We just got the hd-1000u into our store, so I cracked it open to put it on display and play with it. After a few minutes I got to say I knew it was an HC7 stuffed into a bigger box going into but wow I did not imagine that it would still be touch screen, I figured they'd have to give it a real menu button but they didn't. That just killed the usability for me.

I'm well aware this is entry level and is based more on looks than performance but jeez it basically makes it impossible to do more than any one thing at a time while recording.

Anyone who wants to learn video from the ground will outgrow this camera within a few months easy.

If you're a using it for a school, or you're a guy who wants a handycam but wants to look cool, give it a try.

However, if you have any aspirations of doing really solid pro work, buyer beware you're buying a book for its cover.

That said I own both the xh-a1 and an hv20 and the only reason I laid hands on it is that I sell these things.