Tracy and Matt's Blog

Can this really record at 720P?? If so, what bitrate?

I can not find any info in the spec.

Looks like it has Sony's SteadyShot Stabilisation looking at the spec. Any idea what the battery life is like?

Matt,

Sorry if I missed it but did you find out what that cable was fom the unboxing video?

Thanks.

It looks like the cable that was in the yellow bag plugs into the docking station and provides USB outputs.I may be wrong. The really serious omission,(imo) is the lack of a "mini" HDMI to normal HDMI lead for plugging the Camcorder straight into an HD TV, for example. This lead is available elsewhere, but Sony really should have provided. How are you going to watch the great HD output on a TV otherwise ! Makes no sense..

Watched the video again. Could not see a mini USB port on the camera but the cable that Matt was not sure about; looks like the block fits the docking port at the bottom of the camera and provides mini USB to USB connection. It all connetcs together for easy transport I guess. Wonder if the camera will charge from USB whilst this is connected? The other USB cable is just for the docking station itself.

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

I would always record in best quality. I know some people who invest in DVD recorders but then compromise the quality by recording at low bit rates in order to save disc space. It makes no sense to me. You spend good money with this stuff. Don't compromise it. Just my thoughts,of course ! Others may disagree..

Can you use any memory stick or have to use mark 2 ?

Hi. I was wondering is there a connector of some kind for a wired remote?

Will keep you all updated, mine shipped from SonyStyle UK Yesterday!!!

Hi Mark,

Look forward to your view on it, cheers……

Sorry for the late reply, have been really tied up. So far I am really impressed with the camera. It is built extremely well and feels solid in the hand, this thing is small!!!

I did some comparison over the weekend with the TG3E and my older HC3 (old, I know but it is the only other VC I have) and really cannot see much difference in the picture quality. The HC3 may have a slight advantage in certain shots but then the TG3 seems to produce a nicer picture in others. Still, even if the HC3 was noticeably better the TG3 would still win hands down due to it size, build etc… I am no expert on picture quality but the results from such a small unit are pretty impressive even if there is a compromise in video quality compared to the size of the unit.

Battery life seems OK but think it could be better as it seemed to go down about 20% after about 10mins of shooting but then again being a new toy it was turned on/off and the menus played with quite a lot so only time will tell how well it performs.

There are a few small design improvements they could make, the biggest for me (so far) being that if holding the camera in your hand you use your forefinger to depress the power button your thumb slides open the battery/MS cover, however this is not really an issue as opening/closing the LCD screen turns the camera on/off or puts it in to quick start mode.

I could go on… but if you have any questions then feel free to post. I will try to answer what I can but am currently working away from home so cannot provide any sample footage.

Overall, I am really impressed with it. It is extremely small although perhaps not for your shirt pocket. The picture quality for its size is great, although I am no expert so please don’t flame me, this is my opinion and I am more than happy with it. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a point and shoot camera which is built extremely well and gives great results for its size.

Hi,

im really interested in this camcorder, Me located in Germany I wonder if I shall buy it in USA (Parents stay there next two weeks) or Europe, the pricedifference is around 200 EUR! What would be the disadvantages, isn't the US Version NTSC ? Or does NTSC/PAL not apply anymore to HD Camcorders ? Sorry but im a newbie.

thx for clearing things up.

Christophe

Christophe,

The US version is NTSC. PAL and NTSC does apply to these camcorders but I think possibly only if NOT recording in HD (perhaps someone else can confirm). PAL has a slightly higher resolution although there are arguments for and against both formats; which I guess are probably region based (mine is better than yours…). Google “PAL NTSC”, you should find more information to help you. I would personally go for PAL but then that is my native format being in the UK.

If I were you I would pay the extra money and buy either directly from SonyStyle.eu or preferably from a reputable store. As far as I am aware they do come with a world wide warranty however if you buy locally, you should have any issues resolved more easily by going back to the point of purchase rather than having to ship the camera back to Sony for repair. Just my opinion, I would rather be safe than sorry.

thx mark, yes i think PAL/NTSC only applies to SD Content, except for 50/60HZ difference. The resolution with Hd is 1920x1080i. I dont plan on recording SD. So I guess it makes no difference for me and Ill try to get this cam in US and save around 200 EUR.

thx for your time and input!

Christophe

i don't know about sony cameras but for other cameras, pal cameras shoot 25 or 50 fps, ntsc shoot 30 or 60 fps

How to play the .mts file?

Do you know if you can screw a wide angle lense onto this camera? I know it doesnt look like it has a screw fitting from the pictures but i know with some of the other similar style camera out you can pop off a bit from the front to reveal a lense fitting?

well i have found wide angle lenses that have magnetic adapters so that u can put one on. the part that goes on the camera has adhesive and the lens magnetically attaches.

Absolutely ridiculous and mercenary of Sony to sell this HD camera (with HDMI out), but no HDMI cable supplied!
Not funny Sony!