That's what I was thinking too Thomas. Do you know if you can capture directly to Blackmagic's JPEG codec from the camera or do you have to first capture uncompressed and then transcode? I couldn't find this answer on their Intensity site and am about to Email them about it.

It would be great of course like you say to capture directly to a JPEG codec as you wouldn't need a disk array like with the uncompressed.

I talked to my local store today, and was told that Panasonic plans a range of hard drive cameras next year, and that JVC might have their HD hard drive camera out by Christmas.

Intensity will record to Photo Jpeg live as far as I know. It was discussed in the news thread on the AVCHD that was taken down to be repaired. Chris was planning to put it back up again, but it looks like it didn't. It had most of the answers on Intensity's HDMI capture.

I'm still curious, will this HDMI be interlace?

The Panasonic site says it sends 1080i or 480p out over HDMI, whatever that means.

Besides the included memory card I think the other reason why the HDC-SD1 is more expensive is because it’s more attractive to the consumer because of the compact size and the DVD version looks awkward. At least that’s my opinion.

I agree, but the reality should be different, the disk mechanism costs, and the disks cost less.

Wes, can we trust that to be the full story.

Unless it has progressive, I think I will skip now. I would prefer 50fps progressive.

True, however, they're also banking on the fact some consumers will want a camcorder that will provide "instant gratification" to those who simply want to pop the 8cm DVD disc out of the camcorder and then insert it into a Blu-ray Disc player and watch the high definition display.

But I agree the DVD version looks odd.

The official page for that model is here:

http://panasonic.jp/dvc/dx1/

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

I can't see how it aquires anything but 1080i. There doesn't seem to be any info anywhere that would say otherwise but we'll have to wait and see to be sure I suppose. I would prefer progressive but at least they included HDMI and a Microphone port. Can't wait to see what the video looks like.

Stills appear to look like this:
http://www.simplydv.co.uk/newsitems/...c-sd1_dx1.html
I look forward to seeing some motion stuff somewhere!

If it has video quality like that, it would be acceptable. This is what I expected from the higher latitude, bigger sensor pads, in the pixel shifted CCD's. Looks like the Sanyo HD1 a little, but without the compromises. But video quality can always be dumbed down.

Too expensive, if they only had progressive 1080 24mb/s, or half the price. As it is it has to compete with better HDV cameras. I would love to see the video reviews.

Interesting that the bulkier but cheaper DVD model has a viewfinder and the SD model does not -- though I am not sure how useful it is with the battery sticking out of the back.

The SD-1 is attractive for me, but I would like to know what Sanyo's next move will be. I have certainly been pleased with the HD-1, and AVCHD seen so far doesn't look that fabulous on the HDTV.

Lest not forget that Samsung has yet to release their own H.264 camcorder and so far it’s been delayed.

Maybe they will all show at CES (Samsung Sanyo, JVC). The Panasonics are coming in March in the States. Maybe the other cameras will be similar. I wish they would put a HD1a like camera in a Pocket PC phone (but much better, like 19mb/s, fast aperture, better sensor).

FL of the new Pani corders?
 

Does anyone know how to translate the listed FL for this new Pani camcorder into 35mm equivalent?

Is the conversion just the ratio of the 1/4" to 35mm (5.51:1)? I don't this so because the #'s just don't 'add up' given the stated FL's of Does anyone know how to translate the listed FL for this new Pani camcorder into 35mm equivalent? The listed FL is 3-30 mm.

Thanks
JohnG

Pana SD1 AVCHD
 

Hello,

I had the opportunity to use one during one day, and my first (and ok.. very light) sensations are :

1- I small, looks very close to a HC3 very different from previous Pana SD Card camcorder
2- no viewfinder, small but good screen
3- obvious command organization, no need to open the book
4- can accept a mic (mic input)
5- rather quick start

for the rest it's like any other small camcorder.

The results ar rather good. I've been immensely disappointed by Sony AVCHD that provides good images by good light but has a high, too high, far too high noise level as soon s the light goes down
It's not a measurement -like advice, just my eyes advice but Panasonic noise level seem much much better
By good light the images are surprisingly good.

I think its a rather good camera probably better then the Sony

The problem right now is the software to convert files I've not seen it but I've been told that it's no way better than the Sony one and the Sony one is awful.

Luc