Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 Camcorder Review

by John Neely
Published on May 10, 2007 12:00 PM

Intro Performance
Format
 Auto / Manual Controls
Still Features Handling and Use
Audio / Playback / Connectivity Other Features
Comparisons / Conclusion Specs and Ratings
   
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Compression (4.0)
The Sanyo VPC-HD2 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $585.36) is unique in its use of MPEG-4 compression for both high-definition and standard-definition video. Sanyo's MPEG-4 is an older version, and not the same version of the codec used in AVCHD, a newer HD flavor of MPEG-4 that debuted in mid-2006. AVCHD camcorders recording at 1080i are currently available from Sony and Panasonic, and Canon just announced their first DVD-based AVCHD model. Our testing has shown AVCHD to come reasonably close to HDV in terms of video resolution and performance, while the video produced by the Sanyo VPC-HD2 looks very much like a mid-way step between DV and HDV.

Like other camcorders, the VPC-HD2 offers a number of video quality settings that affect bit rate and video recording time. In HD, the highest quality option is HD-SHQ that records 1280 x 720 video at 30fps and a bit rate of 9 Mbps. HD-HQ records at the same resolution and frame rate at a lower bit rate, thus lower quality 6 Mbps. In standard-definition, there are four quality modes, though a fifth has been mentioned provisionally. TV-SHQ records at 640 x 480, 30fps at 3Mbps and TV-HQ records at 640 x 480, 30fps at 2Mbps. The VPC-HD2 also includes two web-friendly modes: Web-SHQ at 320 x 240, 30Mbps, and Web-HQ at 320 x 240, 15fps.

Media (6.0)
The Sanyo VPC-HD2 is one of a burgeoning group of camcorders that records to SD and SDHC memory cards. SD cards available in capacities up to 2GB while SDHC (the HC stands for “high capacity”) are available in 4GB and 8GB capacities. 16GB SDHC cards are on the way, and the format has a theoretical ceiling 32GB. According to Sanyo, a 1GB card will store 14 minutes of HD-SHQ video and 21 minutes of HD-HQ.

Editing (5.0)
One of the few redeeming qualities of the VPC-HD2 is the fact that it records MPEG-4 video. Though this particular flavor of MPEG-4 will not deliver the highest quality, the fact that it records to an SD card makes it easier to handle than capturing MiniDV or HDV footage via tape, finalizing and importing DVD footage, or importing and converting odd proprietary formats from HDD camcorders. Things move a bit more swiftly when dealing with the HD2. When you connect your SD card to your computer, a folder containing all recorded video and stills is accessible, and files can be dragged and dropped with ease. The MPEG-4 files can then be imported into most popular NLEs such as Premiere, Final Cut, and Avid.

The HD2 ships with Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5.0 SE and Ulead Photo Explorer 8.5SE Basic--two elementary editing programs designed for the home user. In MovieFactory, you can capture from SD and HD camcorders, TV, video, HDTV, VHS, and DVD. The editing aspect of MovieFactory functions on more of a simple cut-and-export principle, offering titles and basic transitions. MovieFactory has a DVD authoring feature as well. Both programs work very well for beginners and non-pros.

Ulead Photo Explorer 8.5SE Basic allows you to capture from a DV camcorder, PC Cam, or Web Cam, and features image editing and extremely basic video editing without the ability to trim clips. 






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