Sony unveils HD options with HDR-UX1 AVCHD cam alongside HDD unit

AVCHD, the new recording format from Sony and Panasonic for saving HD video to 8-centimeter mini DVDs, is making its first appearance in Sony's new HDR-UX1 upper-class consumer cam. For the most part the camera mirrors its SD siblings, with a side mounted disc drive, sizable 3.5-inch fold-out LCD, 4 megapixel stills and 2.3 megapixel shots while recording video. The snazz here is that the new AVCHD cam uses dual-layer mini DVD-R discs, making room for a full hour of 1080i video. The HDR-SR1 mirrors the functions of its UX1 brother, but replaces the DVD drive for a 30GB HDD, but still manages long recording times with the AVCHD codec. Both cameras have a mic inputs and manual focus rings, making them more appealing to the discerning prosumer than most Sony cams of late. Of course, all this new format action and prosumer appeal comes at a price: the HDR-UX1 should drop in September for around $1,400, while the HDR-SR1 should appear in October for $1,500.

[Via Camcorder Info]

[Tom @ Jul 18th 2006 10:59PM]

Oooo! Me want! Too bad me poor. :(

[osalom @ Jul 18th 2006 11:13PM]

Will iMovie HD support this camera?

[the other steve jobs @ Jul 18th 2006 11:16PM]

for the love of Allah....
1080i devices are crap crap crap. 1080i is crap. The interlacing is so bad its hard to even view video from it. When Sony announced it was all 540i (1080i is a total misnomer and doesn't accurately describe what it is doing) - i knew that i'd be in the quandry for a low-cost HD camera - since Panasonic has yet to intro ANYTHING in the sub 2k range.

Actually, HDV is teh suck pretty much no matter how you slice it. I've found that using anything 3CCD 16:9 native will look better than "1080"i after upsampling it in FCP. Video that i've shot with the XL2 upsampled looks far far better than anything spit out on HDV.

the only decent thing about these sony's is that they also shoot DV. Unfortunately, they don't shoot progressive... so... i'm sticking with the Pany's.

[osalom @ Jul 18th 2006 11:31PM]

These are the specs of AVCHD:

1080/60i 720/60p 480/60i 576/50i
1080/50i 720/50p
1080/24p 720/24p

Hopefully it will be able to shoot in progressive mode (720/60p and/or 24p ideally).

If sony does not introduce progressive shooting in this camera probably Panasonic will...

[AJH @ Jul 18th 2006 11:34PM]

stick with your 'panys'if you like.Sony now has HD options over 3 formats(HDD,DVD and HDV)-for the cost and performace-and sheer choice Panasonic doesnt come close(yet).
have you even looked at the output of a Sony HDV camera?-nothing comes close(for the cost)
Sony bashing really is getting tiresome..

[Kevin @ Jul 19th 2006 12:15AM]

Now thats a nice camra just can wait for the price to drop some more.

[SirROM @ Jul 19th 2006 1:46AM]

After buying one of Sony's handheld camcorders about 4 years ago with the new MicroMV format, I'll never buy another Sony product with proprietary formats again. I love the camera, but it was shortly discontinued, along with the format and all suppplies (new tapes, extra batteries, etc). I was left with a $1400 camcorder that took good video, but a dead-end product. Don't get me strated on not being able to hook into the Mac (I've only recently been able to cludge something together)...

When they make a camcorder with a well accepted standard fomat, I'll probably give them another try. Can you say Memory Stick, ATRAC, UMP, etc - all dead or dying!

[Joe @ Jul 19th 2006 8:04AM]

upper-class consumer cam

Um... I believe it's called Prosumer?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosumer

[Temple @ Jul 19th 2006 8:53AM]

>>After buying one of Sony's handheld camcorders about 4 years ago with the new MicroMV format, I'll never buy another Sony product with proprietary formats again.

You're full of sh*t, this camera doesn't use any Sony proprietary format. AVCHD is ISO-standard MPEG4, and is the exact same format that Apple and eveyone else is the promoting; the H.264 codec. Also, the recording format is mini-DVDs or a HDD; can't get more non-propreitary then that.

As far as editing, since AVC is pretty much the main commercial MPEG4 format that everyone is using now (used in the video iPod and PSP), programs like Final Cut Pro can easily edit it; however it can't be edited on the tape like DV, but nobody does that anymore anyway.


To "Steve Jobs":

Only Panasonic that can do 1080p is the AG-HVX2000 that costs $6,000, Sony also has a 1080p camera but its more for professional use and costs. Sony is developing a 1080p camra for rich prosumers but don't expect it to have the three of the massive half-inch CCDs.

http://www.avepro.net/html/video/sony_hdcf950.htm

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?m=10014&p=2&sp=141&id=80177

[contempt @ Sep 26th 2006 11:00PM]

Temple, you're half correct. AVCHD is non-proprietary; however, it's not supported by many people, especially not Apple. The next version of FCP will likely arrive in April and that MIGHT support AVCHD, but that's not a guarantee.

I'm tempted to get this camera; however, the lack of editing support really hurts it. Again, it might worth waiting for more software support unless you do like the bundled software.

[Steve Kim @ Sep 25th 2006 4:25PM]

I thought sony said that 1080i wasn't true HD! Class action lawsuit time!

[Marcel @ Oct 26th 2006 12:47PM]

Does anyone know why more media outlets are not using the H.264 codec for their news broadcasts?

Maybe the codec was designed for the Fiber Optic system that the US was supposed to have by now. We have already paid for it.

[mcrandy @ Nov 21st 2006 1:40AM]

The following companies have expressed support for the AVCHD format as of October 19th, 2006

* Adobe Systems Incorporated
* ArcSoft, Inc.
* CANON INC.
* Canopus Co., Ltd.
* CyberLink Corporation
* Focus Enhancements, Inc.
* InterVideo, Inc.
* MainConcept AG
* Nero AG
* PIONEER CORPORATION
* PIXELA CORPORATION
* SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,LTD.
* SHARP CORPORATION
* Sonic Solutions
* Ulead Systems, Inc.

If that isn't enough onboard to start with you could revert to some $6,000 plus camcorder and use Apple but if you like to live in the real world and not spend billions then I suggest you get a Sony HDR-SR1
I did and it shoots rings around my two Panasonic PV-GS70 3ccd camcorders. Lets face it, using any of this new generation stuff is almost overkill as we have alot of people that do not have High Definition TV's so 480 is all most people get. I just hope that players will adapt.

[robcnz @ Dec 7th 2006 5:54AM]

I am keen to get this camcorder over the canon HV10 and wonder what people think?

[Davide - Switzerland @ Feb 13th 2007 3:04PM]

Hi robcnz! I bought both camcorders (Sony HDR-SR1E and Canon HV10), so I can give you my impressions about the qualities and pro & cons of both. The first cam I bought was the Sony, I really was impressed by its quality: in past you normally got this quality for 5'000-8'000 USD devices. Since I only use Apple computers I was sure to be able to use the new camcorder with iMovie or Final Cut Express. When I tried to connect it I realized that there are serious compatibility problems. Since I needed a new camcorder for a trip to the Seychelles, my only solution was to find another device with similar high-quality features, but with a HDV based recording (non AVCHD). I bought the Canon HV10. Compared to a normal DV camcorder, it is far better: the colors are bright and strong, the auto-focus is fast. The camcorder is very small and this makes it the ideal one for travelling. I regulary use the Canon with my Apple computer: iMovie works perfectly. Resuming: the Sony has a better quality, better sound and better definition, BUT it is still not compatible with Apple computers. The canon is a good device, fully compatible and easy to use. I hope my opinion was useful, please reply and let me know ok? Bye bye!

[c mckinnie @ Apr 28th 2007 10:42PM]

Is this camera worth $700? Found it on sale and looking at replacing my JVC camcorder that is about 5+ years old. Can I get some help?

[brian mackey @ Jul 23rd 2007 9:45AM]

Does anyone have advice about converting ACVHD to HD using the Picture Motion Browser? It takes over 4 hours to convert video over, even if it is only 1 GB! Bought Nero 7 and it will only convert to MPEG 2, so no HD. Please help!
Brian

[z @ Aug 8th 2007 5:47PM]

Is there absolutely nothing that I can do if I have an Apple computer and would like to import HD vidio captured by my Sony HDR-UX1? I have some very important memories that I recorded and would like to back them up on my Apple computer.

Any suggestions?