use, classic Sony quality. There's really nothing else like it on the market. The JVC equivalent costs almost as much and JVC always comes across as more of a "consumer" item. [...]

Menu set-up will be difficult for non-pros, but if you're buying this you're probably already beyond "consumer level," so you'll know how to deal with it. I added a component video out card (from B&H Photo/Video) that Amazon did not carry. The picture output quality to a component video monitor is fantastic - especially "downscaled" HDV to a standard definition monitor. You'll be able to use one of these decks in almost any digital video production environment.