Sony model nomenclature
 

How does Sony name their cameras. XDCAM, HVR, DSR, PDW, HVR, DNW, PMW.

Thanks

BVW-xxx = Betacam SP series (broadcast camcorders)
DCR-xxx = DV series (consumer)
DNW-xxx = Betacam SX series
DSR-xxx = DVCAM series
DVW-xxx = Digital Betacam series
EVW-xxx = Hi8 series
HDW-xxx = HDCAM series
HVR-xxx = HDV series
MSW-xxx = MPEG-IMX series
PDJ-xxx = Robotic Professional Disc Machine
PDW-xxx = XDCAM SD series + the upcoming XDCAM HD422 camcorder (PDW-700)
PDW-Fxxx = XDCAM HD series
PMW-xxx = XDCAM EX series
PVV-xxx = Betacam SP series (dockable VTR's)
PVW-xxx = Betacam SP series (broadcast VTR's)
SRW-xxx = HDCAM SR series
UVW-xxx = Betacam SP series (industrial VTR's + camcorder)

Ivan, I think you just earned a stickie for that one! This may get moved to a more visible location in the future.

-gb-

I second that. Great. Thanks!

If he had that comitted to memory I think he should also get a GOLD STAR on his homework ;-)

Don

Really nice list Ivan! Btw, here are also some dockable and studio camera series you might want to add:

DXC-xxx Industrial SD dockable series
BVP-xxx Broadcast SD dockable and studio series
HDC-xxx Broadcast HD dockable, studio and POV series

And for those of us that have been around Sony video machines forever, you can't forget:

BVH-xxx 1" machines (I still have my portable BVH-500)
BVU-xxx 3/4" U-Matic machines

One small correction - the PVW Beta SP decks were "Professional series" not broadcast series. The Broadcast decks were the same as the cameras: BVW.

The main differences: BVW included 4 channel audio (via 2 FM tracks for 3 and 4 embedded in the video signal), a broadcast quality TBC and a higher signal to noise ratio spec on the video heads. The BVW-75 also featured slo motion (DT) heads for real time slomo playback. Ampex also brand labelled Sony BVW 70's and 75s with the nomenclature CVR-XX.

Just in case anyone still cares, we should note that HDR is for the consumer HDV series.

And we should probably also note the suffixes. There are probably more, but the ones I know are:

U = US NTSC
E = Europe PAL
P = Pacific PAL
C = China (PAL?)
J = Japan NTSC

Someone with more knowledge than I may wish to weigh in on this...

is there any list where we can see all model names and release dates? Like a sony online museum where they have current model infos as well.

New Ones...
 

HDR-HCx: Handheld consumer HDV
HDR-CXxx : Handheld consumer AVCHD Flash Memory
HDR-XRxx: Handheld consumer AVCHD HDD
HDR-FXxx: Prosumer HDV
HDR-AXxx: Prosumer AVCHD
HXR-Nxx: Professional AVCHD
HXR-MCxx: Ultracompact AVCHD
HVR-Mxxx: HDV deck

Also HDR-SRxx: handycam consumer AVCHD HDD 2008 model year, replaced by the XR with "CMOS R"

Re: Sony model nomenclature
 

HDR-AX1 Digital 4K Video Camera Recorder
HDR-AS30V HD POV Action Camcorder
HDR-MV1 Music Camcorder
HXR-NX3 professional handheld HD camcorder

What no respect for CineAlta Cinematic Cameras?
F65 PMW-F55 PMW-F5 PMW-F3 NEX-FS700R NEX-FS100U HDWF900R :-)