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Brando HD Media Player Docking Station does multi-format 1080p

by Paul Miller posted Jul 27th 2009 at 2:56PM


It seems that Brando can't go a month without bringing out yet another slightly-improved domicile for your orphaned SATA HDDs. Following in the footsteps of the very recent Multimedia Dock, the latest unit adds H.264 decoding to the already present DivX, Xvid and MPEG-4, while output graduates to full 1080p. Featuring HDMI and a plethora of supported media formats, the humble docking station has certainly grown up, but is it enough to compete with standalone media players? Input flexibility would suggest so -- the new device accepts 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch hard drives, alongside USB flash memory, SD, MMC, and MS cards -- but alas, Brando loses the plot at the final hurdle, asking for an astronomical $199. With prettier alternatives available at half the price, this is unlikely to sell like hotcakes, but Brando's breakneck refresh cycle give us the feeling it won't be long before we see that perfect do-it-all dock.

Canon gets official with VIXIA HD camcorders, HF11 gets reviewed

by Darren Murph posted Aug 7th 2008 at 9:46AM


Thanks to an early jump in Japan, we already knew that Canon's VIXIA line was getting a refresh, but now we can rest easy knowing they'll be coming to America. The HF11 Dual Flash camcorder (32GB in addition to an SDHC slot) and HG20 (60GB) / HG21 (120GB) HDD camcorders all boast 1,920 x 1,080 capture modes, Instant AutoFocus, SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization and 24Mbps recording to the AVCHD format. The whole lot is expected to ship next month for $1,199, $949 and $1,299 in order of mention, and the increasingly intriguing HF11 has already spent some quality time on Camcorder Info's review bench. Check out the in-depth writeup below before pulling that trigger in the heat of the moment.

[Thanks, Robin]

Read - Canon VIXIA releases
Read - Canon VIXIA HF11 review

Samsung SC-HMX20C HD camcorder review

by Darren Murph posted Jun 17th 2008 at 11:05AM Featured Story


Shortly after spending some quality time with the world's most diminutive HD camcorder, we were able to corral another remarkably small competitor -- one that shoots 1080p. Samsung's SC-HMX20C wasn't built to fit into the average back pocket, but its array of features more than made up for the size. After a week of wrapping our palm around this critter and capturing clips from everything ranging from America's pastime to a leisurely walk in the 'hood, we're ready to disclose our thoughts on the matter. Interested? Catch the full review after the jump.

Continue reading Samsung SC-HMX20C HD camcorder review

Samsung's SC-HMX20C 1080p camcorder hands-on

by Darren Murph posted Jun 11th 2008 at 3:08PM Featured Story


We'll give you one guess based on that image (and headline) above what showed up on our doorstep today. Samsung's SC-HMX20C isn't your mother's camcorder -- this bad boy captures clips in stunning 1080p and fits within the palm of a smallish hand. It's been a long wait since CES to get a finalized unit here to toy with, but while we're testing this thing out, why not flip around in the gallery below to see what Sammy's latest flagship is made of?

Update: Yeah, we're testing it out and will have video and a review up shortly. For those wondering, it should be filtering out to stores now for around $850.

Panasonic unveils SDHC-lovin' AG-HMC150 HD camcorder

by Darren Murph posted Apr 14th 2008 at 9:58AM


If you thought the HD camcorder announcements at NAB Show 2008 started and ended with Canon's new duo, you'd be sorely mistaken. Panasonic is launching a new one of its own under the limelight: the Fall-bound AG-HMC150. This handheld rig is the newest member of the AVCCAM family and can capture clips at 1,280 x 720 or 1,440 x 1,080 while utilizing the industry standard MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 compression profile. You'll also find native 16:9 1 / 3-inch 3CCD imagers, a digital signal processor with 14-bit A / D conversion and 19-bit processing, 13x Leica Dicomar zoom lens, optical image stabilization and the ability to store footage on SD / SDHC flash cards. Sure, $4,500 is still a lot of coin, but it's certainly within the realm of reason for many prosumers out there.

AgfaPhoto's DV-5000Z SDHC camcorder shoots 720p

by Darren Murph posted Apr 10th 2008 at 4:17PM


Though not nearly as sexy (or well-spec'd, for that matter) as Sony's recently-unveiled HDR-TG1, AgfaPhoto's DV-5000Z still manages to hold its own on paper. Measuring in at 4.7- x 2.75-inches (12- x 7-centimeters) and weighing just over 7-ounces (200-grams), this HD camcorder features a 5-megapixel Micron CMOS sensor, 2.5-inch flip-out LCD, 3x optical zoom and an SD / SDHC slot to store everything on. As for shooting capabilities, it'll capture clips at 1,280 x 720 (using H.264 compression) and snag 16-bit stereo sound all the while. You'll also find USB connectivity, a rechargeable Li-ion and video out, natch. Unfortunately, there's no mention of this €249 ($393) device ever coming Stateside, but it'll be ready to roll in Russia later this month.

Samsung cranks out 1080p, flash camcorders

by Darren Murph posted Jan 6th 2008 at 5:01PM


Not exactly in the market for an LCD HDTV, HTIB, or PDP? Or maybe you're just not concerning yourself with all those fancy acronyms. Whatever the case may be, Samsung is wrapping up its CES outpouring with four new camcorders, and we'll get things started by checking out the Full HD SC-HMX20C:
  • Captures video in progressive Full HD 1080p, selectable for 30fps or 60fps
  • HDMI-CEC (Anynet+), camcorder control using a Samsung HDTV remote
  • 8GB of internal flash memory; SDHC / MMC+ expansion slot1
  • 1/8-inch 6.4-megapixel CMOS sensor
  • 10x optical zoom
  • 300fps slow-motion recording mode for up to 10 seconds
  • 4-megapixel still image capture
  • 2.7-inch wide LCD touchscreen display
  • iCheck button for easy access to memory / battery levels
  • USB 2.0 and PictBridge connections
  • Component, S-Video and composite outputs
For the rest of the foursome, click on through.

Continue reading Samsung cranks out 1080p, flash camcorders

Panasonic's HDC-SD1 and HDC-DX1 AVCHD 1080i camcorders loosed

by Thomas Ricker posted Nov 8th 2006 at 6:53AM Breaking News


Say good morning to the first production run of Panasonic's AVCHD 1080i 3CCD camcorders. That's right, Panny took the drab yet so, so sexy CEATEC prototype and turned her out with some shiny new paint as the HDC-SD1. Fortunately, it's still packing that 12x optical zoom Leica DICOMAR lens in addition to a 3-inch LCD, 1.5-hour battery, and HDMI (1.2a) for output and control with Panasonic's VIERA Link universal remote. The camera utilizes those three 1/4-inch CCDs to record video to SD/SDHC cards for up to 90/60/40-minutes with 13/9/6-Mbps compression, respectively, when toting the bundled 4GB SDHC card. It'll even grab a 1.5 megapixel snap while simultaneously recording if you have the urge. On sale in Japan for ¥180,000 or about $1,531 starting December 1st. Oh, and Panny also announced their HDC-DX1 model which shares the same specs but records to 8-cm DVDs instead for ¥160,000 (about $1,361) starting December 15th. More pics of both 3CCD cams after the break.

[Via Impress]

Continue reading Panasonic's HDC-SD1 and HDC-DX1 AVCHD 1080i camcorders loosed

Another Panasonic AVCHD 1080i camcorder

by Thomas Ricker posted Oct 3rd 2006 at 10:01AM

CEATEC is pumpin' out the HD goods fast and furious now. Here's the latest AVCHD camcorder prototype from Panasonic. Although clearly different from the first Panny AVCHD recorder we peeped last week, it shares much the same specs including 3CCDs capable of capturing video at 1080i to SD/SDHC cards. This fully functional prototype, however, brings a Leica DICOMAR lens with 12x optical zoom, image processing LSI, and HDMI out. No word on pricing or ship date but hey, flaunt 'em if you gotta 'em Panny. More snaps after the break.

Continue reading Another Panasonic AVCHD 1080i camcorder

Panasonic 4GB SDHC card

by Matt Burns posted Jun 8th 2006 at 12:05PM

It's not everyday that a flash media card makes news here at HD Beat. This normal looking SD card though is something special to us and is hopefully going to help along the HDTV revolution. It is a Class 2 SD card that has the speed and capacity needed for high-def recordings. This little SD card has a transfer rate of 2MBs/16Mbps and a 4GB storage capacity. That Sayno HD pocket cam was the first flash based high-def recorder but it definitely was not the last. Panasonic themselves has a new camcorder, while it isn't HD, utilizes this new type of media. The speed of flash media has always been a stumbling block for portable HD devices but not anymore.

Unfortunately, this card is not backwards compatible with older SD devices. It will be available in Japan on July 15 for a price of $265.




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