Consumer Reports: Don't Buy HDTV Camcorders
Consumer Reports Disses HDTV Camcorders
The publication says new high-def video cameras from Sony and Sanyo don't meet expectations.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (July 25, 2006) -- Consumer Reports magazine says the new High-Definition TV camcorders from Sony and Sanyo don't "look quite as good as the best high-def TV broadcasts."
The magazine, well respected for its consumer advice and product testing, says it can't "recommend" the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 ($720 retail). As for the $1,500 Sony HDR-HC3, Consumer Reports says it's too pricey.
The two cameras are part of the first wave of high-def camcorders on the market. Analysts have opined they will soon find an audience because HDTVs are now in approximately 20 million U.S. homes.
However, Consumer Reports says the Sanyo, which records 720p video on 2-gigabyte SD cards, offers a "disappointing video quality...Colors were oversaturated. We found even standard-definition video (480i) to be only fair in quality."
The magazine did praise the Sanyo camera for being easy to operate and to handle. (The camera is just 4.9 ounces.)
As for the Sony, Consumer Reports said the camera produced sharper images than the Sanyo, but they were not as clear and detailed as "the best 1080i images we've seen from HDTV broadcasts and HD DVDs."
Sony's camcorder records in 1080i.
"In our initial tests, only the Sony HDR-HC3 approached what we have come to expect of decent HD-quality video...Even so, at $1,500, it's very pricey. Buy it only if you're willing to pay a whopping premium for somewhat sharper, clearer home videos," the magazine stated.
"Neither camcorder bowled us over," it added.
Sony is scheduled to release a new DVD high-def camcorder in Japan on September 10 with a price tag of $1,450. It is expected to be the first camcorder to record HDTV images on a DVD.
The new camera is expected to be available in the United States for the 2006 holiday season.
© TVPredictions.com
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Phillip Swann is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.
And click TVPredictions.com to read more news and features on TV technology.
The publication says new high-def video cameras from Sony and Sanyo don't meet expectations.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (July 25, 2006) -- Consumer Reports magazine says the new High-Definition TV camcorders from Sony and Sanyo don't "look quite as good as the best high-def TV broadcasts."
The magazine, well respected for its consumer advice and product testing, says it can't "recommend" the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 ($720 retail). As for the $1,500 Sony HDR-HC3, Consumer Reports says it's too pricey.
The two cameras are part of the first wave of high-def camcorders on the market. Analysts have opined they will soon find an audience because HDTVs are now in approximately 20 million U.S. homes.
However, Consumer Reports says the Sanyo, which records 720p video on 2-gigabyte SD cards, offers a "disappointing video quality...Colors were oversaturated. We found even standard-definition video (480i) to be only fair in quality."
The magazine did praise the Sanyo camera for being easy to operate and to handle. (The camera is just 4.9 ounces.)
As for the Sony, Consumer Reports said the camera produced sharper images than the Sanyo, but they were not as clear and detailed as "the best 1080i images we've seen from HDTV broadcasts and HD DVDs."
Sony's camcorder records in 1080i.
"In our initial tests, only the Sony HDR-HC3 approached what we have come to expect of decent HD-quality video...Even so, at $1,500, it's very pricey. Buy it only if you're willing to pay a whopping premium for somewhat sharper, clearer home videos," the magazine stated.
"Neither camcorder bowled us over," it added.
Sony is scheduled to release a new DVD high-def camcorder in Japan on September 10 with a price tag of $1,450. It is expected to be the first camcorder to record HDTV images on a DVD.
The new camera is expected to be available in the United States for the 2006 holiday season.
© TVPredictions.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phillip Swann is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.
And click TVPredictions.com to read more news and features on TV technology.
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