MiniDV
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Crapgadget CES, round seven: MiniDV underwater goggles for all ages
Really? For all ages?
AEE boasts that its new "Mini DV" camera is the "world's smallest"
AEE Wireless' new "Mini DV" camera may or may not actually be the "world's smallest" video camera (alright, it's probably not), but it certainly has a strong claim to the title of least imaginatively-named, and it is, in fact, pretty darn small. What's more, unlike some other world's smallest cameras, this one is actually a full-fledged consumer device, including some controls, a built-in lithium-ion battery, a USB connection, and a microSD card slot, which handles all of the storage duties as the company has ditched any internal memory to keep the size down. You'll even get some full 640 x 480, 30 fps video out of the thing, plus some 2-megapixel JPEG images. Interestingly, while an official price is a bit hard to come by, a number of online retailers already seem to be offering the camera for between $85 and $159.
Canon keeps 'em coming with six new SD camcorders
If your budget just won't stretch far enough to snap up a high-def camcorder, Canon's also got a half dozen SD versions on the horizon. Here at CES, the company is unveiling the FS22, FS21 and FS200 Flash Memory camcorders, which are up to 17% tinier than previous FS models and include up to 32GB of internal memory to complement the SDHC card slot. The DC420 and DC410 DVD camcorders should explain themselves, and looking at the ZR960 MiniDV is almost like stepping back in time. A few more details are provided in the read link, but don't bother hunting for a price or release date.%Gallery-40596%
Samsung cranks out 1080p, flash camcorders
Not exactly in the market for an LCD HDTV, HTIB, or PDP? Or maybe you're just not concerning yourself with all those fancy acronyms. Whatever the case may be, Samsung is wrapping up its CES outpouring with four new camcorders, and we'll get things started by checking out the Full HD SC-HMX20C: Captures video in progressive Full HD 1080p, selectable for 30fps or 60fps HDMI-CEC (Anynet+), camcorder control using a Samsung HDTV remote 8GB of internal flash memory; SDHC / MMC+ expansion slot1 1/8-inch 6.4-megapixel CMOS sensor 10x optical zoom 300fps slow-motion recording mode for up to 10 seconds 4-megapixel still image capture 2.7-inch wide LCD touchscreen display iCheck button for easy access to memory / battery levels USB 2.0 and PictBridge connections Component, S-Video and composite outputs For the rest of the foursome, click on through.
JVC's GR-DA20 camcorder boasts sliding LCD monitor
JVC's latest camcorder isn't apt to make your jaw drop with a sensational list of features, but if you're looking for an innovative way to handle just the basics, this sucka just may do the trick. The GR-DA20 SD camcorder offers up a 1/6-inch 800k pixel CCD sensor, 34x optical zoom, a 16:9 widescreen mode, 3D noise filter, and records onto those tried and true MiniDV tapes. Furthermore, this unit boasts a 2.4-inch color LCD monitor that slides vertically to provide a much wider range of viewing angles for the shooter, and the Digital Color NightScope function makes low-light recording a bit more feasible. Sadly, there's been no mention of a projected price point or release date.[Via LetsGoDigital]
Sony unveils world's first, ugliest HD Video Walkman
For those of you not blinded by the unsightly image above, that there is the "world's first HD Video Walkman," or in other terms, one of the ugliest devices we've seen in years. Beyond the fact that this thing resembles a decade-old handheld cassette recorder with a seven-inch HD display flanked on top, it enables users to watch their HDV / miniDV tapes on the go, which isn't likely to entice you unless you shoot for a living. Furthermore, the GV-HD700E can record HDV1080i/DV signals from an external source, sports i.LINK / HDMI / component outputs, supports x.v.Color, and includes a Memory Stick slot for tape-to-flash card conversions. No word on just how much this curious creature will set you back, but those still fascinated can look for it to land in Europe this September.
Canon's HV20 HDV camcorder reviewed: dubbed "the monster"
If camcorder sales are to recover, it'll be the ability to record in HD that sparks the resurrection. After all, just about any new digicam and some cellphones can do a passing job at recording VGA or better quality video thus making the purchase of a second dedicated device hard to justify for the average consumer. That's what makes Canon's new iVIS HV20 so interesting; it shoots 1920 x 1080 resolution natively in HDV format to miniDV tapes and includes a 24p cinema mode to boot, a first in this class of camcorders. Best of all, it does this for about $1,000 -- not bad considering the price of other pro-sumer HD cams. Japan's Impress Watch are first to get their hands on a unit for review and although we had to read it using machine translation, it's easy to see that they are, er, impressed. Issues with low light shooting that plagued the HV10 seem to have been resolved on the HV20. While the CMOS sensor remains the same size, they've added the noise reduction technology found in their EOS camera lineup to bring low-light sensitivity down from 5lux to 3lux. In fact, the HV20 "eradicates" the HV10's weaknesses "entirely." Impress will be hitting a review of Sony's comparable HDR-HC7 -- a similarly spec'd HDV camcorder that also supports the xvYCC standard found in HDMI 1.3 for wider color range and space -- to see how they stack up side-by-side. No worries, you can wait, the HV20 won't hit US stores until April. Be sure to click the "read" link below for plenty of sample pics and video.
Canon's HV20 HD camcorder leaked?
Canon product details have been leaking like a sieve of late. First the accidental Hong Kong listing of their EOS 40D, now what appears to be their HV20 high-definition camcorder thanks to a "coming soon" placement on Circuit City's site shown above (and subsequently removed). According to the CC site, it'll pack a 2.96 megapixel CMOS sensor, 10x optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD and feature high-definition recording to regular ol' MiniDV tapes just like daddy used only, presumably using the HDV format preferred by the kids and their own HV10 this model would be following. In fact, all those specs are the same as the HV10. On the face of it, the only difference is the introduction of an HDMI jack. Let's just hope they've improved upon the "terrible low-light performance" and other nits called out by reviewers of the previous model. No pictures posted but we do know that it's "coming soon" for $1100 which is righteous pricing for their second gen, compact HD camcorder.[Thanks, Michael E]
JVC's Mini DV, DVD, and HDD player / recorder
While you might color us impressed if JVC's latest player / dubber handled recordable HD DVDs or Blu-ray discs, the SR-DVM700 really isn't much more than a brushed up version of its DR-DX5S from back in the day. Sure, it can offload content from Mini DV tapes, DVD-R/RWs, DVD-RAM, and basically any other analog device, but you still won't be compiling your data on any of the newest high capacity optical discs. Nevertheless, JVC's latest touts "six-way dubbing", provides on-deck / remote controls, an MPEG2 image processor, and a 250GB internal hard drive. It also provides a foolproof UI to handle your dubbing needs, component outputs, front / rear AV inputs, rack-mountability, simple editing and authoring features, and a simultaneous video recording function to dub to multiple sources at once. Although pricing and availability details haven't been divulged, we suspect this triple-duty device will be hitting Japanese DV stores soon.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Sony announces three new Mini DV Handycams
Along with all those new DVD-based Handycams announced this week, Sony's also seen fit to give its line of Mini DV camcorders a bit of a boost, introducing three new models for those who prefer to keep things tape-based. The top-end of the three is the DCR-HC48, packing a 1 megapixel CCD, 25x optical zoom, a 2.7-inch widescreen LCD, and a Memory Stick slot, although you can't record video directly to a card, just still pics. Moving down the lineup, there's not a whole lot separating Sony's DCR-HC38 and DCR-HC28 from each other, each boasting 680k CCDs, 40x optical zooms, and 2.5-inch LCDs, with the HC38 adding a still image mode and USB streaming capability, among other minor upgrades. Look for all three to hit sometime next month, coming in at $400, $330, and $280 for the HC48, 38, and 28, respectively.
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"
JVC's GR-D750 camcorder with "world's highest" 34x optical zoom: for moms and creepy men
Look, we don't want to know how you're going to use a 34x optical zoom on a camcorder, just know that such a beast is now available. That's right, JVC's latest consumer camcorder -- the GR-D750 -- brings what JVC claims to be a "world's highest" optical zoom to the game. It also packs more mundane features such as recording to miniDV in 16:9 or 4:3 formats, a 2.7-inch LCD, and the low-light shooting capabilities JVC is known for. As a member of the "baby movie" series, we guess that zoom is meant to keep tabs on the the robots we use to babysit our kids and light the menorahkinaratree. However, we'll have to wait for 'em to hit Japan first, starting mid-January for an expected ¥50,000 or about $425.[Via Impress]
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]
AVCHD format will enable 8cm DVD-equipped HD camcorders
Sony and Panasonic-parent Matsushita have teamed up to develop an encoding format based on MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 that will enable future camcorders to capture HD footage directly to standard 8-centimeter DVDs. Called "AVCHD," the new format is able to handle numerous resolution/frame-rate combinations, including 480i at 60fps, 720p at 24, 50, or 60fps, and 1080p at 24fps (or 1080i for 50fps and 60fps configurations), and can encode audio in either 5.1 channel AC-3 or up to 7.1 channel Linear PCM. The advantages of this format over the current HDV scheme used with MiniDV cassettes aren't exactly clear -- although you are getting random scene access thanks to the nature of optical discs, recording time is cut down from around an hour with MiniDV to only 20 minutes at the AVCHD "average setting." Even worse, DVD players will require special software in order to read discs containing content encoded in the new format, and even then, they will obviously only play back at a maximum resolution of 480p.[Via PCWorld]
Bella Catapult enables camcorder-to-iPod recording
Camcorder accessory manufacturer Bella has just announced a new device that will let you toss those MiniDV cassettes straight out of your bag and replace them with your iPod or nearly any other USB 2.0-compliant storage system. The Catapult, as it's known, is a paperback-sized digital encoder that plugs into any standard or HD camcorder with a FireWire port and processes the video as you're recording, eliminating the need to convert your footage later on. Besides saving time and offering access to higher storage capacities, the Catapult also enables your cam with a number of features not available out of the box, such as time-lapse recording, remote trigger capabilities, and both pre- and post-recording ability. Pre-recording is an especially attractive option, as it seems to buffer whatever your CCD is capturing for a preset timeframe, allowing you to essentially "turn back the clock" and preserve events that already happened once you hit the record button. Bella tells us to expect their new product sometime during the second half of the year, for some amount of money less than $300.[Via T3]
