Sanyo Xacti HD2000... but it doesn't record in 24/fps! ARGH!!

[superbeng]

Hi all

I'm looking for such a compact video camera:

- records on SD card (tape-less)
- small, compact
- nice visual output
- record on 24 or 25 fps because I want to output to DVD to be played on PAL analogue TVs
- has an external mic jack

The Sanyo Xacti HD2000 blew me away with its image quality and has ALMOST all the things I want above... except it records at 30 fps!!!

Does anyone know any better alternatives! ARGH!! Frustrating. I cannot afford the pro/broadcast option (DVX102B) and want something better than the average compact cam. Mic input and 24/25fps is a must for me. The more compact... the better.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[jaegersing]

I know there are certain reasons for requiring to shoot 24 or 25 fps, but the point about making DVDs should not be one of them. You can make an NTSC 60i DVD from a 30fps video, and this should play back on any PAL DVD player in Singapore.

[superbeng]

My concern is that the 30fps video won't play well. Also, what if I want to edit to tape? Something's wrong somewhere. Reading up on google has yielded user comments on how the edit process can be frustrating. Audio also seems a problem if I convert.

I've converted a 24fps video to 30fps before, it looks like ****. I would think the converse is true.

[raymondluo]

I recall seeing an EIS, Electronic Image Stablisation for the HD2000. That would really suck too.

What's the price tag on this btw?

[superbeng]

From warehouse123.com - USD$779 excl. shipping.

I don't really care for Image Stabilisation... will put it on tripod where possible. It's just that I saw some really nice clips and samples shot with the predecessor HD1000. But the 30fps really bugs me.

[jaegersing]

Originally Posted by superbeng My concern is that the 30fps video won't play well. Also, what if I want to edit to tape? Something's wrong somewhere. Reading up on google has yielded user comments on how the edit process can be frustrating. Audio also seems a problem if I convert. I've converted a 24fps video to 30fps before, it looks like ****. I would think the converse is true.

I agree that converting 24fps to and from 30fps will affect the quality. But shooting, editing and delivering all the way in 30fps should be very good. The drawback I see with NTSC is that the vertical resolution is only 480 rather than 576, but frame rate of 30fps would not concern me if we are talking only about DVD quality.

What I would look out for if shooting other than 25fps in Singapore is that lights can flicker and flash due to the difference in frequency. And 24fps is much worse than 30fps for that type of problem.

[superbeng]

Actually 24fps is my mistake - what I really mean is 25fps.

And I just want a camera that shoots 25fps. PAL. Yup. I do not and will not want to output anything in 30fps or NTSC system.

[Bamboopictures]

The Samsung SC-HMX20 is the one that fits the bill and more:

1/1.8" CMOS (bigger than XDCAMs!!!!)
f1.8 fast lens
25P /50P
mic input
cheaper than HV30
Only complaint: no headphone jack

[superbeng]

Bamboopictures - haha, got mic input but no earphone jack... that is so stupid. Don't know what the manufacturer is thinking. Nobody ever makes the 'perfect' cam!

Hmmm after googling around, I read user comments that (for the Samsung SC-HMX20): "you can't import into FCP or QT or anything! Even VisualHub bombs out. Hey, it's H.264 MPEG-4 AVC."

This is a problem for me. I use FCP...

[Bamboopictures]

There are limitations especially if you are used to FCP's DV or HDV workflow. The Mpeg conversion isn't unlike rendering to Apple Prores. You can use the free MPEGstreamclip to convert into a Quicktime shell for editing. As for the missing headphone jack, you can still stick a mini Boosteroo headphone preamp into the AV out minijack of the HMX20 and then monitor from the preamp. Hope you found this useful.

[superbeng]

Bamboopictures - thanks, will think over your words.

[Bamboopictures]

Here's a reviewer who says that the HMX20 media files actually playback directly on Quicktime and FCP6 without rendering!

http://www.amazingdrops.com/product-...ical-Zoom/1150

[superbeng]

That's nice... but I doubt it records in 25fps.. :/

[AMDer]

Originally Posted by superbeng The Sanyo Xacti HD2000 blew me away with its image quality and has ALMOST all the things I want above... except it records at 30 fps!!!

hi..im also looking at buying a new video camera to record my baby daughter. im also quite interested in the Sanyo Xacti HD2000 due to its compact size, price and HD functions.

but was wondering why complaining about the 30fps? isnt 30fps better than 25fps?

pls enlighten me as im nuts and new to video camera.thanks.

[superbeng]

AMDer - because I want to use it for filming stuff to convert to media for playback on PAL-only devices.

If you are only going to view the material on your computer or multi-system DVD player it should be fine.

[AMDer]

Originally Posted by superbeng AMDer - because I want to use it for filming stuff to convert to media for playback on PAL-only devices. If you are only going to view the material on your computer or multi-system DVD player it should be fine.

thanks.

does that means that the output file of Sanyo HD2000 is ready to be view on PC or iMac and post on blog without much effort? is there any examples of 25fps vs 30fps for comparision?

whats the best fps video camera out there in the market?

[superbeng]

Originally Posted by AMDer thanks. does that means that the output file of Sanyo HD2000 is ready to be view on PC or iMac and post on blog without much effort? is there any examples of 25fps vs 30fps for comparision? whats the best fps video camera out there in the market?

1. I wouldn't know. Can try to google. There are clips uploaded that I've seen but I'm not sure if they edited it or they use PC or iMac. But I think should be no problem. I think most people won't be able to tell the difference between 25fps and 30fps, but the latter perhaps looks more cinematic.

2. That's the million-dollar question isn't it? If you're looking for something easy to use and upload, perhaps can also consider the Creative Vado HD and the Kodak Zi6 (I prefer the latter cos it has external microphone jack and takes SD card but it's not sold in SG).

[jerry2308]

Originally Posted by raymondluo I recall seeing an EIS, Electronic Image Stablisation for the HD2000. That would really suck too. What's the price tag on this btw?

Is the EIS really that bad?How about if comparing it to the usual Sony steadyshot or panasonic IS?Is the difference very big?

Am actually contemplating getting ther xacti HD1010 but after reading some reviews on the net,was taken aback.

Would like to hear reviews from users instead.

For the about the same price,i could get a xacti high def camcorder instead of a standard def from sony,panasonic or canon.Thats why have been wanting to get the xacti HD1010 from warehouse123.com.

Another issue seems to be the focusing and white balance.Is it true?

[Bamboopictures]

Just got my Samsung HMX20 yesterday. First impressions -very very impressive low light performance. I pitted the Samsung against my 3CCD PD150 and was pleasantly surprised that this $1150 performed better in low light than a $5000 camera. Quite unthinkable! Samsung's single 1/1.8" CMOS stood well against 3 x 1/3" CCDs. However, picture quality in terms of MPEG4 Codec and motion artifacts however was ATROCIOUS. This is my first MPEG4 camcorder so I was a bit taken aback by the clearly visible pixelation. Having owned a HV20, I would stick to HDV for HD in future. The consolation is the artifacts are largely unnoticable when shooting in SD. Looks like I've bought a kick-ass, Standard Def, 16:9 25P camcorder with a built in DTE solution. The closest thing in this class therefore would be the Panasonic DVX102. I'm just flamebaiting DVX102 owners here, but picture quality-wise, the Samsung makes a excellent 2nd angle camera that out-shoot your DVX102 in low light!

Audio support is almost non-existent apart from the external mic input. No headphone jack, no VU meter, no volume control. Autofocus is very very slow and doesn't kick in low light. Manual focus is by touchscreen only.

Editing however is a breeze if you record on the SDHC card. I use FCP and the clips play perfectly on the timeline after a quick rendering of the audio.

[superbeng]

Wow Bamboopictures, really? The Samsung HMX20 records in 25fps? What version of FCP are you using?

Can post up some clips/samples if you don't mind?

Thanks for the review anyhow.