SAMSUNG RELEASES NEW FLASH-BASED 1080P HD CAMCORDER Samsung's SC-HMX20C Camcorder Records in 1080p Mode and full HD Mode with High-Quality Still Camera Functionality

LAS VEGAS, January 6, 2008 - Samsung Electronics, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, continues to improve its camcorder offerings with the addition of the SC-HMX20C Progressive HD Flash-based Camcorder. Featuring Full HD and a1080p mode with 30 frames-per-second recording capability, the SC-HMX20C's flash-based design makes this camcorder compact and easy-to-use. With an included docking station, users will find it simple to not only charge the SC-HMX20C, but utilize the HDMI input and component connectivity to easily view home movies directly on an HDTV.

urthermore, users are able to connect the SC-HMX20C to their laptop or PC via a USB connection and share their home movies with family and friends quickly and easily. For added value and convenience, this multifunctional HD camcorder also delivers among the best still camera functionality within a camcorder on the market—up to 8 megapixels size through pixel-rising technology. Samsung's camcorder lineup will be on display at Booth #11033 during the International Consumer Electronics Show, which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7 through 10.

"The SC-HMX20C offers consumers the ability to record their precious memories in full 1920x1080p HD quality. Because this camcorder records onto flash memory, it offers quick start-up, great battery life and one of the smallest bodies in the industry," said Reid Sullivan, vice president of Digital Audio & Video Marketing at Samsung Electronics America. "The SC-HMX20C is extremely versatile and can be used to shoot HD video

footage in virtually any situation. Everyone from aspiring filmmakers to parents shooting their children's first birthday can capture their memories in beautiful HD quality." The SC-HMX20C's outstanding performance is the result of cutting-edge design coupled with innovative technologies in HD recording.

he SC-HMX20C features a 6.4-megapixel CMOS with electronic image stabilization so even action-packed scenes come through with clarity. Featuring an HDMI-CEC (Anynet+) high-quality connection to HDTVs and other devices, consumers can easily control the camcorder through their Samsung HDTV remote while viewing movies—just one more feature that strives to make life easier.

ith the unique feature of high speed capture and super slow motion playback, the SC-HMX20C allows consumers to record fast motion at 300 frames per second for up to 10 seconds and then drastically slow down the playback of the recording. Perfect for sports fanatics looking to tape and analyze their golf-swing in slow motion, or anyone interested in getting the detail of fast-flying events that otherwise would be undetectable to the human eye, this special function opens up a new world to users.

Samsung also engineered its new HD camcorder to be significantly more powerful than previous models. The 8GB of built-in flash memory helps ensure that nothing is lost for lack of space and users also have the option of recording onto high-capacity SDHC/MMC+ cards via the additional card slot. In addition to ample memory and superb recording capabilities, the SC-HMX20C also delivers among the best still pictures of any camcorder on the market. The SC-HMX20C has a few unique features traditionally found on digital still cameras such as a pop-up strobe flash, automatic built-in lens cap and advanced face detection to automatically bring facial features into crisp focus, delivering high-quality images.

At only 10.9 ounces, the SC-HMX20C fits easily into the palm for quick-and-easy shooting. For further convenience, the SC-HMX20C comes equipped with features that make it simple to use. Samsung's proprietary swivel hand-grip makes it possible to record from multiple angles, including regular and low-angle shots, while the 2.7-inch wide-aspect touchscreen LCD makes editing on the fly easy.

dditionally, the iCheck function lets the user know how much memory and battery life remains to ensure not a second is lost. Finally, Samsung has designed the SC-HMX20C to be both stylish and ergonomically correct. Its design utilizes trends seen in the fashion and car industries, resulting in a camcorder that's as elegant as it is practical. The SC-HMX20 will be available in May 2008.

bout Samsung Electronics America, Inc. Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, advanced digital consumer electronics and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, MP3 players, refrigerators and laundry machines. A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the HDTV market leader in the U.S. and is the only manufacturer that produces all four major digital television technologies. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information. # # #

Quiet as you like, Sony have snuck out a couple more HD-compatible camcorders, the SR8 and the SR5C without even a whisper. The SR8 looks like an upgraded version of the SR7 which is barely two months old, and the SR5 is now the SR5C. You want prices, shipping dates, more pics and just what these lovers are saying to each other? Of course you do.

Say howdy doody to the SR8, with its 3.2 megapixel video sensor and 10 x optical zoom. It'll cost you $1,600 and is available "on or before", says Sony, July 9.

This, my friends, is the SR5C, which has upgraded storage, and increased capacity from 40GB to 100GB. If you encode your video in H.264, you should be able to get about 36 hours of 1080i-resolution HD video onto the camera. Again, July 9, and expect to pay around $1,300.

Loverette: "I have acute angina, you know."
Lover: "Yes, it's as soft as a mouse's ear."

UPDATE: Matt from the Digital Camcorder News website has pointed out to us that Sony has updated every single one of its tapeless camcorders, most of which have been doubled in capacity at least. Big up to that man for pointing it out to us. – Ad Dugdale

Sony slips out SR5C, SR8, HD video cams [Electronista]

Despite the size it an purportedly pump out 1920x1080 resolution, which isn't too shabby. HD helmet cams, here we come. –Adam Frucci

3-inch HDTV camcorder from Germany [Crave]

Finally officially announced at NAB 2006 in Las Vegas today, the RED ONE camera is the latest greatest project from Oakley founder Jim Jannard, a serious photography and video buff who owns about a thousand different cameras himself. The RED ONE is designed to be a modular, upgradable system, so users can add hardware, software, storage, handling and monitoring accessories as they're developed or needed; a wonderful idea in itself, but check out its other specs:

Typical high-end HD camcorders have 2.1M pixel sensors and record with 3:1:1 color subsampled video at up to 30fps. We deliver 11.4M pixels at up to 60fps and record RAW, or 2x over-sampled HD in 4:4:4 or 4:2:2 - your choice. That's more than 5 times the amount of information available every second and a vastly superior recording quality. Don't need all that data for your workflow? Dial it back, and keep all the other advantages of the Mysterium Super 35mm cine sized (24.4 x 13.7mm) sensor. You get the same breathtaking Depth of Field and selective focus as found in film cameras. Mysterium boasts a greater than 66db Signal to Noise Ratio thanks to its large 29 sq. micron pixels. And 11,480,800 pixels deliver resolution that can only be called Ultra High Definition.

On an Apple forum thread about the price of pro cameras just a few months ago, someone was guessing the RED would go for about $250k, but the RED site is saying $17,500 MSRP. They're taking reservations now, $1k deposit and a maximum of five reservations per customer, but the fine print says they make no promises as to final list of specifications, availability or price, only that if you reserve the price will be set for you.

RED One [RED.com]
HD For Indies Exclusive: The Scoop on the RED camera-YES it's for real [HD For Indies]