SONY Unveils 2 New AVCHD High Definition Camcorders!

Sony unveils the (mini DVD) model HDR-UX1:

http://tinyurl.com/juyul

Sony unveils the (hard disk) model HDR-SR1:

http://tinyurl.com/nay7s

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

 

Can't wait to see all the specs on that HDR-SR1 it sounds
like a real transition machine.

Luck;
Ken

 

That HDR-SR1 (hard disk model) looks quite decent to me.

I suspect I'll be buying it.

There are some new photos on the AkihabaraNews.Com Web site at the
following link:

http://tinyurl.com/hc59q

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

 

PC WORLD magazine offers more detail about the DVD model here:

http://tinyurl.com/g9s88

"In the camera's highest resolution recording mode, about 27 minutes of
video can be stored on one disc."

I would assume they're talking about 27 minutes of 1080i.

I suppose you could fit more 720p on the same disc.

It would be nice to see some official specifications from SONY.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

 

The OFFICIAL press release from the SONY Web site:

http://tinyurl.com/q8sat

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

 

According to the following SONY press release page, the following
software developers have made commitments to the H.264/AVCHD format:

Non-liner Editing Software Suppliers

- Adobe Systems Incorporated
- CyberLink Corporation
- InterVideo, Inc.
- Nero AG
- Sonic Solutions
- Sony Media Software
- Ulead Systems, Inc.

http://tinyurl.com/q8sat

I suspect SONY VEGAS will support AVCHD in the same way that it has
supported HDV in the past, namely, by using an intermediate codec.

ULEAD's approach has been to create NLEs that natively edit long GOP
MPEG file formats, in addition to the traditional DV .avi file format:

http://tinyurl.com/mevw2

ULEAD's approach allows the user to get past the limitations of weak PC
processors by converting HDV to low resolution proxy files that later
link to the full resolution files upon output; it works.

"Beyond the leading HDV solutions we already have, Ulead is also very
active in the development of other HD-related standards and formats,
such as HD-DVD, Blu-ray Disc, and H.264."

"Ulead HD DVD technology has already been licensed for use in producing
Hollywood HD content."

"One barrier to acceptance of consumer HD production has been the
perceived complexity of the technology."

"Ulead, however, has a long history of taking the complicated and
making it simple for consumers."

http://tinyurl.com/mevw2

I am QUITE CURIOUS to find out how Ulead plans to resolve the H.264
high definition editing question.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

 

Sony's new AVCHD camcorder Web page:

http://tinyurl.com/qas32

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

 

That is an interesting question especially with the number
of spin-off formats for both the Main and High Profiles. It
should be do able though, most of the components of the AVC
implementation are just that, separate components added to
H264. They seem to retain a certain amount of independence
and can be modified without impacting the other functions,
much. Things like; use of an adaptive method of providing "B"
frames or B to B referencing, could make creating an editing
tool real interesting.

Luck;
Ken

 

Interesting. Another codec to edit with.
Wonder how that will hold with moving objects.
Pity the camera's are again "only" 1440x1080.
But that's double of what we have with DVCAM.

-m-

 

Sounds like consumer crap to me. Note the reference in the Sony press
release to "families with high definition televisions."

 

With the contempt you always show for consumers, why are
you spending so much time in "rec.video.desktop" ? There are
plenty of NGs for the Professional video types. If you have so
little interest in cameras and techniques (like MPEG editing) that
are suited to "lowly consumers"; why are you hanging around?

These new HD cameras could be just the thing for amateur and
home movie making, to move into broadcast quality video
production. In fact it may be that the summer vacation movie
could look better than what we are seeing from the Israeli border.

Ken

 

The resolution might be better, but a camera with a better resolution
doesn't mean you get better looking movies of the "amateur"!

-m-

 

1. I don't show contempt for consumers. I have contempt for manufacturers
who push form over substance. Contemporary consumer camcorders are big on
gimmicks and gadgets, but poor on video quality -- the Hi8 consumer-line
camcorder I bought 12 years ago produces better video under worse conditions
than virtually all consumer (as opposed to prosumer) camcorders today.
Camera manufacturers used to produce a range of consumer gear, from low end,
that produced low- to moderate quality video, to high-end that produced
high-quality video. Now, "high end" consumer means only "more gimmicks."

2. rec.video.desktop is for . . . desktop video. That isn't limited to
low-end, low-quality consumer gear.

I'm not a professional. I'm strictly an amateur.

MPEG editing is one aspect of desktop video and consumer video. It is not
the only aspect, nor is it even the predominant aspect. Why do you think
entry-level editing programs like Microsoft Movie, Premiere Elements, Video
Studio, and Studio 10, that do not handle mpeg, vastly out number the two or
three standard-defintion mpeg editors like Womble?

As I've told you many, many, many times, it is important to select the right
tool for the right job. I have nothing against mpeg editors or mpeg -- it's
fine for very specific purposes, and I recommend it for that. However, as
you don't seem to understand, it is most decidedly not fine for others --
for that, other tools, including D-25, DV codecs and other editing software
is required. You think mpeg is the solution for everything.

These new HD cameras, like the other consumer digital cameras that preceded
them, are going to have lousy low-light performance and degraded video
because of Sony's focus on such unnecessary gimmicks as simultaneous still
imaging.

It won't look better unless and until the manufactures start producing
affordable 3-ccd machines (even more important for high-def) with large,
lower-density sensors that minimize artifacts and provide good low-light
performance. Do you think that even the least-technically-minded consumer
who buys a camcorder to shoot the kids' birthday parties wants the dark,
grainy garbage they get when they shoot indoors in average lighting?