Are you in the market for an HD camcorder but you want something a bit more professional than the common consumer HD camcorders? Well if that’s the case, check out the newly introduced Sony HVR-HD1000U HDV camcorder. This entry-level professional HD camcorder features a shoulder-mount design and a price point of around $1900 - making it available to a wider range of users including wedding videographers, freelancers, and educational video creators (heck - even semi-pro bloggers can probably afford this!).

Here are the major features of the Sony HVR-HD1000U HDV camcorder:

• Supports both HDV and DV formats
• With HDV format, users can shoot approximately 60 minutes of HD video on a 6mm cassette tape
• Supports several down-conversion modes that output converted SD signals to the user’s current SD production systems
• Features a high-end Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonner T 10x optical zoom lens to help reduce reflection
• Features Super Steady Shot for image stabilization
• Uses Sony’s 1/2.9 inch ClearVid CMOS sensor system with its unique pixel layout rotated 45 degrees to provide higher resolution and sensivitity
• Capture 6.1 megapixel still images in Picture Mode. Capture 4.6 megapixel still images while HD video is being recorded
• New LCD monitor and electronic view finder configuration. LCD monitor is in front of camera operator when the camera is shoulder-mounted
• Smooth Slow Rec function allows users to perform slow motion playback by capturing images at four times faster than normal field rate (240 fields/s)
• 10 hours battery life with NP-F970 battery
• HDMI, i.LINK, USB, Memory Stick Duo slot

The Sony HVR-HD1000U camcorder is expected in December for a around $1900.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony HVR-HD1000U, HDV camcorder

If you’re looking for a way to up-convert virtually any standard digital or analog source into HD quality video (720p, 1080i, and 1080p), then you might be interested in Key Digital Systems new KD-VPHD3 video/audio processor. The processor is the latest addition to Key Digital Systems’ popular Hot Rod Series of video and audio products.

Features of the KD-VPHD3 include:

• Acts as a universal distribution center for any HDMI or component video source
• Full HD 1080p output
• Supports HDMI 1.3
• Individual customization of the aspect ratio, brightness, contrast, hue, edge enhancement, and image position for every input source
• Up-scales and deinterlaces input video
• Supports VGA input as well

The Key Digital Systems KD-VPHD3 is available now for an MSRP of $2000.

Technorati Tags: Key Digital Systems, KD-VPHD3, Audio/Video Processor

Big news yesterday in the HD DVD vs Blu-ray format wars. Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG announced that they would exclusively support HD DVD on a worldwide basis over Blu-ray. This will include all movies distributed by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies, and MTV Films.

Why the commitment to HD DVD? According to the press release from Viacom, the companies made the decision based on an evaluation of the “current market offerings” which showed that HD DVD was “market-ready technology”, and had “lower manufacturing costs”.

The first HD DVD to come out from Paramount will be “Blades of Glory” on August 28th. Following this release will be “Shrek the Third”, and “Transformers”.

Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation, had this to say about the “Shrek the Third” release on HD DVD - “We decided to release “Shrek the Third” and other DreamWorks Animation titles exclusively on HD DVD because we believe it is the best format to bring high quality home entertainment to a key segment of our audience — families”.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HD DVD, Paramount, DreamWorks

Blu-ray or HD DVD? That’s the big question these days when we’re talking about high definition video content. Well.. the folks at Axonix Corporation are saying - why not have both with their new MediaMax HD Entertainment Server. MediaMax HD is the first Media Server system to play via Cover Art or Metadata both HD DVD and Blu-ray movies. The system actually includes a MediaDeck 4 system and a MediaServer box with oodles of storage space. MediaMax HD DVD provides the following:

• Instant playback of media stored on it’s Media Server including HD and SD DVD movies, CD, MP3, and WAV music, photos, and downloaded music and movies via the Axonix NetPlay service
• Includes a MediaServer and one or more MediaDeck 4 HD Media Players which include either an SD, HD DVD or Blu-ray drive
• MediaMax interface allows you to browse your media collection utilizing vivid HD quality cover art
• Browse via metadata including Genre, Actor, Director, Artist, Album, Title, Favorites, or by Playlists
• Supports SD/HD DVD movies, downloaded movies, music CDs, downloaded WMA and MP3s, imported or ripped WAV, converted iPod music, Internet radio, JPEG photos, etc

MediaDeck 4 is $3495 with an SD DVD/CD drive; $4995 for the MediaDeck 4 HD DVD with integrated HD DVD drive, $5995 for the MediaDeck 4 Blu-ray  with integrated Blu-ray drive. All the MediaDeck 4 models support the playback of HD movies loaded on the MediaServer. MediaServers with up to 13 TBs of RAID 6 are available with or without HD or SD drive. The Spectra 2 SD 500GB Series MediaServer starts at $5795.

[Check it out]

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Warner Home Video announced that “300″ was the fastest and highest selling high definition title in the market. Since July 31st, more than 250,000 copies of “300″ have been sold in either HD DVD or Blu-ray format. WHV now has six of the top 10 selling HD titles which include “300″, “The Departed”, “Superman Returns”, “Planet Earth - The Complete Collection”, “Batman Begins”, and “Happy Feet”.

Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video, is quoted as saying “‘300′ is an amazing film, and the high definition sales we are seeing underscores the positive business benefits of supporting both HD DVD and Blu-ray”. He goes on to say “This phenomenal response to ‘300′ is the latest proof that our approach makes the most sense in today’s market and has enabled Warner Home Video to continue to lead the market in high definition sales.”

Hopefully, more Hollywood studios will follow the steps taken by Warner Home Video (although this is highly unlikely at this time) in releasing content in both formats. There’s certainly plenty of room for both formats to succeed in this market.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: 300

Are you thrilled with the TiVo HD DVR box but you’re not exactly jumping for joy with the 160GB HDD inside? Well the folks at WeaKnees.com has some options for you to consider. They are selling TiVo HD DVR boxes with upgraded hard drive configurations to meet whatever recording needs you might have, You can purchase the standard TiVo HD DVR box with the 160GB HDD inside for the regular price of $299. You can then choose from a variety of larger hard drives - upwards to a whopping 1 terabyte hard drive inside for $1049.

[Check it out via PVRBlog]

Technorati Tags: TiVo HD DVR, WeaKnees

More High Def Camcorder news - Canon announced a new HD capable camcorder yesterday called the Canon HG10 AVCHD Hard Disk Drive Camcorder. As you might have guessed by the long name, the HG10 comes with an integrated 40 GB HDD and records HD video using the AVCHD codec. Major features of the HD Camcorder include a Canon 10x HD video lens, a full HD CMOS image sensor, Canon’s DIGIC DV II Image Processor, SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization, and Instant Auto Focus.

The Canon HG10 is capable of recording full high definition video (1920 x 1080 resolution) thanks to the Canon Full HD CMOS Sensor. For those of you that want that film look and feel, the HG10 supports 24p recording.

Here’s the tally of what features and specs are available with the Canon HG10:

• AVCHD Format HDD
• Full HD on a 40GB HDD
• 1920 x 1080 Full HD CMOS sensor
• Canon 10x HD Video Zoom Lens and 200x digital zoom
• DIGIC DVII
• SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization
• Instant AF
• 24p Cinema Mode
• HDD Photo Grab from Video
• 2.7 inch Multi-Angle Vivid Widescreen LCD
• Advanced Photo Features
• Corel Application Disc
• HDMI support
• 3.1 megapixel still pictures
• Dolby Digital 2 channel support
• Measures 3.2 x 3.0 x 5.1 inches and weighs only 1.1 lbs

[Check it out]

[Check out the press release]

Technorati Tags: Canon, HG10 AVCHD Hard Disk Drive Camcorder, HD Video

Hoping to spur interest in high definition equipment and content, Panasonic held their first ever “Living in High Definition” initiative event today. The event was held today at 11:45 am EST and lasted till 12:45pm EST and included speakers such as a Hollywood producer and director, academic experts, and Panasonic executives. Luckily, it was a web cast, which means you can still catch it by going to this link here:

http://4.78.165.100/PanaSonic_HD_Event/default2.asp

More importantly, this event was designed to launch Panasonic’s Living in High Definition program. The program will select families from across America and provide them with Panasonic’s high end HD products including a 50 inch 1080p plasma TV, an HD camcorder, digital cameras, a Blu-ray DVD player, and much much more.

So how do you enter to get this equipment? Starting on August 1st, Panasonic will be posting up challenges for families to compete in. What you’ll need to do is tell Panasonic how your family would complete the challenge and why your family would be the best spokes-family for the company. If Panasonic chooses your family, then you will receive Panasonic’s entire HD product suite and then asked to bring your ideas to light. Your final video might be shown online or become part of a documentary film that the company is making with Brett Ratner.

The folks judging the entries will include Brett Ratner, Justine Shapiro, Kevin Smith, and Robert Wilson. The selection panel will review the submissions, and then judge them based on several criteria. However, creativity will be the most important aspect to the submissions.

If you’re interested in the program, make sure to check out the new website - http://www.livinginhd.com  and also make sure to check out the web cast for additional information into the program.

[Check out the web cast]

[Check out Living in HD]

Technorati Tags: Panasonic, Living in High Definition, High Definition

Two more high definition camcorders will soon be available in the consumer market. Panasonic announced that they will be introducing two new HD camcorders in September - one of which is the smallest palm sized 3CCD full HD camcorder yet. The new models are the HDC-SD5 and the HDC-SX5, both of which feature:

• Utilizes the AVCHD format to record full HD video with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution
• Come with Panasonic’s original 3CCD camera system
• Comes with Panasonic’s new Advanced Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) system to minimize hand shake

As mentioned above, the Panasonic HDC-SD5 is supposedly the world’s smallest palm style 3CCD full HD camcorder. Features of the HDC-SD5 include:

• USB Host function for improved data storage and playback ease
• Supports SDHC/SD memory cards
• Support for optional DVD burner (model VW-BN1)
• MSRP of $999.95 and available in September

Meanwhile, the Panasonic HDC-SX5 features:

• Records full HD motion images on both SDHC/SD memory cards and DVD discs
• Records up to 180 minutes of video on an 8GB SDHC card and 60 minutes on a 3 inch DVD-R dual layer disc
• Able to copy recorded video from an SDHC/SD memory card to a 3 inch DVD disc internally with the touch of a single button without connecting to a PC
• Video can also be recorded on a DVD disc in SD format
• MSRP of $899.95 and due in Septemeber

Perhaps what’s most impressive about these two new HD camcorders is the MSRP. With prices in the $900 to $1000 range, expect these camcorders to be priced below that during the holiday season with sales and promotions kicking in.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Panasonic, HDC-SD5, HDC-SX5, HD

If you’re wondering where things stand between Blu-ray and HD DVD currently, check out this comparison chart published by News.com whcih shows background information, and some early sales figures for the two competing formats. The numbers are interesting and of course somewhat misleading right now as Blu-ray is integrated into the Sony PS3 console. What is evident is the role the game consoles are playing in helping users choose a high def format. HD DVD has the slight edge when it comes to standalone players sold but Blu-ray has the edge in content availability of course and in backing.

[Check it out]

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