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Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam preview video (exclusive)

11/04/08 06:39:46 pm by Matt - 749 words
Categories: Podcast/Video

Last week Sony announced their newest HD camcorder, the HDR-TG3E Handycam, the Worlds smallest digital HD camcorder.

Today Sony sent me the retail version of the TG3 to have a look at and, according to them, we are the first to get our hands on this puppy!

Unfortunately, due to the long queue of people waiting to review the HDR-TG3E, we only get to keep the Handycam for a few days so there wont be an detailed review from us this time. We do have our unboxing video though and I'll be letting you know what I think of the camera too. Hopefully we'll get our hands on another TG3 so that we can do a full review at a later date.

Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam unboxed

First impressions are that this is an amazingly small and light camcorder. The size and weight isn't achieved at the expense of build quality either as the TG3 looks and feels very solid, probably thanks to the chassis being made from titanium.

I also like the fact that so much is included in the package. In fact the box contains everything you need to get up and running, including a 4GB MSProDuo card. It's quite unusual for media to be included in a camcorder package.

Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam
Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam

Setting up and using the TG3 for the first time is straight forward thanks to the intuitive touch screen menus. It's simply a case of setting up the date and time and then choosing the shooting mode. Once you have inserted the memory card you are ready to start filming. Even if you have never used a video camera before I'm pretty confident that you'll be able to use the basic features of the TG3 without having to read the user guide.

Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam controls
Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam controls

The controls on the TG3 are well laid out, the most important ones sitting with in easy reach of your thumb while shooting. In fact there are not that many buttons or controls on the TG3, most of the settings and functions are accessed through the touch-screen.

Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam front view
Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam front view

The TG3 isn't just for videos though, you can take digital still pictures too and there's even a built in flash on the front of the camera. Another thing that's nice about the TG3 is that you can take a still picture while you are recording a video. If you choose to do this then the image is captured at 2.3 megapixels. However, if you are in still image mode that is increased to 3 megapixels - not a huge number, but adequate.

One thing to be aware of with the flash though is that it is so close to the camera lens that red-eye and dust orbs are likely to be more of an issue than normal.

Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam connectors
Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam connectors

The TG3 has a range of connectors that should cover almost every application. The AV connector covers composite video/audio and also component video. A USB connector allows you to hook the TG3 up to a PC or Mac in order to download and edit your videos. Under a cover on the back you can find an HDMI socket so you can plug directly into a HD TV and play back your HD videos. The HDMI cable is the only one not included in the box.

Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam bottom view
Sony HDR-TG3E Handycam bottom view

There's also a special connector on the bottom of the camera for the docking station (which is also included in the package). The docking station replicates the power, AV and USB connections from the camcorder but not the HDMI.

A final word (for now) on the video quality. I recorded a few sample clips in low-light conditions last night and I'm very impressed how well the TG3 performs. Playing back the video on my 50" HD Plasma TV the results are fabulous and despite the video being a digital format, requiring compression, there are no obvious compression artefacts.

As the camera uses no moving parts for recording there's no tape or DVD motor noise on the playback and it also means that recording is silent.

In all the TG3 is a great camcorder, small in size but not at all small in features.

Sample video and images as well as some answers to your questions can be found in this post.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): , , , , ]

Devicewire

60 comments

Comment from: Eugenia [Visitor] · http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org
Where is the technical information we need? I would like to know if it records 1440x1080 or full 1920x1080. I need to know the bitrate. I must know the exact format it records. Is it true NTSC 29.97 frame rate as in AVCHD/HDV, or variable 30.00 fps like on most cheaper digirecorders?

If you don't have the knowledge to answer these questions, at least please UPLOAD a 10 second clip (recorded in best quality) somewhere, so we can download it, so this way we can find that info ourselves.

Thanks.
11/04/08 @ 09:36
It does record at 1920x1080i as stated in the video. AVCHD is the format files are saved in. Full tech specs available on the Sony website.

Will record and post a video clip later.

Matt
11/04/08 @ 09:42
Comment from: Eugenia [Visitor] · http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org
Thanks, much appreciated!
11/04/08 @ 09:45
Comment from: Dominic Davids [Visitor] · http://www.myspace.com/silverchet
Any idea's on the price our what sort off price range to expect?
11/04/08 @ 10:09
Comment from: Frank [Visitor]
Thanks for the great review! Only thing is their proprietary technology but it does look slick!
11/04/08 @ 11:15
Comment from: fxyrslf [Visitor]
does it do 720p?
11/04/08 @ 12:22
Comment from: Mark [Visitor]
Thanks for the brief review!

Would also like a sample file if possible and when will the unboxing video be available?
11/04/08 @ 13:01
The unboxing video is in the original post. I'll have a sample file for you later!

Matt
11/04/08 @ 13:20
Comment from: Babusonamandal [Visitor]
Verry Nice
11/04/08 @ 13:49
Comment from: Stephen Vermeulen [Visitor] · http://vermeulen.ca
Very nice unit, does it have any image stabilization?

I'd like to see a sample recording under indoor lighting conditions to see what the low light noise levels are like.

It's a pity they didn't bring the HDMI connection out on the docking station as well.
11/04/08 @ 14:08
Comment from: nima [Visitor]
I think you will be able to use the cameras own HDMI out while it's docked.
11/04/08 @ 14:18
Comment from: 0-2-9 [Visitor]
Looks good. Nice size of this device...

But how does this camcorder compare to for example Sony's HDR-SR11E? Except for size and shape there seems to be only one difference between these camera's: the CMOS-sensor. The Sony HDR-TG3E contains a 1 / 5,0 ClearVid CMOS-sensor, resulting in 1.430.000 pixels in 16:9 camera-mode, and the Sony HDR-SR11E contains a 1 / 3,1 ClearVid CMOS-sensor, resulting in 3.810.000 pixels in 16:9 camera mode.

It seems obvious that this difference results in lower quality still images for the TG3E. But how does this influence video quality? Is there for example a big difference in video quality when playing it on a large 1080p LCD screen?

I'm not an expert, therefore I ask you. Will you prefer the SR11 because of this difference in CMOS sensor?
11/04/08 @ 15:12
Comment from: Jim [Visitor]
Hi, thanks for the information. In your other post http://www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/blogs/index.php/2008/04/03/sony_announces_the_worlds_smallest_hd_ca you mention 4MP still photos, here it's reduced to 3MP: which is correct?
11/04/08 @ 15:44
I'll have to let you know - the only definitive way to find out is to take some stills which I can do later. The Sony press release says 4mp but the Sony website 3mp.

Matt
11/04/08 @ 15:46
Comment from: 0-2-9 [Visitor]
For the HDR-TG3 it is as follows:

Video:

Pixels in cameramode: 1430000(16:9modus) and 1080000 (4:3modus)
Pixels in memorymode: 14900000(16:9modus) and 1990000 (4:3modus)

Photo (max):

2304x1296 (3MP) 16:9modus
2304x1728 (4MP) 4:3modus
11/04/08 @ 16:06
Comment from: John [Visitor]
Can you confirm that it will output the full HD quality files via the USB output port,(as well as the HDMI output), not a downscaled version. The reason I ask is that Sony quotes that it can burn direct to DVD, but this would obviously be in SD quality.
Many thanks if you can answer this.
11/04/08 @ 18:50
Comment from: Siamak [Visitor]
Thanks for the early preview. Quite a scoop! Well done!

I am currently looking for a really small Full HD camcorder and this model looks really good, but I wonder how the video quality compares to Panasonic's SD9 which offers 1080p rather than 1080i.

Looking forward to seeing your test video clip...
11/04/08 @ 20:09
Comment from: Simon [Visitor]
It's 4MP in 4:3 with face detection.

To burn directly into DVD in HD, you will need a VRD-MC5 which is around US$200.
I tried it and the DVD plays fine on PS3 in HD. ;)

You lucky guy who can get this now. I have to wait another month to pick up mine.
11/04/08 @ 22:36
Comment from: Simon [Visitor]
I mean I tried VRD-MC5 with my HDC-CX7 which is the previous model before TG3/TG1.

It has image stabilization according to Sony. Again, face detection is first in any comcorder from Sony.
11/04/08 @ 22:40
Comment from: Eugenia [Visitor] · http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org
So, any news on the 10 second .mts video?
11/04/08 @ 23:30
Comment from: face [Visitor]
Yes, please, a mts video (also in low light condition)

Do you think it will be comparable to HDR-CX6EK in terms of image quality ?
The cx6ek's bigger sensor make me doubtful about that ...
11/04/08 @ 23:48
Comment from: face [Visitor]
one more: how many minutes at full hd (high quality) is it possible to record in a 4 giga card ?
11/04/08 @ 23:57
Comment from: Matt [Visitor]
Hey guys good work! Does this have the same feature as the "grab photo" that the new camcorders from Canon have, where you can go back and take a picture of the video you have already taken? Thanks alot
12/04/08 @ 00:47
Comment from: Premnath Sah T.H. [Visitor] · http://www.lnkr.net/
Thanks for the review. can you post some sample image captured by this camcorder? or tell us about the quality of the images captured.
12/04/08 @ 13:34
Comment from: John [Visitor]
Apologies for my ignorance, but I thought HD footage could only be burned to BD discs, not normal DVD blanks. I know better now! So AVCHD can go onto normal DVDs,I guess,and play back in 1080i HD quality on a PS3. Great!
12/04/08 @ 17:02
Comment from: John [Visitor]
Still a bit confused though. I know that you can't record the "HQ+" 12mB/s signal from a normal Sony Freeview DVD recorder(for example)onto a DVD blank, as the maximum theoretical a DVD blank will accept is 10mB/s, so how come you can transfer the AVCHD 1920x1080i,16Mb/s signal to a blank DVD, without compression. Can anyone explain ?
12/04/08 @ 22:12
Comment from: Wes [Visitor]
I went into UK Sony Centre to ask about availability and price and found the following from the sales representative, who lookup the details on computer which I could also see the display.

Price £649 (£546, ex VAT and delivery to shop)

Availability: May 1st (although stock available to store 25th April)
13/04/08 @ 07:24
Sample images and videos can now be found via the link at the bottom of the original post. The review camera has now had to go back though! :(

Matt
13/04/08 @ 14:43
Comment from: face [Visitor]
thanks for the images and video
anybody knows how to view the video .mts on a Mac ?
13/04/08 @ 19:15
Comment from: Mark [Visitor]
Now available for pre-order on the SonyStyle UK Website!!!
16/04/08 @ 08:37
Comment from: markander [Visitor]
Nice camcorder, i have 1 question: Is it better to record in 720p, if you play it on a 720p tv? Or should I record in the best quality (1920x1080i) and let my tv downscale the signal to 720p(It's a HD-ready)? I also think about the future: it's better to have all my homevideos in best quality than 720p (if later I buy a full hd tv). Something i really want to know before I start filming. thank youuu
18/04/08 @ 16:46
Comment from: Karl [Visitor]
Do you think the sony has better picture quality and is a better camera than the sanyo Sanyo Xacti HD1000 Full High Definition SD Digital Movie Camera - Black
19/04/08 @ 10:10
Comment from: Mark [Visitor]
Karl,

There is a NY Times review out there which places the TG1 (TG3E) above the HD1000 in all tests from what I can remember but on par or just below the HDC-SD9. I am going for the TG3E simply due to the size factor and that it performs “nearly” as well as the SD9. I realise that the review is short and until the TG3E is readily available on the market we won’t really know how good/bad it is but from Matt’s sample it is good enough for me.
23/04/08 @ 11:55
Comment from: Mark [Visitor]
Oh, and having handled the HD1000 it it a real fingerprint and scratch magnet.
23/04/08 @ 11:56
Comment from: Mark [Visitor]
Will keep you all updated, mine shipped from SonyStyle UK Yesterday!!!
24/04/08 @ 06:58
Comment from: face [Visitor]
Where's possible to buy online the new memory stick pro duo 16 giga ?
27/04/08 @ 21:13
Comment from: Simon [Visitor]
I am looking at this camera as well as Sony's HDR-SR10 and HDR-CX6 as well as Canon's HG10 and HF100 and Panasonics HDC-HS9 and HDC-SD9. My biggest concern with the TG3 is that it is too small and that camera will be a big issue compared the ones that are a bit heavier (my camera right now is a Hi8 that weighs ca 1 kg..).
Mark, any thoughts about your camera at this moment or perhaps you have not got it yet?
28/04/08 @ 22:00
Comment from: Mark [Visitor]
Simon,

I did receive it last week, please see the other blog linked above under "Sample video and images"

Not quite sure what you mean by too small, it depends what you are looking for? My objective was to get a camera that was as portable as possible and hence easy to take out with the kids etc… the TG3E fits the bill and as a bonus it does give fantastic results for its size. It is extremely easy to operate but has the added advantage of some manual overrides (but not loads) if you need them. It is light in weight and perhaps you may get a little more wobble than with a heavier counterpart but it’s all compromise, right!

My main issue in the past with my Sony HC3 was that although it is a relatively small camcorder for what it does, or rather did back then when I purchased it, it is still not, in my opinion a HandyCam! Taking the camera out was a chore, had to take the whole camera bag with spare tape(s) and a battery etc… not really ideal for a day out with the family. This is where the TG3E comes in. It easily fits in to your trouser pocket or handbag, spare battery in the other pocket and MS Duo in your wallet. This past weekend I used the TG3 more than I have used the HC3 in the past year (not just because it was new), it was just so easy to have it with me.
I am not a camera junkie but I do love my toys and purchasing this camera made me realise how easy it is to just video at will without the previous hassle of carrying round a sack of potatoes to get the job done.

You need to ask yourself what it is you are looking for, if you want a camera that is going to give you a beautiful picture on a 100” 1080p screen then you will want to look at something else but if you want a camera that will give you fantastic results on a 42” plasma or LCD with the added bonus of being highly portable then the TG3E is for you! As I said in the other blog, I would recommend this camera to everyone. I cannot see any reason for you to be disappointed with the results is gives considering its size.

Having seen the other cameras you mention, although they are small they are no way near as pocketable as the TG3E, however they may give you better results. Keep your eye on the proper reviews and comparisons which should start to trickle out now perhaps they will help.

I will just add though that I have not done any really low light shots (will do some soon and post my opinion) so cannot comment on the results there but from what I have seen from other SolidState or HD camcorders I am not expecting the world.
29/04/08 @ 11:41
Comment from: Ronald Hu [Visitor]
Hi Mark, How was the battery preformed? How long did it last from fully charged?
03/05/08 @ 14:36
Comment from: Reinier Bakels [Visitor]
Somewhere I found: "16GB Memory Stick records up to 5 hours 55min of full HD movies (LP mode)."
I assume LP = long play?
Does this mean that HD SP mode on the camera with 4GB stick as delivered can record 5h55/8 = 44 min 22.5 sec?
15/05/08 @ 13:25
Comment from: Ngarag Rumours [Visitor] · http://www.ngarag.com
This is giving us the best of both worlds. This is what I like about Sony.

The smallest videocam with HD is just superb combination in a camcorder.

Just simply amazing!
29/05/08 @ 02:58
Comment from: Steve [Visitor]
So after all the emails, still no link to low light samples etc. Being AVCHD I would expect more artefacts than HDV, so let us see some day light , and poor light example samples please and a link posted here

regards
03/06/08 @ 11:50
Sorry Steve, but as I said in an earlier post the review unit I had on loan from Sony went back ages ago. Perhaps someone else can supply some samples?

Matt
03/06/08 @ 11:56
Comment from: Jamwa [Visitor]
I got mine from dabs.cpm for £550. That's a £100 saving over Sonystyle. Meant I could order an 8 GB card and a spare battery and still be below the sony price :-)

The camera performed well on my first trip with it. It powers through the battery quickly so the spare will come in really handy.
03/06/08 @ 12:31
Comment from: julian [Visitor]
All sounds great but is it Mac compatible??? Sony info line say no and I've even
taken my laptop instore to check.Sure it will transfer stills but not video.
I've found various 'yes it is' and 'no it isnt' on forums but nothing really concrete.
Surely there are enough Mac users now to make compatability standard.
The girl I spoke to at Sony said no Sony products are Mac compatible but I
know this is not true!!



02/07/08 @ 15:57
Comment from: David Alderson [Visitor]
Guys, your views on using this as a quick fire camera instead of the Sony HV30, so you can have it in your pocket all the time and catch that family video quick, the Sony HV30 is slow to start up in comparison and obviously bulky it has to be able to work with a mac running 10.5.3. david
05/07/08 @ 18:00
Comment from: Adrian Shepherd [Visitor]
***--
You quote that the Sony website stated it was 3MP. Well, why bother reviewing if you are just going to quote the website verbatim. The idea of an independent review is to get an independent review to verify and test manufacturers claims. How about posting your review process in detail ?
17/08/08 @ 19:37
Adrian, this isn't intended to be a review (as per third paragraph), it was a preview video to show you what the unit was like and what you get for your money. We only had the camera for about 24 hours.
17/08/08 @ 19:59
Comment from: Dion [Visitor]
*****
So you are unhappy that matt quotes the Sony specification? Odd.
17/08/08 @ 20:04
Comment from: EUGENE TRIVIZAS [Visitor] Email
I AM CONFUSED

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SONY TG3 HIGH DEFINITION DIGITAL CAMCORDER (£468) AND THE SONY HDR-TG1 4PM HIGH DEFINITION HANDYCAM CAMCORDER (£599)

I FOUND BOTH AT AMAZON. THEIR PHOTOS AT AMAZON LOOK IDENTICAL
22/08/08 @ 00:48
Comment from: Ben [Visitor]
Matt,

There has been a couple of questions posted on here about downscaling/recording in 720p. Can you respond please? I have a Bravia 720p HDTV and am thinking of buying this camcorder but don't see the point if I can't play back or record in 720p. Does this camcorder support downscaling from 1080i or will it record in 720p?

Thanks
Ben
27/08/08 @ 21:00
Ben,

Reading the printed spec for the TG3E it does look like you can record at 720P, I'm pretty sure I tested this at the time. However, as I mentioned, I only had hold of the camera for 24 hours before Sony needed it back. At the time we had the only one here in the UK. I am trying to get another review unit though.

Matt
27/08/08 @ 21:05
Comment from: Charles Dobbs [Visitor] Email
I too would like to know what the difference is between the TG-1 and the TG-3?
Other than the huge price difference as the TG-1 is way more!
12/09/08 @ 02:03
Comment from: mike rossiter [Visitor] Email
please forgive my ignorance but i am looking to buy a tg3 and know
jack about upscale/downscale etc..etc..
i have a sony crt tv from about 1990. and the cheapest of cheap dvd
players.
will i be able to plug and play my films on this tv.with a tg3 ?
also i want to burn dvd's i can take and play anywere on anything.
which dvd recorder should i buy(any recommendations)to do this...
the other camera i am looking at is the xacti hd1000.
some advice on the above would be greatly appreciated.

mike.
14/11/08 @ 15:27
Mike,

The TG3 will be able to play back on your TV using a component video cable which is supplied with the camera. I believe that Sony have a small DVD unit that plugs in to the TG3 to record on to DVD.

However, given that you are going to record to DVD and that you have an old non-HD TV I would personally go for the cheaper Xacti HD1000 and use the money you saved to buy a DVD recorder!

Matt
14/11/08 @ 16:30
Comment from: John Clayton [Visitor] Email · http://www.claytoncreative.co.uk
*****
Great review... I think I want one... but does it work with a Mac. I have read some reports that say no, others that say you must be on OSX 10.5 with an Intel processor... I have a MacBookPro Intel Dual Core Laptop 2.16 Ghtz with 2 Gb Ram. Will I be able to edit AVCHD video in iWork 08 without it falling over? I would be grateful if anyone knows the definitive answer!
18/11/08 @ 18:43
Comment from: Junior Lamont [Visitor] Email
Would this unit be any good for snowboarding... required for bright conditions, moving shots, zoom in and out say 100m to 10m.

Please help!!!!
30/11/08 @ 16:58
Comment from: jzjz [Visitor]
It's great until you start noticing the horizontal scanlines in every video due to the fact that it's interlaced instead of progressive. I was ready to buy one until I saw that. However, the small size is what keeps almost changing my mind. But the scan lines are ugly.

It's very obvious here on Sony TG1 : http://www.vimeo.com/1287979

And the same thing shot with a Sanyo HD1010: http://www.vimeo.com/1287895
looks better with no scan lines but it shakes when you zoom in. So both have their little problems.
15/12/08 @ 03:07
Comment from: mari [Visitor]
****-
Hello, I got my tg3 some days ago. Struggled a bit to figure out how to get the clips over on my mac (since none of the sony-softwares (Vegas Pro 8 or the included Picture Motion Browser) were mac-compatible).

But when i finally connected the camera to my mac, via the docking station/USB, and opened iMovie, the program just detected the camera and the clips so I could manually or automatically download them. I think it is in HD.. and really easy, though until now is starting filling up the disk.
Anyway I'm thinking of getting final cut instead of iMovie.

My computer is a 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB memory.


and, by the way: 4 GB HD gives only 28 min of filming, and when it's 4 min left the camera starts indicating low memory.

*m
25/12/08 @ 02:36
Comment from: Andrew [Visitor] Email
***--
I bought the Sony HDR-TG3E recently for a trip to India. I then tried to download the video recording to a DVD disk by first of all transfering the video clips over to my laptop then over to the DVD disk. The clips though remain as individual clips and do not run on in sequence like in a film. Any clues what I am doing wrong?
23/03/09 @ 08:50

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