Samsung debuts H-Series of HD camcorders, first with 64GB SSD

You should've known that Canon wouldn't be able to introduce a new family of HD camcorders without Samsung hitting back with a crew of its own, so it's with that in mind that we present Samsung's H-Series. The HMX-H106, HMX-H105, HMX-H104, and HMX-H100 all arrive with Full HD sensors and a Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan HD lens with Optical Image Stabilization, but it's the H106 that really steals the show. Said device is the first Full HD camcorder to incorporate a 64GB SSD within, while the H105 and H104 offer up 32GB and 16GB SSDs, respectively; as for the H100, you'll be providing your own SD / SDHC card before anything gets recorded. The whole crew utilizes H.264 compression, meaning that the big daddy can hold 12 hours of footage at Full HD resolution. Mum's the word on pricing / availability, but the full release is waiting just after the break.

Samsung debuts H-Series of HD camcorders, first with 64GB SSD

SAMSUNG EXTENDS FULL-HD CAMCORDER FAMILY WITH INTRODUCTION OF NEW H-SERIES

New HMX-H106 is the World's First Camcorder to Feature a 64GB Internal SSD

LAS VEGAS, N.V., January 5, 2009 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today extended its family of full-HD digital camcorders with four new models - the HMX-H106, HMX-H105, HMX-H104, and HMX-H100. Samsung's new H-Series offer users high-performance, full-HD video, a renowned Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan HD lens with Optical Image Stabilization, and industry leading design; however, most notable is the use of internal Solid State Drives to provide onboard memory.

The HMX-H106, Samsung's new flagship full-HD digital camcorder, is the world's first to feature an internal 64GB Solid State Drive (SSD)*. Samsung's renowned SSD technology offers a substantial advantage over the use of Hard Disk Drives (HDD) in a digital camcorder, providing consumers with higher performing and more durable internal memory. In comparison to HDD, Samsung's SSD technology is more lightweight and compact, operates silently with very low heat emission, and features no moving parts, which significantly reduces overall power consumption and enhances reliability. No moving parts also make SSD technology more durable and resistant to shock and vibrations, which pose a considerable threat to the performance of HDD based digital camcorders. Additionally, Samsung's SSD technology is faster than HDD, including quicker boot-up and read/write speeds which is required for the amount of data recorded in full-HD resolution. When actively reading and writing data, Samsung's SSD technology consumes approximately 1/8th of the power of a comparable HDD**.

The HMX-H105 and HMX-H104 offer 32GB and 16GB SSDs, respectively, and like the HMX-H106, also allow consumers to expand memory capacity using an SD/SDHC memory card. The HMX-H100 does not feature an internal SSD and requires the use of a SD/SDHC memory card.

The new H-Series full-HD digital camcorders also utilize H.264 compression, which significantly increases recording time. At full-HD resolution and when set to fine mode, users can record up to three hours directly to the 16GB HMX-H104, six hours to the 32GB HMX-H105, and an unparalleled 12 hours to the 64GB HMX-H106.

Producing a high-quality image starts at the lens, which is highly regarded as one of the most important components of a camcorder. Precision optics are paramount in helping produce inspiring video and Samsung's H-Series camcorders underscore this assessment by incorporating world renowned Schneider optics. The camcorders' Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan HD lens features a 10x optical zoom and is paired with Samsung's new Optical Image Stabilizer to help reduce the blur found in footage as a result of vibrations and hand shake.

The Schneider lens also features a 37mm wide-angle focal length. Unlike other camcorders offering a typical angle of view of 40~50mm, the H-Series' 37mm wide-angle Schneider lens allows users to fit more of their desired scene into the frame, making the camcorder ideal for recording large groups of family or friends, breathtaking landscapes or even capturing all the action at sporting events.

The trusted Schneider lens also helps capture remarkably clear and sharp video with accurate color reproduction. The H-Series' direct HDMI connections allow consumers to effortlessly enjoy their full-HD content on their HDTV without the need for proprietary docking cradles. Consumers can also utilize the camcorders to take more than just stunning high-definition video, as each offers a built-in strobe flash and the ability to capture 4.7 mega-pixel digital still photos.

"This new series of high-definition digital camcorders clearly speaks to Samsung's commitment to providing today's consumers with the most advanced and highest-performing digital imaging technology," said Tony Sorice, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Digital Imaging at Samsung Electronics America. "Our ability to leverage the synergies that exist across our various businesses in the design and manufacture of digital camcorders and cameras, allows us to better meet customer demands and bring higher-performing digital imaging solutions to market faster and more efficiently."

At the heart of Samsung's new H-Series of full-HD digital camcorders is a high-performance CMOS imaging sensor. Measuring 1/4.5 inches, the CMOS sensor boasts 2.2 mega-pixels and yields impressive light sensitivity helping enhance the overall imaging experience for the end-user. The camcorders also offer a large 2.7 inch touch-screen LCD, which serves as the gateway to the camcorders' comprehensive suite of features. The swiveling LCD also gives users access to key camcorder controls, including record and zoom. When utilized in conjunction with Samsung's proprietary swivel grip, the additional placement of controls on the LCD screens allow users to effortlessly control the camcorder at low or high angles.

The camcorders also feature a HD Time Lapse recording mode that will give consumers the ability to experiment with their creativity. When shooting in the Time Lapse recording mode, the camcorder will record a single image at an interval pre-selected by the user, either 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, or 30 seconds, and will save each image as one single movie file.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 8:07PM]

My guess would be around $1500. Looks awesome!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 8:11PM]

2.2mp sensor, thats rubbish! Canon's new low end cameras are over 3mp and the highend is 8.6mp.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 8:15PM]

Dude, this is a camcorder, not a camera.

[chispito Posted Jan 5th 2009 9:27PM]

He's actually talking about their new HD camcorders. Look a few posts back.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 10:02PM]

Another way to look at it, this sensor is about half as big as some of the new Canon camcorders, which means Canon will continue to dominate in image quality and low-light performance.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 6th 2009 7:43AM]

Errr... the camcorders that have double the CMOS size from Canon also have more than double the pixel density, meaning low-light will not necessarily be better. They are also probably a lot more expensive.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 8:26PM]

@noyp Canon's new *camcorders* have an 8.6MP sensor

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 8:33PM]

Oh. Well, in my defense, sam said cameras. I still think a high mp sensor it overkill on a camcorder. It's more of a marketing gimmick to increase price than an actual need. Imo of course.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 10:06PM]

@ NOYP: it's NOT a gimmick in this case, as the Canon's have a sensor that is almost twice as big as the Samsung sensor. It IS a gimmick (that hurts image quality) in the case of compact digital cameras that cram more and more pixels in the same size sensor. That's a BIG difference.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 9:01PM]

Looks like Samsung has added features that the HMX20 was lacking...

- Optical image stabilization (rather than the EIS)
- HDMI on the camcorder (rather than using the dock)
- Wider angle lens (rather than the 50mm or so)

Only issue here is that these new models have 1/4.5 inch sensors while the HMX20 has a 1/1.8 inch sensor.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 9:12PM]

Hahaha the lens name is "Schneider"

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 9:27PM]

Yeah, I was rolling on the floor too...
/s

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 9:25PM]

I hope the HMX-H106 isn't over $1400, that's as much as I'd be willing to spend on a camera.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 9:30PM]

Samsung makes horrible digital cameras and camcorders, just horrible.

Sony is the brand you should choose for a camcorder.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 10:21PM]

Well considering that most people will use these cams in low light (bars, indoors, etc.) the fact that both Sony's flagship top of the line consumer Handycams (as of now, I'm sure they will bring something out at CES 09 or pre CES) HDR-SR12 HDR-CX12 need 14 lux to produce 50 IRE. The Samsung SC-HMX20 needs only 5 lux to achive 50 IRE.

I have a coworker who has the HDR-SR12 and I've seen footage from decently lit restaurants where anything that is not remotely lit has crazy grain running through it. Any shadow has grain. The Samsung units can do better for sure.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 10:11PM]

I'm a big Canon fan but have to give credit where credit is due.

Samsung is on a roll. After the stellar low light performance of the Sc- HMX20 (5 lux in 30p mode, same as Canon HF11 in same mode).

I think the pics tell the story. Even though the now "old" HMX20 (released this year) and HF11 were both producing 50 IRE @ 5 lux in 30p the test chart of the Samsung appears much brighter. Take a look on the upper right corner also (as far as shadow detail in low light). In the Samsung you can distinguish the last 3 vertical black bars, on the HF11 not so much.

Samsung:
http://images.camcorderinfo.com/images/upload/Image/Samsung/Samsung%20SC-HMX20/Performance/Samsung_SC-HMX20_15_Lux_Auto_30P_web.jpg

Canon HF11:
http://images.camcorderinfo.com/images/upload/Image/Canon/Canon_HF11/Performance/Canon_HF11_15_Lux_Auto_24P_web.jpg

Granted Canon can do 24p which is nice and good for certain people (movie look when combined with a 35mm adapter, like a Brevis.)

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 5th 2009 10:46PM]

SSD, really nice, but someone please correct me in this cuz i know i have to be wrong.

SSD has a lesser lifespan then a hard drive right? like i heard it can only write over and over a couple thousand times before it dies? thats the only thing that scares me with SSD.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 6th 2009 1:30AM]

I'm so getting one. I've been looking to replace my Sony HDR-SR7. I love it and it produces GREAT HD quality vids for YouTube, but the main problem is low light. I have to have so many lights on just to achieve decent quality. Looking forward to CNET or Engadget giving this a full review.

[Wwhat Posted Jan 6th 2009 4:05AM]

Designed to never be held truly horizontal, do away with all that square footage that is confined to horizontal and being watchable, join the revolution.

[E71 Posted Jan 6th 2009 4:35AM]

Still waiting on video cameras to start supporting H264 video stored in MKV containers...

[infinityPlusOne Posted Jan 6th 2009 9:33AM]

So what's up with them skimping on the optical zoom on their new flagship models? 10X zoom for the HF S10/S100 (8.59 megapixels CMOS) and 15X zoom for the HF20/HF200 (3.89 megapixels CMOS)? Or are they just saving that for next year's iteration?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 6th 2009 1:02PM]

lame specs, Sammy. I expect more from you. 1/4.6" CMOS? ehhhhh... Looks like I'll be purchasing a Canon next Summer.

looking forward to some unbiased performance reviews when these next-gen HD cams hit the streets. Everything's HD now - I want nice optics, excellent low light CMOS, and stellar image stabilizing. Whoever pulls that off gets my $.

ps. what's the word on that new CMOS technology that Engadget posted about a while back... was supposed to kick ass in low-light and revolutionize the industry. Can't find the link right now.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 12th 2009 12:32PM]

Cool FullHDcam H106 ! This SSD cam is quick power on and light weight and also anti shock. So i think it's better than HDD cam.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 21st 2009 3:10PM]

Yes, I agree with you. HDD is too heavy to carry. SSD should make the camcorder much lighter.