Sony HDR-SR1 (AVCHD) review

[redsox_mark]

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-Review.htm

"This is one decked out device. As with the HDR-UX1, we have some reservations about this first generation of AVCHD (centering on the fact that no 3rd party support is yet available for editing), but overall, we think this is one of the top camcorders of the year. "

Main concern is the current lack of editing support, though I'm sure that will change.

[anorax25]

My beloved bought me one of these for my birthday ( which was nice ). I've had a few 'issues'.

No one in the Sony shop told me that AVCHD was currently un-editable but hey, I can wait a bit until software vendors include AVCHD support.
However, the supplied software doesn't work properly either. Nice little interface so that you can backup the .m2ts files to your computer but, if you try to view the files in the browser it returns an error of "Cannot open file - Unrecognised file format". Now that's a bummer.

O.K. I thought, I'll create an AVCHD DVD and watch it using the supplied AVCHD Player. That doesn't work either.

So the next step was to watch the Hi-def video directly from the SR1 into my Hitachi Plasma ( 1024 x 1024 ) using the HDMI lead Sony were kind enough to sell me at cost ( £20 ). Lovely picture but, it's only 720p not 1080i and does not fill the whole screen ( the picture's not even in the centre of the screen but off to the left ). Tried everything but no change.

Thought I would then try component - Ah....success. Excellent picture and fills the whole screen.

Now I've shot at all available HD resolutions ( not bothered with SD - What's the point? ) and the issues persist. Could it be my 42" Plasma?

I've created a AVCHD disk which I now need to try on a Blu-ray player to see if that works.

I have to confess, I am disappointed that an outfit as large as Sony couldn't get their act together with the product support, prior to launching the two models.

I've tried a 3rd party MPEG player ( Elecard ) which was reputed to playback the native .m2ts files ( as long as you rename and drop the trailing 's' ) and it does work, after a fashion.....the picture is jerky and the sound corrupt.

Am I going to have to settle for converting to MPEG-2 and backing up or shall I take the camera back and complain?

Any suggestions and advice is most welcome.

best wishes,

Colin.

[jomike]

Seems like you need a high spec PC to play back AVCHD smoothly.
Have a browse here:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/f164

Regards, Mike

[redsox_mark]

Colin,

Welcome to the "bleeding edge".

For now (assuming you want to stick with it), it seems that TMPGENC and Cyberlink PowerDVD 7 provide some editing support (info in the link Mike sent). And Blueray players are supposed to be able to play AVCHD.

Eventually there will be greater editing support. Due to the nature of the codec it is going to be hard (CPU intensive) to edit and play, so most likely you may need to use a intermediate codec. Cineform is working on updating their Connect HD, Aspect HD and Prospect HD to support this.

How are you planning to convert to MPEG-2?

[anorax25]

Originally Posted by jomike

Seems like you need a high spec PC to play back AVCHD smoothly.
Have a browse here:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/f164

Regards, Mike

Thanks Mike! My PC is a trifle low-spec now at 1.5GHz but I do have 1.5Gb of RAM. I have sent a test file to a chum who has a high end machine to see if he can play it with the same software.

Thanks again.

best wishes,

Col.

[anorax25]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

Colin,

Welcome to the "bleeding edge".

For now (assuming you want to stick with it), it seems that TMPGENC and Cyberlink PowerDVD 7 provide some editing support (info in the link Mike sent). And Blueray players are supposed to be able to play AVCHD.

Eventually there will be greater editing support. Due to the nature of the codec it is going to be hard (CPU intensive) to edit and play, so most likely you may need to use a intermediate codec. Cineform is working on updating their Connect HD, Aspect HD and Prospect HD to support this.

How are you planning to convert to MPEG-2?

Thanks Mark! Looks like a new PC is required.
So far, I've used the Sony supplied software to convert to MPEG-2 which seems adequate. I have a number of other conversion programs but, they don't, as yet, support .m2ts files.

As you imply, there is a heavy price to pay for being at 'the edge'.

Thanks for your help.

best wishes,

Col.

[senu]

I worry about "exotic" formats.

I stopped recording on D8 because I wasnt confident of Sonys continued support of the hardware and format .
I feel better about HDV and the HC1 because FX1, Z1, A1 and HC3 all use the same format and the user base is that much wider

If the world doesnt see the format as having as exciting a future as Sony does it might become MicroMV ( markII)

Sony does have a habit of allowing those of its products which dont set the world alight to hang out to dry

Somebody ..........Tell me im being paranoid

[redsox_mark]

Senu,

Ok... you are being paranoid....

Actually your concern is valid I think.. not just about AVCHD, also HDV. With these formats and Blueray coming who knows what will have the longest life. Note Blueray and AVCHD aren't neccessarily incompatible.. but when we get to the stage where a camcorder can record to a Blueray disc, will they still use AVCHD, or another format? Who knows...

[gadgets]

Silly question, but how can I tell is I am getting a grey market model as compared to a proper UK model? I plan to hunt for this model this weekend over at Tottemham Court Road

[redsox_mark]

The HDR-SR1E is the European model... there isn't specifically a UK model. If it is an SR1E, and it comes with a UK plug on the power supply it's the UK model (unless they opened the box and switched the power cable).

[gadgets]

Thanks Mark. doing a froogle, I saw this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=150053053776. The auction is over but no one won. It is tempting but very risky as it's shipped from the US.

Hopefully I will also see this at the Gadget show this weekend.

[redsox_mark]

Interesting, as that model is advertised as both PAL and NTSC compatible. In fact I had a look at the sellers "shop" and they have lots of worldwide PAL/NTSC models.

The European SR1E is PAL only...so this is not that model... though if it is both systems that's nice if you ever need NTSC...

[gadgets]

lowest price I was able to find was £860 and this was before any negotiations over at Tottemham Court Road. All the stores seem to have the SR1E model so definitely not gray market stuff. I may hold off and see if the prices will still go down further, though the impulse is very strong.... have to resist!!!

[gadgets]

okey, I really need to have myself committed!!! the temptation was so great that I submitted a best offer to the ebay auction and it was accepted, my offer was 49.99 less than the BuyItNow price. so I wait for it to arrive and see if: 1> I will have to take them up on their offer to refund half of the customs/tax if charged and 2> if I will be getting the SR1 or the SR1E. I have a very strong suspicion that it will be the SR1 (NTSC) model that they sold (this will not be a big issue as I have no plans of making indie movies, strictly consumer stuff).

So crossing my fingers that all goes well.

BTW redsox_mark, I saw a post of yours in the sonyhdinfo message board which alleviated my concern about getting a NTSC model in a PAL country. Many thanks.

[redsox_mark]

Hope it works out! Interesting that the site claims it is "NTSC/PAL compatible". As the camcorder is HD only, strictly speaking NTSC/PAL doesn't apply... but the model for the NTSC world is 60i and the one for us is 50i. If your camcorder is 60i only you'll still be able to watch it here... but maybe you'll get a model which actually does both!