Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10 Camcorder Review

Audio & Other Features
• Awkward microphone placement doesn't record sound well if the LCD screen is facing the subject • Simple two-channel AAC sound • No microphone input, accessory shoe, headphone jack, or audio level controls • Dual PAL/NTSC output option is handy if you travel
	Playback & Connectivity	(Page 11 of 17)	Sony MHS-PM1 Comparison

Audio Features (1.25)

The CG10 offers only the bare bones of audio functionality. All sound is recorded via the stereo microphone mounted on the rear face of the LCD panel. The placement of the microphone is off, since the microphone will be facing away from you if you're doing any self-recording. (i.e. flip the LCD around so you can see yourself and the microphone will be pointed in the opposite direction. If you're recording someone else, at least the mic is facing the right way, even if it is a mediocre stereo input. And if you happen to be recording on a mildly windy day, the CG10 includes an optional Wind Cut feature—called Wind Sound Noise Reduction.

The CG10 does not offer any alternate microphone inputs, an accessory shoe, headphone jack, or level control.

We do feel obligated to mention that our model gave off an irritable, high-pitched squealing sound whenever we were in record mode. (The sound ceased while in Playback mode.) The sound was so loud and atrocious that it was clearly audible in all of our recorded video clips. This defect made the audio completely unusable for every single recording. However, we did exhaustive research, watching countless YouTube clips and reading numerous customer reviews and it seems that no one else experienced this flaw. It seems like we just got an early build or a rare manufacturer defect. If you purchase a VPC-CG10 and it makes this noise, make sure you contact the retailer immediately for a new product. (And let us know that we weren't alone!)

Other Features (2.00)

NTSC/PAL Outputs
The Sanyo VPC-CG10 lets you output to either a standard NTSC or PAL television. Every American television is NTSC-compliant, but if you're traveling to Europe, it wouldn't hurt to be able to watch your footage on televisions over there. Native PAL camcorders usually record at 50fps or 25fps, but these Sanyo camcorders record at the usual 60p or 30p, then translate your footage for PAL televisions.

Filter
Known as "digital effects" on most camcorders, the Filter option lets you select from Cosmetic, Monochrome, and Sepia. Cosmetic is simply the digital effect you see on a lot of digital cameras, which will smooth out facial blemishes to give faces a "cosmetic" enhancement.

Voice Memo
The CG10 has an extra feature that allows to record simple audio-only voice memos. Since most people don't have a digital audio recorder, this could actually come in handy.