Surely too good to be true?

paulcollins10 · 30-12-2008, 10:53 PM

When something looks too good at such a low price i know there's normally something wrong so could anyone please pass some words of advice on this:

Full HD 1080p Camcorder > Maplin

Many Thanks in advance

kdc · 30-12-2008, 10:56 PM

just because something says it records 1080p doesn't mean its of any substanstial quality... its the whole megapixel myth from stills cameras born again in video.. you're better off getting a lower res camcorder which has a better quality lens and CCD, it will perform better in low light and give you a better overall picture than any cheap "1080p full HD" camcorder..

slicktyre · 30-12-2008, 11:44 PM

There have been a few good deals around on camcorders over the last few weeks just not the one I'm after keep an eye on hotukdeals.co.uk most have probably gone by now is the only problem.

**zAndy1** · 31-12-2008, 12:17 AM

There's a long thread on Steve's digicams about this model (or at least a VERY similar previous model) :-

Review: DXG-595V 1080p - Hybrid Still/Movie/MP3 Digicams - Digital Cameras (Point and Shoot) - Steves-digicams.com Forums

Quite a few sample videos on that thread, looks pretty damn good to me especially for £149! Just cos something is cheap doesn't necessarily mean it's crap. I remember when the first Oppo upscaling dvd player came out and was significantly cheaper than many other brand name dvd players but out-performed the majority of them.

I'm pretty tempted by this one, might just pick one up tomorrow

glesgaguyav · 31-12-2008, 12:58 AM

Records 30fps not a PAL standard cam and IMO shouldn't be sold for use in the UK.
It's seem like there's no HDMI output only component (I may be wrong)
It's a cheap hybrid, Maplins can't even give a manufactures name

**zAndy1** · 31-12-2008, 9:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glesgaguyav

Records 30fps not a PAL standard cam and IMO shouldn't be sold for use in the UK.
It's seem like there's no HDMI output only component (I may be wrong)
It's a cheap hybrid, Maplins can't even give a manufactures name

Mind expanding on that first sentence please? What's the problem with recording at 30fps? The flip ultra records at 30fps http://www.flipcamcorder.co.uk/orange.php , so does the Kodak Zi6 http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/5633290.htm and the Aiptek Z500 http://www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/blogs/...mcorder-review and they're on sale in the UK.

glesgaguyav · 31-12-2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zAndy1

Mind expanding on that first sentence please? What's the problem with recording at 30fps? The flip ultra records at 30fps Flip Camcorder | Flip Ultra Video Camcorders In Orange , so does the Kodak Zi6 Buy Kodak Zi6 High Defenition Pocket Camcorder- Black. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for . and the Aiptek Z500 Aiptek Z500 Plus HD Camcorder Review and they're on sale in the UK.

UK video standard is 25fps PAL, NTSC video standard is 30fps,in the UK AV equipment is made to the PAL standard, that's why you'll notice that the makers usually have a PAL logo on the box, if NTSC was acceptable why bother? if you read through the thread on Steves Digi Cam Forums you'll notice that users have problems with playback when creating DVD's and the advice given is to burn DVD's to the NTSC standard.
Although these cams can output a PAL signal via AV, which is a conversion in cam, it is not a true PAL signal so loss of quality will apply no matter how small, they are no better than Digital Photo cameras capable of taking video albiet in HD, just look at the bitrates 5.2/10.25 for full HD, a Sony TG3 gives a minimum of 15.
Think of these cams like the Rolex watches you buy when your on holiday, good copies but not the real thing.

guy_incognito · 31-12-2008, 12:44 PM

What's putting me off is the fact that the Maplin website gives no indication of the make or model?

People on other forums are fairly sure it's a DXG-595V but the photos don't look 100% identical to me. And that model seems to have a few issues anyway (but, like most products these days, a bloody firmware upgrade resolves these).

Assuming it is a DVG-595V, issues aside, it does look like good value for money as long as you don't expect excellent HD results for a camcorder that costs less than £150?

Some reviews:
DXG-595V HD High-Definition Video Camera
DXG 595V HD Camcorder Review - Unbiased camcorder reviews, prices, and advice

**zAndy1** · 31-12-2008, 1:36 PM

It's the DVH-596, I've just bought one, attached some pics of the packaging.

Will post my impressions as soon as I've had a play with it, what I will say is, it's small! Also I've got a lot of learning to do as regards how to get the recorded files into a format my Xbox 360 or PS3 will play. Perhaps they'll just play but with e.g. PMS on the PS3 but I doubt it.

By the way, that 2nd link you provided is to a very negative review which the overall feedback on steve's digicams certainly doesn't support. Anyway I guess I'll find out for myself soon enough, for £150 I'm happy to take a risk with this, it might not be brilliant but if it's 80% as good as the brand names for 40% of the cost I'll be happy!

Cheers
Andy

**zAndy1** · 31-12-2008, 1:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glesgaguyav

UK video standard is 25fps PAL, NTSC video standard is 30fps,in the UK AV equipment is made to the PAL standard, that's why you'll notice that the makers usually have a PAL logo on the box, if NTSC was acceptable why bother? if you read through the thread on Steves Digi Cam Forums you'll notice that users have problems with playback when creating DVD's and the advice given is to burn DVD's to the NTSC standard.
Although these cams can output a PAL signal via AV, which is a conversion in cam, it is not a true PAL signal so loss of quality will apply no matter how small, they are no better than Digital Photo cameras capable of taking video albiet in HD, just look at the bitrates 5.2/10.25 for full HD, a Sony TG3 gives a minimum of 15.
Think of these cams like the Rolex watches you buy when your on holiday, good copies but not the real thing.

There's a fundamental flaw in your argument, most display devices are perfectly happy with an NTSC 30fps signal these days (and have been for years). I take your point re the bitrate but nothing I've seen on vimeo.com has given me too much cause for concern. Anyway, I might end up eating my words shortly when I've used it but there's no arguing it's a great price as long as it's a reasonable day to day performer.

monkey3 · 31-12-2008, 2:16 PM

Hey zAndy1,

Any chance you could let me know what this is like in low light conditions? I recently purchased the Canon FS100, and was so disappointed with the results it produced in low light, and wanted to know if this would be a better buy.

A video sample would be great!

**zAndy1** · 31-12-2008, 2:34 PM

Will do when I get chance, first 'issue'. I've done a couple of very short test clips. When I play then in Quicktime directly from the memory card in the camcorder they play fine. When I copy the clips to my PC and play them off my PC HDD the video is all distorted. I've attached some photos showing what it looks like when I play it off my PC HDD, any ideas anyone?

monkey3 · 31-12-2008, 2:39 PM

Have you tried playing it back through Windows Media Player? If the files are .mod files, just change the file extention to .avi and this should work.

glesgaguyav · 31-12-2008, 2:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zAndy1

There's a fundamental flaw in your argument, most display devices are perfectly happy with an NTSC 30fps signal these days (and have been for years). I take your point re the bitrate but nothing I've seen on vimeo.com has given me too much cause for concern. Anyway, I might end up eating my words shortly when I've used it but there's no arguing it's a great price as long as it's a reasonable day to day performer.

Considering this cam doesn't seem have HDMI output that I can see, which when used can/may negate the argument between 30fps and 25fps, then it still can be a problem for some, watching video on Vimeo is not the same as watching video on a TV, the review on Unbiased Camcorder Reviews (note Unbiased) makes my point about the quality. Also the other review is from a US reviewer, which broacasting standards this cam is made for.

If you're happy with the cam that's great, but I'll guarantee that if you have the chance to compare footage with a brand name cam, you'll see the difference.

I still don't undersand why buyers believe that it's ok to use NTSC cams,why do the big manufactures still persist in making 25fps PAL HD cams if there is no difference ? why can't you buy NTSC cams in your local Comet or Curries if they're fully compatible with the new PAL HDTV's.

For those who can't afford a real HD cam then this may suit, but you would probably get just as good results with a good SD cam IMHO.

**zAndy1** · 31-12-2008, 2:59 PM

The camcorder has a TV setting (PAL or NTSC) and a frequency setting (50Hz or 60Hz). What more do you want?

**zAndy1** · 31-12-2008, 3:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkey3

Have you tried playing it back through Windows Media Player? If the files are .mod files, just change the file extention to .avi and this should work.

The files are .mov files. I've installed VLC and played them using that and they're fine (albeit a bit choppy which I don't really understand as my PC should be up to playing 720p files smoothly!). Looks like quicktime doesn't like playing these files off my HDD but is fine playing them off the memory card, I don't understand why but seems to be the case. Anyway I guess it rules out a camcorder problem which is the main thing.

glesgaguyav · 31-12-2008, 3:17 PM

My old Sanyo HD2 had this option, it's how they get round the Point of Sale, but the actual footage is still 30fps, so I now have lots of footage that is useless as far as editing is concerned if I want to use it with anything recorded on my PAL TG3 or HV20.

Can you confirm if it does have HDMI output?

**zAndy1** · 31-12-2008, 3:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glesgaguyav

My old Sanyo HD2 had this option, it's how they get round the Point of Sale, but the actual footage is still 30fps, so I now have lots of footage that is useless as far as editing is concerned if I want to use it with anything recorded on my PAL TG3 or HV20.

Can you confirm if it does have HDMI output?

No, just a component output. Not a problem for me as I've got more spare component inputs on my TV (2) than HDMI inputs (0)!

**zAndy1** · 31-12-2008, 5:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zAndy1

The files are .mov files. I've installed VLC and played them using that and they're fine (albeit a bit choppy which I don't really understand as my PC should be up to playing 720p files smoothly!). Looks like quicktime doesn't like playing these files off my HDD but is fine playing them off the memory card, I don't understand why but seems to be the case. Anyway I guess it rules out a camcorder problem which is the main thing.

Further to this, it's just a problem on Vista, I've booted into XP and the files play fine in quicktime on XP. I think it's a known issue with Vista / Quicktime and Nvidia Sata drivers.

EDIT: Now working ok on Vista, updated my Nvidia Nforce drivers and all ok playing from the HDD now.

solidamber · 10-01-2009, 2:07 PM

A 750p Praktica version is on sale at £85 and comes with a 2 GB card

Praktica "DVC 5.1 HD" camera/camcorder - Kays

edit Now sold out

stee · 26-08-2009, 10:26 PM

does anyone know why I can't playback sd card directly onto panasonic plasma directly into sd slot as it just says 'no files found'. It plays badly on pc with judder, is this what you get for small prices