Firmware update with MOS sensor fixes for HPX300 camcorder

Panasonic Broadcast is now providing a free firmware update for new performance enhancements to its AG-HPX300 10-bit, 4:2:2 P2 HD camcorder.

The new firmware update improves CMOS imager performance and compensates for the “flash band” effect that plagues most MOS-based imagers. The update allows the camera to use a specially developed LSI signal process that removes flash artifacts commonly caused by the rolling shutter feature in these imagers. It detects the flash band frame and combines it with the previous unaffected frame image to compensate for divided flash band frames and maintain the natural frame sequence.

Update is available at Panasonic Support site.

Via broadcastengineering.com

Sony HDR-C500V, HDR-CX520V HD Camcorders with geotagging

If you are hesitant to spend a couple hundred dollars on a new Flip UltraHD, you will be even more hesitant to drop five times that amount on a new Sony camcorder. However, the new flash memory-based camcorders from Sony offer at least a couple of huge advantages over the pocket camcorder market.

The cheaper of the two is the Sony HDR-CX500V comes equipped with 32GB of flash memory and costs $1100, whereas the HDR-CX520V bumps the memory to 64GB of flash memory and costs $1300. Aside from memory capacity, the two Sony HD camcorders appear to be pretty much the same.

Using either cam, you can record amazing 1080p HD video at 60fps. Those of you with shaky hands will be glad to hear about the three-way SteadyShot (vertical, horizontal, roll). There’s also the integrated GPS chip for geotagging your photos and videos. No more wondering where you shot what.

Rounding out the specs are a "Face Touch" mode for focus prioritization, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, direct to DVD burning, zoom microphone, Memory Stick expansion, and a flip-out LCD screen.

Look for both the Sony HDR-C500V ($1100) and the HDR-CX520V ($1300) to launch this September.

Via mobilemag.com via CrunchGear

Green-House Gaudi GHV-DV30FHK Full-HD Camcorder

Akihabara says:

The Gaudi GHV-DV30FHK is Green-House latest full HD camera capable to record video in both 1080/30p and 720/30p (Mpeg-4-AVC/H.264), with 128MG of internal memory, and capable to support SDHC cards up to 32GB, has a 5x optical Zoom, IS and a 3” Touch Screen.

Buy a Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)

Samsung HMX-U10

Samsung has added another camcorder to their range with the launch of the Samsung HMX-U10.

The Samsung HMX-U10 is capable of recording Full HD video at a 1920 x 1080 resolution in H.264, it can also take 10 megapixel photos, and has the ability to let users share video easily online via a one touch upload button to YouTube.

It comes with a 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor and a 2 inch LCD screen, the Samsung HMX-U10 measures 56mm x 103mm x 15.5mm and weighs in at just 95g.

The Samsung HMX-U10 will go on sale in September for $200.

Via geeky-gadgets.com

Who needs an HD camcorder when you can fake it for cheap?

Senior Editor Lori Grunin at CNET says in her post titled Samsung invokes HD to sell SD camcorders:

Who needs an HD camcorder when you can fake it for cheap? That seems to be the rationale behind Samsung's latest standard-def offerings, the SMX-K40 and SMX-K45, a pair of budget models which include an HDMI connector and some mysterious "advanced upscaling" technology to play it on an HDTV in "near full-HD quality."

If I sound dubious, it could be because based on the specs--it's not clear, but it sounds like they use a submegapixel CCD--I have doubts they will be able to produce decent standard-def video, much less attractively turn 720x480 into 1,280x720 (or heaven forbid 1,920x1,080) HD output. But never fear, because you also get the essential stalker zoom lens for that warm and fuzzy outspeccing-the-Joneses-for-a-low-low-price feeling. In this case that means 52x magicaliciously Intelli-Zoomed to 65x. At least they have optical image stabilization.

Buy a Samsung SMX-K40 Up-scaling HDMI Camcorder w/52x Optical Zoom (Blue)

Panasonic HDC-HS350 with full HD and 240GB HDD

Panasonic announced the HDC-HS350, an AVCHD camcorder with an impressive 240GB HDD that allows users to store over 30 hours of full HD video (at 17Mbps). This new model is an upgrade to two camcorders with 64GB and 32GB Panasonic unveiled back in May.

Spec-wise, you get a 10.6 megapixel 3MOS sensor, 12x optical zoom, an improved image stabilizer, SDHC support (up to 32GB), an HDMI port, a USB port, VIERA link and a 2.7-inch LCD. You can even store up to 100 hours of video if you shoot it with 1440×1080 at 6Mbps.

Buy a Panasonic HDC-HS250-K HHD HD Camcorder (Black)

Panasonic plans to start selling the HS350 in Japan on July 25. Available only in one color (metallic grey), the camcorder will cost $1,600. No word on sales outside Japan yet, unfortunately.

Via CrunchGear.com

Sony Webbie HD MHS-PM1 Camcorder Review

The MHS-PM1 and MHS-CM1 are the two members of Sony's Webbie HD line of camcorders. While the MHS-CM1 has the traditional horizontal layout of a consumer camcorder, the MHS-PM1 offers an upright design that strongly resembles the popular Flip series of camcorders. Both Webbie HD camcorders offer 1440 x 1080 HD recording at 30 frames per second (30p). In addition to its compact design, the PM1 has a unique movable lens system that allows you to rotate the lens up to 270-degrees (great for self-shooting). The MHS-PM1 certainly has a lot more to offer than the Flip camcorders—you can change video resolutions, use scene modes, and take 5-megapixel still images. The real question, however, is whether the camcorder is able to emulate the Flip's intuitive design and simple interface.

In addition to the purple version shown throughout this review, the Sony Webbie HD MHS-PM1 is also available in orange or silver.

Via camcorderinfo.com

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

VholdR ContourHD wearable HD camcorder hands-on

Tim Stevens at Engadget says:
We've been toying with a VholdR ContourHD helmet cam for a few weeks now, seeing how well it blends in with our adrenaline-fueled lifestyle. We've mounted it on various helmets, tried it with some moderately extreme endeavors, and, now that we've had a chance to refill our asthma inhalers, we thought we'd share a few of those adventures and give our impressions of this helmet-mounted HD shooter.


First the important numbers: the $299 cam shoots 720p video at 30fps through a 135 degree wide-angle lens, or can be set to capture 858 x 480 video at 60fps if things are going to get really fast-paced. It features a microSD card slot and ships with a 2GB card to start, upon which it will dump H.264-encoded video.

The body itself is durable, made of aluminum, is water-resistant, and interestingly the entire internals of the camera rotate through 192 degrees, meaning regardless of how you mount this thing you can get video that's right-side-up -- or at some crazy angle if you're so inclined. The only problem we had with construction was with a flimsy internal latch which occasionally didn't hold the battery tight enough to make solid contact. A removal and re-insertion fixed that in most cases, but we're wondering how that clip will hold up in the long run.

Via Engadget

Buy a VholdR Wearable Camcorder (Black)

Apple rumor: cameras into iPods

Apple was late in the game in introducing video capture to its iPhone. But it could be using the feature to shake up the MP3 player market and potentially eat into the ultra low-cost camcorder market ruled by Pure Digital's Flip cameras.

Techcrunch is reporting from a source in Asia this morning that Apple has placed an order for a "massive number of camera modules" similar to what was in the iPhone 3GS. The source says the order can be headed for only one thing: iPods.

Macrumors has followed up with images of iPod Touch and iPod Nano cases that seem to make room for cameras along their backs.

This could be big news if true because while Apple is sometimes slow to include new features, when it does, it puts functionality and features in that elevate the game. In this case, for MP3 players, this would really serve to further separate iPods from the pack, which generally don't have video cameras.

It's unclear if both the iPod Touch and iPod Nano would get video capture. The Nano might just settle for a regular camera. But either way, you're talking about another step up that could eat away at sales of dedicated cameras and camcorders.

Via SFGate.com