Review: Panasonic HDC-HS9 AVCHD Camcorder


We review a 3CCD AVCHD "Hybrid" camcorder that records 1920x1080 25P Cinema Mode video with 5.1 Surround Sound to SDHC memory cards in addition to 60GB Hard Disc Drive!


Panasonic HDC-HS9 Hybrid HDD/SDHc AVCHd Camcorder
In an announcement that reflects the shift away from both tape-based and even disc-based video camcorder formats (including DVD, which is now firmly on the wane), Panasonic has complemented an expected announcement of its HDC-SD9, a successor to its highly popular HDC-SD5 AVCHD camcorder with a similar-spec model that offers the additional facility of recording full-specification high definition AVCHD (based on the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression system) to internal 60GB hard disc drives.

Up until now, the SD memory card camcorders - HDC-SD1 and SD5 respectively) have been complemented by a DVD recording camcorder in each case. 2008 sees the first steps by Panasonic to kick DVD into touch by intruducing a so-called "Hybrid" SD/HDD model instead. Will it manage to comete with the impressive Canon's HG10 HDD camcorder, we ask?

SimplyDV was lucky enough to have the use of these models for the whole of the festive holiday period, so we put each of them to good use shooting everyday family stuff in a variety of settings. We've also imported and edited clips from both camcorders using SDHC cards and the HDC-HS9's 60GB Hard Disc Drive, with the result that we have a pretty comprehensive impression of their capabilities.

First Impressions


Those who are familiar with Panasonic's standard-definition Hybrid HDD/SDHC camcorder, the SDR-H250 or indeed its 2008 successor, the SDR-H280, will immediately notice similarities in design, ergonomics and even operational characteristics. The main difference between the two is, of course, that this new addition to the family offers full-specification High Definition video recording and playback. However, it's clear that the HS9 is modelled, in part, on that earlier 2007 design - no bad thing since we really did like the SDR-H250!

Even allowing for the fact that the HS9 houses a 60GB hard disc drive in addition to supporting recording and playback from rear-slotting SDHC cards, it's not so big that it can't fit comfortably into a pocket or small bag when not in use. It's a great cam to hold and can slip comfortably into a pocket or small bag after use. A considerable amount of its functionality is accessed via the well-designed graphical menu system, and although we have one or two little niggles we're sure that the overwhelming majority of newbies will find the HDC-HS9 just great for their home movie-making projects.

Features


All of the HS9's technical specs are pretty much identical to the HDC-SD9 and very similar to the HDC-SD5 as well - three 1/6 inch CCDs, 520,000 pixels (effective; 560,000 pixels total) from each CCD in both movie and stills mode, 10x optical zoom (25x and 700x digital zoom), filter diameter of 37mm, same set of connectors (although the HDMI has now been changed from a standard HDMI to a mini HDMI socket) and 2.7" wide LCD screen with no viewfinder. There's also the "Pre Rec" standby/record function and Panasonic's very good Advanced-OIS (Optical Image Stablisation) too.

Although the camera provides full manual control over basic functions like focus, iris (aperture), shutter and microphone audio level, these are controlled via the menu button (situated inside the LCD screen recess) and by use of the mini-joystick which enables menu selection. Unlike the SD5, whose mini-joystick was positioned at the rear of the camera, this one is placed on the left side of the camera inside the screen recess. It's easier to operate with the left hand, although it's small and can sometimes be difficult to manipulate easily. The graphical menu system is well-designed and easy to navigate.

sd9_hd_options

The HDC-HS9's clear, easy-to-navigate graphical menu system is identical to that of its sister product, the HDC-SD9

sd9_25p_menu

The HS9's 25P DIGITAL CINEMA mode will prove to be attractive to users looking for that certain "film look"

One-Click disc copy


In common with its sister product, the HDC-SD9, the HS9 facilitates easy backup to DVD when using the optional VW-BN1 DVD burner drive, which is connected to the camera via USB 2.0 and which is controlled from within the SD9's menu system. Although the external burner does require an AC supply to function (it can't be powered via the USB bus), it's a convenient way of making DVD copies without the aid of any kind of computer, and can be used to make AVCHD copies of clips stored on the SDHC card in the camera.The HS9 offers a Playlist mode in which the user can create one or more playlists of clips for playback direct to TV displays or out to DVD. This is a quick and easy way of performing a simple edit. What's more, individual clips can be split (ie: trimmed), combined or deleted altogether. The resulting disc can be played out to a HDTV via the camera's HDMI or Component connections, with the remote control providing control over both the camera, the disc drive and the Viera HD display thanks to Panasonic's Viera Link (HDAVI) control system.

Intelligent Shooting Guide


Intelligent-Shooting -Guide2
Of particular use to camcorder newbies is a feature called Intelligent Shooting which exists to help users to overcome the kind of commonly-made mistakes when recording with a consumer format camcorder. When recording in this mode, the camcorder will tell the user when he/she can make simple improvements to the shots - such as where shooting in low light or when shots are susceptible to avoidable camera shake. In these situations, a pop-up display will suggest using a low-light setting or panning a bit more slowly to avoid judder. On the face of it, such a mode seems to be overstating the case, but in actual fact it could mean the difference between viewable footage and the kind of camcorder movie we're all too used to seeing when users haven't taken simple steps to improve what they're recording.

Connectivity


The HDC-HS9 offers HDMI out (the mini type rather than the full connector found on the SD5 and SX5), Component Digital Video out, Composite Video out plus twin Stereo audio connectors and USB 2.0 socket for transfer of movie clips and digital still images (where a separate card reader is not used). There's no external mic nor headphone output connectors, and not even the AV output offers switchable audio out.

Panasonic HDC-HS9 USB and DC connections
It should be noted that - like the SD9 - both the HDMI socket and DC power input are to be found inside the battery slot at the rear of the camera body. This necessities removal of the battery in order to connect the (optional) HDMI cable and thus requiring that mains power be used when playing back via HDMI. Playback via Component and AV/Composite connections can be undertaken with battery power, however.

In addition to offering four HD recording modes (see the specs for the HDC-SD5 for more information), you now have the option to record in a 25P Cinema Mode, which is designed to offer a more "film-like" feel to your shots, especially when shown on a good HD display. Instead of creating frames that are made up of 50 alternate, interlaced, line scans totalling 1080, the HS9 combines these alternate scans into one "progressive scan" totalling 25 full non-interlaced frames. This mode is denoted here by 1080/25p as opposed to 1080/50i ("1080i"). This is a major new option which hasn't been featured on previous Panasonic AVCHD camcorders.

Another new feature is the Face Clear mode, which is accessed by a dedicated button on the upper left side of the body. This feature isn't that different from the equivalent feature now offered on Panasonic's own excellent Lumix models in that the camera's imaging system detects human faces within the frame and, after marking them with a box surround, then keeps track of them as it makes automatic adjustments to brightness and picture definition in relation to the background - even when the whole shot is constantly changing. This is available in movie mode and also stills.

Performance


In truth, and in view of the fact that both the HDC-HS9 and the HDC-SD9 inherit many of the specifications and operating features of the model they effectively succeed, there's little to add to what we've said about the HDC-SD5 in our exhaustive review of that model. Image quality here is identical (as we proved by intercutting clips from each in the supplied HD Writer 2.5 software for Windows PC), even down to the overall performance in both optimum and low lighting conditions.

The HS9 and SD9 both show some noticeable noise artefacts when recording in darker corners, and it's really important to keep a close eye on peak white areas of the image when shooting in Auto mode. Our advice for new users would be to get to know the manual operating options as soon as possible, as there's much to be gained from shooting under manual control as much as possible. We found, for instance, that recording in bright outdoor conditions required reducing the iris (aperture) for one or even two exposure stops from that recommended by the auto circuit in order to produce a good picture for display on a HDTV screen. The auto exposure tends to overcook brightly lit scenes. Although a bit difficult to get used to initially, it's reasonably easy to make adjustments to manual settings whilst keeping one eye on the LCD thanks to the "head-up" style of display.

The HS9's re-introduced 5.1 Surround Sound audio recording option is a rather strange feature, however. Although users have the choice of recording as Dolby Digital 2-channel Stereo or 5.1 Surround (menu selectable) there doesn';t seem to be a huge justification for the presence of 5.1, so we remain unconvinced by its presence here - especially since many editing applications can't handle it. In general, the audio picked up by the upward-facing microphone pickups is very good even if it does suffer from occasional wind-bumping (a common complaint with such camcorder mics).

All in all, and despite the rather rushed nature of these tests, we're extremely happy with the pictures and sounds we're getting from this camera, so full marks to Panasonic for giving the AVCHD format yet another confident push in the right direction.

It's a product that's aimed fairly and squarely at either the complete camcorder newbie who's really only interested in shooting all the usual family and holiday video stuff or the upgrader who now wants to improve upon his/her skills whilst taking advantage of what high definition has to offer. In both these respects, therefore, the HDC-HS9 (along with its HDC-SD9 sibling) is sure to be another big hit with Panasonic in the way that the SD5 undoubtedly has been.

Import to computer, editing and DVD creation


Please note that, as we did with the SD9's clips, we successfuly imported clips from SDHC card in the HS9 to an Apple Intel iMac running OSX 10.5 (Leopard) using both iMovie '08 and Final Cut Pro 6.0.2 with excellent results and no problems whatever. We have encountered one or two significant problems importing clips into the Mac from the 60GB HDD via USB 2.0, and we're waiting to hear from Panasonic as to the likely cause. It could be a firmware issue. On Windows XP (SP2) PC we successfully used the bundled HD Writer 2.5 software to import and simply edit AVCHD clips via USB 2.0 which were then shared out to MPEG-2 DVD discs for playback on regular standard-definition DVD players.

Conclusion


The HDC-SD9 is a great camcorder for those looking for a starter camcorder that is capable of shooting and playing back high definition video designed to look and sound great on large-format flat-panel TV displays when connected digitally, and in that respect it really deserves credit. Its internal 60GB hard disc drive, coupled with the SDHC card slot capable of using the latest high-capacity SD flash memory cards, is an added bonus in being able to move media clips from one to the other or save them out to high definition DVD when using the company's optional VW-BN1 DVD burner via USB 2.0.

Physical handling is great, as is the ease with which menu selections can be made and clips selected with the mini-joystick. The graphical user interface is well-designed and accessible to an absolute beginner. There's a concern about what exactly is going on with connectivity to some Apple Mac computer systems running iMovie '08 on Leopard (although we experienced no such problems in our tests), but this is understood to be an issue that Apple, rather than Panasonic, needs to address.

All in all a great camcorder that's well placed to lead newcomers and upgraders alike into the world of high definition home video and therefore one that we heartily recommend.

Reviewed by: CB. January 2008.

Note about Importing and editing AVCHD clips via USB or card reader into a non-Intel Apple Mac or Windows/Vista PC


Voltaic is an application that will allow non-Intel Mac users to convert the AVCHD native .MTS files created by the Panasonic SD9 and HS9 into files that can be imported into iMovie and Final Cut Pro on non-Intel Macs - such as MacOS 10.4 (Tiger) apps as well as the latest MacOS 10.5 (Leopard) apps. Windows/Vista users struggling with Movie Maker will be interested to know that you can also achieve a conversion that will make it possible to edit AVCHD-acquired files in this application, too. In fact, it's possible to adapt clips for editing in any mainstream Windows video editing program

For information on how to acquire Voltaic for use on Mac OSX and Windows/Vista PCs, see: http://shedworx.com

Print This Page