Canon's new MV600 series of Digital Video Camcorders launched

The new MV600 series contains the following easy-to-use models -the MV650i, the MV630i, the MV600i and the MV600.

The new range offers an optimal combination of functionality, affordability and performance. The MV650i is the most advanced and feature-laden. The series allows everyone from Digital Video (DV) or camcorder beginners, frequent travellers and families to select a camcorder most suited to their needs.

The new stylish design is based on the popular MV500 series. The Stream Surface body has been brushed-up and like the MV500 series, utilises different colours to emphasise the individuality of each model. These new additions to the MV line-up are superbly designed, and extremely compact - even with the included high-magnification lens.

All models in the MV600 series utilise IEEE 1394, while the MV650i and MV630i offer USB and Direct Print to maximise their connectivity to PCs, printers and video peripherals.

"By providing enhanced connectivity and increased lens magnification in an equally compact body, our new MV600 series offers consumers better cost-performance than ever before," said Michel Sabbagh, marketing manager at Canon Middle East.

New high-performance lens and CCDs
Each model uses the new 1/6-inch 800,000-pixel CCD, to produce even higher resolution movies, and dramatic lens magnification while maintaining a compact size - with the added facility of XGA still images on the MV650i and MV630i. The range also incorporates the MACS (Multi Architecture Camera System) to optimise best quality image settings for movies and stills, depending on whether displayed on TV, PC, or printed via the Direct Print function (no PC is needed).

Each model is also equipped with a high-performance two-sided aspheric Canon lens, which is new to this series, and combines optical and digital zoom.

The MV650i uses an optical 22x/digital 440x zoom lens for video, and a free 0.6x wide-angle attachment. The MV630i has optical 20x/digital 400x, while the MV600i and MV600 each utilise an optical 18x/digital 360x lens. These models can be fitted with wide-angle attachments as an optional extra.

Advanced features
The MV650i has an advanced accessory shoe, and features both Night Mode and Super Night Mode for shooting colour video in almost zero Lux. The remaining models all feature a regular Night Mode. The MV650i can also capture Motion-JPEG video clips, while XGA still images taken with progressive photo can be printed on a bubble jet printer without being attached to a PC using Direct Print (as can the MV630i). All models also feature a colour LCD and colour EVF, analogue and DV in/out (MV600 - DV out only), and each can double as a web cam using Canon's DV Messenger software, which allows you to take full advantage of Microsoft Windows XP's Messenger programme. Simply connect the camcorder to the computer's IEEE1394 terminal to create a video conferencing studio, zoom in for a closer look, adjust focus, and control the camcorder's playback functions through your computer. The "i" models also have an Analogue Digital Converter, and in the case of the MV650i and MV630i, a USB interface.

The MV650i and MV 630i also have Secure Digital (SD)/Multi-Media Card (MMC) slots to record, store and retrieve still images and provide better PC affinity. Because it allows simple transfer of these still images to a PC, using a PC card adapter and card reader, without the necessity of connecting to a PC by a USB cable or DV cable. They are also capable of digital animation mix, and the MV650i features illuminated buttons.