Sanyo HD1 HD Video Camera

Davidgilmour · 12-03-2006, 7:25 PM

Available through internet for less than 500 quid....

Any one bought this one? How does it compare to Sonys 1500 quid solution?

redsox_mark · 13-03-2006, 8:11 AM

I don't have an HD1 (I have a HC1). From what I have read, they are quite different machines. HD1 is 720p, HC1 is 1080i. HD1 records in highly compressed MPEG4 to SD memory (cost of the memory cards not included in the camera price). At highest quality mode, 28 minutes on a 2GB card. HC1 uses mini DV tape, 60 or 80 mins max depending on the tape.

I've seen some clips taken with a HD1, some seem not bad espcially for the price, others not so good. But in general I don't think as good quality as the HC1 (which is available online for around £1000), or the HC3 (coming soon, expected around £800).

Here is a link to a reasonably positive review of the HD1:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/16/te...45ZgdGNaExdgLA

Here is quite negative review of the HD1, and has some links to less than impressive video clips:

http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/revi...pointment.html

Mark

Davidgilmour · 13-03-2006, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

I don't have an HD1 (I have a HC1). From what I have read, they are quite different machines. HD1 is 720p, HC1 is 1080i. HD1 records in highly compressed MPEG4 to SD memory (cost of the memory cards not included in the camera price). At highest quality mode, 28 minutes on a 2GB card. HC1 uses mini DV tape, 60 or 80 mins max depending on the tape.

I've seen some clips taken with a HD1, some seem not bad espcially for the price, others not so good. But in general I don't think as good quality as the HC1 (which is available online for around £1000), or the HC3 (coming soon, expected around £800).

Here is a link to a reasonably positive review of the HD1:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/16/te...45ZgdGNaExdgLA

Here is quite negative review of the HD1, and has some links to less than impressive video clips:

http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/revi...pointment.html
Mark

I wanna buy one through ebay USA. Is there a difference between PAL and NTSC? I only will use it for 720p mode through component on my SD Plasma.
How will that look ?

And I can't believe those bad reviews

Look at this movie ==>
http://china.nikkeibp.co.jp/china/im...60116child.MP4

That is real HD footage to me, shot on the Sanyo.

btw, the HC3 looks ok but isn't it too big ? ( though it's smaller than the HC1)
http://images.clix.pt/picasso/68/32/283268.jpg

redsox_mark · 14-03-2006, 8:51 AM

I think you'll be OK with the US model. This review:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-Review.htm

says for the S-video or composite output it supports PAL or NTSC.

When using the component it will be 720/30p...as long as your display can handle that, which I'm sure it will, you should be OK.
Assuming this gets released in the UK (?) I wonder if the UK model will be any different? Will it be 720/25p instead of 720/30p?

Mark

Davidgilmour · 26-03-2006, 1:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

I think you'll be OK with the US model. This review:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-Review.htm

says for the S-video or composite output it supports PAL or NTSC.

When using the component it will be 720/30p...as long as your display can handle that, which I'm sure it will, you should be OK.
Assuming this gets released in the UK (?) I wonder if the UK model will be any different? Will it be 720/25p instead of 720/30p?

Mark

I am gonna use it on my SD Panasonic PW7 through component. Will that work for me? Anyone else gonna buy this baby ?

Davidgilmour · 12-04-2006, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davidgilmour

I am gonna use it on my SD Panasonic PW7 through component. Will that work for me? Anyone else gonna buy this baby ?

bump

No one ?

bis96gw · 12-04-2006, 7:02 PM

I've been keeping an eye on this cam - held a lot of promise, but the bad reviews and the difficulty editing the footage has put me off somewhat...

Also the fact that it seems impossible to buy this on the UK highstreet without an enforced overpriced bundle with an SD card!

Davidgilmour · 12-04-2006, 8:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bis96gw

I've been keeping an eye on this cam - held a lot of promise, but the bad reviews and the difficulty editing the footage has put me off somewhat...

Also the fact that it seems impossible to buy this on the UK highstreet without an enforced overpriced bundle with an SD card!

Check ebay usa, they ship to the UK. You can buy one for $635 shipped !
And if you arrange things they will put it as a Gift, valued $200 so the taxes will be a bit lower....

There are some Good Reviews Out There too, come on. A HD Camera for 330 quid, how much do you expect? For the Price it's awesome I think. I will buy one from the USA before the end of may I think.

bis96gw · 13-04-2006, 8:08 AM

If they issue a firmware to fix the jagged lines problem, I could well be tempted, but it's shocking that they've released something with such an obvious problem.....

bis96gw · 13-04-2006, 8:54 AM

Having said that - there's some pretty damn good looking clips here :-

http://www.bophoto.com/HDV/video/

Davidgilmour · 13-04-2006, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bis96gw

If they issue a firmware to fix the jagged lines problem, I could well be tempted, but it's shocking that they've released something with such an obvious problem.....

are those jaggies THAT noticable?
I have seen some awesome video footage. The kid eating the ice cream was amazing picture quality!

bis96gw · 13-04-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davidgilmour

are those jaggies THAT noticable?
I have seen some awesome video footage. The kid eating the ice cream was amazing picture quality!

They're not THAT bad, but from what I've read on other forums, it's a bit of a schoolboy error that Sanyo shouldn't have made...

However - I've converted some of the clips posted on the link above to WMV and played back on my Xbox 360 connected to Panny PV500 and they look very good indeed

I'm starting to be tempted again..... Hoping that it gets a more general UK release, rather than the £799 price that Dixons etc want for it! I'm a bit dubious about buying one from ebay....

Davidgilmour · 13-04-2006, 4:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bis96gw

They're not THAT bad, but from what I've read on other forums, it's a bit of a schoolboy error that Sanyo shouldn't have made...

However - I've converted some of the clips posted on the link above to WMV and played back on my Xbox 360 connected to Panny PV500 and they look very good indeed

I'm starting to be tempted again..... Hoping that it gets a more general UK release, rather than the £799 price that Dixons etc want for it! I'm a bit dubious about buying one from ebay....

I have ordered 5 Anthony Gallo's for 90 quid each from the USA. I have ordered a Panasonic video camera for $500 from the USA. All without any hassle, without taxes. Just make sure the seller has good references, registered posting by airmail and fast e-mail answers and all should be fine. It's twice as expensive in the UK....

bis96gw · 13-04-2006, 6:28 PM

True, it's a gamble - but if you have any problems with it, you're relying on a local Sanyo agent being kind and honouring the warranty.....

I expect the UK price to be around £400 when they're in better supply.... For some reason, only the DSG group (Dixons etc) have them at the moment....

redsox_mark · 13-04-2006, 9:19 PM

£555 here

http://www.purelygadgets.co.uk/showp...hp?prodid=1682

bis96gw · 13-04-2006, 9:34 PM

Fairly sure PurelyGadgets deal mostly in grey imports, so I'd expect that not to be an "official" UK model....

Davidgilmour · 23-04-2006, 11:22 AM

Anyone in here bought one? Don't tell me all you guys n gals with your fancy HD plasmas don't wanna show off

bis96gw · 23-04-2006, 4:25 PM

I'm very tempted to get one - but slightly nervous about getting an import....

The only way to get an official one in the UK at the moment seems to be to buy one from DSG group of stores at £799!!! (admittedly has a 2Gb SD card, but still wildly overpriced!)

Davidgilmour · 23-04-2006, 5:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bis96gw

I'm very tempted to get one - but slightly nervous about getting an import....

The only way to get an official one in the UK at the moment seems to be to buy one from DSG group of stores at £799!!! (admittedly has a 2Gb SD card, but still wildly overpriced!)

Like I said, I imported 5 anthony gallo micros, a component board for the Panny PW7, a Panasonic SD camera all through imports USA/ebay. Never had to pay taxes and all is stull working flawlessly. For 400 quid you can have them shipped,l saw them on ebay for $640 shipped, that's 500 euros , less than 350 quid!

From all the capture from this camera I have seen so far I think it has 2 majow flaws. 1. Night vision is crap, just like my Panasonic camera and 2. movement gets blurry too fast. Not so happy about the zoom either, it takes some seconds to focus again. I don't care about the jaggies, way too small to notice. But the steady shots in good broad daylight are awesome! I am gonna buy one within 3 weeks through ebay and take the risk of import taxes. They are able to send as a gift so if they put $200 on it you might just pay 30 quid taxes, no more.

bis96gw · 23-04-2006, 7:35 PM

Which seller are you looking at on ebay? I was looking at a guy selling from WA, US who seems cheap, but sent him a question and he didn't even reply

I'm quite tempted to order from www.yesasia.com - it is £406 on there.

Still would be a major hassle if anything was wrong with it though, as I can't imagine Sanyo honouring the warranty over here

As you say, it does have some flaws, but there isn't anything else that will do HD for even twice as much! I would bet that in 1-2 years you'll be able to pick up similar flash based MP4 camcorders for £100 ish, but for now there's no competition! Under the right conditions it can produce some superb results...

Davidgilmour · 23-04-2006, 9:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bis96gw

Which seller are you looking at on ebay? I was looking at a guy selling from WA, US who seems cheap, but sent him a question and he didn't even reply

I'm quite tempted to order from www.yesasia.com - it is £406 on there.

Still would be a major hassle if anything was wrong with it though, as I can't imagine Sanyo honouring the warranty over here

As you say, it does have some flaws, but there isn't anything else that will do HD for even twice as much! I would bet that in 1-2 years you'll be able to pick up similar flash based MP4 camcorders for £100 ish, but for now there's no competition! Under the right conditions it can produce some superb results...

this guy emailed me back and has good feedback ==> http://search.ebay.com/sanyo_W0QQbsZ...ofocusZunknown

But beware of import taxes, so pm some of the guys who sell them.
I've been watching ebay for weeks now, they get cheaper day by day
and they don't sell that much. 3 sellers have something like 10 in stock
and relist them all of the time.
I agree with you, in 4 years we'll have Sony HD cameras for 500 quid
but in 4 years time HD may be an ordinary thing.....

bis96gw · 24-04-2006, 8:21 AM

I'll keep my eyes open for a good deal - I'm not in any desperate rush, just been ordered by the wife to have something sorted for our first baby's arrival in August.....

Maybe I'll wait and see what you think of it first

Davidgilmour · 24-04-2006, 4:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bis96gw

I'll keep my eyes open for a good deal - I'm not in any desperate rush, just been ordered by the wife to have something sorted for our first baby's arrival in August.....

Maybe I'll wait and see what you think of it first

Lol, I could not wait til u bought one

I'll update everyone when I will buy one

bis96gw · 02-05-2006, 12:12 PM

Have you got it yet?

I notice the price is starting to come down slowly

Davidgilmour · 02-05-2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bis96gw

Have you got it yet?

I notice the price is starting to come down slowly

I am not too pleased with the 97% feedback some of the sellers have. I prefer 99% or 100% feedback with such an expensive toy. I will buy one this month, just need to agree about shipping costs and marking it as a gift with a low value to avoid customs

hot-fuzz · 18-05-2006, 6:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bis96gw

just been ordered by the wife to have something sorted for our first baby's arrival in August.....

Thats why i want one of these. Not allowed to spend more than £500 on a cam and seen these on import.
Might wait to see if anyone can get on reliably first.

Do you think an Ebay seller would give us a bulk discount, sending them out separately. Then if anything goes woring we have a number of voices asell to kick up a stink to Ebay. PLUS if you pay via PayPal you are secured up to a certain amount.
Something to think about.

hot-fuzz · 18-05-2006, 6:43 PM

Anyone had experience with these :

http://www.onestop-digital.com/catal...roducts_id=218

£450 which includes 2MB SD card.

Davidgilmour · 18-05-2006, 7:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highlander1

Anyone had experience with these :

http://www.onestop-digital.com/catal...roducts_id=218

£450 which includes 2MB SD card.

That's $850 ex shipping, on ebay they're a lot cheaper still.

hot-fuzz · 18-05-2006, 7:44 PM

But like has been said, can i really trust an Ebayer from the U.S ?

Plus it does come with a 2GB SD card, not all do.

bis96gw · 19-05-2006, 4:56 PM

On another forum, someone in the US had bought a HD1, it was DOA - just a black screen when opening the view finder, apparently a reasonably common fault on the HD1.... Anyway, he contacted Sanyo and they told him to naff off and return it to where he bought it....

That worries me when buying from ebay - need a pretty decent seller to let you return it....plus the hassle of it!

The cheapest I've seen non ebay is still www.yesasia.com - currently £379 (plus 7% cashback if you go through www.quidco.com). That's a pretty good deal imho....