December 2007
Two high-def camcorders: First Look
We look at the Hitachi DZ-BD7HA and Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD700
As early adapters know, buying a new technology has its risks, which include incompatibility with your existing equipment
and uncertain performance. The Hitachi DZ-BD7HA and the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD700 are good examples of new HD camcorders with
immature technologies.
The Hitachi records on blank Blu-ray DVDs. The Sanyo stores video on removable high-capacity SD (SDHC) memory cards-the type used in newer digital still cameras.
We recently tested both camcorders. Here's what we found:
HITACHI DZ-BD7HA
This $1,500 model is one of the first HD camcorders that can record video on higher-capacity Blu-ray (BD-RE) discs. So instead
of the 30 minutes of high-quality video most DVD-based camcorders can record, it can store up to an hour per disc.
The DZ-BD7HA is well-equipped, featuring a 10x optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD, controls galore, and connectivity to HDTVs. It is a bit heavy at 1.6 pounds. Its full-auto mode automatically adjusts focus, exposure, and white balance and its standby mode enables it to spring into action quickly.
HIGHS
HDTV connections. It includes a component port and cable, plus an HDMI port (but not a cable).
Multiple formats. It can record to a 30GB internal hard drive (4 hours of 1080i video at the highest quality setting), BD-RE discs (1 hour), DVD-RAM, and DVD-RW. It can record standard definition video or up to 20 minutes of HD video to a DVD.
Fully featured. Besides the full auto mode, a dubbing feature helps transfer contents from the hard drive to a disc; a guide button walks you through the process.
Standby mode. This lets the camcorder begin recording within about a second, compared with the 7 seconds it normally takes to turn on when completely off.
LOWS
Video quality. At its highest quality, it wasn't bad. Picture details were visible, but colors were far less vibrant than with the best 1080i images we've seen from HDTVs and camcorders in our recent Ratings. (Rating information available only to subscribers.)
Blu-ray disc compatibility. The Blu-ray discs we recorded were compatible with only one of several Blu-ray high-definition DVD players we tried (the Panasonic DMP-BD10A).
Design flaws. Connectors were poorly labeled, using the LCD viewing panel was confusing, and the DZ-BD7HA's weight made it unwieldy to hold while recording.
BOTTOM LINE
The DZ-BD7HA is not a good value. You can find better performance in rated models (available to subscribers) costing half as much. If you do plan to buy this model, make sure the Blu-ray discs it produces are compatible with the player you'll be using. And if you plan to edit HD recording on a computer, be aware that you'll need a very high-powered computer.
The Hitachi records on blank Blu-ray DVDs. The Sanyo stores video on removable high-capacity SD (SDHC) memory cards-the type used in newer digital still cameras.
We recently tested both camcorders. Here's what we found:
HITACHI DZ-BD7HA
The DZ-BD7HA is well-equipped, featuring a 10x optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD, controls galore, and connectivity to HDTVs. It is a bit heavy at 1.6 pounds. Its full-auto mode automatically adjusts focus, exposure, and white balance and its standby mode enables it to spring into action quickly.
HIGHS
HDTV connections. It includes a component port and cable, plus an HDMI port (but not a cable).
Multiple formats. It can record to a 30GB internal hard drive (4 hours of 1080i video at the highest quality setting), BD-RE discs (1 hour), DVD-RAM, and DVD-RW. It can record standard definition video or up to 20 minutes of HD video to a DVD.
Fully featured. Besides the full auto mode, a dubbing feature helps transfer contents from the hard drive to a disc; a guide button walks you through the process.
Standby mode. This lets the camcorder begin recording within about a second, compared with the 7 seconds it normally takes to turn on when completely off.
LOWS
Video quality. At its highest quality, it wasn't bad. Picture details were visible, but colors were far less vibrant than with the best 1080i images we've seen from HDTVs and camcorders in our recent Ratings. (Rating information available only to subscribers.)
Blu-ray disc compatibility. The Blu-ray discs we recorded were compatible with only one of several Blu-ray high-definition DVD players we tried (the Panasonic DMP-BD10A).
Design flaws. Connectors were poorly labeled, using the LCD viewing panel was confusing, and the DZ-BD7HA's weight made it unwieldy to hold while recording.
BOTTOM LINE
The DZ-BD7HA is not a good value. You can find better performance in rated models (available to subscribers) costing half as much. If you do plan to buy this model, make sure the Blu-ray discs it produces are compatible with the player you'll be using. And if you plan to edit HD recording on a computer, be aware that you'll need a very high-powered computer.
SANYO XACTI VPC-HD700
At $600, this is similar to the Xacti VPC-HD2 (model Rating available to subscribers) in our Ratings. Like the HD2, it fits in a shirt pocket (a space-saving internal flash helps). But it has a wider, 2.7-inch LCD and a couple
of features the HD2 lacks: Full auto mode for totally automatic operation and face detection when shooting still photos. It's
also better than the HD2 when mounted on a tripod and panning, because the lens is level. But it has a 5x optical zoom, compared
with the HD2's 10x. Using an 8GB SDHC card at the highest quality recording mode of 720p, at 30 frames per second, it can
capture nearly 2 hours of video.
HIGHS
Fully featured. There are full manual controls for exposure, shutter, flash mode and focus, plus several special effects and image settings.
It's compact. At 4.5-inches by 3 inches by 2.5 inches and a half-pound, it's quite pocketable.
Easy to use. Controls are clearly labeled and menus are easy to navigate.
LOWS
Video quality. Recordings made at 720p were plagued by boxy edges and video noise. Color rendition was poor. And the unit's 30 fps frame rate is half what we expect from HD video.
Lens cap. We found it frustrating to recap the lens.
BOTTOM LINE
Given its video quality, even at $600-an attractive price for an HD camcorder-the Xacti VPC-HD700 isn't a good value. For not much more, you can find two CR Best Buys, the $700 Panasonic DX1 and $800 SD1, in the Ratings of HD camcorders.
HIGHS
Fully featured. There are full manual controls for exposure, shutter, flash mode and focus, plus several special effects and image settings.
It's compact. At 4.5-inches by 3 inches by 2.5 inches and a half-pound, it's quite pocketable.
Easy to use. Controls are clearly labeled and menus are easy to navigate.
LOWS
Video quality. Recordings made at 720p were plagued by boxy edges and video noise. Color rendition was poor. And the unit's 30 fps frame rate is half what we expect from HD video.
Lens cap. We found it frustrating to recap the lens.
BOTTOM LINE
Given its video quality, even at $600-an attractive price for an HD camcorder-the Xacti VPC-HD700 isn't a good value. For not much more, you can find two CR Best Buys, the $700 Panasonic DX1 and $800 SD1, in the Ratings of HD camcorders.
