Sanyo Xacti HD1000 Full High Definition SD Digital Movie Camera - Black
Sanyo Xacti HD1000 Full High Definition SD Digital Movie Camera - Black
Record your most precious moments in Full HD (1920 x 1080) with the Xacti HD1000 digital camcorder from Sanyo! This lightweight camcorder is the smallest of the Digital Movie range, and it’s packed with functions despite its compact size. The Xacti HD1000 is equipped with a CMOS sensor and a high-precision lens (11 lenses divided into 8 groups) for capturing beautiful and realistic images. Its digital image stabiliser reduces the effects of camera shake to improve picture clarity. This camcorder saves your videos and JPEG photos in 4-megapixel resolution directly to SD cards, and it is even compatible with high-capacity SD cards for more options. Its MPEG4-AVCHD video compression function ensures you get quality recordings, and its Xacti Library function and USB 2.0 port make it easy to transfer and save your footage to PC, so you can edit and enhance your video projects. Plus, it comes with Ulead DVD Movie Writer video processing software so you can save your finished work to DVD. The Xacti HD1000 also includes an HDMI connection for added versatility, so you can give free rein to your creativity!
Customer Review: Excellent Point and Shoot Camcorder
Other reviewers have mentioned the excellent quality of the both video and still images from this product. I would agree with them.
Although its best thought of as a high quality point and shoot camera it does have some very useful features that are rarely present at this price level. These include a cold accessory shoe, external mike input(that can be adjusted), and a headphone socket. Most controls can be set through the easy to use menu system. On the downside I found manual focus almost impossible to use, what a pity they did not go for a manual focusing ring.
Using SD cards I find an advantage over HDD. Difficult to change an HDD, but you can always add extra SD cards.
The transfer to Computer is easy, but has to be done through the camera (ie the card cannot be read by a cardreader.)Also if you want to use the Xaxti Library function(transfer files without a PC)with an external drive note that it must have its own power supply, formatted as Fat32 and I could not get it to use drives larger than 160Gb. I wrote to Sanyo asking if this was a limit, so far no reply.
The Xacti HD1000 uses a form of file called MPEG4 (AVC/H.264). This can be a challenge to Editing Software and PC’s. You will need a dual processor, 2Gb ram and a good graphics card (256Mb) to edit your material on a PC. My PC is not up to the task, but I found that if I trimmed the clips using the camera’s onboard edit function, I could then transfer the trimmed clips to the PC and using Pinnacle Studio 11.5 plus I could add titles, transitions and music, but could not preview the results. However once exported as a DVD compliant MPG2 file this could be viewed.
I have noticed some reviewers mention the Xacti HD1000 only produces files that run at 30fps and 60fps, rather than the European 25fps and 50 fps. I was able to use 30fps but not 60fps. Once exported to DVD as an NTSC file using 30fps, using a flat screen LCD TV set caused no problems.
All formats produced by the camera can be viewed when the camera is connected directly to a flat screen TV
Customer Review: Stunning performer
I must highly reccomend this product. If you are looking for a digital camcorder which does the following then take a serious look at the Sanyo….Compact enough to fit in your pocket, genuine HD movies, great quality stills, Small movie files with drag and drop facility between camera and PC, Good battery life - 3 hours of continuous use (the absence of a conventional Hard drive gives super battery life), Easy connectivity to PC/TV or DVD/HD player or even direct to your printer - with all the leads included in the box, Remote control for recording and playback.
The Xacti HD is also very simple to use - recordings and photos come up as thumbnails on the integral screen - you just choose which one to transfer or play.
Some people might view the lack of a normal HD drive as a negative. So far this has not been an issue - I purchased two SDHC 8GB cards with the camera - circa ?25 each from Allmemeory.co.uk and each is giving me circa 2.0 Hrs each of full HD movie recording quality. You can now buy 16GB and 32GB cards although at the time of writing they are premium priced. Lets face it inside two years conventional hard drives will be redundant - flash drives appear to be the future.
This Sanyo also uses CMOS recording technology- which for those in the know - CMOS gives you near broadcast HD movie picture quality - it’s fantastic. I am playing our clips back theough a Samsung 50” plasma tv and the results are stunning - no pixelation or blur. The camera’s remote control enables us to sit on the sofa and use the camera’s menu & thumbnails to select which clip or photo to display on the TV without moving from our seats - just great!
The camera also takes excellent quality photos - up to 8MP if required -which means that the HD Xacti has now made our Sony 7MP cybershot camera redundant.
On the negative side - You can only connect the camera to the PC etc via the docking station, which means if you are going away and want to show movies to family friends you need to take it with you. Additionally, there is no viewfinder which always makes shooting ski/beach scenes challenging - however the integral screen is super bright and high resolution and so far this has not been a problem. But these points are really just being unnecessarily picky.
This unit is probably the best bit of kit I have bought in 10 years and trust me I have bought a lot of kit!!!
Enjoy.
-
A floating hinge and two sets of cooking plates turn this multifunctional unit into a contact grill, panini press, large open grill, or griddle. Made of brushed stainless steel, this four-in-one, space-saving appliance offers cooking options that range from pancakes, sausages, and grilled cheese to fish, hamburgers, and panini. Its floating hinge adjusts to the thickness of food, while adjustable temperature controls ensure food is cooked properly. The unit features a sturdy panini-style handle and convenient indicator lights, as well as nonstick grill and griddle plates that are removable, dishwasher-safe, and designed to drain grease away from food for healthier cooking. Two dishwasher-safe drip cups to collect grease are included, plus a dishwasher-safe scraping tool for easy cleanup. The unit measures 13 by 11-1/4 by 6-1/2 inches and carries a limited three-year warranty. –Catie Unger
List Price: $180.00
Amazon Price: $124.74
Customer Review: Best electric grill I have tried.
I bought this grill for 2 reasons. I missed having a contact grill and I wanted a griddle as well. This appliance can be used either way. So far, I have used it to grill burgers, make paninnis and make soft flour tortillas. All have come out great! There was a bit of a smell, on the first use (as the manual states) but it was not strong. This was the most expensive of any model I looked at, but there is a reason for this. (Hint- it is cheapest if you buy it in stores that give 20% off coupons.) It has better features. Firstly, I wanted both sets of plates and a finite number of grills have interchangeable ones. On a related note, I wanted plates that are removable for cleaning. They wash very well in the sink. (I prefer not to put them in the dishwasher.) Also, if you ever need to, you can buy replacement plates. Secondly, it has better controls than the Foreman grill I wore out. Unlike the Foreman, it actually has an On/Off switch. (The Foreman turns on as soon as you plug it in.) There is a center knob, that allows you to switch from grill to griddle and separate temperature control knobs for each. Next, is the floating hinge. It allows for items of varying thickness, and I found that it worked well. Finally, I really love the look. It has a Retro style that appeals to me. This one’s a keeper.
Customer Review: Got it - Love it!
I checked this item out from a recommendation of an Amazon friend. I thought it was a bit pricey and bulky so I decided to shop around for something comparable. Well guess what- I could not find another press that even comes close to this one. I got it and and I love it. At first I thought it looked pretty bulky and big from the pictures but it looks really nice on my kitchen counter - very stylish and retro kinda. It can fit four grilled cheese sandwiches at a time and that’s a plus since I have 4 kids. Heats up very fast and it has a three year warranty which is a plus in case the Teflon on the plates wears off.
Continue …
-Sporty 2-way carrying case, made for easy access. -Includes a front pocket for spare battery or Memory Stick?. -Includes padded shoulder strap and rear belt loop. - Weight : 210 g,Dimensions WxDxH : 170 x 190 x 140 mm,Colour : Black
Amazon Price: ?24.95
Customer Review: Nice quality but bigger than it need be
I ordered this on the basis that it was tailor made for the DSC H9. I am however returning it for a refund under Amazon’s excellent refund/return system. The DSC H9 is a nice small compact camera considering it’s features and Zoom length. This bag is actually quite large as it is designed to be used carrying the DSC H9 with the lens hood fitted. Due to it’s size I don’t use the lens hood and think the benefits are dubious anyway. If you want a nice bag that will take the DSC H9 and the lens hood this will be fine however if like me you don’t there are smaller and more compact bags out there.
Continue …
