Sony HDR-XR520V Handycam First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Jeremy Stamas
Published on Jan 11, 2009 1:20 PM

 
Intro Audio
Compression & Media
 Manual Controls
Still Features Handling & Use
Playback & Connectivity Other Features
Conclusion Photo Gallery
Specs and Ratings



Compression
The Sony HDR-XR520V records full 1080/60i HD video using the AVCHD codec. The camcorder has four HD quality settings: FH (16Mbps), HQ (9Mbps), SP (7Mbps), and LP (5Mbps). The 16Mbps maximum bitrate is the same bitrate featured on last year's top-line models from Sony. It's surprising Sony didn't make the jump to 24Mbps recording, which is the highest bitrate available on AVCHD. Canon has unveiled numerous camcorders that record at 24Mbps, although our extensive testing of the Canon HF11 didn't show a significant boost in quality between 24Mbps and 17Mbps. JVC also debuted a camcorder that records at 24Mbps.

The HDR-XR520V also offers three standard definition record settings, which compress video using the MPEG-2 codec.

Media
The HDR-XR520V has a huge, 240GB non-removable hard drive. According to Sony, this is enough space to hold up to 1750 minutes of video at highest quality or 5770 minutes of video at the camcorders lowest HD quality. The camcorder can also record to Memory Stick Pro Duo memory cards.

Recording Media
Primary Media 240GB Non-Removable Hard Disk Drive
Secondary Media Memory Stick PRO Duo Cards (must purchase separately)


Editing
The camcorder comes with Picture Motion Browser Version 4.2.00, but the software is not supported by Mac OS. Picture Motion Browser is essentially a tool for transferring and organizing media—it isn't good software for editing video. The software also provides assistance with uploading video to the internet.

A new feature on the HDR-XR520V is called Highlight Playback. According to Sony, the feature uses a number of criteria (like Face Index, Smile Shutter, Dual Capture, and timestamps) to automatically sort and link scenes into a short video clip of its own—the feature even supplies music and transitions. While Highlight Playback may appeal to some, it's an overall gimmicky feature that isn't very useful.



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