hdv

I'm not sure if it's a commentary on Canon, prosumer HDV, or the quality of the original HV20, but with 2009's Vixia HV40 it's going to be three generations of essentially the same product. There wasn't much difference between the HV20 and its successor, the HV30, and this year's HV40 has basically the same design, same 1/2.7-inch 3-megapixel CMOS sensor, and the same 10X zoom lens. All that's new is support for a native 24p mode plus a user-definable custom key.

Though Canon hasn't yet determined pricing, it's slated … Read more

Sony's HDR-FX1, a camcorder popular with indie videographers looking for HD on the cheap, shipped almost four years ago; that's a pretty long product cycle, even for the semi-professional class it inhabits, especially given that Canon's competing entrant, the XH A1, shipped almost two years ago. So it's just a tiny bit disappointing that the FX1's replacement, the Handycam HDR-FX1000, merely offers parity with the XH A1 rather than leapfrogging it.

First, some basic specs compared:

It may look a little scary to someone who's never held anything bigger than an HC7, but Sony's new HVR-HD1000U shares more in common with that model than the rest of its higher-end brethren. It uses the same single 3-megapixel, 1/2.9-inch ClearVid CMOS sensor and records 1080i HDV video. Even its price, slated to be $1,900 when it ships in December, fits right into the affluent consumer market segment. If that seems a bit steep, remember that its step-up sibling, the 3-chip HVR-V1U, will run you a minimum of $3,500.

Though it's unclear … Read more

Sony has released the "world's first HD Video Walkman with pro features" for viewing and recording HDV and DV tapes.

Engadget is right in saying that the GV-HD700 isn't the most attractive device. (It looks like it should be sitting next to an Intellivision.) But, you have to keep in mind that it's not really meant for the iPod crowd.

The HD Video Walkman is actually meant as a handy device for news producers who may want to check footage without having to come in from the field. It can record and play back HDV … Read more

Though it's probably heretical to say this in consumer electronics' circles, sometimes it's nice when nothing new happens. Take for instance Canon's HV20 HDV camcorder. On the inside, it's pretty much identical to the HV10--the same 3-megapixel 1/2.7-inch, 1,920x1,080 CMOS sensor, the same 10X zoom Canon HD lens, the same Super-Range Optical Image Stabilizer and Instant AF focus support, and the same Digic DV II HD processor. All that similarity means we're probably going to be as impressed with the video from the HV20 as with the HV10's.

So you'… Read more

Right now I'm craving home more than anything. So if you're into camcorders, check out my analysis of the design and usability aspects of this pro HDV model. I'll be following up with my full review next week.

Now this little piggy is heading Wii, Wii, Wii, Wii all the way home.