SimplyDV Camcorder News & Reviews

Canon upgrades its professional HDV line of camcorders

2008-11-05T10:32:00.011Z

Canon has today announced two new Canon HD video camcorders, the XH G1S and XH A1S, each of which is designed to add improvements to the two existing handheld, professional-quality HDV1080i camcorders that are the XH G1 and XH A1.

According to information provided to SimplyDV by Canon Europa, enhancements made over the previous models include a redesigned lens for more comfortable operation, enhanced audio features, and an expanded range of creative shooting options. These improvements, we're assured, have been developed and refined based on feedback from existing XH-series users.

Among the improvements to both the XH G1S and XH A1S, we can expect to see professional quality 1080i HD recording with selectable frame rates (50i/ 25F), a high resolution 1/3” 1.67 Megapixel 3CCD sensor system incorporating DIGIC DV II for high-speed HD image processing and a re-designed 20x HD Video Lens with separate Focus, Zoom and Iris rings allowing simultaneous three finger control.

Canon "L" Lens and Super Range OIS
The Canon HD 20x optical zoom 4.5-90mm (32.5-650mm 35mm equivalent) "L" lens incorporates a shift-type Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS), helping professionals who shoot handheld achieve reliably steady shots. L-series lenses are "constructed to the very highest standards, drawing on Canon’s experience as the world’s leading manufacturer of lenses for broadcast", the company informs us. Fluorite lens elements and Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) glass provide exceptional clarity, helping to combat chromatic aberrations. Two Neutral Density (ND) filters allow the iris to be opened fully, even in the brightest conditions. Multi-coating is designed to minimise ghosting and flare.

With three separate rings – offering simultaneous, independent control of Focus, Zoom and Iris – the lens offers enhanced operability. Lens ring operation can be modified to suit individual needs, with Focus Limit and Iris Limit being user-selectable. Four Focus Preset speeds are also available, activated via the Focus Preset button. Additionally, three Zoom Preset speeds allow the zoom rocker to be customised.

Improved Audio Options
Users are also promised expanded audio recording and playback options. These include independent limiters in manual mode, simultaneous use of built-in and XLR microphones and independent XLR sensitivity settings.

Users in PAL regions of the world can avail themselves of an optional upgrade to allow access to NTSC shooting modes (60i / 24F / 30F). XH G1S users have the benefit of studio connectivity in the form of HD-SDI output for uncompressed Full HD (1920x1080) video with 4:2:2 colour sampling and embedded audio, Gen lock in and Time code in/out for multi-camera shoots in a studio environment

The operation and layout of the exterior buttons have been altered on both the XH G1S and XH A1S , reducing the chance of accidental operation. Additional refinements include a redesigned belt grip, a tripod screw thread adaptor, improved viewfinder eyecup, and sturdier terminals (including a 6-pin Firewire connection).

Portability of user presets via memory card
Allowing shooting setups to be easily recreated, custom presets can be stored to SD/MMC memory cards and shared with other XL and XH series camcorders, such as the XL H1S, XL H1A (pictured right), XH G1 and XH A1.

Up to nine presets can be stored in-camera or, as an alternative designed to facilitate portability of data between units, high-capacity MMC or SDHC cards (4GB or more) are now supported as well.

To discuss this and other matters of a camcordery nature, visit the free SimplyDV Forums.

Panasonic's Imaging Road Show rolls out across the UK

2008-10-31T13:03:00.008Z

SimplyDV has been handed the full schedule for Panasonic UK's Imaging Road Show - and it all kicks off tomorrow (November 1st)! Every weekend between now and Christmas, two roadshow teams will be visiting major shopping malls as far apart as Southampton in the south to Aberdeen in the north.

Drawing upon the apparent success of a similar set of exhibitions through the Summer months at which shoppers got a chance to handle the company's latest digital camcorders - including the very latest High Definition models such as the award-winning HDC-SD9 AVCHD camcorder - in addition to a selection of Panasonic Lumix digital stills cameras, this latest tour will provide an opportunity to check out the company's latest HDR-SD100 and HDR-HS100 AVCHD camcorders as well as a chance to see and handle the company's new Lumix G1 Micro System cameras.

Note that two independent roadshow teams will be touring the country - one up north, the other down south - simultaneously. Here's the schedule:

Northern Team:

Nov 01, 02: Metro Centre, Newcastle
Nov 08, 09: Victoria Centre, Nottingham
Nov 15, 16: Westfield, Derby
Nov 22, 23: Meadowhall, Sheffield
Dec 06, 07: Braehead, Aberdeen
Dec 13, 14: Trafford Centre, Manchester
Dec 19, 20: Bullring Centre, Birmingham

Southern Team:

Nov 01, 02: Bluewater, Kent
Nov 08, 09: Whitgift, Croydon
Nov 15, 16: Think Photography, Birmingham
Nov 29, 30: Lakeside, Thurrock
Dec 06, 07: Oracle, Reading
Dec 13, 14: Westquay, Southampton

So, if you're curious to get your hands on the sort of stuff we've been rattling on about here at SimplyDV for ages, now's your chance.

Please note that the info published above is as provided to us by Panasonic UK. It may be subject to change so it's always a good idea to check with Panasonic first before setting out on any long journeys to play with the goodies on show.

Panasonic's tiny S7 snatches top reviews spot for October 2008

2008-10-31T09:18:00.012Z

In a surprise statistical turnaround, SimplyDV's review of the Panasonic SDR-S7 has attracted more page-views than any other camcorder featured on the site during the month of October 2008. Throughout the year to date, the company's ground-breaking and immensely popular HDC-SD9 has been the most popular review page on the site, but despite having been on the market since the Spring, the tiny, easy-to-use S7 now attracts the lion's share of visitors' attention. Quite why this has happened is anybody's guess.

Perhaps it has something to do with the so-called credit crunch, with people having less money to spend and therefore being forced to be more prudent with their choices, or perhaps consumers are getting more than a bit confused by all this high definition stuff, but whatever the reason it's clear that many of you are now looking for compactness, simplicity of design and value for money where digital video is concerned.

We're still not sure why the S7 has leapt to the top of the list as we approach the end of a year which has been dominated by high definition offerings from Panasonic, Canon and Sony, but if our site visitors are reading the review of the S7 in greater numbers one can only assume that this might translate into increased sales of this and equivalent standard definition models in favour of HD formats.

Here's the SimplyDV Top 5 most popular camcorder reviews for October 2008:

1. Panasonic SDR-S7 (MPEG2 Standard Definition; SDHC card)
2. Panasonic HDC-SD9 (AVCHD High Definition; SDHC card)
3. Canon HF100 (AVCHD High Definition; SDHC and Embedded Flash Memory)
4. Canon HF11 (AVCHD High Definition; SDHC and Embedded Flash Memory)
5. Sony HDR-TG3 (AVCHD High Definition; Memory Stick PRO Duo card)

In case you're wondering why Sony hasn't figured more strongly in our reviews page-views, it's partly due to the lack of availability of products for review by Sony UK over the last 12 months, and this has therefore led to there being fewer of the company's products being given the review treatment. However, this slight problem has now been resolved and you can be assured of seeing more attention being paid to Sony's camcorders in the coming months.

We should point out that our Top 5 list above is compiled on the simple basis of page-views received during the month - and is in no way representative of retail sales. We don't have access to that kind of information so if you're looking for it you'll have to pay a huge sum of money to a market research company like GfK!

Bet you can't wait to see who'll win the "SimplyDV Camcorder of the Year 2008" award, either! Last year it was won by the superb Canon HG10 AVCHD camcorder.

Watch this space....

Adobe Releases Creative Suite 4 Production Premium

2008-09-23T08:00:00.000+01:00

The new cross-platform video toolset delivers new technologies for creating searchable video content and includes native RED, P2, XDCAM, and AVCHD support

In keeping with the speculation that had surrrounded the latest significant update to its market-leading suite of creative software tools, Adobe has announced Adobe Creative Suite 4 Production Premium, its complete solution for the creation of video, audio, and interactive media—for delivery on‐air, online, and on device. Adobe Creative Suite 4 Production Premium offers improved levels of integration across major new releases of its video, audio, design, and Web tools, including Adobe After Effects CS4 Professional, Adobe Premiere Pro CS4, Adobe Encore CS4, Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended, Adobe Illustrator CS4, Adobe Flash CS4 Professional, Adobe Soundbooth CS4 and Adobe OnLocation CS4 — now redesigned to natively support Intel‐based Macs.

“With new tools for creating searchable video content in Adobe Creative Suite 4 Production Premium, we’re opening up incredible opportunities for media professionals of all kinds,” said John Loiacono, senior vice president of Creative Solutions at Adobe. “Imagine being able to create world‐class content, distribute it online, and precisely target rich‐media advertising based on the embedded metadata. These capabilities forge a new interactive media paradigm for distributing, differentiating, and monetising content in ways that were not possible until now.”

SimplyDV's Colin Barrett was one of a number of specially-invited press representatives to be given a sneak preview of all that CS4 has to offer in mid-August at the company's London offices. "It's a significant upgrade, to be sure, and I'm impressed at what I've seen" he commented. "Of all the new features, however, the one thing I'm particularly enthused about it the inclusion of native AVCHD support right across the whole Production Premium Suite - and that of course includes Premiere Pro CS4".

"Rapidly Create More Valuable Content for Online Delivery"
Adobe Creative Suite 4 Production Premium is claimed to offer unique features for professional production. Powerful new Speech Search in Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 and Adobe Soundbooth CS4 uses spoken dialogue to make video searchable, significantly reducing the time spent searching for clips and creating rough cuts, and makes content searchable when delivered online. With deep XMP metadata support, the production workflow is simplified, resulting in online content that gives viewers new ways to interact with and search for video, while giving content owners new opportunities to track and monetise content. In addition, After Effects CS4 has enhanced support for Adobe Flash CS4 workflows providing new, powerful paths for creating compelling interactive content.

"Get Closer to the Lens with Efficient Direct to Disk and Tapeless Workflows"
With Adobe Creative Suite 4 Production Premium, Adobe has set out to strengthen its support for film and broadcast production, as well as extending its industry leadership in supporting tapeless, cross‐platform workflows.

Editors can work natively with RED, P2, XDCAM, and AVCHD without transcoding or rewrapping, giving them one of the fastest possible workflows to see what the camera captured without loss of fidelity. Adobe OnLocation CS4 enables the capture of DV, HDV and DVCPROHD footage directly to disk and offers powerful on‐set clip annotation and metadata editing, then couples with Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 for a streamlined editorial workflow. For final output, Adobe Creative Suite 4 has powerful workflows for large and small screens, efficiently exporting to film, DVD, Web DVD, Blu‐ray disc, the Web, and mobile devices.

Creative Suite 4 "Expands the Creative Workflow"
The Adobe Creative Suite 4 product line, which includes Adobe Creative Suite Design editions, Adobe Creative Suite Web editions, Adobe Creative Suite Production Premium and Adobe Creative Suite 4 Master Collection, offers access to online services to creative professionals and developers who work and collaborate online. Adobe ConnectNow, a service of Acrobat.com, can be accessed from InDesign CS4, Illustrator CS4, Photoshop CS4 Extended, Flash CS4 Professional, Dreamweaver CS4, Fireworks CS4, and Acrobat 9 Pro, allowing real‐time collaboration with two colleagues or clients. Designers can also share colour harmonies with Adobe Kuler, which is now accessible from within InDesign CS4, Illustrator CS4, Photoshop CS4, Flash CS4 and Fireworks CS4. Other online resources include: Adobe Community Help for technical questions; Resource Central for accessing video and audio product‐related news and tutorials, as well as Soundbooth scores, sound effects, and other stock media; and Adobe Bridge Home, a customisable resource for tips, tutorials, news and inspirational content. With a searchable library of more than 450 dynamically updated device profiles from leading manufacturers, Adobe Device Central CS4 enables users to easily test mobile content designed using many of the Creative Suite 4 products.

UK Pricing and Availability
Adobe Creative Suite 4 Production Premium for Mac OS X on Intel‐based systems and for Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista platforms is scheduled to ship in October 2008 with availability through Adobe Authorised Resellers and the Adobe Store at http://www.adobe.co.uk/store. Estimated street price for the Adobe Creative Suite 4 Production Premium edition is £1409. Prices for upgrading to Creative Suite 4 Production Premium start from £515.

For more detailed information about features, upgrade policies, pricing, and international versions see http://www.adobe.co.uk/creativesuite.

To discuss Adobe Creative Suite 4 and other related matters, check out the SimplyDV Forums. They're free to join and ever freer to use!

Canon's Vixia HF11 steps into the limelight

2008-09-17T15:31:00.009+01:00

It's been hanging around the SimplyDV editorial office for quite a few weeks and has been subjected to a fair bit of handling by various people curious to see what all the fuss is about. Now that it has been returned to Canon we thought it about time we shared our thoughts on this remarkable new high definition camcorder.

The Canon HF11, which is known as the Vixia HF11 outside Europe for reasons best known to those nice people at Canon, is quite a revolutionary new camcorder in that it offers not only totally solid-state video recording and playback but also incorporates a built-in flash memory whose capacity is a whopping 32GB (gigabytes). That's currently as much as you can get on a memory chip and offers a staggering 12 hours of full-specification, 1920x1080 pixels, high definition recording of the kind that will look fabulous on the very latest HD television displays.

Other juicy features include a slot for SDHC (high capacity SD) cards, enabling users to back up the full contents of the internal memory to an equivalent-sized Class 4 or Class 6 SDHC card; it has the facility to plug in an external microphone and also a headphone socket for monitoring whilst recording.

Well, we won't go on. Instead, why not have a look at the latest in-depth review to be made available here on SimplyDV and get the low-down on this amazing new model.

The one question on many people's lips is "Is it better than the Panasonic HDC-SD100?". That's for you decide; both reviews are now available to read so you can come to your own conclusion.

Link: SimplyDV Review of the Canon Vixia HF11 AVCHD Camcorder

And, don't forget, there's an opportunity to discuss this and other matters of a camcordery nature over on our splendid (and free) SimplyDV Forums. See you there.

Main Image: Nigel Cooper at www.dvuser.co.uk. Used by permission.

Corel premieres VideoStudio Pro X2 video editing software family

2008-09-09T15:04:00.005+01:00

Corel has now announced its update to the popular VideoStudio video editing software (formerly Ulead VideoStudio) and is designed to make it easy for people to create and share their digital stories in High Definition.

As you'd expect, the suite of software programs provides support for the import and editing of high definition AVCHD camcorders in addition to Blu-ray disc sources.

HD and SD support
The company, which took over software brand Ulead some time ago, now brings us Corel VideoStudio Pro X2 Ultimate and Corel VideoStudio Pro X2, and has told SimplyDV that both of these new products are intended to attract the growing number of home video enthusiasts looking to shape and share their high definition camcorder footage as well as clips recorded in traditional standard definition formats line MiniDV and DVD.

Described by the company as being the complete digital media solution, the Ultimate version of VideoStudio Pro X2 is an all-in-one solution containing four powerful applications with everything users need to create professional-looking videos, slideshows and DVDs. In addition to the new VideoStudio Pro X2 video editing software, it includes:

Corel WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray – Top of the Corel WinDVD 9 range, the world’s number one DVD and video playback software. Plays AVCHD and Blu-ray discs with advanced menus and even upscales standard DVDs to near HD quality

Corel DVD Copy 6 Plus – Copy and convert discs and video. Supports converting directly for the web or mobile devices like iPhone™, PSP and iPod.

Steinberg WaveLab LE 6 – Edit and enhance audio quickly and easily with this fast and streamlined professional quality audio editor and mastering application.

According the the company, UK/ROI pricing is likely to be £79 / €129 for Corel VideoStudio Pro X2 Ultimate and £59 / €89 for Corel VideoStudio Pro X2. Users of Ulead Video Studio version 6 and above will have a reduced upgrade price option.

Read the complete story in this special SimplyDV Bulletin Board post.

CB/090808

Panasonic's HDC-SD100 AVCHD camcorder reviewed - all the features you could want in an HD camcorder? Well, maybe.

2008-09-02T01:52:00.013+01:00

As regular visitors to SimplyDV will know, we've been playing around with the very latest AVCHD high definition camcorders here at SimplyDV towers for some time now. The problem is that while we've been having fun with all these new goodies, the camcorder makers now feel that others should have the opportunity to see them and even write reviews about them too. Life just isn't fair.

In the case of the Panasonic HDC-SD100 and its sister product, the HDC-HS100, we were first in the UK to tell you about two new models that appear to be the result of a company having been listening to its critics and improving design and all-round functionality in some considerable measure.

And so it was with these two new HD camcorders from Panasonic. Both the new Autumn 2008 models are noteworthy in that they include not only a colour viewfinder but also an external microphone input, switchable AV/headphone output, a manual focus ring along with other manual controls in addition to many features found on other popular models such as the HDC-SD9.

That's not all. Panasonic - a long-time manufacturer of the CCD imaging chips used to convert light from the lens into electronic impulses - has now switched to using three MOS image sensors ("3MOS") to generate full resolution 1920 x 1080 high definition video and stills images in these models. Whether they'll extend this to all new HD models in the future is anybody's guess, even if it's a fair bet they will.

With this new camcorder you'll get Panasonic's own superb Advanced Optical Image Stabilisation, Pre-rec recording, Face Detection and great all-round digital connectivity. You also get really good handling and ergonomics. Basically, it feels like a proper camcorder.

So, is this quite simply the best Panasonic camcorder SimplyDV has ever come into contact with? That's too early to say, but it does have one or two little niggles. However, you can read the review for yourself right now and don't forget that you can discuss this and any other matters of a camcordery nature over on our free and fabulous SimplyDV Forums right this minute!

More: SimplyDV review of the Panasonic HDC-SD100 3MOS AVCHD camcorder

At last! Support for AVCHD high definition in Adobe's Premiere Elements 7

2008-08-26T12:01:00.009+01:00

Well, we here at SimplyDV had been speculating this for some time and now it's official: Adobe's new version 7 of its immensely popular Premiere Elements software now offers support for camcorders that record using the AVCHD high definition video format.

Available for Windows only (at the moment - with no hint of a Mac version yet on the horizon), this major upgrade to what Adobe is claiming to be the world's best-selling consumer video-editing software features easy to use movie making options so users can create compelling stories in minutes, while also offering opportunities to grow and stretch their editing abilities.

Alongside the announcement about Premiere Elements (whose identity leaps to "7" in order to bring it in sync with Photoshop, which had always been two versions ahead), Adobe today announced its Photoshop Elements 7 software, its complete photo-editing solution. If you're familiar with either Premiere Elements or its Photoshop sister product, you'll know that each of these is effectively a cut-down, easier to use, versions of their bigger professional-grade Premiere Pro and Photoshop CS3 tools - and a lot cheaper too!

Available separately or together in a single retail package, the Adobe Photoshop Elements & Adobe Premiere Elements bundle is intended to give photo and video enthusiasts everything they need to get started with digital video and image editing, in addition to providing built-in wizards and tools designed to make it a lot less daunting for the complete beginner.

Premiere Elements, in particular, is particularly popular with members of the SimplyDV Forums and there's no doubt they'll be keen to discuss the merits of the new package right this minute.

“With the explosion of video on social networking and sharing sites, it should be quick, easy and effortless to transform raw video into polished movies worth showing off via YouTube or your own Web site,” said Doug Mack, vice president and general manager of Consumer and Hosted Solutions at Adobe. “Premiere Elements 7 gives users Hollywood techniques to do just that, with virtually no effort required.”

Transform Video Clips into Movies in Minutes
According to Adobe's press information Adobe Premiere Elements 7 "allows users to produce their own blockbuster with no experience required". It goes on to tell us that the software intelligently analyses each movie clip (including those in the newly-supported AVCHD format) for quality, number of faces, sound and more. It then applies Smart Tags so users can quickly find the best clips in seconds. InstantMovie creates professional-looking movies with a simple drag and drop of a theme onto a series of video clips. It adds a package of music, titles and transitions based on a theme such as birthday, wedding or extreme sports.

With new Videomerge, users can exercise their imagination by creating videos that make it appear as if they’re performing on stage at a concert, standing in front of a popular tourist attraction or walking on the moon. Videomerge allows users to easily create a “green screen” effect and automatically place themselves within the scene, without requiring any prior video editing skills or knowledge.

Users can display their finished movies on high-quality DVD or high-definition Blu-ray Disc, on any screen from a mobile phone to an HD flat screen TV, or upload directly to YouTube from within Premiere Elements.

Pricing and Availability in the UK
Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 and Adobe Premiere Elements 7 for Windows will be available in local retail outlets in October 2008. Consumers can pre-order the products at www.adobe.com and www.amazon.com. The products will be available separately for £65 ex Vat. Photoshop Elements 7 & Premiere Elements 7 bundle also will be available for £95 ex Vat.

Discuss this over on our forums right now.

Three new 24Mbps AVCHD high definition camcorders from Canon - the flagship HF11 plus HG20 and HG21

2008-08-07T14:01:00.005+01:00

It's that time of year when announcements about new products come in thick and fast, and it's now Canon's turn to grab the limelight with three new AVCHD camcorders designed to expand an already impressive high definition range. The most notable feature that's shared by all models is the ability to write and read digital data at 24Mbps, the maximum that the AVCHD specification can support. This compares to a data-rate of 17 or 18Mbps as used by comparable competing models.

First off, the new HF11 (pictured right) is set to complement the excellent solid-state HF10 and HF100 models and, as such, becomes the company's AVCHD flagship model. Offering a choice of recording either to 32GB internal flash memory or to removable SDHC memory cards, the camcorder has been given a large single 1/3.2" CMOS image sensor which offers a maximum 3.31 megapixels resolution. Its lens provides an optical zoom of 12:1 together with Super Optical Image Stabilisation and DIGICDV II electronic processing. However, the really big news is that it uses the maximum AVCHD-spec data rate of 24Mbps to write and read full 1920 x 1080/25P HD clips to their respective media.

A full range of connecting options includes Microphone input, Headphone output, AV out, HDMI, Component out, etc., meaning that it will be attractive to the more serious users among us in addition to home users looking for stunning HD quality to show on their HDTV displays.

HG20 and HG21 - two new hybrid HDD/SDHC card AVCHD models

Joining the excellent Canon HG10 (which itself garnered the SimplyDV "Camcorder of the Year 2007" Award) in the company's Hybrid AVCHD range, the HG20 and HG21 are two new AVCHD high definition camcorders that record movies to high-capacity internal hard disc drives in addition to SDHC (high capacity SD) cards and feature 1/3.2" CMOS image sensors ofering a total of 3.31 Megapixels resolution and 12x optical zoom ratio. The HG20 (pictured below) offers 60GB capacity – enough for over 22 hours of movies – while the HG21 doubles available space to 120GB. In addition, both camcorders feature a new MXP recording mode – offering a maximum data rate of 24Mbps, the highest possible under the AVCHD format – as well as Canon’s Dual Recording system: the ability to record to internal hard drive or easy to share, removable SDHC card media.

Canon HG20 AVCHD Camcorder

Both the HG20 and HG21 capture and record AVCHD video in 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution. With five recording quality settings – MXP, FXP, XP, SP and LP – both models offer an increased maximum average data rate of 24Mbps; this is the highest available in an AVCHD camcorder. Even at this highest quality setting, 11 hours of HD movies can be stored to the HG21’s HDD. And, guess what? These two models also offer Microphone inputs and Headphone outputs. The camcorder makers really have been listening!

Canon HG21 AVCHD Camcorder

All Canon's AVCHD camcorders come with new Pixela ImageMixer 3 SE software which is designed to make managing, editing and sharing HD videos easier. Video files can be down-converted to make them suitable for playback on a range of devices: including the internet, iPod or DVD. New features include the ability to burn movies to Blu-ray discs (a single Dual Layer Blu-ray disc can hold up to 50GB of information).

The new models should be available to buy from early September 2008.

You have questions to ask about the HF11 to ask? Chat about it in this forum.

Alternatively, see this thread to discuss the new Canon HG20 and HG21 or other matters of a camcordery nature.

World's first 3MOS cams from Panasonic - HDC-SD100 and HDC-HS100 AVCHD

2008-07-21T16:02:00.003+01:00

After a false start exactly a month ago in which information was inadvertently released to the US market, Panasonic has now made it official - the world's first HD camcorders to use 3MOS technology are on their way in the form of the HDC-SD100 and the HDC-HS100 AVCHD camcorders.

European journalists were given a sneak preview of these models in Monaco during mid-July and SimplyDV was, of course, represented! We've had a good play with these two models and we're impressed!

The SD100 and HS100 both boast the 3MOS system, newly developed by Panasonic based on its long-established and popular 3CCD image sensor technology. The three MOS sensors process the red, green, and blue components of incoming light separately, so colour reproduction is superb. These sensors also have about double the light-receiving area of CCD sensors, we're told, so image quality when shooting in low light is much higher. In addition, both models take advantage of iA (intelligent Auto) functions, making both the SD100 and HS100 much easier for users to capture fault-free HD video every time.

Of particular importance to SimplyDV readers will be the fact that both models now incorporate the kind of features that we've been requesting for some considerable time; Panasonic has now included a large manual focus ring, easier access to manual/auto switching modes, a dedicated headphone output and - yes! - an external microphone input. Things are looking up, folks.

Whilst the SD100 offers recording to HDSC memory cards only (with new 6GB and 12GB Class 4 cards soon to be available), the HS100 also contains a 60GB Hard Disc Drive and offers the ability to copy movie clips and still JPG images between the two. We needed to do this over at the press launch and can report that it works very well when seated on the steps of the Casino de Monte Carlo!

Other features previously seen on the SD9 and HS9 are there, too, such as Face Detection, Pre-Rec and 1.9 seconds fast start mode (SD100 only). 25P digital cinema (Progressive Scan) mode shooting is also available (in Europe).

Both camcorders come bundled with the latest version of HD Writer (version 2.6) which enables Windows PC users to import, edit and share their movies onto DVD disc. Needless to say, the SimplyDV Towers' Apple Macs have been busy editing footage shot with these products and can report that all works well in that camp.

For more detailed information and images of these two new models, see the new SimplyDV Forums Thread on this much-anticipated announcement right now.

New Panasonic 6GB and 12GB SDHC cards "ideal for HD video"

2008-07-21T16:01:00.001+01:00

Panasonic has unveiled two new high capacity SDHC cards in 6GB and 12GB storage capacities, which are capable of recording 90 minutes and 180 minutes of 1920x1080 Full HD content, in the company's line of AVCHD camcorders respectively. The new cards, RP-SDM06G (6GB) and RP-SDM12G (12GB) record with Class 4 specification.

When used with Panasonic’s newly-introduced HDC-SD100 High Definition camcorder )see separate SimplyDV news story), the new SDHC Memory Cards can record 90min (6GB) or and (12GB) of 1920 x 1080 Full HD video, while in HX mode (9Mbps). Users can also select other HD recording modes from HE (6Mbps) to HA (17Mbps), the recording time varies according to the modes chosen. With HE mode, users can enjoy up to 135min (6GB) or 270min(12GB) of 1440x 1080 High Definition video recording. The cards can also be used for standard definition video recording.

Beyond its high-performance capabilities when paired with HD camcorders, the new Panasonic SDHC Memory Cards are designed to be resistant to bending and twisting, protecting important data stored on the card. Also, since the cards employ industrial-grade flash memory, they are claimed by their maker to be extremely reliable even under severe temperature conditions. They can function in temperatures ranging from -25°C - 85°C, thus assuring consistent performance even when used in extreme cold or hot environments. In addition, the cards preserve data, even when power is turned off during access.

The RP-SDM06G (6GB) and RP-SDM12G (12GB) SDHC Memory Cards also incorporate new memo-labels, allowing users to write directly on the front of the card, making it easy to organize and file according to content. Panasonic has now printed the approximate recording time for each mode on the packaging in order so that users easily choose most suitable card or modes for their video shooting.

The cards, we're assured by Panasonic Europe, will be available in late August 2008.

Pick your flavour with JVC's GZ-MG330 30GB HDD range!

2008-07-19T14:15:00.004+01:00

As you'd expect, all the major camcorder brands have been pitching up new models ahead of the summer 2008 vacation period in the hope of grabbing your money as you seek out the most appropriate model to take with you. Current fashion dictates that whatever you buy will be easy to use, portable enough to fit in a pocket and ideally offer unfussy recording to flash memory cards or internal hard disc drives.

Well, JVC has come up with a range of camcorders that seek to offer you just this. The company's well-established Everio range of hard disc drive models are joined by the GZ-MG330 which not only comes in a choice of four delicious new flavours but offers the choice of hard disc or MicroSD memory card recording as well. That means no faffing around with tapes or even awkward DVD discs when you're on the beach or trekking the Himalayas. What could be better?

We gave SimplyDV guest reviewer Anton Grech the task of assessing this new model from the viewpoint of the complete digital video novice. Not an easy task for someone who likes big buttons to press and knobs to twiddle, but he fronted up to the task admirably.

Read Anton's review of the JVC Everio GZ-MG330 right here.

JVC Everio GZ-MS100: Quality not great - but good enough for YouTube?

2008-07-16T16:05:00.004+01:00

We've had a chance to have a play with JVC's new baby-sized Everio GZ-MS100 camcorder that records to solid-state SD memory cards and which is aimed fairly and squarely at those wishing to shoot the kind of video clips that will end up on YouTube rather than some fancy DVD.

It's very easy to use in fully Auto mode, and as well as having the convenience of shooting to SD or high capacity SDHC cards it makes uploading to YouTube a doddle thanks to a single button that manages all this via your Windows XP or Vista computer.

All said and done, it's a natty little device that will amuse and satisfy lots of YouTube users, no doubt, but given that its quality really isn't up to that of its competitors what does really say about the expectations of your average YouTuber? With YouTube's render-farm Flash encoding being so bad, have they simply given up or are we being too finicky?

Read Megan Rogers' review of the JVC Everio GZ-MS100 right here.

Everio GZ-HD40: The best camcorder yet from JVC?

2008-07-16T00:18:00.010+01:00

Whilst the other major brands have been throwing new AVCHD camcorders at us like confetti, JVC has been quietly developing a new Hybrid model that records not only high definition (in the form of full specification AVCHD) but also MPEG-2 TS standard definition video. More importantly, it offers users a choice of recording to its whopping 120GB hard disc drive or to optional MicroSD memory cards, too.

And if that's not enough, the company has gone and included an external microphone input socket and a dedicated headphone output as well as a host of other features and functions.

We reported on the announcement of this model - one of a group of three new such hybrid products from JVC - a few blog posts back, but now you can read our exclusive in-depth review of a camcorder that really does rank up there with the best of them and which we really like. So, it begs the very unlikely question: could the GZ-HD40 be the best consumer camcorder that JVC has ever produced? Now there's one to ponder!

Read the JVC Everio GZ-HD40 review here

Sony HDR-SR12 reviewed: Lovely high definition pictures and sound, but no Progressive Mode?

2008-06-27T16:35:00.004+01:00

After a lengthy period of being off the Sony radar, so to speak, it seems that the company really does want us to take a closer look at the latest camcorder offerings. That's something we're happy to do - especially when the latest offerings come in the shape of the marvellous new HDR-SR12 AVCHD camcorder.

Like its sibling, the HDR-SR11, this sturdy, fully featured HD camcorder appears to be up for anything you ask it to do. Not only does it offer a full range of connections that includes HDMI and USB 2.0 but also sports a external microphone input and dedicated headphone output. The latter two are enough to score serious SimplyDV brownie points alone, but even then it has lots more to commend it.

Read our exclusive review of the full high definition camcorder that offers a choice of either HD recording to its built-in 120GB hard disc drive or to an optional Memory Stick PRO Duo flash memory card. As you'll see from our new review, we like it in almost every respect - except that it doesn't offer recording in Progressive Scan mode - all it offers is the basic 1920 x 1080/50i mode in addition to MPEG2 standard definition recoding.

Why no progressive mode at a time when the company's competitors all offer this? Answers on a postcard!

Read the review here

Meanwhile, you can chat about this and other matters of a camcordery nature over on our SimplyDV Forums. They're free!

Raising a smile? Sony's new HDR-CX11 AVCHD camcorder

2008-06-23T14:43:00.007+01:00

Sony has announced what it proudly boasts to be the world's first ever camcorder to feature Smile Shutter, a new and apparently unique technology that automatically captures crisp 7.6 megapixel photos when someone smiles in the frame as you're recording.

This latest addition to the Sony Handycam range offers a Dual Capture mode which enables people's smiles to be grabbed and saved to Memory Stick PRO Duo card whilst full specification, 1920 x 1080 pixels, high definition video is being recorded. Switching Smile Shutter to Always On makes it possible to grab photos whilst you're in Record Standby, irrespective of whether you've selected video or stills recording mode. So, according to Sony, there's no chance of your missing that winning smile between takes. The feature can, we're assured, be adjusted to recognise anything from a gentle smile to a beaming grin. Priority can also be set to recognise children's or adult's faces, too.

And there's more. Smile Shutter is teamed up with Face Detection (a feature we're seeing on more and more consumer HD models lately) to automatically fine-tune focus, exposure and colour balance, too.

Low noise ClearVid CMOS sensor for "stunning high resolution" images
The CX11 employs a ClearVid CMOS image sensor with Exmor-derived technology to record up to 85 minutes of AVCHD video at highest quality to the supplied 4MB Memory Stick PRO Duo card or 16GB in optional LP mode. It sports a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 12x optical zoom (150x digital) lens with Optical Steadyshot image stablisation and is powered by a BIONZ processor with D-range Optimiser technology designed to automatically adjust exposure and contrast in such a way as to maximise shadows and to highlight detail in high-contrast scenes. In stills mode, you can achieve picture resolutions of up to 10.2 megapixels.

Other features include a 5.1 Channel Surround sound microphone, zoom microphone and a 2.7-inch Clear Photo wide touch-panel LCD screen which is claimed by Sony to make life even easier when viewing in bright sunlight.

High definition playback can be achieved with an optional HDMI cable or, for users of Sony's Bravia HDTVs, Bravia Sync which allows the use of a single remote control for everything. Users of Sony's Playstation 3 can, if they wish, plug the Memory Stick PRO Duo card into the console for immediate playback of HD movie clips.

We'll have more info and a full review of the Sony HDR-CX11 as it becomes available to us. It is aimed to be in shops during August 2008.

Don't forget! You can discuss the Sony HDR-CX11 and other matters of a camcordery nature over on the SimplyDV Forums right now!

JVC adds AVCHD to its line-up with three new hard disc models

2008-06-16T18:13:00.010+01:00

JVC has just announced the addition of three new Everio high definition camcorders and a new Sharestation USB DVD burner to its 2008 line-up. The top two models in the range, the GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30, are claimed by JVC to be the world’s first AVCHD / MPEG-2 dual-format camcorders which are designed to give users access to the "superior long time compression afforded by AVCHD" in addition to the popular MPEG-2 format as used by many of the models in the company's range of standard definition Everio G hard-disc camcorders.

Both the GZ-HD40 and the GZ-HD30 offer 1920x1080 "Full HD" recording in both formats to a 120GB (GZ-HD40) or 80GB (GZ-HD30) internal hard disk drive. The third new model, the GZ-HD10, offers 1440x1080 recording to a 40GB hard drive in the AVCHD format only.

The new models use CMOS imaging chips with interpolation technology in the form of the HD Gigabrid Duo chip that includes codecs for AVCHD in all camcorders and MPEG-2 in the GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30. Also employed is noise reduction technology, and 1920x1080/50P output for all camcorders via HDMI.

"World's smallest Full HD" camcorder - GZ-HD30
With the GZ-HD30, JVC is targeting the needs of a broader segment of people who shoot video, including family users. More compact than the GZ-HD40, it offers all of the performance and nearly all of the features of that model, except it has a slim 80GB internal hard disk for a maximum 33 hours of Full HD recording, and does not come with a docking station. As of June 2008, it is the world’s smallest Full HD camcorder with 1.8” HDD (according to JVC, we should add).

JVC has provided the GZ-HD40 with a 120GB hard disk drive for up to 50 hours of AVCHD Full HD video recording, and a docking station with the requirements of the prosumer or high-end enthusiast in mind. The small sized HD Everio GZ-HD10 has been given a high quality Konica Minolta HD lens and a 40GB hard disc designed to provide up to 16 hours of high-definition recording. The GZ-HD10’s 1440x1080 AVCHD recordings are also up-converted for playback at 1920x1080/50P via HDMI.

Easy DVD creation with Sharestation
All three of the new HD Everio camcorders can connect to the optionally available CU-VD50 Everio Share Station with stand-alone playback. The new HD Everios can also connect to the JVC CU-VD3 Share Station to offer an even more cost-efficient archiving and playback solution. The combinations offer the world’s first PC-less solution for AVCHD and MPEG-2 burning and playback, with AVCHD DVD discs that can be shared with commonly available AVCHD compatible/Blu-Ray players.

1920x1080 Full HD Recording
The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 both have three AVCHD recording modes that all record Full HD 1920x1080 video. The only difference among modes is the bit rate, and while using the highest bit rate yields the highest quality results, the image quality is remarkable even using the lowest bit rate EP mode. And since, we're assured, 1920x1080 is truly native HDTV resolution, it requires no conversion on the part of the display device to show high definition images.

The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 also have the FHD mode for recording Full HD 1920 x 1080 MPEG-2 Transport Stream video with MPEG-1 Layer 2 audio. The GZ-HD10, however, records solely in the AVCHD format at a resolution of 1440x1080 pixels.

All three models will be available in the UK in August, a JVC UK spokesman has told SimplyDV.

We'll be reviewing these models very soon, so watch this space. Meanwhile, to discuss this story and other matters of a camcordery nature, don't forget the SimplyDV forums. They're free!

"Easier and faster video editing" from the new Pinnacle Studio 12

2008-06-14T13:19:00.002+01:00

As expected, Pinnacle Systems has unveiled version 12 of Pinnacle Studio, its market-leading consumer video editing software. The new version includes Pinnacle Montage - a high-end compositing and animation effects tool. With more than 25 new features, Studio 12 is claimed by Pinnacle to include many new capabilities requested by users. More titles, DVD menus and templates have been added as well as new professional audio and video controls and a complete HD workflow with Blu-ray authoring in certain versions of the software package.

The Studio 12 family consists of three "affordably priced" versions to meet the needs of consumers whose digital video-making skills range from novice to dedicated video enthusiast. In addition to Pinnacle Studio, the basic version, Pinnacle offers Studio Plus and Studio Ultimate with more advanced audio and video tools, including a complete HD workflow.

According to Pinnacle, beta users of Studio 12 have concluded that the new photo and video Pinnacle Montage feature alone makes the upgrade from previous versions of the software worthwhile. Designed to make it easy to achieve high-end results with multiple video layers, animated text and graphics, the Pinnacle Montage feature includes more than 11 pre-defined themes with over 80 single templates. In addition, all Pinnacle Studio 12 products now offer marker tools for the timeline. Format compatibility has also been expanded to include photo import in Photoshop’s native PSD format and the GIF format. With the new export options, users can create MP3, Flash Video, WAV and 3GP files or upload files direct to YouTube.

Addressing the features most requested by customers, Pinnacle has incorporated advanced capabilities for audio, with numerical audio volume, master volume controls, a timeline VU meter and peak indicators. New convenience features include the ability to reference images in the album and direct crop control to automatically remove black bars of a video or image. The new version also offers improved effects performance on lower-end PCs, advanced 2D editing, the ability to rotate effects and new content for titles and DVD menus.

Among the first to offer native HDV and AVCHD editing software, Pinnacle Systems Studio Plus and Ultimate now includes new Blu-ray disc burning capabilities in BD-MV with motion menus. AVCHD 1920 and support for various HD camcorder types including JVC full HD, Canon Vixia, Sanyo Xacti have also been added.

Designed for the most serious video enthusiasts, Pinnacle Studio Ultimate version 12 also includes a green sheet for Chroma keying effects and integrates a three of the industry’s most highly acclaimed professional video tools:

ProDAD Vitascene – a complete library of highly customizable transitions and lighting effects. The effects include film looks, blurs, glows, sparkles, and glass effects. Transitions include film effects, ripples, wipes, sparkle and starburst dissolves, and many others.

Red Giant Software Magic Bullet Looks – a powerful tool for adjusting tone, color and focus to simulate the appearance of classic films or specific production conditions. Offers more than 100 simple-to-apply presets to match common looks found in television programs, commercials, and motion pictures.

Boris Graffiti – the 2D/3D vector title animation plug-in that includes text on a path, jitter, randomization, independent vector text, advanced type-on title animation and automated rolls, crawls, fades and zooms. Comes with hundreds of presets to streamline title creation.

We'll be reviewing Pinnacle Studio version 12 Ultimate as soon as we can. Meanwhile, check out the Pinnacle Website for more information.

Canon FS100 let down by low-light performance? Read the review.

2008-06-13T19:18:00.006+01:00

With all the attention being lavished upon the new generation of high definition camcorders of late you'd be forgiven for assuming that standard definition formats really were on their last legs. To some extent that might be true, but Canon is one company that is still keeping the flag flying for products that don't carry the HD label - for the time being at least.

However, if you're going to release a standard definition camcorder in these difficult times you'd better make sure that it produces darned good pictures and sounds at a competitive price. Canon does, of course, have a reputation for great quality - but has it lapsed a little with its new totally solid-state, SDHC card recording, FS100 SD-Video camcorder? We like the style, it handles beautifully, but are the images it produces in low light up to the mark? That's what bothers us.

Read the best in-depth and exclusive review of the Canon FS100 SD Video Camcorder right here and see what we think.

At last - an Apple fix for Panasonic HDC-SD9/HS9 AVCHD compatibility!

2008-06-10T14:32:00.003+01:00

At long last, it appears that Apple has incorporated a patch to enable users of Panasonic's HDC-SD9 and HS9 AVCHD camcorders to import and edit their clips in either iMovie '08, Final Cut Express 4.5 and Final Cut Pro 6. And about time too!

According to some users who have contacted SimplyDV, the Quicktime 7.5 update (released just after Apple's announcement about the iPhone 2, its MobileMe re-branding of its .Mac online services package and its cut-down OSX Snow Leopard operating system) has apparently sneaked in under the radar and has gone relatively un-noticed.

For quite some time now, owners of Panasonic's HDC-SD9 AVCHD camcorder found that they simply could not import and edit their high definition video clips in their Apple Mac computers, no matter how much they tried. Although this problem hasn't affected users of AVCHD cams from either Sony or Canon, it's been one about which Apple has been particularly cagey. Unfortunately, Panasonic's own product engineers have been powerless to do anything about it too; Apple did something to Quicktime and it then couldn't handle SD9 or HS9 files. Very odd - because in our original SD9 review we managed to import and edit AVCHD-originated clips without a problem.

We can't test the update for ourselves because there's no SD9 to hand, but if you've had first hand experiences of the update patch then please let us know over in this forum thread. Thanks!

Pinnacle Studio 12 ready to ship on June 10

2008-05-31T10:41:00.007+01:00

Pinnacle has emailed existing owners of its Studio range of video editing products with a pre-order offer to upgrade to Pinnacle Studio 12, to be shipped on June 10th, 2008 if rumours are correct. A glimpse at Pinnacle's homepage indicates that the product is available for purchase. By all accounts, the latest addition to the long-running family of beginner-friendly video editing products comes with some "exclusive" new features.

These include Montage - a new feature designed to enable users to "enjoy multi-track power without the complexity". It consists of a massive number of pre-built templates designed by professionals products and artists and which automatically generates all the necessary titles, effects and animations. It's a bit like the way Apple's iWeb works, but with a few more embellishments. It also enables users to mix a whole range of media - everything from Photos, Video, Music, etc. - to produce what Pinnacle describes as a "Hollywood-like Movie". Hmm.

Other features include Boris Graffiti (title & graphic animation), Magic Bullet Looks (Pro film styles) and proDAD VitaScene (lighting, glows & more). It appears that Pinnacle has given the Studio 12 interface a new look to accomodate the new features, too.

If you're intending to make the most of your High Definition camcorder clips (and perhaps burn completed projects to Blu-ray disc) you'll be interested to learn that Studio 12 now provides for the complete HD workflow; Pinnacle Studio Plus works natively with HDV and AVCHD footage. According to Pinnacle, native HD support means you’ll get the same quality from your original source all the way to final output – without transcoding and in real-time. It's also possible to combine projects that mix standard and high definition video and photos for a final result in full HD resolution.

Just as important is the ability to burn your movies onto DVD and HD DVD format discs using standard DVD media, in addition to being able to natively author Blu-ray format discs with full motion menus. We're told that Studio 12 enable users to make AVCHD format discs on standard DVDs to play on Blu-ray players.

That's as much as we know at the moment. We'll publish a full news story on this and bring you a first impressions review as soon as we're able.

Pinnacle Video Capture for Mac tested

2008-05-23T12:06:00.007+01:00

If you're a Mac-using owner of an iPod Video, iPhone or even the Apple TV home network media management system, you might be looking for a no-nonsense, easy-to-use method of getting your dusty old analogue tape recordings into iTunes on your Mac and onward to an iPod, iPhone or elsewhere.

The important thing about the new Pinnacle Dazzle-based system is that it doesn't require any knowledge of video capture, video compression or any of that complicated stuff that is the domain of us geeks. PVC does it all for you to the point where you play your source video in at one end and leave it to output an iTunes-compatible MPEG-4 clip at the other.

You can convert movies from VHS and S-VHS tapes, Video and Hi8 camcorders and even a mobile camera phone (if you have the necessary RCA Phono cables) and be viewing them on the go in no time at all.

Want to know more? Read the first of our reviews on video converter systems right here.

JVC's new Everio "S" GZ-MS100 offers one-touch YouTube upload

2008-05-21T11:02:00.005+01:00

JVC is at last following the lead of Panasonic and others by announcing a lightweight flash memory based camcorder aimed at the growing number of users seeking to point, shoot and then share via YouTube. The small, lightweight new Everio "S" series model weighs in at only 270g and uses SD cards to record MPEG-2 format movies.

According to JVC, the latest edition to the company's successful Everio range provides "an impressive array of full-fledged camcorder features that give it the versatility to do more than shoot short internet videos".

The new pocket-sized cam features a 35x optical zoom Minolta lens, a 2.7in LCD, has Auto Backlight Control and an auto power on/off; the camera switches on and off when you open and close the LCD screen respectively.

An interesting feature of this new-generation JVC is the manner in which users navigate menus and make selections. "Laser Touch Operation" provides touch-sensitive scroll bar and buttons enabling the user to glide up and down the choose menu items whilst its blue light follows the movements. When in camera mode, the YouTube "Upload" button will limit the recording to YouTube's time limit of 10 minutes. Then simply connect up the USB cable and use the supplied Cyberlink software to upload to YouTube in a few clicks.

More information when we have it - and, hopefully, a full review soon!

The Sony HDR-TG3 is in the shops - but our review is right here!

2008-05-20T17:19:00.009+01:00

When first announced a short while ago, it was billed by Sony as the smallest, lightest, slimmest mobile-phone-sized HD camcorder available and was the "perfect partner for nights out or weekends away". Moreover, the Sony HDR-TG3 was claimed by its maker to be "tough enough to keep up with today's active lifestyles - whether you're on the piste or paragliding".

Well, the Memory Stick PRO Duo recording HD cam that's known as the HDR-TG1 in the USA and Japan certainly promises much as AVCHD camcorders go, but now that we've had a play with one for the last few days what do we think of it?

Read our exclusive in-depth review of the HDR-TG3 here