Gizmodo: Hdv

Sony HDR-SR12 Gets Reviewed (Verdict: It's a Winner)

Sean Fallon — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:15:00 EDT

According to Camcorder Info, Sony's HDR-SR12 is continuing to push the AVCHD format forward as a viable successor to HDV. It is, by far, the best Sony HDD camcorder on the market—and with 120GB under the hood, it is unmatched in the AVCHD category in terms of capacity. As far as performance is concerned, the SR12 held its own against even the intimidating Canon VIxza HF10, with only a slight inferiority in picture sharpness. They also noted that Sony's Exmor CMOS sensor and Bionz processor has improved in leaps and bounds over their top HDV camcorder, the HDR-HD9.

In the end CI believes that the decision on what to buy is going to come down to a combination of what each individual needs in a camcorder and what they can afford. The HDR-SR12 is going to set you back a few at $1399, but you get a ton of capacity and a HDD for those who prefer it. On the other hand, you could always drop down to the 60GB HDR-SR11 and save yourself about $200. If you want to save some money and get a more portable device, the HF10 may still be your best choice at $1100. Hit the link for the full review. [Camcorder Info and Sony]

Canon Vixa HF10 Camcorder Reviewed (Verdict: Best AVCHD to Date)

Sean Fallon — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:30:34 EDT

If you have been waiting for a camcorder that gets AVCHD right, the folks at Camcorder Info have some good news. According to their recent review, the Canon Vixia HF10 may have finally brought the format into its own. When compared to an HDV camcorder, the quality of the HF10's images (artifacts, sharpness, color, low light performance) were generally as good, and in some instances maybe even better than its tape-laden counterpart. It isn't a perfect device by any means, but it just may be the first great flash memory HD camcorder. Hit the link for the full review. [Camcorder Info and Canon]

Hardcore Testing Reveals Canon HV20 Is Best Consumer High-Def Camcorder

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 21:07:30 EDT

I feel a little bit guilty. The guys at Camcorderinfo.com, namely David Kender and John Neely, went to extreme measures to benchmark the four HD camcorders fighting for dominance in the very new consumer HD market. They wrote, like, over 10,000 words, and spent hours or possibly even days recording footage of the dude shown at right. And here I come along and blurt out the results in the freaking headline. The Canon HV20 ($1,000 to $1,100) beat out the Sony HDR-HC7 ($1,060 to $1,170), the Panasonic HDC-SD1 ($1,070 to $1,160), and the newcomer, JVC's Everio GZ-HD7 ($1,520 to $1,700). It didn't win hands-down, exactly, but in most cases it handily nudged out the competition.

Do you want to know how?

I'm not going to try to translate every little nuance of the showdown. All you really need to know going in, if you don't already, is that the Sony and the Canon record to tape, and use HDV MPEG-2 compression. The Panasonic relies strictly on AVCHD, an MPEG-4 based option, and stores video only on SD cards. The Everio records to at 60GB hard drive with both AVCHD and "a new flavor of MPEG-2".

[The Canon HV20] shares an advantage over the Panasonic HDC-SD1 and JVC GZ-HD7 because it uses tried and true HDV MPEG-2 compression, and our tests show that HDV remains the best consumer HD format. Both the Canon and Sony HDR-HC7—the other HDV camcorder in this shootout—scored higher than the others in our video performance tests. In the lab, the Canon and Sony raced to a virtual dead heat, both displaying sharper images with less noise than the Panasonic and JVC.
The crispness of the HV20's image was most notable in close-up shots of our model, where we could literally count every hair on our model's face. [Remember him?] The Sony was visibly less crisp (though still quite sharp), followed by the Panasonic. The JVC GZ-HD7 trailed the pack, with the lowest tested video resolution, and the softest images of the field. The Canon also turned in a stellar low light score, thanks to a 24p mode that more than doubles the light gathering ability of its imager. In low light, it beat out the others in the same order as above. The 24p capability in and of itself is a great extra feature on the HV20, yet another reason to consider it.

In the manual control arena, Sony edged forward with a wide range of options, but fell short of a win because it did not have a "focus assist option" unlike its more expensive predecessors. "Panasonic's SD1 has an assist that is good, but not good enough to compensate for the weakness of the joystick as a focus tool. Only Canon and JVC get the focus interface/focus assist equation right, and the HD7 gets extra points for its terrific focus ring and highly effective peaking function."

The bottom line went something like this:

The Sony HDR-HC7 was most feature-packed but absence of a focus assist feature was a liability. Cam Control multifunction dial was not as easy to use as its predecessors Cam Control rings.

The Panasonic HDC-SD1 is too specialized, though it is good for close quarters shooting, situations that demand silent operation, or a rock-solid optical image stabilizer. There's no headphone jack and no accessory shoe. It also records AVCHD video which does not yet pose a threat to HDV.

The JVC GZ-HD7 had great handling with nice prosumer traits like a focus ring and dedicated buttons for image control. lack of a headphone jack or any means of monitoring and adjusting audio levels. The biggest disappointment with the HD7, however, was video performance: again, it doesn't stand up to the quality of HDV video.

The Canon HV20 had cheap-feeling construction and an awful zoom lever, but delivered best bang for the buck.

From the sound of it, the boys are still looking for that perfect camcorder:

We'd love to see a camcorder that really brings it all together: the handling of the HD7, the functionality of the HC7, the OIS and compactness of the SD1, and the performance of the HV20. Until that happens, smart buyers would be advised to consider the strengths and weaknesses of all of these camcorders, and choose the one that is the best overall match for their shooting style and goals.

If you want to consider all of that, as recommended, you had better check out the full story. I will say that the layout over at Camcorderinfo.com is a bit Byzantine for my taste (okay, so really smack in the middle of downtown Constantinople Byzantine), but you will never find better info about camcorders. And you get to see more of cool sunglasses guy. Respect. – Wilson Rothman

The Great HD Shoot-Out - Canon HV20, Sony HDR-HC7, Panasonic HDC-SD1, JVC GZ-HD7 [Camcorderinfo.com]

Canon 3-Chip HV50 HDV Camcorder: A Fake?

Charlie White — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 08:12:28 EST

Is this the upcoming HD50 camcorder from Canon? This pic just surfaced, and the controversy begins. Here we have it compared to its HV20 "predecessor," which itself hasn't even been released yet. This alleged HV50 has three CMOS sensors and optical image stabilization along with 1080i, 720p and 24p compatibility and it's also said to have 5-megapixel still image capability.

We have a much larger version of this shot, and we can point out one major problem with it immediately. Take a look at that after the jump along with the camera in its context of the so-called Japanese ad:

Although there's no marking on the camera indicating 1080p, we're also told the accompanying text mentions 1080p, which is not part of the HDV spec. Hmm.

One inconsistency you can plainly see is on the lens, where it's labeled "18x zoom 6.1 - 61mm." Let's do the math: 6.1 x 10 = 61, so that would be a 10x zoom, wouldn't it, which happens to be the same lens of the HV20?

We call bullshit. Nice Photoshop job. – Charlie White

Rumor: Canon HV50 3 CMOS Camcorder [Digital Camcorder News]

Sony HD Camcorder Line: New DVD, HDV

Mark Wilson — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 14:50:06 EST

Sony announced 4 new HD camcorders that we got to check out at their booth.

HDR-HC7
This is an HDV-based camcorder, with a 3MP CMOS shooting stills up to 6.1MP. It has a 2.7" LCD...and is pretty standard. Its less-loved sibling, the HC5, has a downgraded 2MP CMOS allowing for 4MP stills Interestingly, the lower end camera also features more digital zoom, as if Sony believes cheaper consumers will be impressed by the pixel-screwing zoom.

Then I took a look at their DVD camcorders...

HDR-UX7
This camera has identical specs to the HC7, but records to DVD in the MPEG4 AVCHD format, allowing you to put 1080ion 3" DVD. It is also the only model in the lineup with a slightly larger, 3.5" screen. I liked how the UDX7 felt in my hand, the DVD extrusion offered a nice grip and added a balance of shooting that the HDV version lacked.

The 4th camera, the UX5, is the DVD camcorder equivalent to the HC5 (confused yet?). Also, both UX models support 5.1 surround sound. You supply the audio crew. – Mark Wilson

Sony Intros HVR-V1U HDV Pro Camcorder, Filmmakers Ogle Its 24p-ness

Charlie White — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 17:30:38 EDT

Sony's HVR-V1U HDV camcorder was on display at a special touchy-feely roll-out event in New York this afternoon, and Gizmodo was there for a quick hands-on. Sony presented a refined HDV camcorder that mid-level video production pros and filmmakers will snap right up. This is the higher-end, also-CMOS-totin' big brother to Sony's HDR-FX7 we mentioned a couple of weeks ago, and yes, this V1U is the more-professional version we were hinting at then.

The big news is 24p, that frame rate that sounds slower than the garden-variety 30fps, but is coveted by filmmakers because it's the same rate that film has used for decades. It gives footage a highly sought-after, special look, and now it's available in a 1080p resolution.

More details and pics after the jump.

The 24p footage coming out of this camera is at a higher rez than other cameras deliver in this price range, where the vertical resolution is a full 1080 lines. In a somewhat convoluted process, the horizontal resolution is captured by the CMOS chips at 920, though, not the full-raster 1920, and interpolated in the camera to 1920/60p, and ends up being recorded at 1440 to comply with the HDV format.

But don't let all the trickery scare you. After playing with this camera for a few hours and looking at lots of its footage, I must say the 24p look of this camera is remarkable. It's the closest to full HDTV I've seen this 25mbit/s HDV format get. That's helped along tremendously by its CMOS sensors, instead of the CCDs of previous HDV camcorders from Sony and others. These refined CMOS sensors give the camera better interpolation, higher dynamic range and increased perceived resolution, too. It's all good.

Even though the implications of the camcorder's 24p-ness were large, size isn't everything: The camera feels compact in the hand. Another big story is its tiny (and optional) hard disk that you can attach to its top where the shotgun mic usually resides. I especially like the hard drive's recording parameters showing up in the pro camera's viewfinder. Plus, shooters will like the backup aspect of it, where they can shoot to both HDV tape and disk with that extra assurance of redundancy. Sony calls this a "hybrid recording system," where you can shoot your master and archive at the same time.

Overall, this is a strong release from Sony, and I think pro shooters will all stand up and cheer that there's finally a 24p camcorder in this price range that handles HDTV so well and has XLR audio inputs. Oh yeah, it even has an HDMI port, too. Sony says the camcorder will be released in early December for $4800, the hard disk recorder will be $1800. Insiders are saying this pro gear might be on the market even sooner than that. We can't wait to take this baby out in the field. – Charlie White

Extended report, more pics [Digital Video Editing]

Blackmagic Design Intensity: HDMI I/O for Macs and PCs

Charlie White — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 18:55:19 EDT

Blackmagic Design introduced Intensity, the first HDMI PCI Express card. It can pass an HD signal straight out of a low-cost HDV camcorder and into a Mac or PC without needing to be compressed into the HDV format. This will be a blessing for users of HDV camcorders that have HDMI ports, such as Sony's just-introduced HDR-FX7. Now, vid-jockeys can edit in uncompressed HD without the need for more expensive SDI (serial digital interface)-based cameras or decks.

Intensity can also output HDMI video, so HD video editing can be monitored in real time on big-screen TVs, projectors or high-rez monitors. The card even lets pros playout HD video to broadcast. No word if the card will also be HDCP-compliant, letting us mere mortals watch copy-protected HD on an HDCP display. Even if it doesn't, this is hot stuff, especially since it costs just $249. Available October 15. – Charlie White

Press Release [Blackmagic Design, via CrunchGear]

Sony Rolls Out HDR-FX7 HDV Camcorder: Smaller, Lighter, Cheaper

Charlie White — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 08:37:00 EDT

Sony added another HDV camcorder to the higher end of its consumer line today, the HDR-FX7, which uses three CMOS imaging sensors rather than the three CCDs of its FX1 brandmate while carrying 40% less weight at a 25% smaller size. It's not intended as a replacement of the venerable FX1, but it's positioned as a lower-cost addition to Sony's HDV camcorder line. Even so, the 3.63-pound high-definition camcorder does have tons of updated features such as an HDMI port, smooth slow motion recording and more-sensitive low-light performance.

In keeping with its consumer-oriented heritage, pro audio features are lacking on the HDR-FX7 (could a pro version be waiting in the wings?), with its RCA audio inputs rather than the professionally-oriented XLR audio inputs, and its two audio channels are not independently controllable. Nor does the FX7 have the FX1's native 16:9 capture, instead horizontally stretching each pixel. While the FX7 camcorder will retail for $3500 when it ships in October, we're thinking its price should drop quickly, especially since that higher-end Sony FX1 currently has a street price of around $3200. – Charlie White

Sony Announces Smaller Less Expensive HDR-FX7 with 3 CMOS Chips [camcorderinfo.com]

Sony DVM85HD 85-Minute MiniDV Cassette: 22 More Minutes of Vid-Goodness

Charlie White — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 09:45:59 EDT

Trying to make the world forget about its exploding laptop batteries, Sony releases its latest earth-shattering innovation, extending the maximum length of a DV tape to 85 minutes. These MiniDV cassettes work with both standard-definition DV gear and the latest HDV high-definition camcorders and decks, letting you shoot 22 extra minutes of video hijinks onto a single tape.

No word on how Sony has managed to pack the extra minutes' worth of tape into these MiniDV cassettes, but we're thinking perhaps the tape itself might be a bit thinner. But honestly, this whole tape thing is getting old; we would prefer solid-state everything. Let's just hope that camcorder battery doesn't catch on fire—a lot can happen in 22 minutes.

Why the longer tape, anyway? Well, longer is better for sure, and maybe Sony is remembering one reason why it lost the Betamax vs. VHS battle: its Betamax machines could only record five hours to VHS's six. – Charlie White

Sony announces 85 minute Mini-DV cassette [Newlaunches]

Canon XH G1 and XH A1 HDV Camcorders

Charlie White — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 09:20:23 EDT

Canon rolled out two high-definition camcorders, the XH G1 ($6800, pictured above) and XH A1 ($4700), aimed at the lower-end professional market and high-end consumer space. Both are capable of 1080i HDTV recording using the lower-cost HDV recording format that's revolutionizing high definition video production. Each is equipped with an image-stabilized 20x optical zoom lens that isn't interchangeable (unlike their higher-end brandmate, the Canon XL-H1 HDV camcorder), a 2.8-inch LCD viewscreen, and both are using three 1/3-inch CCD imagers.

Except for the XH G1's ability to output professional-level signals using HD/SD-SDI output, genlock and time code input/output (features important to television stations and production pros), the two camcorders are remarkably similar. Both record in 60i, 30F, or 24F, which Canon calls "Cine Look" but isn't the coveted 24p craved by film converts. The two HDV camcorders will ship October 2.

Additional camcorder porn after the jump. – Charlie White

Canon XH G1 and XH A1 HDV Camcorders [Digital Camcorder News]

Focus Enhancements DR-HD100 for Tapeless HD Shooting

Charlie White — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 09:42:56 EST

For HD shooters lucky enough to have JVC s first-rate GY-HD100 720p HDV camcorder, Focus Enhancements just released the DR-HD100 Direct To Edit (DTE) recorder built specifically for JVC s line of ProHD camcorders. This portable hard drive recorder lets HD shooters pack eight hours of 720p footage on its 80-gig disk instead of using tape. Tapeless is good.

Hang it onto the back of the camcorder, and it can record special M2T files directly to disk, and then the cutting can begin immediately in editing applications such as Avid Xpress Pro HD or Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0. Too bad there's no QuickTime HDV support for direct import into Final Cut Pro just yet, but the company says that will be available as an upgrade option soon. Shipping now, pricing is $1895 for the 80GB version and $1495 for the 40-gig.

New FireStore Recorder for the JVC HD100 [DV Guru]

Focus Enhancements site

Sanyo HD1 Camcorder's Video Quality Called "Disastrous"

Charlie White — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 09:58:46 EST

The as-yet-unreleased Sanyo VPC-HD1 Xacti camcorder, a small-form-factor HDV shooter that records 720p MPEG-4 high-definition video onto an SD flash memory card, was negatively reviewed by Akihabara News. The reviewers liked the build quality and design of the groundbreaking $800 high-definition camcorder/5.1-megapixel still camera, but called its video quality disastrous.

So what can we say? The HD1 is a mix of good news bad news. The handling and design have been tremendously improved, and functions have been reviewed too, like for example the manual exposure when taking pictures. Nothing but good news... until you start shooting videos, the video quality is an absolute disaster, and nothing like HD video. The same goes for the image stabilizer, that is totally inefficient.
The HD1 is a real disappointment, and we really hope that Sanyo will review this product asap and release a product that lives up to their announcement and our expectations.

Well, that's certainly nothing close to what we had hoped for. What a disappointment!

Sanyo DMX-HD1, everything except for HD, the disappointment [Akihabara News]

Sony HDR-HC3E HDV Camcorder to Ship in April

Charlie White — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 10:05:03 EST

Sony confirmed the April release of its HDR-HC3E high-definition camcorder, a compact device that the company hopes will bring HD videography into the mainstream. In addition to recording in the high-quality but low-bandwidth and low-cost HDV format, the camcorder also can connect via HDMI directly to an HDTV for viewing or to a recording device for uncompressed high definition video recording. The HDR-HC3E also functions as a 2.3-megapixel still camera with built-in flash, able to grab pictures while recording in high-definition video at the same time. You can view all this imagery through a relatively large 2.7-inch widescreen foldout viewfinder, and then store photos on a Memory Stick Pro Duo. Of course, the video is stored on garden-variety DV tape. Take a look at how small this mini-corder is—fits in your palm and only weighs slightly more than a pound. List price will be $1700.

Sony touts thrills'n'stills HD camcorder [Reg Hardware]

Specs and pricing for Sony camcorders [Amazon]

"Manual" Surfaces for New Sony HC-3 HDV Camcorder

Charlie White — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 16:45:38 EST

As we mentioned last week, Sony is rumored to release a new HDV camcorder, the sub-$1500 high-definition HDR-HC3. Now further details have surfaced, including what is said to be excerpts of documentation for the European version of the allegedly upcoming camcorder. Sony still hasn't confirmed any details or even the existence of this product, and the company also hasn't vouched for the validity of the parts of the user's manual that have been published. Take a look at it, anyway, and notice that if it's not real, it's certainly a pretty good fake. It's at camcorderinfo.com.

Sony to Announce Lower Priced HDV Camcorder HC3 [camcorderinfo]

Sony HDR-HC3 HDV Camcorder to Debut?

Charlie White — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 09:44:13 EST

Rumors are swirling that Sony is just about to announce a smaller, lighter and lower-priced HDV camcorder for the consumer market. HDV, as you recall, is the new lower-priced high-definition camcorder format that moves video around in a similar way to its little brother, DV. The Sony HDR-HC3 will reportedly have a single 1/3" 2-megapixel CCD, 10x optical zoom, a 16x9, 2.7-inch, 211,000 pixel LCD viewfinder screen and will be about 5.5 inches long. The camera will also be able to record in DV mode, and has a powered automatic lens cover that opens when the camera is turned on. The 1080i, 25 megabit-per-second unit is expected to be officially announced about two months from now. Among the numerous guesses at the price, it's expected the camcorder will be cheaper than its Sony HC-1 brandmate, and perhaps cost about $1500.

New Sony HDV camcorder HDR-HC3 [HDV Info site]

Canon HDV XL-2 Camcorder: HD Amateur Pr0n?

Travis Hudson — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 12:00:07 EDT

The folks over at camcorderinfo.com managed to get an exclusive peek at Canon's new HDV XL-2 video camera. The formal announcement from Canon should be coming later this week at the Canon EXPO event happening in New York City. They are also reporting that this new HDV XL-2 will only record in 1080i and not 720p. Also the XL-2 will not support 24p. Expect to pay at least $10,000 for this beast. More confirmed details will come later this week after the formal announcement.

Canon HDV Camcorder [Camcorderinfo]

Beautiful High Definition Sony Goodness

Travis Hudson — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 09:08:00 EDT

Three new Sony HD televisions are available in the UK and should soon be coming to the states. The kicker about these televisions is that they use high-tech image processing that manages to take non-HD sources and makes them look pretty as a pink pony paradise.

The W series features a 40" LCD and a 50" plasma that also have a 100-watt S master digital amp. The V series lacks the S master digital amp, but makes up for it with Virtual Dolby Surround Pro Logic II. V series is available in 26", 32" and 40" in LCD and a 42" plasma. The S series is a 32" LCD with a 40" in the line-up; both of which using an HMDI interface.

Sony launches hot-as-hell HD-ready tellies [T3]

JVC GY-HD100 HDV Camcorder

Travis Hudson — Fri, 05 Aug 2005 09:08:17 EDT

Get out the record books—JVC is proud to announce the world s first compact high definition 3-CCD Camcorder with interchangeable lenses. This camera has enough features choke an HD-compatible horse. I am sure that the AV club kids of the world are jumping with joy with the release of this new $5,300 camcorder. Some features include HDV format, 720P signal, XLR audio inputs, SD slot, NTSC and PAL support and 1/3" 3-CCD system. If all goes as planned this camera will take the pornography industry to a whole new level. The quality of the close-ups is almost clinical, let's just say.

JVC VICTOR GY-HD100 HDV Camera [I4U]