Sanyo Announces iFrame-Compatible Camcorders: The VPC-HD2000A and VPC-FH1A

October 13, 2009 – Sanyo announced that it will release the VPC-HD2000A and VPC-FH1A in North America. These two high definition camcorders have been available since early this year, but have yet to see a wide release on this side of the globe. The HD2000A and FH1A will have the same exact specs as their previously released cousins, but with one extra feature: compatibility with iFrame, a "next-generation" video format developed by Apple to make video files smaller and easier to edit.

The HD2000A and FH1A will be the first camcorders to support iFrame—a test run for the new format's success. While iFrame uses the same MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression codec as other high definition camcorders on the market, video recorded in this setting has a resolution of 960x540 and progressive scanning at 30 frames per second (30p). With these limitations of resolution and frame rate, it's clear that iFrame is designed to provide users with smaller, easier to edit video files. Full 1920x1080, 60i AVCHD files can be a chore for even the most robust hardware and software.

"This format offers a major breakthrough in reducing the time it takes for consumers to import, edit and share high quality video," said Tom Van Voy, General Manager of the Consumer Products Group for SANYO North America.

We were certainly impressed with the video quality of the HD2000 when it came through our labs in March. (Read the full review here.) Since then, it has excited plenty of interest from CamcorderInfo readers and other consumers on this side of the globe. It's unclear whether Sanyo plans to make iFrame-compatible models available in Europe or Japan, but the VPC-HD2000A (MSRP $599.99) and VPC-FH1A (MSRP $499.99) are available at North American retailers today.

The full Sanyo press release is available here.