Sony has unveiled its GV-HD700E, also known as the first “HD Video Walkman.” This isn’t the type of Walkman you go running around the block with, but, rather, it is a professional-end portable HDV and DV tape player with a 7-inch widescreen LCD monitor. This will come in handy for reviewing your tapes after a long day of shooting. The GV-HD700 also has a few other features you will find useful.
The 7-inch widescreen LCD on the GV-HD700E features a resolution of 800×480 and includes an “All-scan” function that shows 100% of your video frame so your footage doesn’t get cropped along the edges as many camcorder LCDs are prone to do.
The Sony GV-HD700E also features quite a few input and output options, making it ideal for a backup/archiving deck and/or as a playback deck. These I/O options include HDMI and component output, i.LINK (i.e., Firewire 400) input/output, and S-Video and composite inputs. You can even capture still frames from your footage onto a separate Memory Stick.
For portability, the Sony GV-HD700E can be used with Sony InfoLITHIUM L and M series batteries. It also includes an AC adapter, remote, component cable, and AV cable (minus S-Video). The GV-HD700 will be available in Europe in September for a price TBD. No word on a US release, but you can be sure it will be coming, probably under the model name “Sony GV-HD700U.”
