JVC GY-HM100 Camcorder Reviewed

Jeremy Stamas at camcorderinfo.com has a review of the JVC GY-HM100 Pro camcorder. See for yourself here.

Along with the newly released Panasonic AG-HMC40, the JVC GY-HM100 is one of the smallest pro camcorders on the market. Weighing only 3.1 pounds, the camcorder is an ideal unit for a videographer who desperately needs to save some space. Recording natively progressive video to regular SDHC memory cards using the MPEG-2 codec, the camcorder is nearly as simple and easy to use as many consumer models. The GY-HM100 comes with a 10x optical zoom lens, a detacheable shotgun microphone, and a decent amount of manual controls. The camcorder also offers a seamless workflow with Final Cut Pro, as it can record video using Apple's MOV file format.

Take a look at the Amazon page with JVC HD200U 3-CCD Pro HD with 16x Lens

Check out the JVC GY-HM100 Review at Camcorderinfo.

Kodak Zx1: small, inexpensive, weatherproof, HD camcorder launches in Australia

Gizmodo Australia can has cheeseburger after posting this:

Every Jackass in America has a cheap HD camcorder in the US these days, thanks to models from Flip, Creative, Sony, Kodak and god knows how many other manufacturers. Meanwhile, here in Australia, we're left with pretty much nothing. Luckily, Kodak's decided to offer us some hope with the Zx1, a weatherproof 720p camcorder that's just $299. Now every jackass in Australia can record their misadventures in HD for YouTube glory!

The camera records 720p video at 30-6fps straight to SDHC cards, allowing you to get up to 10 hours worth of video onto a 32GB card. There's a built-in 2-inch LCD screen, and built-in editing software aking it easy to get your video up on the web.

The Zx1 also comes with a rechargeable NiMH battery and an HDMI cable. Personally, this jackass cannot wait to get his hands on one to test out. The Zx1 will hit shelves this month in black, red and pink.

You can buy a Kodak Zx1 HD Pocket Video Camera (Yellow) and be happy with it.

ContourHD: Wearable HD Camcorder

Pretty cool stuff coming up for extreme sports fans, indie artists looking for new perspectives and all of you wanting to shell out the cash to own the first wearable, water resistant HD camcorder.

It's a problem sports and outdoor enthusiasts (and maybe some of the rest of us) know all too well: You desperately want to shoot high-quality video of something, but you don't always have the free hands available to hold your hardware. (Bikes, oars, and skis don't keep themselves moving, you know.) The Seattle-based VholdR has come up with a way to change all that: ContourHD, the first wearable HD camcorder.

The water-resistant, 4-ounce ContourHD can attach to your goggles or helmet (or, if absolutely necessary, your bicycle or car) and can shoot videos in either 30-frames-per-second (fps) 720p HD or 60-fps High Action SD format. It can record up to 8 hours of HD video on its internal microSD card, and is powered by a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Two lasesrs and a 192-degree rotating lens help you line up your shots.

The $299.99 ContourHD will be available in May from Abt Electronics, Amazon.com, B&H Photo, and HelmetCameraCentral.com.

Until then, you can buy a Oregon Scientific ATC 3K Waterproof Action Cam Flash Memory Video Recorder with Web Cam Capabilities (Black) at Amazon and support this blog.

Via GearLog, VholdR

Flip Ultra HD unboxing

Gary Gannon at GAXonline has posted a series of shots about his unboxing and power on of the new Flip Uptra HD. Check out the details at the link below.

Via GAX Online

Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V Camcorder Reviewed

Kaitlyn Chantry at camcorderinfo.com has a new and longish but thorough review of the Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V Camcorder. Check it out, here's the introduction.

The Sony HDR-XR520V (MSRP $1499.99) packs a lot of punch—and a lot of hard drive capacity—into a relatively small consumer camcorder. The retractable viewfinder and the return of last year's excellent manual control dial are just a couple of the features that will intrigue proficient camcorder users. Also intriguing? The incredibly low noise levels, clear and smooth motion, built-in GPS, and 240GB internal hard drive.

There are some downsides that consumers of every ilk will have to weigh for themselves: no manual aperture/shutter control, mediocre low light performance, the lack of 24p or 30p frame rates, and an intimidating array of buttons, switches, and layered menus. It's not the ideal camcorder for a first-time user, nor does it offer every bell and whistle that the experienced videographer could want. It does have some intuitive features and excellent video performance: a combination that might be just what some consumers are looking for.

Via camcorderinfo.com

Sony HDR-TG5V and HDR-TG7VE HD Camcorders

Sony unveiled the new HD Camcorder HDR-TG5V with integrated GPS for automatic geotagging.

At the same time Sony announces in Europe the HDR-TG7VE. I hate when companies use different model numbers for the same product in different regions. It just plain sucks.

The features of the new highly compact HDR-TG5V include full HD recording, 16GB memory, embedded GPS, NAVTEQ digital maps geo-tag, 2.7 inch touchscreen, Smile Shutter technology, Face Detection and Carl Zeiss Vaio-Tessar lens with 10X optical zoom.

The Sony HDR-TG5V camcorder will ship in May for about $1,000. An optional travel kit (Sony ACC-TCH5) with a battery, travel charger and pouch will be available for about $100. There is also a wide angle conversion lens (Sony VCL-HGE07TB) accessory for about $100.

Buy a Sony HDR-TG1 4MP High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Super Steady Shot Zoom (4GB Memory Stick Included)

Via i4u

Genius G-Shot HD520 released

Genius, a brand division of KYE Systems Corp., has announced a new compact, pocket-size high-definition (HD) digital video camera that captures both high-resolution stills (at 11-megapixels) and high-definition video (at 5-megapixel in MPEG-4/H.264 format) and is light enough (under 6-ozs) and portable enough to allow users to capture activities anytime, anywhere. This camcorder is ideal for Summer time outings, dads-n-grads, moms on-the-go or anyone looking to capture life's moments in brilliant color and detail. Launched today, the G-Shot HD520 is both Windows (Vista/XP/2000) and Mac (OS10 or higher) compatible and designed with a ultra-bright 2.5” LTPS LCD screen that can rotate up to 270-degrees to allow users to shoot videos from any angle or position.

The G-Shot HD520 comes equipped with Face Detection to track and detect faces accurately as well as Electronic Image Stabilizers (EIS) to detect and correct hand shaking when shooting photos. The handheld camcorder has a built-in memory of 32MB and supports additional HCSD memory up to 8GB. The G-Shot easily outputs to today's high-resolution flat-panel televisions using the included HDMI cable for theatre-like viewing or video and photos can be easily uploaded to a computer for digital editing, archiving or sharing with friends. Additionally the Z-Lighting technology enhances brightness in low-light environments, perfect for everything from Mother's Day gatherings in dimly lit restaurants to summer sunsets on the beach. The G-Shot HD520 is also capable of shooting still photos (up to 11 megapixels), listening to music, reading e-books, playing voice recordings, and it can also be used as a portable media player.

Retail priced at $149, the G-Shot HD520 weighs under 6-ozs and comes complete with a 7.1 mm lens, a 5X digital zoom, and a Li-ion rechargeable battery.

Genius was established in 1985. Genius product portfolio includes computer mice, keyboards, web and security cameras, speakers, gaming peripherals, remote controls, headphones, digital cameras, digital camcorders and digital photo frames. It also holds the U.S. patent for mouse scroll-wheel technology.

Sony Webbie HD MHS-PM1 Video Review

CNet video and text review of the cute little Sony Webbie HD MHS-PM1 camcorder. Make sure you also read the specs and text verdict.

The good: Attractive design; captures video at 720p and 1080p "HD" resolution; memory-card expansion slot; swiveling lens; component video cables; rechargeable lithium ion battery.

The bad: Price doesn't include an optional memory card (onboard memory is limited to 12MB for capturing video); rechargeable battery doesn't recharge via USB connector; no integrated USB connector; no protective carrying case included.

Buy a Sony Webbie MHS-PM1 HD Camcorder (Silver)

Check out the Sony Webbie PM1 review.

JVC GY-HM700 ProHD Camcorder unveiled

The highlight of JVC’s presence at NAB 2009 is its latest Compact Shoulder professional camcorder developed for mainstream production, electronic newsgathering and cinematography, the GY-HM700. The new camera uniquely records directly to inexpensive SDHC memory cards in the QuickTime (.MOV) format for Final Cut Pro™, and optionally to SxS media compatible with Sony's XDCAM EX™ format. Recording in the editing system's native format eliminates the time consuming transfer step and dramatically speeds up the post-production workflow, a major breakthrough for JVC and the industry. Additionally, the GY-HM700 includes a number of key technology innovations that result in significantly improved resolution in the camera's core components: CCD/optical block, lens, and viewfinder.

"Our new generation of ProHD products brings together the most highly regarded and proven technologies in the industry, and the GY-HM700 will have broad appeal,” says Craig Yanagi, Manager, Marketing and Brand Strategy at JVC. “It's an ideal camera for electronic news gathering, documentary production, or mainstream television production. Because of its extremely low media cost, it will have special appeal on projects with high shooting ratios. A documentary producer will now be able to shoot hundreds of hours of footage on a single project without off-loading the material to a hard disk or other storage medium."

Buy a JVC DR-HD100GB100 HD 100GB Portable DTE Recorder for ProHD Camcorders

Industry’s first native support format for Apple’s Final Cut ProThe GY-HM700 natively records the QuickTime file format used by Apple for Final Cut Pro. There is no need to convert or rewrap files prior to editing. Post-production can begin immediately after shooting. It is even possible to edit directly from the memory card. Since no transfer or re-encoding takes place, first generation quality is always maintained.

Additionally, the GY-HM700 is the industry's first shoulder supported ENG camcorder to store files on inexpensive SDHC memory cards. The camera provides 2 memory card slots, for a total of up to 64GB of on-board storage—enough for more than 6 hours* of continuous HD recording. The camera automatically begins recording on the second card when the first card fills up. When the second card fills up, the camera reverts to recording to the first card slot, allowing for virtually unlimited recording time.

SDHC cards are economical, highly reliable, and make possible a recording system that consumes up to 20% less power than tape or HDD based systems. The per-minute cost of SDHC memory is comparable to video tape. Moreover, SDHC media is the first practical solid state solution to physical archive.

JVC is offering the GY-HM700 in two basic configurations, the GY-HM700U which records only on SDHC cards, and the GY-HM700UXT, which records to both SxS memory and SDHC cards simultaneously. The base model can be upgraded by adding the SxS adapter later. With the SxS adapter installed, the camera can record in the XDCAM EX .MP4 format onto either or both SxS memory and SDHC memory. It is also possible to split formats and record .MP4 to the SxS card while recording .MOV to the SDHC memory card. Having two copies instantaneously available provides more versatility in the field with the assurance of always having a back-up.

High Resolution Progressive Imaging

JVC Everio GZ-HD6 3CCD 120GB Hard Disk Drive High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom


The GY-HM700 utilizes three precisely aligned 1/3-inch progressive scan CCDs. JVC engineers developed a unique 1/3-inch optical block with H & V Offset and a patented exclusive Adaptive Pixel Correlation Technique that produces resolution significantly higher than previous JVC models and comparable to cameras with larger image sensors.

The higher resolution imaging is complemented with a new standard detachable HD lens by Canon, the KT14x4.4KRSJ. Its superior MTF provides higher resolution than typical low cost lenses and is ideal for full 1920 x 1080 imaging. The GY-HM700's standard bayonet mount accepts a wide range of optional lenses available from JVC. Cinematographers will also appreciate JVC's optional prime lens adapter. The GY-HM700 can flip the image commonly inverted when prime lenses are used.

JVC’s proprietary MPEG2 encoder provides highly efficient compression at bit rates up to 35Mbps. The GY-HM700 supports all major HD signal formats including 1920 x 1080, 1440 x 1080 and 1280 x 720.

New high resolution LCOS viewfinderOne of the big improvements featured with the GY-HM700 is the new LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) viewfinder. With 1.22 megapixels, it offers the highest resolution JVC has ever provided in a viewfinder. This new all-digital viewfinder displays images with more than 5 times the resolution of typical color viewfinders. Its sturdy reinforced die-cast aluminum chassis and LED light source ensure years of trouble-free operation.

Buy a JVC GY-HD200UB High Definition 3-CCD MiniDV Professional Camcorder with 16x ProHD Fujinon Lens

JVC has also increased the size of the flip-out LCD monitor to 4.3 inches. This jumbo size monitor functions for recording, playback, clip management, and menu operation. Menu operation is intuitive with a single disk, outlined by an LED lamp.

Weighing about 8 lbs. including lens, viewfinder, microphone and battery, the GY-HM700 rests comfortably on the right shoulder to provide stable, steady shots, without causing the fatigue associated with bulkier cameras.

The GY-HM700 records two channels of uncompressed LPCM 16 bit audio at 48Khz. Levels can be controlled manually, or automatically using AGC, and an audio meter is provided in the LCD and viewfinder displays for easy adjustment. Balanced XLR inputs with phantom power are provided on the camera for an external microphone and/or wireless receiver, and a shotgun microphone is provided.

Built-in clip view and management functions, a spot exposure meter, and JVC’s patented Focus Assist round out the GY-HM700’s many on-board features. The camera provides HD/SD SDI, Component, Composite and simultaneous DV/HDV IEEE-1394 outputs. Optional JVC remote control units can be connected to the GY-HM700’s 6-pin remote connector.

The GY-HM700 base model is immediately available with a Fujinon 17:1 lens and will be available with the Canon 14:1 in June 2009 at a manufacturer’s suggested price of $7,995. The GY-HM700UXT, which includes the KA-MR100G SxS Media Recorder will is available at a manufacturer’s suggested price of $8,995.

Buy a JVC GY-HD200UB High Definition 3-CCD MiniDV Professional Camcorder with 16x ProHD Fujinon Lens

Via infoComm

Panasonic HDC-HS100EBK HD hybrid

The HS100 is a hybrid model that records full-HD images onto either an SD (or SDHC) Memory Card or the built-in 60-GB hard disk. A 32-GB SDHC Memory Card** can hold around 12 hours of recorded video clips, and the 60-GB hard disk can hold around 23 hours (both in HE mode). This gives the HS100 a total capacity of around 35 hours of full-HD recording. The HS100 can copy recorded video images from the SD Memory Card to the hard disk, or vice versa, with easy operation.

The HS100 features the 3MOS sensor, developed by Panasonic based on its proven 3CCD technology. Compared with a conventional 1MOS, Panasonic's new 3MOS system captures more vibrant, true-to-life colours, greater detail and richer gradation. Also, the MOS sensor's light-receiving area is about double* that of a CCD sensor, so sensitivity is higher. That realizes much better low light performance down to 2 lux. * Compared with the HDC-SD9/HDC-HS9
The Manual Ring is provided for users who want more creative freedom in their image production. In the HS100, users can enjoy precise, responsive fingertip control over five key settings -- zoom, focus, iris, shutter speed, and white balance.

The iA function automatically activates several convenient shooting functions. These include Advanced O.I.S., which compensates for hand-shake to eliminate blurring; Face Detection, which adjusts the exposure so faces are captured perfectly; and Intelligent Contrast Control, which helps ensure proper contrast. Also included is the Intelligent Scene Selector, which determines the shooting conditions and automatically selects the scene setting that will provide optimal results. (Face/Scenery/Low light/Spot Light)

The Leica Dicomar lens system used in the HS100 comprises 12 lenses in 9 groups, including aspherical lenses to improve resolution and contrast and an LD (low-dispersion) lens to prevent colour bleeding. Also, a special multi-coating process is applied to all lens elements to minimise chromatic aberration, so images are crisp, clear, and free of flare and ghosting. The use of a highly-refractive lens also made it possible to have both 12x zoom power and a compact body.

Buy a Panasonic HDC-HS100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 60GB Hard Drive & 12x Optical Zoom

Via CDFreaks

JVC Everio X, the 500fps HD camcorder for those ultra-slo-mo shots

JVC launches Everio X camcorder

Small but powerful...

Although we’re naturally suspicious of anything that needs an “X” in its name to sound exciting, JVC’s new flagship, the Everio X Hybrid looks like a promising prospect for amateur film-makers.

Weighing in at just under 300g, this will be one of the lighter HD camcorders on the market. To cut weight, and minimize size JVC has done away with an internal memory and relied on SDHC memory cards, bringing the size of the camcorder down to that of a “chunky smart phone.”

The small camcorder will pack a 1920 x 1080 full-HD and capture 9.0-megapixel images. It will also offer up to 500fps recording – perfect for capturing your kids crossing the finishing line at sports day or recreating the Billion Dollar Man in your Y-fronts.

JVC also says that it will come bundled with software to make it easy to export your movies to iTunes or YouTube.

All this will come at a rather high price though - one JVC rep said that the camcorder will cost around £800 when it’s released in June.

Buy a JVC Everio MS120 Black Dual Flash Camcorder

Via T3

Flip Ultra HD hits US store shelves

The Flip Ultra HD camcorder has hit store shelves in the US making it one of the smallest HD camcorders in the market. The big feature of the new camera is the HD recording resolution.

The new camcorder also gets more storage allowing for 120 minutes of HD recording before you need to delete or download the video on the camera. Other features include an HDMI output for easy connection to a TV.

The camera can run from AA or rechargeable batteries as well. The AA route is great if you are away from an AC outlet for extended periods of time while recording. The camera sells for $199.99 in the US making it cheaper that the HD camera available in the UK.

Via i4u UK

Panasonic to develop new professional 3D Full HD production system

Panasonic Corporation announced it will start developing a professional 3D Full HD production system. The system, which is expected to be the first of its kind in the industry, consists of a twin-lens P2 professional camera recorder and a 3D-compatible High Definition Plasma display.
With Hollywood studios moving towards creation of more 3D entertainment content, Panasonic successfully debuted the world's first 3D Full HD Plasma Home Theater System based on Plasma display and Blu-ray Disc technologies at the CEATEC trade show in Japan in September 2008. More recently, the company also established the Advanced Authoring Center within Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory in February 2009 to support Hollywood studios in developing 3D Full HD Blu-ray Disc titles.

Production of 3D movies requires a great deal of time and effort. With the new 3D production system, which can enable an easier and more efficient 3D production process and environment, Panasonic will contribute to accelerating the realization of easier high-quality 3D content production.

Each component of Panasonic’s innovative 3D Full HD production system has unique features. The twin-lens P2 camera recorder enables the capturing of natural and high-quality live 3D images. Thanks to the non-mechanical solid-state construction of the P2 system, the camera recorder will be compact enough to allow more flexible 3D shooting, thereby maximizing the creativity of the filmmakers by eliminating the stress factor from the use of the equipment.

3D Full HD recording using Panasonic’s proprietary P2 system also enables recording of two channels of Full HD images on the P2 card. P2’s non-mechanical construction and compactness will also be incorporated into the company’s 3D image recording and editing equipment to make production in the field highly flexible and efficient.
Panasonic’s 3D Drive System enables the display of Full HD moving pictures for the left and the right eyes, so large screen 3D viewing will become possible. The excellent moving picture performance and accurate color reproduction characteristics achieved by Plasma’s self-illuminating technology enables the realization of high-quality 3D image evaluation capabilities required in the professional content production field.

Via Panasonic press release

Panasonic AG-HMC40: 1080p HD Pro camcorder under 2.2 lbs

The HMC40 is an AVCHD format based camcorder that uses MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 high profile encoding, which provides a near doubling of bandwidth efficiency and improved video performance over the older MPEG-2 compression formats (e.g. HDV, DVD etc.). AVCHD high definition recordings look clean and crisp, even during fast motion, reducing the image degradation or dropout associated with older HDV recordings.

The HMC40 features a full resolution 2-megapixel, 1/4.1-inch 3MOS imager that produces stunning 1920x1080 HD images with high sensitivity. The camera captures still images with 10.6-megapixel resolution directly onto the SD card as a JPEG image. The handheld offers a 12X optical zoom (includes 2X, 5X, 10X) and professional image functions like Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS) that helps compensate for wide variations in lighting, and a Cine-Like Gamma mode which gives recordings a more film-like aesthetic.

The HD camcorder records in all four professional AVCCAM recording modes, including the high-quality PH mode (average 21 Mbps/Max 24Mbps), the HA mode (approx.17 Mbps), the HG mode (approx.13 Mbps) and the extended recording HE mode (approx. 6 Mbps). It supports 1080/59.94i (in all modes) and 1080/29.97p, 1080/23.98p native, 720/59.94p, 720/20.97p, and 720/23.98p native (in PH mode only).

Using just one 32GB SDHC memory card, a user can record three hours of full resolution 1920x1080 video and audio in PH mode, four hours at HA mode and 5.3 hours at HG mode. In the HE mode, the camera can record up to 12 hours of 1440x1080 HD content – all on a single 32GB SDHC card.

The HMC40 comes standard with HDMI output, USB 2.0 (mini B-type devices), composite output (AV multi/ch1, ch2), analog component (mini-D), detachable XLR audio input and audio REC level adjustment dials. Users also have the choice of expanding the camera’s audio capability with 2-channel input, mic/line switchable and +48V options that are available for purchase separately. The camera’s 2.7-inch LCD monitor offers simple touch-panel operation and access to various solid-state recording functions such as pre-record, interval recording, shot marker and metadata capture.

In addition, this lightweight handheld offers invaluable professional features including waveform monitor display, focus assists such as focus bar display and enlarged display, time date stamp, user assignable focus ring, auto focus with face detection, zebra display, synchro-scan shutter function, three programmable user buttons, time code/UB recording, remote control terminal (for zoom, focus, aperture, REC start/stop controls).

AVCCAM content recorded on the SD card can be played back directly on a growing number of low cost consumer devices including solid-state HD players, Blu-ray players, game machines, laptop computers, and widescreen plasma displays with SD card slots. For editing or playback, professionals can transfer content from the SD Card to Mac or PC computers or by connecting the camera directly via its USB 2.0 interface.

AVCHD is supported by a wide range of editing options including Apple Final Cut Pro 6.0.5, Adobe Premier Pro CS4, EDIUS Pro 5 and EDIUS Neo 2. In addition, a free transcoder, available for download at www.panasonic.com/avccam, will convert AVCHD files to DVCPRO HD P2 and downconverted DV files for use with most existing professional editing packages.

Panasonic’s AVCCAM series brings the benefits of solid-state HD recording to budget-conscious professionals with a range of affordable camera and recorder products. In addition to HMC40, the AVCCAM line includes the popular AG-HMC150 handheld, the shoulder-mount AG-HMC70 and the new AG-HMR10 AVCCAM recorder and AG-HCK10 camera head. AVCCAM products record stunning professional AVCHD video onto inexpensive, reusable SD/SDHC cards, like digital still photography. As AVCHD files are digital, they can be transferred and stored on affordable, high-capacity hard disk drives (HDD) or optical storage media and transferred to future storage media as technology advances.

The HMC40 will be available in August at a suggested list price of $3,195.

Additional features:

• waveform monitor display
• focus assists such as focus bar display and enlarged display
• time date stamp
• user assignable focus ring
• auto focus with face detection
• zebra display
• synchro-scan shutter function
• three programmable user buttons
• time code/UB recording
• remote control terminal (for zoom, focus, aperture, REC start/stop controls)

Buy a Panasonic Pro AGHMC150PJ 3CCD AVCHD 24fps Camcorder

Via Panasonic press release, ZDNet.

Panasonic HDC-SD5 Full HD Camcorder information

Main Features

Leica Dicomar Lens
Photographers around the world know Leica Camera AG as a maker of superb cameras and lenses. This company's advanced optical technology has been fused with Panasonic's leading-edge digital technology to create the Leica Dicomar lens.

Intelligent Contrast Control
This intelligent new function continually measures the ambient light intensity and adjusts the contrast as it changes. Providing control over a wider range of lighting conditions than previous functions, Intelligent Contrast Control helps prevent a washed-out look in bright parts of an image and black-outs in shadowy part. You capture images with natural nuances and contrast. Even when you're shooting toward the light source, Intelligent Contrast Control lets you capture true-to-life pictures with outstanding depth.

Wide Viewing Angle LCD Monitor
The SD5 and SX5 incorporate a new LCD that has 300,000 pixels and a wide 170-degree viewing angle both vertically and horizontally. The wider viewing angle is a big advantage in high-angle and low-angle shooting. It's a big advantage in playback too, allowing several people at the same time to enjoy viewing the video clip you just recorded.

Power LCD Extra
The brightness of the LCD can be set to either of two levels to match the ambient light condition. At the brighter setting, the LCD provides clear, easy viewing even when you're shooting outdoors on a sunny day.

VIERA Link
The SD5 and SX5 are compatible with Panasonic's VIERA Link. Connect the SD5 to a VIERA TV via an HDMI cable, and you can operate the camcorder using the TV remote control and following on-screen prompts. This adds extra ease and convenience to the fun of viewing the full-HD video you record.

Direct Viewing with SD Card Slot
The SDHC/SD Memory Card can simply be taken from the SD5 and slipped into the card slot of a Panasonic VIERA PZ700 to view full-HD images recorded in the AVCHD format.
*JPEG format still images can be viewed with other SD card slot-equipped VIERA models.

Archiving


USB Host Function
Most people use their camcorders for three main purposes: to shoot, play back, and archive video recordings. They want each of these to be as easy as possible. Panasonic has developed new features and functions that respond to these needs. In the past, copying video recordings from an SDHC/SD Memory Card to a DVD disc was a two-step process that involved transferring the data to a PC, then copying from PC to disc. The SD5 does away with all that, thanks to a USB Host function that makes it easy to play back or store your video recordings on DVD discs. Connect the SD5 via USB cable to a DVD burner VW-BN1, and pressing a single button is all it takes to copy recorded video clips from an SDHC/SD memory card to a DVD disc in the original AVCHD format. The copied DVD can be played by the DVD burner, so all you have to do to view exciting, large-screen images in HD quality is have the DVD burner connected to the SD5, and then connect the SD5 to an HDTV.

Canon XH A1 and VIXIA HF10 HD Used for Crank High Voltage

Co-directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor explained how and why they used these camcorders to record the unique cisual style of the action movie.

"Knowing the size and mobility of the cameras we wanted, it was really just a question of which one gave us the images that we liked,"Taylor noted. "We did film-out tests with several different brands of cameras and discovered that Canon's new generation of small, lightweight camcorders provide the image quality we needed. Their images look just incredible when transferred to film. Ninety-eight percent of the movie was shot with Canon XH A1 and HF10 HD camcorders. They enabled us to move fast and save time. We feel like camera technology has finally caught up with what we do."[...]
"The whole film is shot like a skate video,"Trost said. "Mark was on rollerblades for half the movie as one of the camera operators. He was towed by cars at 50 miles per hour while holding a Canon HD camcorder to get dynamic shots he could never get otherwise. We shot primarily with the Canon XH A1 and also used the HF10 camcorder for smaller shots."

Read the full article at Consumer Electronics Net or buy a Canon VIXIA HF10 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 16 GB Internal Flash Memory and 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.

Canon Vixia HF20 reviewed

Mike Perlman at infoSync has a new review of the tiny yet powerful camcorder Canon Vixia HF20. Check out their summary below and see the full review after the jump. I am pretty busy these days so no time to post review roundups. Sorry for that.

We're beginning to wonder if Canon is capable of manufacturing a bad camcorder. We haven't seen a dud from the company in years, and the Canon Vixia HF20 represents yet another A+ in consumer classroom. We loved the ultra-compact nature of the Vixia HF20, allowing us to transport the little bugger with ease. Its menu system cannot be beat and shooting features were not only plentiful, but also of the highest quality. Speaking of which, the Vixia HF20 cranked out one of the best video performances we've seen to date, even rivaling the Canon Vixia HF S10. We had few complaints at the end of our jaunt, and we're sure future Vixia HF20 owners will feel the same. At $900, the Vixia HF20 is a steal in terms of bang for the buck. Another winner from Canon. Jeez, this is getting old. Release: April 2009. Price: $900.

Pros: Great video performance. Excellent features. The best menus system in the biz.

Cons: Skimps on external controls. No viewfinder.

Read the full Canon Vixia HF20 review at infosyncworld.com and if you like it, you can support me if you buy a Canon VIXIA HF20 HD Dual Flash Memory w/32GB Internal Memory & 15x Optical Zoom.

Canon Vixia HF S100 Camcorder Reviewed

CamcorderInfo.com has a new review of the Canon Vixia HF S100.

The Canon Vixia HF S100 (and its sister model, the HF S10) represent the top of the line from the manufacturer's 2009 camcorders. The 8.59-megapixel sensor, large lens, still photo capabilities, and excellent new custom control dial are just some of the features Canon has included to up the ante in this year's flagship models. Canon has also improved the overall video performance, although some low light performance was sacrificed in order to achieve incredibly high sharpness.

Buy a Canon VIXIA HFS100 HD Flash Memory Camcorder + Deluxe Value Accessory Kit

Via camcorderinfo.com

Conceptronic HF100 appears

Just found some specs and info on the Conceptronic HF100, see below.

The stylish, 1920x1080 Full HD HF100 offers the convenience of recording directly to memory cards. Capture incredible footage via the Canon HD camera system, then share it quickly and easily.

Features

-HD movies directly to memory card.
-Stylish and lightweight.
-1920x1080 Full HD.
-Canon HD Camera System.
-Instant AF and Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer.
-Excellent connectivity.
-Power-efficient.
-3.1MP photos.
-Multiangle Vivid LCD.
-Software for sharing.

Shoot and share: Full HD recording has never been this easy.

Record straight to memory card
Shooting to SD or SDHC (High Capacity) memory cards, the HF100 is an HD camcorder designed for sharing your movies. Cards are great for passing on to family and friends - as card sizes increase, so does your camcorder's capacity.

Super-stylish. Ultra-compact.
The HF100 is a pocket-sized camcorder with loads of style. And because flash memory has no moving parts, footage is guarded against bumps and knocks.

1920x1080 Full HD Recording
Recording 1920x1080 Full HD video for superior image quality, the HF100 captures movies that are perfectly suited for watching on Full HD TVs.

Canon VIXIA HF100 Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

Canon HD Camera System
Enjoy superior quality HD video thanks to a combination of unique Canon technologies: a Canon HD Video Lens with 12x optical zoom, a 3.3 MP Canon Full HD CMOS sensor, and the powerful DIGIC DV II processor.

Sharp and super-steady movies
Focusing errors and camera shake are more noticeable when shooting HD. The HF100 uses two systems to give you the edge. Instant AF is a hybrid auto focus system that provides speed and accuracy. The Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer compensates for common sources of camera shake.

Expandable
Easily expand your camcorder system: attach a microphone and take advantage of the HF100's manual audio controls, for example. After shooting, a built-in HDMI port makes it easy to display footage on an HD TV.

Power efficient
Recording to flash memory is extremely power efficient. For even longer shooting times, the HF100 is compatible with a high capacity battery pack. An Intelligent battery system shows remaining charge to the minute.

Shoot digital photos
Use the HF100 to capture superb 3.1 Megapixel photos - even take 2.07MP shots during recording.

Multiangle Vivid LCD
A 2.7" Multiangle Vivid LCD screen with a 135-degree viewing angle makes it easier to shoot from any angle. HCAR surface treatment minimises screen reflection and makes images look sharper and colours more vibrant.

Software for sharing and easy DVD creation
The camcorder is supplied with powerful software, including Pixela ImageMixer(TM) 3 SE to organise, play back and edit your clips. You can even convert them to other file formats. For archiving and sharing videos, the HF100 is also compatible with Canon's DW-100 (available separately), making it simple to burn HD movies straight to DVD.

Via CDFreaks.

Flip Video MinoHD Camcorder, 60 Minutes Black

DXG-567V gets reviewed and kicked

PC World/Macworld reviewer Christopher Breen had this to say about the DXG-567V (excerpt, important part highlighted):

Pocket camcorders have made shooting high-definition video affordable for just about everyone. Of course, there are compromises. Pocket camcorders such as Pure Digital's Flip MinoHD ( Macworld rated 3.5 out of 5 mice ), Kodak's Zi6 ( Macworld rated 4 out of 5 mice ), and Creative Labs' Vado HD offer no image stabilization or optical zoom and their performance in all lighting environments is hardly perfect. Still, these cameras produce a decent picture under typical outdoor lighting conditions.

The same can not be said, however, for today's least-expensive HD pocket camcorder, DXG's DXG-567V. This pocket camcorder, which retails for around $100, is pretty awful.

If you still want to see the details, head over to PCWorld's DXG-567V review.

Buy a different DXG DXG-506VK 5.0 MegaPixel Multi-Functional Camera with MPEG4 Technology (Black)

Canon Vixia HF S10 reviewed by cnet

Check out this review of the Vixia HFS10, a great camcorder with a scary price tag. Cnet says:

The good: Excellent video quality and performance; nicely designed interface; fast battery charging.

The bad: No eye-level viewfinder; expensive; lens cover rattles when closed.

The bottom line: An excellent flash-based prosumer HD camcorder, you may nevertheless pass on the Canon Vixia HF S10 because it lacks an eye-level viewfinder. And the identical--but cheaper, because it has no built-in memory--Vixia HF S100 may also be a better buy.

Read the Canon Vixia HF S10 review at cnet.

Buy a Canon VIXIA HFS10 HD Dual Flash Memory w/32GB Internal Memory & 10x Optical Zoom

MacWorld reviews Creative Vado HD

"Like other pocket camcorders, the Vado HD lacks image stabilization and an optical zoom (it has a 2x digital zoom) and offers no control over white- or color balance. It has 8GB of flash memory and a proprietary removable battery. Like other pocket camcorders it features a single record button and a four-position switch for zooming, adjusting volume, and navigating from one saved clip to another. It also has Play/Pause and Delete buttons on the back of the camera. The 2-inch (measured diagonally) LCD serves as both the viewfinder and the playback screen. The Vado bears a USB connector at the bottom of the camera, a microphone in the front, and a speaker in the back. It includes not only the expected composite video port for connecting the camera to a TV, but also an HDMI port—a feature unique to the Vado. (The HDMI cable is included, but a composite cable isn't.) "

Buy a Creative Labs Vado HD 720p Pocket Video Camcorder with 8 GB Video Storage and 2x Digital Zoom (Black)

Read the full article at MacWorld.

Canon DVD Digital Camcoder DC201 reviewed

Features
- Direct-to-DVD recording via 30x optical zoom lens (800x digital zoom).
- True widescreen recording and 16:9 LCD and EVF.
- DIGIC DV II.
- DVD-R DL (Dual Layer).
- Quick Start button.
- Easy Joystick controller.
- Balanced and comfortable design.
The ease of recording to DVD, with Canon optics, easy control and DL compatibility.

Direct-to-DVD
A powerful Canon 30x optical zoom lens captures eye-catching widescreen home movies that are recorded directly to DVD (-R/-RW/-R DL). For even higher magnification, use the 800x digital zoom. An Electronic Image Stabilizer (EIS) keeps movies looking smooth and steady.

Widescreen recording
The DC201 is optimised for true widescreen recording straight to DVD. Easily preview widescreen movies in true 16:9 using the camcorder's 2.7" widescreen LCD. If you need to extend battery life use the energy efficient 0.27" widescreen colour EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) instead.

DIGIC DV II
Developed for Canon's High Definition (HD) camcorder range, DIGIC DV II is Canon's ultra-fast image processor that features advanced noise reduction technology for clear, sharp images. DIGIC DV II also helps you to capture movies that are full of vibrant colour.

Buy Tuff-Luv All-Weather Shoulder Bag case for Canon Digital Camcorders Models: (HF100 HF100 HG10 HR10 HV30 HV20 FS100 FS11 FS10 DC330 DC301 DC230 DC201 DC50 DC22 DC21 DC19 HG 20 HG 21) (Black/Grey)

Via CDFreaks

New Sony HDR-TG5V Offers Embedded GPS, Durable Titanium Body, and Sleek Design

Designed for travelers who pack lightly, Sony today unveiled a new high-definition camcorder that combines powerful performance and simple operation into a sleek, portable body.

The HDR-TG5V Handycam® camcorder captures 1920x1080 high-definition video and four-megapixel photos. With a compact design, the model includes 16GB of flash memory (a portion of which is used for data management), embedded GPS, minimal buttons and a new intuitive user interface for the touch-panel LCD.

“Travelers are looking for high-quality products that focus on performance and portability,” said Kelly Davis, director of camcorder marketing at Sony Electronics. “This new model has a titanium body with a premium hard coating enhancing durability and it’s packed with high-performance features—like GPS and Smile Shutter™ technology—that deliver the best combination for your travel experiences.”

The camcorder’s built-in GPS antenna and NAVTEQ® digital maps geo-tag your videos and photos so you can document your destinations on a map. Geo-tagged content is marked by a push pin at each shot location and can be played back on the camcorder map index display on the 2.7-inch (measured diagonally) wide LCD touch panel. You can also enjoy this feature on the PC using the included Picture Motion Browser software.

With 16GB of embedded memory, the HDR-TG5V camcorder holds more than six hours of high definition video footage (LP mode) so it is virtually ready for capture right out of the box. You can also capture content onto Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media (sold separately) for additional recording time.

Ideal for the active explorer, a new graphical user interface helps personalize menus for easy operation and quickly sort through captured content.

Smile Shutter technology automatically snaps quality photos of traveling companions when they smile, even while recording video at the same time. To make sure your subject stays in focus, Face Detection technology recognizes and enhances faces by automatically correcting focus, exposure and color control.

In addition to a BIONZ™ Image Processor that works with an Exmor™ CMOS sensor for pristine imaging, the camera features a professional-quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens with 10X optical zoom designed specifically for compact camcorders. For added clarity and detail, a built-in flash reduces shadows and improves still images in low-light situations.

Pricing and Availability

The HDR-TG5V camcorder will ship in May for about $1,000. An optional travel kit (Sony ACC-TCH5) with a battery, travel charger and pouch will be available for about $100. There is also a wide angle conversion lens (Sony VCL-HGE07TB) accessory for about $100.

Via Sony press release.