The Flip HD ultra

From the first Flip presented, The Flip has become a standard for compact affordable video recording. The latest model UltraHD is offering over two hours of recording capacity (8GB memory). Compared to the previous models, new Flip UltraHD is bringing new bright two inch diagonal LCD screen for no-glare viewing even in direct sunlight.

Features of the new Flip UltraHD

• High Definition, 1280 x 720
• Store up to 2 hours of HD material (8 GB built-in memory)
• LCD Screen – 2 inch – transflective – visible in bright sunlight
• Uses two regular AA type  batteries (rechargeable AA battery is included in initial pack)
• HDMI TV Output

Compared to the previous Flips, packaging is quite similar. When we unpack the box, the cam is there. Accessories are hidden behind the camera. In the initial pack, you will find a wrist strap, Flip pouch and a quick starting guide. Also, Flip UltraHD uses rechargeable AA batteries, you will get two of them in the packing. Good change since the last Flip that I had own (Flip Mino) had non-replaceable batterie.

Connection is easy via USB or HDMI plug

One of the most obvious upgrades, again compared to my Flip Mino, is the much brighter and larger LCD. I didn’t mind the size of the screen on Mino, but working with UltraHD is a real pleasure. The controls has stayed the same, so no additional complications, three buttons, record, play, trash and four way control dial. Dial is used for all things like volume control and zoom control. To remain the low price of the final products, there is no real zoom just a digital zoom. Digital zoom is a kind of cropping more then a zoom, but some compromises have to be made.

The Flip UltraHD

Biggest advantages of the The Flip UltraHD

• compact size – a bit bigger a heavier comparing to previous models but now HD
• remained easiness of use
• using rechargeable and replaceable AA batteries
• Better image quality
• Great value for money invested

Photos by rok1966

This camcorder features a 6.4-megapixel CMOS camera with electronic image stabilization so that even action-packed scenes come through with clarity. Featuring an HDMI-CEC (Anynet +) high-quality connection to HDTV’s and other devices, consumers can easily control the camcorder through their Samsung HDTV remote while viewing movies.

For sport fanatics, the HMX20C features a high-speed capture and super slow motion playback, perfect for analyzing their golf-swing in slow motion, or anyone interested in getting the detail of fast-flying events.

At only 10.9 ounces, the HMX20C fits easily into the palm for quick -and-easy shooting. It’s stylish too, as the design utilizes trends seen in the fashion and car industries, resulting in a camcorder that’s as elegant as it is practical.

Great sensor, good internal video processing is not enough to produce great results, one of the most important thing is optical lens. And HV30 has great lens, over 50 years of Canon’s experience in lens manufacture is a guarantee that 10x optical zoom HD Genuine Canon Optical lens with Super Range optical stabilization and instant auto focus will be the brightest point.

The VIXIA HV30 is the HD camcorder to go along with everything else in your HD world. It captures true 1080p HD resolution video in 16:9 format, on MiniDV cassettes. While it’s a HD camcorder it can still record video footage in standard SD video resolution, to be reviewed on non HD TVs.

HD video, cause it’s big resolution is very sensitive to missed focus, knowing that thing Canon has developed special Instant AF focus system. It uses external sensor just for AF purpose, allowing accurate AF results even in the low light conditions.

The viewfinder has become an obsolete thing, on newer HD camcorders, specially when you have 2.7 inch Multi-Angle wide screen LCD display. Using a hard coat AR surface and improved color reproduction, the scene in the viewfinder is more accurate to what you’re capturing in the camcorder.

VIXIA HV30 uses IEEE 1394 protocol (firewire), there’s no loss of picture or audio quality in the process of transferring recorded video to computer.

While the Sony’s HDR-TG1 was just expensive luxury cam for it’s price (around $900), Canon VIXIA HV30 worth every penny of that price (around $1000).

Apart from the similar price, those camcorders doesn’t have anything in common, while HDR-TG1 is a perfect gadget for those rich gadget maniacs, Canon H30 is a working mule designated for HD videographers with high demands.

If you will decide to record some video for youtube or similar service or you want to publish it on your blog, the first thing that you will need is some kind of digital video recording device, digital camcorder. You can buy something like Sony’s new camcorder HDR-TG1 – to record video in HD format, and that kind of video start will cost you around $1000.

OR there is an option, Flip video digital camcorder. Currently Flip video camcorder is tottaly hype gadget to own. The main reason for that is that some quite popular bloggers like John Chow are using it, and writing about it on their blogs.

Also other reason for Flip’s popularity is hidden in it’s price. There are two versions of Flip video available. Flip video camcorder with 512MB internal memory which can record up to 30minutes of video in full VGA resolution. While the 1GB version can store full hour video. Cost of 512 version is only $119 while the 1GB version is only $149. Absolutely best buy for this price.

If you need a bit more quality in recorder videos there is a Flip Video Ultra version also coming it two “sizes”, 1GB and 2GB, that can record 30-60 minutes of high-quality video. Prices for Ultra are also quite affordable $149 for 1GB version and $179 for 2GB version.

In only ten ounces and only 1.1 inch wide, 4.7 inches tall and 2.5 inches deep, HDR-TG1 is the smallest HD camcorder available on the market.

It’s a small as a toy but it is not a toy, it can record full 1920 x 1080 HD video and take 4 Megapixel photos to Sony M2 memory card.

When some gadget is so small as TG1 is, there is a great possibility that you will drop it from time to time, that it will fell from your pocket on the ground. Considering that, Sony built this camcorder in a extremely durable titanium body with premium guard coating that will resist all kind of scratches and torture but still it’s quite fancy.

You can notice that this cam is not using miniDV cassette , instead it stores HD video directly to the memory card. The size of the device it self is just a little bigger then the miniDV tape it self.

TG1 is shipped with 4GB M2 memory card so you can record you HD video straight out of the box. Forget about disks and tapes.

I think this is the first camcorder that utilizes Face detection technology often seen on the digital cameras. And it’s available for photos and video recording. It can identify up to eight faces, nicely presented on 2.7 inch touch panel LCD screen, camcorder will automatically adjust focus and exposure for natural looking skin tones.

Of course software of the camera is only secondary thing for image and video quality. The first thing is a good lens. Sony TG1 has a high-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 10x optical zoom lens and 2 megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor.

Audio is recorded in Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround sound and features a built-in zoom microphone, delivering clear recordings of your subjects along with the video.

Perfect travel companion, how much? $900 that’s the price of of having HD camcorder in you pocket. Sony HDR-TG1 is a definitely great product, but the price the price is just too much – at least for me.

As with most camcorders, you are able to take some still pictures, however, at a tiny 2.1MP with 1,920 x 1,080 pixels total you are certainly not going to want to enlarge any of the pictures. If you are just interested in something that is small, enough to easily do web pictures or even possibly suitable for e-mail purposes then the still images may be perfect.

This particular camcorder is able to bring you a total of four quality modes so you can select the perfect mode for what you are doing currently. The choices range from HA, HG, HX and finally HDV. Your choices range from as much as 17Mbits/second to as slow as 6Mbits/second depending on the mode you select. To ensure you have plenty of room for storage the Panasonic HDC-HS9 Camcorder offers standard a generously sized 60GB hard drive that ensures you can run up to 8 hours of video in the highest quality setting. You can just imagine the possibilities as they begin to unfold. If you decide that you want or need more space there is a standard SD card slot that you can use to expand further the capacity of the camcorder, however typically a generously sized 60GB hard drive will fit most people’s needs happily.

This is certainly a great camcorder that is worth a really good look. If you are searching for something with an image stabilizer, built in hard drive and CCD technology this is a good match. If you are more interested in having a larger MP ratio for the still images then this may not be your ideal camcorder. However, for the price and the features this will certainly handle the needs of most consumers quite well.

Other features of the Panasonic SDR-H250 include the 3.1MP still images and the 3CCD technology that is working to give you the best pictures possible. The only bad news is the images are not crystal perfect if you are in a low light area since there is a distinct sensitivity to this. For resolution, you are getting a maximum 2,048 x 1,512, which can give you plenty of gorgeous quality without lacking in other areas. To ensure you have plenty of recording options you are able to record the video in MPEG-2 format with three different quality modes to choose from. The first is the XP mode, which provides only 7 hours of video, which is still a very nice timeframe while the extended LP mode can give you as much as 27 hours of video.

This is designed as a starter camcorder though since there are very few accessories or even features that will give you increased options and capabilities but for those who are looking for something easy to use and basic this is certainly a winning option to look at.

Some of the best features that the Canon DC50 brings to the table is the ability to take some very nice still shot pictures combined with a nice video image. Yet with a bit of an expensive price tag and also the need to use a miniSD card that is sometimes quite easy to lose makes the camera a little less than perfect. However, if you are looking for something that is able to handle all of your needs, this is certainly something that is worth your time to look at it.

With the need for features always a pressing concern the Canon DC50 brings together several lighting effects that will allow you to ensure you are always getting the perfect shot no matter what you are trying to do. With a choice of soft, neutral, vivid, low sharpening and even custom effect, you are guaranteed to get the exact shot that you are looking for. This will help you to ensure that those precious moments you want are all able to be discovered quickly and easily.

The built in flash, as well as the red-eye reduction ensures that you have perfect shots of the eyes also, this reduces the need to do extensive video editing after you have captured the video. For still images you have a remote control that allows you to ensure you get the shot you want at the split second that it is ready and also to ensure that you have a generous 5 MP still picture. For the price, it is a bit pricy but the features certainly make it a great option for anyone.

For those looking for a sleek and functional HD camcorder in a nice little package the Sanyo Xacti DMX-HD1000 is looking like a great contender. With a nice 2.7” swing out LCD display to view what’s going on as well a functional SD/SDHC card slot you are looking at some great possibilities here. The bad news is that an 8GB memory card will only get you about an hour and a half of video. Not much video on such a large card, but the picture quality you are getting in return is amazing.One of the great benefits that this camcorder provides is the benefit to capture images, specifically still images with an 8MP standard. This provides much crisper and clearer pictures than most other camcorders could hope to provide. Overall, the Sanyo Xacti DMX-HD1000 provides some very nice benefits. Some of the bad news is that while this little camcorder is small and yet powerful it is being targeted specifically towards the Japanese market, which leaves most other countries completely out of the loop.

For those who are interested in picking up one of the small 268-gram units you would have to check around online. The overall sizes of the 90mm x 112.6mm x 54.5mm means it is small enough to be easily transported anywhere you want to go. The 10x optical zoom that is included is a nice refreshing addition though and ensures that you can get the shot of your choice without having to be right on top of your subject.

Some of the biggest complaints that have surfaced include the 105-degree angle that is between the lens itself and the grip of the camcorder. This angle is apparently designed to be much more ergonomic to the person operating the camera but means that there is no way possible to use this camera without a tripod and without keeping your hands on it at all times. While the overall model is great, releasing it all around the world would certainly boost it up our list a few notches.

Full capacity HD provides a 1,920 x 1,080 screen while the GZ-HD3EK provides a similar 1,440 x 1,080. Seems like a small difference, but those small differences can add up to those who desire only the best. With other features including the Konica Minolta lens as well as the electronic image stabilizer, this is certainly a respectable camera.

There are some complications with editing the video however, this is largely due to the newness of the HD technology and software is sure to catch up in terms of options and features available in the near future. Yet with a nice sized 60GB hard drive on the model, you have plenty of room before you need to dump the video to make more room. This gives you plenty of space to put together a really nice video of anything your heart desires. With two recording rates the first being XP you are able to fit a generous 5 hours of video and with the slower rate of SP you can put a maximum of 7 hours of video. Either way this is a vast improvement over the 45 minute to 2-hour tapes of yesterday.

Overall, the JVC Everio GZ-HD3EK HD Camcorder provides a great set of features for the normal user and provides an affordable venture into the world of HD camcorders. Regardless of your intended purpose, you are sure to find something that you can enjoy and appreciate while still having a lot of fun experimenting with the features that HD offers.