Digital Trends - eCoustics.com

Home > Reviews > Digital Trends

Introduction

This new Panasonic is part of a wave of high-definition camcorders making their significant presence known. Why do I say “significant”? Well, friends, it’s the start of new era in home video making as standard definition takes a back seat to high-def as HDTV goes totally mainstream. Who in their right mind wants to view lesser quality home videos when sparkling 1080i images are readily available at their fingertips? We’re the first to admit this new camcorder wave is very expensive compared to models that cost 300 bucks. But standard definition Mini DV camcorders cost $3,500 when they arrived in 1995 so you know what’s going to happen. If you’re into saving memories—and most camcorder purchasers do it for just that reason—new baby, great vacation, the urge to create your own “Borat”—whatever, seriously think HD instead of SD.

Sony pioneered consumer high-def video—and is slowly bringing the price down. This trend will continue now that Canon and Panasonic have entered the field. Still figure spending at least a grand to play this game. That said the $1,499 Panasonic HDC-SD1 is amazing (due in March). It’s the first camcorder to record high-def to SD or SDHC memory cards—other models use tape and hard drives; and it uses the AVCHD codec like competing Sonys. Since there are barely any moving parts, the -SD1 is as compact and lightweight as can be. You really have to go to a store and handle it. You’ll be just as knocked as I was when I first used a prototype last December. Since this is a very high-end Panasonic, the camcorder uses three CCD chips to record HD video and has Mega O.I.S., the company’s phrase for optical image stabilization. Given all these features, I made myself a pain in Panasonic’s butt at the January Consumer Electronics Show in order to get one of the first production models. They delivered and now it’s my turn to deliver a review…

1 2 3 4 5 6 7| Next Page --»Print

Shopping Matches

Related Downloads

Yahoo Pool Buddy Ulead Photo Express Magic Match CyberLink PowerDVD Cool Beans NFO Creator
/* DT Reviews footer 300x250, created 9/11/08 */src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">/* DT Reviews footer 300x250, created 9/11/08 */src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">

Top Reviews by Category

Write a Review

Do you have an opinion on this product? Write your own review and let others know what you think!

Name: (required)

Email Address: (required)

Summary: (required)

Remember my information

Your Comments: (required)

Your Score:

if (typeof ord=='undefined') {ord=Math.random()*10000000000000000;}
if (typeof ord=='undefined') {ord=Math.random()*10000000000000000;}
if (typeof ord=='undefined') {ord=Math.random()*10000000000000000;}

User ReviewsMore User Reviews...

by Jkoch on October 16, 2007:

“Normally, one uses the SDHC cards only to shoot the video, and maybe for initial review, but not to save edited video.AVCHD content is best exported to Blu Ray or HD-DVD disks for long term preservation. Some new editing software also allows one to burn...” More...

by Jkoch on October 16, 2007:

“The reviewer writes: "In case you're wondering why this camcorder has a cooling fan and vents there's a reason it definitely got warm after a long period use but nothing that's a real botherit's just there."My observation, after 7 months: the motor noise...” More...

Reader FavoritesMore Reviews...

Samsung Highnote (SPH-M630) Review Blackberry Storm Review Nikon D700 Review Asus G50VT Review Slacker G2 (4GB) Review

Join the Facebook Club Follow on Twitter Join the Newsletter

Join our newsletter to keep up to date on the latest Digital Trends content like Videos, Reviews, News and more delivered directly to your email!

Plus, get early access to contests and specials from our partners. Join today!

Email Address:

Loading...

pageTracker._initData();pageTracker._trackPageview();