RSSSony Debuts Affordable HD Camcorders
By Ed Oswald | Published July 19, 2006, 5:20 PM
Sony introduced two affordable high-definition camcorders on Wednesday, the first to record in full 1080i resolution. One model will allow for direct recording to three-inch DVD discs, while the other includes a 30GB hard drive permitting video storage and in-camcorder and PC editing.
In addition, the video cameras record in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, which would provide a truer-to-life sound reproduction on playback. An optional Bluetooth wireless microphone enables the recording of center-channel sound up to 100 feet away.
In addition, each mode includes an HDMI output, allowing for the easy connection to HDTV televisions for playback. Discs can be played back on any DVD player, as the disc-recording model has the capability to record in the original MPEG-2 DVD format.
"With more families adopting high-definition televisions and acquiring HD content, we want to give them a variety of ways to enjoy their home video in the same high quality," Sony marketing director Linda Vuolo said. "Our HD camcorder line offers people greater functionality and more choice to make high-def video creation fun and easy."
Both models include the capability to transfer data from the camcorder to PC, and record in the AVCHD camcorder recording format, based on the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec that allows for more power efficient and compact HD camcorders.
Additional features include a four-megapixel still capture mode, a dual mode that allows for full motion HD video recording and 2.3 megapixel still capture, smooth slow record which allows the user to record in slow motion, and a 3.5 inch LCD viewscreen.
The hard drive based model, the HDR-UX1, will debut in September at a price of $1,400 USD, while the DVD-recording model, the HDR-SR1, will arrive in October at a price of $1,500 USD. Sony said a full line of accessories would also be made available at that time.
When I can buy a, 24p, 1080p, 3 chip, cam that records to a hard drive for under $800--I will plop down my cash.
That's the only way I roll.
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|We're not far away. I'd give it 2 years, tops.
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|I will buy one as soon as the price drops below $1000. I will replace my 5 year old $1000 Sony camcorder that now goes for $399 with accessories on eBay.
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|I wonder if these will use the same hard drives as the "die in a year or less" ipods. if so, i wonder how easy it is to replace them and how cheap it would be to upgrade them :)
THESE ARE GOOD THINGS TO KNOW
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|Yeah... because no one has an iPod that's worked for more than a year.
*rolls eyes*
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|I didn't realize $1,500 camcorders were considered affordable. I guess it's just me, maybe I'm just cheap. I think $600 video cards are expensive as well.
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|For full 1080i resolution HD camcorders? That's darn cheap.
Of course it won't be for long. The price on these is going to come down fast once they become more popular and more companies start making them. That's what I'm waiting for.
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|$1500.00 sounds like a good price to pay for a H.D root kit. I think everyone should buy one, or maybe two..then you could give a root kit to a friend.
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|Good call.
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|Whatever. Let me know when one of Sony's competitors comes out with one.
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|Buy one you deserve it!
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|No thanks, Sony means overpriced, proprietary, unreliable garbage. I've stopped buying anything with their tarnished name on it. Sony can die in a fire.
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|Could not have said it better.
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|I can't say that I want to see Sony die. The nice thing is that as they keep their prices over-inflated, more honest manufacturers can produce better products and offer them lower price to lure consumers away from Sony.
So I say, live Sony live! keep those prices high so that I can get the same thing in a few months at least 10% cheaper ;-)
~dnc
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|Ummm..
"One model will allow for direct recording to three-inch DVD discs, while the other includes a 30GB hard drive permitting video storage and in-camcorder and PC editing."
I'm sure the format capacity of HD on a DVD would be answered in the marketing materials. Also, given that they are going to utilize the 3 inch DVDs, I'm sure that they will be able to hold at least an hour. Seems kind of dumb to release a HD DVD camcorder that could only record 5 minutes of video... lol
wait, this IS Sony we're talking about... make that 3 minutes of video per disc ;-)
~dnc
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|a tad confused why a dvd for the hd cams...why not logically a bd hd cam? Make one of those and I'd buy for 2k.
how many minutes of HD on a standard DVD...what format...etc etc, questions questions. Be cool if it was Windows HD. Then we could stuff an hour of HD on a 3incher...or use one of numerous Asian high def standards already out there.
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|Just a guess, because they don't have the drives available to make a BD camera yet. The format just launched, and there's this thing called the Playstation 3 launching soon...
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|What makes me laugh about this is that there are still shows on TV that can't seem to get HD cameras (most reality shows, which would look amazing in HD, don't film in HD because they claim it costs too much!).
Now, it seems they have no excuse, huh?
LOL @ cleaning the lens... I barely clean the lens to my camera, now I have to make sure I have a full HDTV rig? ;-)
~dnc
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|Reality shows? Amazing in HD?
Yeah, because I want to see normal people in HD. It's bad enough that some of the "beautiful" people on TV now don't always look so good in HD.
Personally, I think the primetime shows that are currently shot in HD are very appropriate.
And it's probably not just the cost of the cameras that prevents it, its also the extra cost of props and such - scenery, props, clothing.... etc all needs to be better when shot in HD.
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|LOL, good point on all counts... although, you have to admit, a show like "Treasue Hunters" might look kinda cool in HD. Besides, they don't need no stinkin' props on DiscoveryHD, right? ;-)
~dnc
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|[silly]Wow, had to read this! What are the chances..."Sony" and "affordable" in the same sentence? [/silly]
Actually, 1080i video camera's at under $1,500 seems reasonable considering the technology. The question is--will what you see be what you get? Better make sure that lens is squeaky clean too :D
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