HD Camcorder, Will this work ok with Mac?

[liketom]

been looking for a new camcorder and came across this one

SANYO VPC-HD1EX Digital Camcorder

£499 in the UK, Currys have it in stock but i've been unable to find out if this one works with Mac.

need to know if any of you lot have any experience with this cam

is it any good ? does QT Pro play nice with it , will iMovie import ok from it so on ..so on....

here's the quick specs :
# High Definition recording (1280x 720p)
# SD card format (2Gb card included)
# 5m pixel digital camera function
# 10 x optical zoom (10 x digital zoom)
# 2.2" OLED LCD screen
# Docking cradle
# USB 2.0 connectivity
# DV out
# Digital image stabiliser
# Ultra compact design


linky link http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/sto...fm=1&sm=1&tm=0&sku=889185&category_oid=-20428

 

[super_kev]

It films in MPEG-4 format, and you'll transfer the file via the card like you would a digital camera. As far as QT/iMovie goes, a google search revealed this: Videobloggers Beware: iMovie’s MPEG-4 editing is terrible…

So it will work, you'll just have to make the project DV and let iMovie convert the MPEG-4 file first before editing it.

 

[liketom]

that will do for me

Cheers Super Kev

 

[hvfsl]

I would recommend against that camcorder. I haven't seen a good review for it anywhere.

If you want a HD camcorder, the only real choices at the moment are the Sony HC1, HC3 and the Canon HV10.

 

[liketom]

I would recommend against that camcorder. I haven't seen a good review for it anywhere.

If you want a HD camcorder, the only real choices at the moment are the Sony HC1, HC3 and the Canon HV10.

really ? got any links to some stinker reviews

 

[hvfsl]

really ? got any links to some stinker reviews

A quick google finds this:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sanyo-VPC-HD1-Camcorder-Review.htm

Conclusion
We can definitively say that Sanyo’s Xacti VPC-HD1 is a high definition camcorder in name only. Does it meet the technical requirements? Of course: it captures at 720p. But does it meet expectations? Does it surpass what you’ve seen in standard definition camcorders, even by a little bit? No, it does not. In fact, many standard definition camcorders, like the Canon Optura 600, Panasonic PV-GS300, and GS500, produced far better images, both in sharpness and color performance. The HD1 did not come close to matching the performance of Sony’s consumer-oriented HD cam, the HDR-HC1, nor do we expect it to match the forthcoming HDR-HC3. While we wish that you could get a good HD camcorder for $700, the reality is that the technology isn't there. The VPC-HD1 is a gimmick camcorder.

 

[liketom]

A quick google finds this:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sanyo-VPC-HD1-Camcorder-Review.htm

that was one great read - i think you just saved me making a big mistake!

it's either the sony or nothing then god dam almost double the cost

 

[twoodcc]

it's either the sony or nothing then

you might want to take a look at the Canon

 

[LethalWolfe]

you might want to take a look at the Canon

While not as band as the Sanyo, the Canon HV10 didn't exactly get a glowing review either, camcorderinfo.com

Conclusion
Now for the section you all probably jumped ahead to: our verdict. To be honest, we had a hard time with the Canon HV10. Everyone wants high definition, but everyone wants it at the price and convenience of the camcorders they’re used to. Canon seems to have met so many of those needs with the HV10. It’s highly portable, easy to use, and under $1500.

But there were some serious issues that give us pause. The upright, pistol-grip body produces some very real handling issues. For anything but point-and-shoot operation, making adjustments can be a pain, and upset the picture stability. More seriously, the low light performance was terrible. You’ll be shooting in “low light” more often than you think, as camcorders require a lot more light than the human eye, which makes this category so critical. Bright light video looks great, but you have to consider the whole package. The weakness in audio is also a huge killer for us.

Compared to the Sony HDR-HC3, it’s a very tight race. We loved the Sony’s ease of use and handling, both of which trumped the Canon, but Canon’s manual control set is a crucial upgrade for many users. At the end of the day, if you're a point and shoot user, the HV10 is likely going to satisfy your needs better than any user group out there. If you want something that is a bit easier to use, go with the HC3, but, if you want something that is ultra-compact (which many people do) the Canon HV10 is a good choice.

These HDV cameras are already a step down in low light performance compared to their SD cousins, so an HDV camera that's poor in low light compared to other HDV cameras...ew. Now, if the OP is planning on shooting outdoors during daylight hours then it's obviously a non-issuse.


Lethal