CamcorderInfo.Com Reviews Sony HDR-SR1

[Specialist]

The review from CamcorderInfo.Com can be read here:

http://tinyurl.com/ydwgnb

The HDR-SR1's data rate is constrained to 15 Mbps, however.

That's better than the HDR-UX1, which was constrained to 12 Mbps.

The AVCHD format allows for 24 Mbps.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[seeklinks]

I appreciate this review - very timely. I held out and purchased a Canon HV10 today, instead of the Soney SR-1 or UX-1.

The HV-10 has some flaws, but it won't break my arm after holding it for long periods. I've tried these cameras side by side, and both the Sony models are bricks - sorry. I'm not a small guy (or weak), but this flaw really lowers their usability more than your review indicates.

[Specialist]

For me, the Canon looks very cool and is very small -- however -- it doesn't have an external microphone input and I just can't see spending that amount of money on a camcorder that won't let you input external sound.

In addition, the Canon lacks an HDMI port.

Those two problems were deal breakers for me.

Frankly, I see problems with all of the consumer HD camcorders currently on the market.

- Sony appears to be deliberately constraining the data rate on the AVCHD models.

- The Sony HDV HC3 only allows for an external SONY microphone using that hot shoe affair.

- None of the mainstream HDV or AVCHD camcorders seem to be able to deliver great stills.

- Some Sanyo HD1 users have reported disturbing problems with reliability on top of the lackluster reviews.

It's so disappointing -- no -- it actually makes me feel somewhat angry as this HD thing was supposed to be a revolution, but it's turning out to be a joke.

The camcorder manufacturers aren't doing a very great job on the low-end consumer HD camcorders right now, in my view.

Maybe Panasonic will give us something worth waiting for.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[stiltman]

The camcorder manufacturers aren't doing a very great job on the low-end consumer HD camcorders right now, in my view.

You want all the perks the high end cams have in the low end models....What would make high end high and low end low?

[Wile_E]

You are still not getting full HD 1080i. The effective resolution that the camera resolves is much less(625x497) due to the lens and other factors. I find it very misleading to consumers. All consumer camcorders resolve less resolution than the final frame sizes recorded. I just bought a Canon ZR500, and it only resolves 477x280 in 16:9. Yet the final frame size is 720x480. After all these years that DV cameras have been available, manufacturers still can't make a consumer model that resolves the full frame(720x480)? Plus low-light capability on these things are much worse than any analog camcorder. Digital gets very grainy. Too bad they haven't integrated on-chip a real-time noise reduction as good as say Neat Video software. Now that would rock, as long as the details are kept.

[jagabo]

All consumer camcorders resolve less resolution than the final frame sizes recorded.

You would get horrendous moire artifacts otherwise.

[Specialist]

You want all the perks the high end cams have in the low end models....What would make high end high and low end low?

Nonsense.

I'm only saying consumer camcorders should have external microphone inputs.

I'm not saying they should have "pro" XLR inputs.

High-end camcorders should have the XLR inputs.

The low-end consumer camcorders should at least have the stereo mini jack input, however.

That should not raise the per unit cost of any camcorder to the point where it would fail to be competitive in the market.

There's no excuse for it.

The manufacturers are "dumbing down" consumer HD camcorders in the same way that TV news has been "dumbed down" to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

There's no excuse for it.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[ron spencer]

why do people buy these things? the hard drives are not replaceable...wacky!!!

In addition, evey time you stop the video capture you create a cell discontinuity, so when you play back you will get a stutter on that spot...like a layer break. A few friends have these and man it is silly to watch. If you fade in and out of every scene you will not see this, but it sure is unprofessional looking with the cell discontinuties. Gimme DV anyday....so much easier to edit.

You know what I want? one of these hard drive recorders that you can change the drives and that it records in DV!!! 50 gig drive holds alot of DV.

[Specialist]

As for stills and camcorders, I feel that we're living in the modern age now and a single camera that can do quality video and quality stills -- say 5 megapixels -- is not beyond the reach of today's technology.

In fact, there are numerous companies manufacturing such chips:

"Boise, Idaho, September 20, 2006 – Leveraging its heritage in high-speed, high-performance imaging, Micron will unveil a new 5-megapixel high-definition (HD) image sensor for mainstream digital cameras."

"The new sensor is capable of capturing video at 60 frames per second (fps) in 720p (progressive) format and 30 fps in 1080p format."

"Micron will begin sampling this sensor in the fall of 2006."

SOURCE: http://tinyurl.com/nwqbr

Also, this PDF from OMNIVISION:

http://tinyurl.com/kt2rk

"SUNNYVALE, Calif. — April 19, 2006 — OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: OVTI), a world leading supplier of CMOS image sensors, today unveiled its second-generation, 5 megapixel camera chip."

"The OV5620 offers a small form-factor, 5 megapixel CMOS camera that surpasses CCD sensors in performance."

"Furthermore, the OV5620’s advanced high-definition (HD) video modes with vivid colors make this CameraChip especially attractive for next generation digital still cameras (DSCs) and hybrid cameras, which take both still and video pictures."

And this from AMBARELLA:

"Today, consumers experience high resolution still images from their digital still camera but only mediocre video quality."

"Conversely, camcorder still image quality and processing speed lags far behind traditional digital still cameras."

"Consumers are increasingly expecting high definition video due to rapidly falling HDTV and PC prices with the standard set by still image quality."

"High definition camcorders offer much better video quality, but are expensive and cumbersome due to tape-based recording."

"Fortunately, new video compression standards provide the compression efficiency needed for high definition video recording using flash-based memory."

"Because of these market changes, the industry is seeing an inflexion point as enthusiasts and amateurs alike demand the kind of video quality they have come to enjoy from their digital camera—merged in one affordable combination digital still and video device."

SOURCE: http://tinyurl.com/ymwyuq

These companies, in my view, aren't "blowing smoke."

They have the technology.

It's just going to take time.

The Sony HDR-SR1 gets close; it can manage 4 megapixel stills, which isn't too bad.

Hopefully, we'll see some truly interesting consumer camcorders in 2007.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[slacker]

I don't think anyone need wait for 2007. The Sony FX7 and the Canon XH-A1 are fabulous. Hard to choose which one to go with. "For the serious non-professional...". Great specs!

I don't see hard drives or blu-ray discs replacing tape any time soon. Tape is still the cheapest and most reliable storage media if you have a sizable library. And I don't see AVCHD replacing HDV as well. Just not good enough for anyone who is a connosieur and educated in the ins and outs of video.

I would enjoy anyone's confirmation or input to the contrary. As everyone else, I am looking for the best "road to travel" here. Personally, I think human experience is priceless and should be captured in all its glory with that in mind..

Mark

[seesync99]

I was very excited about the HDR-SR1 after reading the reviews, and purchased one. I've decided to be patient with the pro software dilemma, and hope that everything catches-up soon.

Here's an issue that I'm not so patient with:

I attached an external mic to my brand new HDR-SR1 and immediately noticed a hissing noise coming through the headphones. When I hit record, the camera starts buzzing. The noise DOES record to the hard drive, and is apparent on playback. I have since tested other types of quality mics with the same outcome (dynamic & condenser).

The reviews that I've read only praise the fact that the HDR-SR1 has an external mic input. This feature is one of the reasons that I bought this camera.

I have contacted Sony and am waiting for their response, but was wondering if anyone else is experiencing this problem.

Thanks!