Samsung announces new Camcorder range

Samsung have just announced their new H-Series camcorder range all of which will offer full HD video recording on internal Solid-state flash drives rather than conventional memory cards or hard drives.

More details can be found in the press release below.

Samsung’s new H-Series offer users an unprecedented form factor, industry leading design, a renowned Schneider lens with Optical Image Stabilization and high-performance, full-HD video; however, most notable is the use of internal solid state drives (HMX-H104, HMX-H105, HMX-H106) providing onboard memory.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

For the first time in a consumer digital camcorder, a flash-based solid state drive (SSD) is used to provide consumers with highly-reliable and high-performance internal memory. Leveraging its expertise in the design of semiconductor technology, Samsung included its renowned flash-based SSD technology in the new HMX-H106, HMX-H105 and HMX-H104. Offering a 64GB SSD, the HMX-H106 is the world’s highest capacity flash-based digital camcorder. The HMX-H104 and HMX-H105 offer 16GB and 32GB SSDs, respectively, while the HMX-H100 requires the use of a SD/SDHC or MMC+ memory card as it does not feature onboard memory.

Internal Memory

The inherent benefits of utilizing flash-based SSD is to provide consumers with internal memory, including drastically reduced power consumption thanks to no moving parts, faster read/write speeds and better durability. The new H-Series full-HD digital camcorders also utilise H.264 compression, which significantly increases record times. At full-HD resolution and when set to fine mode, users can record up to three hours directly to the 16GB HMX-H104, six hours to the 16GB HMX-H105, and an unparalleled 12 hours to the 64GB HMX-H106.

Schneider Optics

Precision optics are paramount in helping produce inspiring video and Samsung’s H-Series camcorders draw attention to this usage by incorporating world renowned Schneider optics. The camcorders’ Schneider lens features a 10x optical zoom and is paired with Samsung’s new Optical Image Stabilizer, to help reduce the blur found in footage as a result of vibrations and hand shake.

The trusted Schneider lens helps capture remarkably clear and sharp video with accurate colour reproduction, and the H-Series’ direct HDMI connection allows consumers to enjoy their full-HD content on their HDTV without the need for proprietary docking cradles.

The camcorders also offer a large 2.7 inch touch-screen LCD, which serves as the gateway to the camcorders’ comprehensive suite of features. The swivelling LCD also gives users access to key camcorder controls, including record and zoom. When used in conjunction with Samsung’s proprietary swivel grip, the additional placement of controls on the LCD screens allow users to effortlessly control the camcorder when held at low or high angles.

Still Photos

Consumers can also utilise the camcorders to take more than just stunning high-definition video, as each offers a built-in strobe flash and the ability to capture 4.7 mega-pixel (through interpolation) digital still photos.

CMOS Imaging Sensor

At the heart of Samsung’s new H-Series of full-HD digital camcorders is a high-performance CMOS imaging sensor. Measuring 1/4.5 inches, the CMOS sensor boasts 2.2 mega-pixels and yields impressive light sensitivity helping enhance the overall imaging experience for the end-user.

Time Lapse

The camcorders also feature a Time Lapse recording mode that will give consumers the ability to experiment with their creativity. When shooting in the Time Lapse recording mode, the camcorder will record a single image at an interval pre-selected by the user, either 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, or 30 seconds, and will save each image as one single movie file.

“This new series of high-definition digital camcorders clearly speaks to Samsung’s commitment to providing today’s consumers with the most advanced and highest-performing digital imaging technology,” said Steve Mitchell, General Manager Marketing, Samsung Digital Imaging Division.

“Our ability to leverage the synergies that exist across our various businesses in the design and manufacture of digital camcorders and cameras, allows us to be better equipped to meet customer demands and bring higher-performing digital imaging solutions to market faster and more efficiently.”

The H-Series Camcorders will be available from leading high street and online retailers from April 2009.