Sanyo VPC-HD1 Camcorder Review

Widescreen/16:9 Mode (6.0)
The Sanyo Xacti HD1 employs a 1/2.5 inch, 5.36 gross MP CCD that is capable of switching between widescreen HD and 4:3 formats via the HD button on the left side of the camcorder. Both the HD-SHQ and the TVS HQ modes shot footage with a 52 degree field of view. The resolution for the HD-SHQ mode is 1280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps and a 9 Mbps bit rate, while the TV-SHQ mode has a resolution of 640 x 480 at 30 fps and a 3 Mbps bit rate.

Scan Rates/24p (0.0)
There are two scan rates on the VPC-HD1. All HD footage is shot at a rate of 30fps (full frames per second, also called progressive scan). SD footage can be switched between 60fps, which is the same as 30i, or 30 interlaced fields per second, and 30fps.

Other Features (6.0)
Image Stabilization (A-B) - The Motion Compensation setting is really an image stabilization feature that can be used when slight unintentional hand motion will result in jittery video footage. Two image stabilization settings allow the Xacti HD1's user to prevent this: the "A" setting can be used to overcome camera shake in video mode, while the "B" setting is intended for still images. Neither option alters the field of view. Users can expect a cropped field of view for images that are recorded in the incorrect  mode, due to this camcorder's use of an electrical rather than optical image stabilizer.

Flicker Reduction Mode - The flicker reduction mode, listed in the options menu, is a feature which can be used in a situation with pulsating light sources, such as fluorescent lighting, can lead to compromised flickering footage. The flicker-reduction setting has a set frequency of 50 Hz. When Flicker reduction technology is in use during shooting,  the camcorder will not be able to use the manual exposure setting.

Wind Noise Reduction - The wind noise reduction feature, also located in the options menu, is a low cut filter which will remove the low tone frequencies that are created when wind strikes the diaphragm of the microphone.  In conditions without wind, the filter will create audio recordings that are acoustically unnatural.

Noise Reduction - The noise reduction feature will minimize the amount of video noise encountered when shooting in situations with lower light levels. It's only possible to engage this feature when the camcorder is shooting at rates of 1/4 of a second or slower, and doing so will result in longer processing times when compared to normal video recording. Accessing the noise reduction feature is accomplished by entering the options menu.

Smooth Playback - The smooth playback feature can be engaged when the Sanyo Xacti HD1 is in VCR mode, and lends greater clarity to fast camera movements. The smooth playback setting is located within the general playback menu, and will not be functional when viewing HD footage or when the camcorder is attached to a television via the component cabling.

Non-Expandable Battery - No, not all the "other features" are positive. We'd like to reiterate here that the camcorder has an enclosed battery design, which prohibits the possibility of an extra long life battery.