Sony Offers Webbie HD---a Sub-mini AVCHD Camcorder at DVinfo.net

J. Stephen McDonald · February 16th, 2009, 02:50 AM

The 7 oz. Sony MHS-CM1 is built like a standard horizontally-oriented camcorder. I've been surprised at how good the few well-shot samples posted online from it look, considering it uses only 4.4 Mbps for 720p and 6.6 Mbps for 1080p, using VBR. Search Vimeo for some of them. The MHS-PM1, a smaller, upright version without the CM1's 5X zoom, will be delivered in April. Here's Sony's press release:
http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_ro...ase/38253.html

I should mention that it costs only $200. (U.S.) and Sony sells a 2-year replacement warranty for $21. Here's a link to Sony's promotional webpages for it:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/..._webhd_gglsrch

And the PDF for the manual:
http://www.docs.sony.com/release/MHSCM1.pdf

And a detailed specifications PDF:
http://www.docs.sony.com/release/specs/MHSCM1_mksp.pdf

Michael Murie · February 16th, 2009, 09:08 AM

Thanks for posting these. I'd checked these cameras out at the local Sony Style store, but I didn't realize they shot 1080p (1440x 1080); I had thought they were limited to 720p.

I figure it's a waste of time going on about Sony's use of Memory Stick's but when the camera is only $200, the price difference between Memory Stick and SD cards becomes even more noticeable!

Harrison Murchison · February 16th, 2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Murie

Thanks for posting these. I'd checked these cameras out at the local Sony Style store, but I didn't realize they shot 1080p (1440x 1080); I had thought they were limited to 720p.

I figure it's a waste of time going on about Sony's use of Memory Stick's but when the camera is only $200, the price difference between Memory Stick and SD cards becomes even more noticeable!

Cute ..but Memory Stick = deal breaker.

Phillip Barnett · February 16th, 2009, 02:13 PM

I am thinking these kind of fall into the disposible (35mm) cameras for the pro-photographers. Imagine being hired to video a wedding and reception and walk into the reception and one of these is on each of the tables.

Actually that gives me a better idea.

Buy them and offer them to the client as an upgrade. Place one on several tables and instruct the guest to shoot and leave messages for the bride and groom. Then use the footage in your final video given to the client. Hmmmmm.......

J. Stephen McDonald · February 20th, 2009, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harrison Murchison

Cute ..but Memory Stick = deal breaker.

Right now, BB has 8 GB Sony Pro Duo cards on sale for $40. I may grab one or two, just for future use. They also have 2 GB SanDisk Pro Duos for $15.

Michael Murie · February 20th, 2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Stephen McDonald

Right now, BB has 8 GB Sony Pro Duo cards on sale for $40. I may grab one or two, just for future use. They also have 2 GB SanDisk Pro Duos for $15.

$40 seems like a pretty good price; though buying memory before you need it has historically been a losing proposition; prices keep falling as capacities go up.

Jason Lowe · February 20th, 2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Stephen McDonald

Right now, BB has 8 GB Sony Pro Duo cards on sale for $40. I may grab one or two, just for future use. They also have 2 GB SanDisk Pro Duos for $15.

My biggest problem with memory stick isn't the price, but the fact I can't put it in anything else. The rest of my stuff is Canon, and I'm already stuck with two formats (the DSLR takes compact flash).

J. Stephen McDonald · February 20th, 2009, 08:29 PM

I'm glad that Sony has stuck with a card format that I can use in the card-slots of my computers, that has a capacity larger than 2 GB. With SDHC, I'd have to buy and keep a card-reader (one more piece of clutter) on my desk and use up a scarce USB port. So which is best? A format that can't go beyond 2 GB, or one whose designers thought of future capacity increases and maintained much more compatibility with newer equipment?

J. Stephen McDonald · March 22nd, 2009, 08:02 PM

The format is the same as for the new Sony HX1 digital camcorder with HD video.

February 16th, 2009, 02:50 AM	#1
J. Stephen McDonald Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 909	Sony Offers Webbie HD---a Sub-mini AVCHD Camcorder The 7 oz. Sony MHS-CM1 is built like a standard horizontally-oriented camcorder. I've been surprised at how good the few well-shot samples posted online from it look, considering it uses only 4.4 Mbps for 720p and 6.6 Mbps for 1080p, using VBR. Search Vimeo for some of them. The MHS-PM1, a smaller, upright version without the CM1's 5X zoom, will be delivered in April. Here's Sony's press release: http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_ro...ase/38253.html I should mention that it costs only $200. (U.S.) and Sony sells a 2-year replacement warranty for $21. Here's a link to Sony's promotional webpages for it: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/..._webhd_gglsrch And the PDF for the manual: http://www.docs.sony.com/release/MHSCM1.pdf And a detailed specifications PDF: http://www.docs.sony.com/release/specs/MHSCM1_mksp.pdf __________________ Steve McDonald https://onedrive.com/?cid=229807ce52dd4fe0 http://www.flickr.com/photos/22121562@N00/ http://www.vimeo.com/user458315/videos

February 20th, 2009, 08:29 PM	#8
J. Stephen McDonald Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 909	I'm glad that Sony has stuck with a card format that I can use in the card-slots of my computers, that has a capacity larger than 2 GB. With SDHC, I'd have to buy and keep a card-reader (one more piece of clutter) on my desk and use up a scarce USB port. So which is best? A format that can't go beyond 2 GB, or one whose designers thought of future capacity increases and maintained much more compatibility with newer equipment? __________________ Steve McDonald https://onedrive.com/?cid=229807ce52dd4fe0 http://www.flickr.com/photos/22121562@N00/ http://www.vimeo.com/user458315/videos

March 22nd, 2009, 08:02 PM	#9
J. Stephen McDonald Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 909	Sony Webbie HD Uses MP4/H.264/AVC Not AVCHD The format is the same as for the new Sony HX1 digital camcorder with HD video. __________________ Steve McDonald https://onedrive.com/?cid=229807ce52dd4fe0 http://www.flickr.com/photos/22121562@N00/ http://www.vimeo.com/user458315/videos

February 16th, 2009, 09:08 AM	#2
Michael Murie Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 205	Thanks for posting these. I'd checked these cameras out at the local Sony Style store, but I didn't realize they shot 1080p (1440x 1080); I had thought they were limited to 720p. I figure it's a waste of time going on about Sony's use of Memory Stick's but when the camera is only $200, the price difference between Memory Stick and SD cards becomes even more noticeable!

February 16th, 2009, 02:13 PM	#4
Phillip Barnett Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Augusta, Ga. Posts: 48	I am thinking these kind of fall into the disposible (35mm) cameras for the pro-photographers. Imagine being hired to video a wedding and reception and walk into the reception and one of these is on each of the tables. Actually that gives me a better idea. Buy them and offer them to the client as an upgrade. Place one on several tables and instruct the guest to shoot and leave messages for the bride and groom. Then use the footage in your final video given to the client. Hmmmmm.......