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Japanese company Greenhouse launches camcorder for women
Hmm... we'll pass.
Sanyo unleashes two iFrame compatible Dual HD camcorders
Sanyo's just unleashed two new full HD camcorders -- the VPC-HD2000A and the VPC-FH1A. Both of these babies boast 1080p and 1080i recording at 60 fps, plus iFrame recording at a 960 x 540 resolution and 30 frames per second and 8 megapixel still shooting with 10x optical zoom. The cams are the first to offer iFrame compatibility, a 'next gen' format designed for easy importing, editing and sharing of video -- and hey, Apple just released an iMovie update adding iFrame compatibility, so the timing is spot-on for those of us aching to ditch the super-lameness of AVCHD. The VPC-FH1A has a 3-inch LCD and HDMI output, while the VPC-HD2000A has a 2.7-inch LCD. They're both available now, with the FH1A running $499.99 and the HD2000A $599.99. Full press release is after the break.
Ask Engadget HD: What's the best on the go HD camcorder?
Summer time is in full swing, and we're sure you've got plenty of activities to attend to, but what about capturing those for later viewing on your HDTV? Since we last visited the HD camcorder question, a flood of mini HD capable cams have hit the scene, but which one is the best? We'll let Mariusz lay out his priorities: "For some time now I've been thinking about getting one of these, but still cannot make my mind up. I'm looking for a camcorder that is portable first of all (will mostly use it outdoors, also for paintball and airsoft games), the quality(720p / 1080p) and functionality will come second and storage options third. I know there is quite a few products on the market from Kodak, Flip and Creative (and probably few more), but still do not know which one to choose... Hopefully Engadget's readers will help me with my decision-making." We can relate Mariusz, you need something easy to take on the go, with good image quality and settings and last of all easy to play back later. Surely a few of you have faced the same dilemma, let us know which hardware you've picked up and how it's working for you. Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Sony shows off GPS packing 1080p camcorders
Following an annual tradition, Sony has loosed several new HDR-series camcorders. Stop carrying that silly GPS dongle, as the HDR-XR520V (240GB of storage), HDR-XR500V and HDR-XR200V (both 120GB) pack one onboard along with NAVTEQ maps to geotag photos and videos alike, automatically detect time zone, highlight current map location and possibly save your life during an extended walk through the woods. The 520 and 500 are Sony's first with back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, providing twice the low light performance of previous models. Smile Shutter, Dolby Digital 5.1 sound recording and 3.2-inch touch panel LCDs are standard across the line, including the low end HDR-XR100 (80GB) model. They start shipping in March for between $1,500 and $750 along with three new SD cams but -- c'mon.
Panasonic's new HDC-SD9 and HDC-HS9 camcorders shoot 1080p
Panasonic has a pair of new HD camcorders, the HDC-SD9 and HDC-HS9 (pictured after the break), that should make any prosumer proud. Both cameras feature 3CCD sensors that record at full 1920 x 1080 to the AVCHD video format. The SD9, which is smaller than last year's SD5, records to SD and SDHC cards, while the HS9 can do SD and SDHC, or record to its built-in 60GB hard disk. Teamed with a 16GB SDHC card, that gives the HS9 29 hours worth of full HD recording. Both cameras feature face detection for auto-adjusting exposure and contrast to best portray skin tone, and Panny's Intelligent Shooting Guide for providing shooting tips on the LCD so users can adjust settings before capturing sub-par footage. Both cameras also have HDMI plugs, 5.1 channel surround sound (with five built-in microphones) and a high-speed burst still shot mode, with 24fps at 2.1 megapixela. The cameras will both be out in March 2008, with the SD9 retailing for $800, and the HS9 selling for $1,100.
Canon introducing "dual flash" Vixia HF10, F510, and F511 camcorders
Well looky here. Canon's got some gear for this CES, including the release of a number of new wholly solid state camcorders, dubbed "dual flash" in reference to internal flash memory and SDHC. Stay tuned for specs and release details on the Vixia HF10, F510, and F511.
Hands-on with Hitachi's DZ-BD70E and DZ-BD7HE Blu-ray camcorders
That's right folks -- you've read about them, you've dreamed about them, you've written lengthy, iambic poems to them, and now you get to see our gigantic hands on them. As you may remember, the Hitachi DZ-BD70E and DZ-BD7HE are the first ever Blu-ray camcorder models; the former recording direct to disc, and the latter rocking a hybrid disc or 30GB hard drive situation. Both cameras are largely the same, though the DZ-BD7HE seemed to be slightly larger, which makes sense. They've got a very comfortable feel when you're shooting with one, and we certainly could imagine ourselves filming HD "videos" with either. Check out the gallery for a plethora of exciting photos.%Gallery-6720%
Will it Return?: Best Buy refuses to exchange blended camcorder
You gotta hand it to those sadistic bastards from Will it Blend?: not only have they struck viral marketing gold by playing to our innermost voyeurs, they clearly have a wicked sense of humor, as evidenced by their futile attempt to return the completely obliterated camcorder that got sacrificed in the last segment. Luckily for us, Team Blendtec decided to secretly tape their exploits (video after the break), and while the salesdrones do seem slightly shocked at the product and ridiculous story that goes along with it, they certainly do Best Buy proud by keeping their cool during a clearly provocative encounter. There's also a lesson to be learned here: not only does the regular manufacturer's warranty (and the BB return policy) laugh in the face of such situations, if you thought that the flimsy "extended service contract" you bought covers gadgets in powdered form, well sir, you'd be out of luck.[Thanks, El_Capitan]
Sony breaks out five new HDD Handycams
These aren't near as exciting as those AVCHD and HDV camcorders we spotted a couple days ago, but there's still plenty to love in Sony's new HDD lineup. Up top we have the $1,000 DCR-SR300, which features Super Steadiest image stabilization, that dual-record feature for capturing 4 megapixel stills while recording video -- you can do 6 megapixels when you aren't recording. The camcorder records in 5.1 Dolby Digital sound, and supports that Bluetooth ECM-HW1 for enhanced center channel recording. Perhaps most interesting is the 240 fps three second burst recording mode for getting those slow-mo action shots -- normal recording is at 60 fps. Next up is the DCR-SR200, which shares most of the SR300's feature set, but only manages 2 megapixel and 4 megapixel shots respectively. Further on down the chain we have the 60GB DCR-SR82, 30GB SR62 and 30GB SR42, which go for $750, $650 and $600 respectively, but don't feature a whole lot in the feature department. All of these cameras are available for pre-order now, and will all be out at some indeterminate date in 2007.
Canon upgrades ZR, DC lines of camcorders
Looks like Canon's rung in the new year by tossing a slew of its camcorders to the curb, replacing them with new, slightly improved models. The excitement begins with Canon's entry-level ZR-series, where the ZR-500, 600, and 700 all get replaced by the numerically-enhanced ZR800, 830, and 850. Ranging in price from $280 to $350, the three camcorders each pack a 35x optical zoom and 2.7-inch widescreen LCD, with the ZR800 and 830 each capturing video of the 680,000-pixel variety, while the ZR850 bumps things up to a generous one megapixel. Storage on each is strictly an SD card deal, with support for SDHC cards in addition to the garden variety ones. Taking things up a notch, Canon's also let loose four new models to refresh its DC-series of DVD camcorders, with the DC50, DC210, DC220, and DC230 all set to roll out over the course of February and March. Despite its model name, the $800 DC50 at the top of the heap, with a 5-megapixel CCD, 10x zoom with optical image stabalization, and the same 2.7-inch widescreen LCD as the other models. Rounding out the lineup, the DC210 and DC220 camcorders ($400 and $450, respectively) dial things back to 680,000-pixel territory, while the $500 DC230 will give you a whole megapixel.Read - Crave, "New entry-level miniDV camcorders from Canon"Read - Crave, "Canon's new DVD camcorders"
Hitachi boiling up a Blu-Ray camcorder
When camcorders with mini-DVD recorders inside of them first hit the scene, geeks moaned as loud as the technologically clueless cheered: the convenience of not having to deal with tape was great, but the whole MPEG-2 compression thing coupled with the half hour recording time definitely ruined the party. Fortunately for both groups, Hiroto Yamauchi, a marketing guy for Hitachi -- a company which currently makes a line of interestingly-named Wooo DVD camcorders -- has revealed that the company is hoping to bring out a camcorder based off a mini Blu-Ray format within one to two years. The idea is sound in theory, but the current non-existence of both an 8cm Blu-Ray player/recorder drive and the actual physical discs makes this little more than a distant dream. A distant dream that could easily be shattered if the Blu-Ray medium as a whole fails, which is probably why this announcement takes the form of a long term promise, and not a short term commitment.
Sony HDR-UX1 reviewed
You know, if CamcorderInfo really wanted to write a shorter review of the Sony HDR-UX1, it probably should have hired Leo Tolstoy, who's always been known for his brevity. That said, we revel in doing the heavy reading for you; so what's the skinny on this high-def shooter? We're glad you asked, because here's the good news: CamcorderInfo enjoyed the cam's strong colors and even saturation, gave it bonus points for the multi-purpose ring control, and noted the respectable battery life, which topped out at barely over two hours. Further, the site says the revamped on-screen menus with two columns of options make the camcorder's on-screen controls a fair bit faster and easier to access. On the minus side, they were very disappointed with the serious noise issues probably caused by the AVCHD compression, particularly in bright light, and added that the problem is even "worse in low light." In addition, the lack of higher-end features like a shutter speed control mar an otherwise decent product. Overall, though, the site gave the $1400 HDR-UX1 (one of the first AVCHD cams on the market), its blessing as a "great camcorder." How do you like that -- a 13,000 word review summed up into four syllables.
Hitachi's Wooo DZ-HS303 DVD camcorder with HDD
T'is the season for DVD camcorders: following the 3CCD VDR-D400 from Panasonic and the iVIS DC22 from Canon that we just spotted comes a model from Hitachi called the Wooo DZ-HS303 (yes, you read that right); unlike these other devices, though, the Hitachi -- dropping August 30th -- also lets your capture video to an 8GB MicroDrive. Billed as the world's first camcorder to sport both a DVD and hard drive, the HS303 features a 10x optical zoom, standard 2.7-inch LCD, and three megapixel CCD, all in a 560-gram package. All-in-all a pretty decent feature set for 130,000 yen ($1,132), but as Digital World Tokyo points out, Canon will give you HD capabilities for only a few bucks more. [Via Digital World Tokyo]
Canon's iVIS DC22 DVD camcorder
Along with the more notable HV10 high definition model we brought you yesterday, Canon has introduced another new member to its family of iVIS camcorders: the DVD-equipped DC22. Besides its ability to record onto dual-layer, 8-centimeter discs, there's not much that makes this product stand out from the pack; you're getting a 2.7-inch flip out display, 2.2 megapixel CCD, and just a 10x optical zoom -- far less than many other Canon cams on the market. Still, they're not asking you to pay through the nose for this one either -- it'll go for about 90,000 yen ($785) when it drops in Japan sometime this month.[Via Fareastgizmos]
Canon intros first consumer HD camcorder, the iVIS HV10
After having teased us with the powerful-but-expensive XH G1 and XH A1 high definition prosumer camcorders, Canon has now brought that same 1080i goodness to the the little guy with its first consumer-oriented HD model, the iVIS HV10. Recording onto standard miniDV cassettes using the HDV format, the Optura-like HV10 features a 1/2.7-inch CMOS able to capture 2,048 x 1,536 stills, 10x optical zoom, a 2.7-inch LCD display, and miniSD slot for storing photos. Compared to Sony's HDR-HC3 this device certainly holds its own, as its optical image stabilization trumps the Sony's electronic version, and its maximum video capture resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 is higher than the competition's 1,440 x 1,080 -- though the HC3 sports an HDMI output, while the HV10 does not. Best of all, its 150,000 Yen ($1,300) pricetag will set you back about $400 less than the HC3 when this model (in either black or silver) debuts next month in Japan; the US release, however, is still up in the air.[Via CamcorderInfo, Akihabara News, and Impress]
Samsung's SC-X205L and SC-X210WL sports cameras cut the cord
It was only a matter of time before Samsung's SC-X205L and SC-X210L helmet-mounted sports cams went all wireless on us, and if you've been tapping your foot at cutting the cable your wait is up with their new SC-X205WL and SC-X210WL. These devices are essentially the same as their wired counterparts: 512MB internal memory on the X205WL and and 1GB on the X210WL, both featuring the same 2.0-inch display, 680k pixel (720 x 480) CCD, 10x optical zoom, and image stabilization (on the full unit, anyway), as well as the obligatory SD slot for recording that MPEG-4 video. Expect 'em in September for $580 and $680, which is a steep price to pay for those whose finances are probably tied up mending broken bones.[Via Sci Fi Tech]
Sony's new Handycam DCR-SR80, DCR-SR60 and DCR-SR40 hard drive camcorders
Sony's all out assault on the marketplace didn't stop with those wonderful new HD camcorders of theirs, they've also got three new standard definition Handycam units to show off. The DCR-SR80 leads the pack with a 1 megapixel CCD, 60GB drive, 2.7-inch widescreen viewfinder, 12x optical zoom, a hot shoe, and $800 price tag; the DCR-SR60 is essentially the same unit as the SR80, but with a 30GB drive and $700 price; the DCR-SR40 features a 40GB drive, 20x optical, 2.5-inch 4:3 aspect ratio touchscreen viewfinder, and $600 price point. All are due September, during which time we'd roughly estimate they'd vanish from store shelves in short order.
iLuv i180 video recording dock for iPod
There are plenty of ways to get your favorite TV shows onto your iPod, but if for some reason you don't want to frequent the iTunes store or have to endure tedious conversion processes, iLuv has a new dock that takes your computer out of the equation altogether and records directly from almost any video source. Before you get too excited, though, you should know that iLuv's got no love for electronic program guides, so you actually have to be sitting by your TV to manually trigger each recording -- which severely limits this device's utility as a DVR. Obviously, then, the main selling point of the so-called i180 is the ability to transfer footage from your camcorder, and adjustable quality settings up to 1.5Mbps probably ensure that it performs this function pretty well. Still, we doubt most people would be willing to pay $200 to save a few minutes here and there transferring the occasional home movie, so it sounds like you should really hold on to that PC after all.[Via iLounge]
