Camcorder News
May 11, 2006AVCHD High Definition Format to be Developed for SD Camcorders
"Panasonic's efforts to develop the technology to record HD images onto SD Memory Cards and construct a new playback and editing environment, in addition to its establishing the AVCHD standard for 8 cm DVDs, will serve to further stimulate development of products that take advantage of the characteristics of both media," said Mr. Akihiro Nakatani, Director of Video Camera Business Unit, Panasonic AVC Networks Company.
The manufacturer has already put one SD-based camcorder on the market, the standard definition SDR-S100, which was released in September of last year. Panasonic did not specify any specific models, either DVD or SD-based, that will utilize the AVCHD format. Burt Desmond, Vice President of the Optical Group in Charge Product and Marketing, was able to confirm, however, that the public could expect to see products delivered "in late 2006 or early 2007, depending on the market."
Panasonic's SDR-S100, a standard definition SD-based camcorder
HD video will be able to fit onto SD cards because the AVCHD format uses MPEG4 compression, a more efficient codec that the MPEG2 currently found on most SD and DVD. The format will also support video at 1080i and 720p, as well as Dolby Digital AC3 and Linear PCM codecs for audio. Data transfer rates will also increase. Currently, SD and DVD are limited to a maximum of 8.5Mbps. AVCHD allows for speeds up to 18Mbps.
Latest News
& Reviews
-
04-May-2012
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Digital Camera Reivew
Along with its retro design and weather-sealed body, the Olympus E-M5 features a robust movie mode that provides you with a variety of manual video controls and features. Read More...
-
01-May-2012
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Digital Camera Review
The Alpha NEX-C3 is the cheapest of Sony’s NEX interchangeable lens cameras. Read More...
Top Rated Camcorders
-
$1,499.991Canon Vixia HF G10
With the Vixia HF G10 ($1499 MSRP), Canon's latest flagship camcorder, the company decided to use a completely different image sensor with a smaller amount of pixels. If you check out the results from our performance testing, you'll quickly see the change paid off—particularly in low light situations. Read full 5-part review
$1,499.99 -
$1,099.002Panasonic HDC-TM900
The Panasonic HDC-TM900 is the successor to the lauded HDC-TM700, our pick for Camcorder of the Year in 2010. The TM900 offers the same fantastic video performance as its predecessor, particularly with its widely-praised 1080/60p mode, but Panasonic didn't improve on much else. Read full 5-part review
$1,099.00 -
$999.003Panasonic HC-X900M
The HC-X900M is the replacement for last year's HDC-TM900 flagship HD camcorder from Panasonic, but if you're looking for hot new features or exciting updates then you should prepare to be disappointed. Other than a few design alterations and some slight tweaks to the lens and sensor, the HC-X900 is identical to its predecessor. Read full 5-part review
$999.00 -
$599.994Canon Vixia HF M40
The Canon HF M40 is the latest mid-range camcorder from Canon. With the same risky new sensor, this impressive bargain has great low light performance and a plethora of manual controls. Read full 5-part review
$599.99 -
$1,499.005Sony Handycam HDR-TD10
The twin lens system featured prominently on the front of the Sony HDR-TD10 should tell you one thing: this is a camcorder that can record 3D video. Read full 5-part review
$1,499.00
Find the right camcorder for you.
