Post a Comment On: Richard Sprague

Be still my beating heart!  HD video cameras are here at affordable prices.  CNet and CamcorderInfo review the new $1400 Sony HDR-SR1, as the "most forward-facing camcorder of the year". [Image] When I looked into this one year ago, I concluded that HD camcorders aren't worth buying, but that's no longer true.  Some of the features I like: can output to standard def TV sets.  You basically don't need to worry about getting the video out because it will convert to SD when necessary. 30GB hard drive lets you leave tape behind and stores up to 4hrs of video with random access in VCR mode. What I don't like uses compressed AVCHD format instead of the lossless format you get on miniDV. requires proprietary Sony software to get the video into your computer.  This is a big deal if you need to run the camera on some OS not supported by Sony (like something in the future) I won't replace my Panasonic GS-400 yet, but it's clear that by next year at this time my tape-based SD camera will look pretty ancient.