Sanyo VPC-HD1 First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Matt Culler
Published on Jan 7, 2006 10:00 PM

Intro Performance
Format Tour
Auto / Manual Controls Still Features
Handling and Use
Audio / Playback / Connectivity
Other Features Comparisons / Conclusion
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Audio
The Xacti HD1 features a built-in stereo mic located on the front side of the LCD screen, and a built-in mono speaker located on the right side of the camcorder. Fortunately, the camcorder also features an external microphone port located on the top of the camcorder behind the flash. There is no shoe, but an external microphone might be the saving grace for this camcorder’s salability, as the noise of the camcorder’s optical zoom engine could be diverted from its path toward your audio track. We found extreme motor noise in the similarly-designed Fisher FC1.

VCR Mode
The playback mode of the Xacti HD is pretty handsome. The mode is accessed by a switch on the back of the camcorder, which switches between record and playback. When switched to playback mode, captured footage of both still images and movie fill the LCD screen. And while they are not laid out in a thumbnail grid for your visual pleasure, there is a nifty playback visualization option which is used to play, pause, fast forward, or rewind each segment.

Ports
The Sanyo HD1 has ports for S-Video and composite out, and can handle both NTSC and PAL. There is also a stereo audio out. The Sanyo doesn't have a USB port on its body, but there is a USB 2.0 / composite A/V / S-Video port on the docking station.


Ports and docking station







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