Thought I would kick off a discussion of this camcorder. I have a few questions.

Anyone know when this will be ofically released?
What type of MiniDV tapes work? (Any)
What are the archival and playback methods for this format currently?

I assume once next gen DVD recorders come out capable of supporting HD output you could burn them, but it seems you can only play back the content through the camcorder to the display device if you wanted HD? Can you create HD TS files that you could stream using a device like Roku? If so, how?

Thanks

Drew

1. On or before July 15
2. Any MiniDV tape should work. It can record in 1440x1080i (anamorphic to 1920x1080) or 720x480p and I think 720x480i (anamorphic 640x480 or 853x480) to standard tape.
3. You are correct that HDDVD and Bluray are competing for the new standard. You can burn a WMV, MPEG, AVI, h.264 or MOV DVD playable in a computer. If your computer has a DVI or similar output or your TV has VGA in you can hook the two together. Not all TVs do 1080i. Not all computers do 1920x1080 either. You can render back to tape and play via the component inputs. There are some HD players out there but I'd wait until the standard is hashed out to keep from getting stuck with a BetaMax.

There is also the A1 coming out later this year followed by the HC3, 5, 7.

Good stuff!

The official launch date in Japan is July 7, but I found a shop yesterday that is running a special for 149,000 yen (USD $1,340) and claims it can ship to me on July 5th. This cam price and availability is impressive. It's on sale everywhere. I suspect they will keep good prices globally to try to make a splash. The price and the included lens hood convinced me to jump Panasonic and buy a Sony. I was going to wait for a 720p, but the price and the size of the HC1 are too good to pass up.

One thing that drives me nuts is lack of FX1 and HC1 native HDV samples on the net (aside from VASST). Anyone know where I can post some samples after I get my cam next week?

As for media and HDV viewing in a user friendly manner, Sharp has a high definition blue ray/hard disk recorder on sale in Japan. They just posted an update that the with the latest firmware, the firewire link supports FX1/HC1 cams and can record direct to hard disk and Blue ray disc in high definition. It is built for Japanese TV recording from 1080i satellite high def and terrestrial HD, but turns out to support HDV firewire recording as well. In my opinion, these gadgets will become pretty popular in a few years as average Joe's move to HD and want to show off their video to friends and family.

There is also a blue ray pc drive on sale (in Japan). You could record direct to blue ray disc and play in a blue ray disc player. I am going to stick with the Sharp recorder though because it has lots of other things I like that go well with my HD TV.

Come to our sister site, www.SonyHDVInfo.com where I have quite a few samples of the FX1.

In a couple of HOURS I am supposed to get an HC1 and will put up a few test shots and footage. (If the server isn't overloaded in bandwidth).

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Sony HDV camcorder info (FX1, CX7, HC3 HC5, SR1/3/5/10, SR11, SR12, TG1, UX1, Z1) -> http://www.SonyHDVinfo.com

Already found my way over to sonyhdinfo.com. I'll join the party. Can't wait to see more native samples. Everyone so concerned with movement and noise, I have yet to find a good sample where the subject is at least somewhat still!

In my hands now, an HC1 with updates as I type them up!

http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/showthread.php?t=2325

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Sony HDV camcorder info (FX1, CX7, HC3 HC5, SR1/3/5/10, SR11, SR12, TG1, UX1, Z1) -> http://www.SonyHDVinfo.com