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High Definition camcorders ?

T

Tom

Lifer
I've got a nice little collection of camcorders, but since I've now got an HDTV I'm thinking of getting an HD camcorder (HD as in high def, not hard drive).

What are the lowest cost options available now, and what are your thoughts on when these will replace NTSC camcorders for the general public ?
 
There is already one slated for release next month under $1K... Around $800 to be precise. I forget who makes it, I want to say Sharp but that could be completely wrong.

It uses MPEG-4 (rather than 2, which current models use) and runs about a 8 meg bitrate vs 25 or so for MPEG-2 models. It remains to be seen how well it can do, if its encoder is good it might be alright. If not, it could really suck.

Viper GTS
 
I guess I'm just a couple of months to soon, I see where Sony is coming out with this..

Sony HDR-HC3E HDV


Which has a list price of $1700. The Sony HDR-HC1 has a higher list price, I think, so the HC3E will probably have a street price under a $1000 before long.

Have you been following developments in this area ? If so, do you think by the end of this year there will be a lot more of these coming out ?
 
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
There is already one slated for release next month under $1K... Around $800 to be precise. I forget who makes it, I want to say Sharp but that could be completely wrong.

It uses MPEG-4 (rather than 2, which current models use) and runs about a 8 meg bitrate vs 25 or so for MPEG-2 models. It remains to be seen how well it can do, if its encoder is good it might be alright. If not, it could really suck.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...

Its Sanyo. The reviews on it aren't that great. It's a start though. I'm really looking forward to ditching my miniDV camcorder and getting a solid state one when the prices come down and they perform better.
 
Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
There is already one slated for release next month under $1K... Around $800 to be precise. I forget who makes it, I want to say Sharp but that could be completely wrong.

It uses MPEG-4 (rather than 2, which current models use) and runs about a 8 meg bitrate vs 25 or so for MPEG-2 models. It remains to be seen how well it can do, if its encoder is good it might be alright. If not, it could really suck.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...

Its Sanyo. The reviews on it aren't that great. It's a start though. I'm really looking forward to ditching my miniDV camcorder and getting a solid state one when the prices come down and they perform better.
Click to expand...


Wow, that Sanyo is pretty amazing ! Maybe not as an all situation capable HD camcorder, but getting anything even remotely like HD video in something you can carry in your pocket is astonishing. From the review at nytimes.com it takes pretty nice stills too.

 
JVC has had a consumer-grade HD camcorder for two years. The only problem is that it listed for $2K. You just need to have had known where to look two years ago. Now, they and Sony have a couple of consumer-grade products for consumer consideration, and I don't doubt others are at-releast or near-release for their HD camcorder products.

Biggest problem is determining what exactly do they classify as being high-definition?
 
Originally posted by: ivol07
Looks like the Sanyo Sucks.

I can't wait till HD camcorders are good quality and affordable.
Click to expand...



Looking at the video samples, they are definately a lot better than the "review" would lead you to believe. Also, what do you know about that site ? I don't know if the unit he "reviews" is actually a final production model.
 
Originally posted by: Tom
Originally posted by: ivol07
Looks like the Sanyo Sucks.

I can't wait till HD camcorders are good quality and affordable.
Click to expand...



Looking at the video samples, they are definately a lot better than the "review" would lead you to believe. Also, what do you know about that site ? I don't know if the unit he "reviews" is actually a final production model.
Click to expand...

The video quality of it won't be great. It will be 'alright' but it just depends on how demanding you are as a user.

For me HD/ dvdr video recorders just don't suck it. Faster pans breaks out in blockiness = not good.

I've seen a still from a 1080i video recorder and it looks SOLID. Very clean but I haven't seen it video from a 1080i video recorder though...

It would be nice to get one for under £1k

Koing
 
"For me HD/ dvdr video recorders just don't suck it. Faster pans breaks out in blockiness = not good."



Sorry, but I can't figure out what you meant. Could you restate this ?

And what it has to do with the Sanyo that records on solid state media ?

 
Here is a real review of the Sanyo from a reviewer I have some faith in.

Steve's Digicams review of Sanyo Xacti HD1

"Overall our movie samples were a pleasure for both sight and sound. I noticed below average amounts of compression noise and the AF system did well when following fast moving subjects and while zooming. Its HD-SHQ movies are very "cool" and looked great on my 52-inch HD TV."


btw, it's also available for sale in the USA, Amazon has it for example.
 
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