Hey guys,

Just saw this camcorder and wondering on some opinions.

I like the fact its small, waterproof, and atleast its 720p.

The things that concern me is that the bitrate is at 9mbps.(is that to low?)


If you guys have any suggestions of other models to look at let me know.

Thanks.

I guess no one has any opinions or suggestions for me?

Was hoping for some input and things I should be looking at when going for a camcoreder.

Thanks

Well I sold my Standard Deff hard drive camcorder on Ebay for $257 and was able to nab one of these brand new un opened box for $330 most other e-tailers on Ebay and everywhere else are selling this model for $400 and up so I feel like I got pretty good deal.

This camcorder is so new its hard to find in the USA right now mine is coming from Ebay Canada. There is a supplier in Florida $408 that has them if you google. I just got lucky on low bid win Ebay auction making it possible for me after selling my old camcorder to step up into a HD model for less than half of what it could have cost me.

Finding such a good deal and researching I was also able to locate good deals on a Sanyo float wrist leash & regular wrist leash, Pistol case, 2 extra batts, sdhc class 6 card - 16gb etc... all under $400 total shipped for everything. "A TIP" After reading reviews about the pistol case I will need to have the wife sew a velcro strap accross the top so the camera wont flop out like others have said.

If you want one look hard and find the best deals so you got extra cash for these extra parts that you will need to buy in order to be happy using this model on the beach/water etc... it doesnt come with anything but the camera a charger/batt.

Im not sure about all the specs but this model does 720p at roughly 30fps in AVC/H.264. I dabble in Blu Ray ripping as a hobby so I know what 1080p looks like on my 65" 1080p big screen.

There are video samples etc... on the Sanyo site and google for the review from a guy in UK submerging it in a tank.

Having had a Standard Deff hard drive camcorder I think this will be a step up for me and the videos should look better than the old 480i camcorder on my 65" I hope LOL.

I really want a 1080p model but the prices are still to high and more than anything needed something waterproof taking my wife to Hawaii next month HEHE she is excited about this camcorder for snorkling etc... so for using it this way I think its going to be great!!!

I looked at all the other brands most are older cheap models they all have bad reviews but the sanyo's have some good reviews and this model does have latest fresh technology I do have my fingers crossed :D

Anyways I hope this best describes probably most consumers like myself this might be a good upgrade/usage model to get till the high end 1080p model prices come down to reality and I will always have a durable model for on the go HEHE.

I will keep you posted on how it works out for me after I get it. Now I can only wait for some Ebay person in Canada to send it to me hurry up :eek:.

I just noticed you are in Canada do some looking around it should be for sale there and let me know how it looks if you get a chance to see it at a store demo?

Hi, I just got mine off of ebay ca.. so far I'm very happy. I bought 2 8 gig sdhc cards (class 6) It's pretty easy to use and the images and sound on my HD tv are great. The buttons and pistol design take some getting used to, but over all I love it.. I just ordered another battery and I'm currently looking for a leach that will keep it afloat. The battery so far is pretty good. I charged it early sat. morning and used it on and off this past weekend, and as of yesterday still shows 15 min left. I was filming my 3 year old riding her bike while on my bike and it was very smoother and not jittery.. I haven't really done much low light filming, but I'm not expecting anything great.. there's only so much you can cram into the camera..

Hey they poster before me.. could you let me know about your case and leash?? I heard the Sanyo Leash will not float this camera??

I was considering this as well...esp in light of the editing issues associated with the higher quality (and bigger) files in the HD2000 and Canons...so having said that, have any of you tried editing yet? it may be a good stop gap solution for me until the cpu/software catches up with the higher end cameras for editing.

Sorry I'm not too high tech.. no editing as of yet..

Hi, I just got mine off of ebay ca.. so far I'm very happy. I bought 2 8 gig sdhc cards (class 6) It's pretty easy to use and the images and sound on my HD tv are great. The buttons and pistol design take some getting used to, but over all I love it.. I just ordered another battery and I'm currently looking for a leach that will keep it afloat. The battery so far is pretty good. I charged it early sat. morning and used it on and off this past weekend, and as of yesterday still shows 15 min left. I was filming my 3 year old riding her bike while on my bike and it was very smoother and not jittery.. I haven't really done much low light filming, but I'm not expecting anything great.. there's only so much you can cram into the camera..

Hey they poster before me.. could you let me know about your case and leash?? I heard the Sanyo Leash will not float this camera??

Well if you look here provantage dot com for the leash its model VCP-STB1 is only $10.54 but I got the last one instock HEHE they do have them on Amazon. Mine will be delivered tomorrow so I will get it before the camcorder which is just entering the country hoping it gets here by Saturday.

I looked at the specs on the leash at provantage and list to be compatable with models:

WH1 = 354g weight & this model I am buying CA9 which is only 249g.

Where did you read this please post a link?

The only other leash made by sanyo is a Australian version which is orange maybe that model isnt compatible?

I bought the holster on Ebay is model:

SANYO VCP-HCX3 HOLSTER CASE FOR THE HD 1000 BRAND $15.00 shipped.

I read some reviews of it popping out of the holster so I will have my wife sew a small velcro strap over the top to the side will keep it snug in the hoslter. The model its made for its slightly larger so mine will fit nice and snug down in it with a starp keeping it in place on my hip.

I do editing will be using Ilife 09 in Mac & Cyberlink Power Director Beta version in Win Beta 7. I cant say more there now its NDA but by the time I get back from Hawaii will be able to share the editing experience here. I will also test the software that comes with it will give results. I build HD Intel Quadcore/Nvidia PC systems and use macbooks with dual core intels/nvidia so I can run all the HD editing. Long as you got Intel dual core and newer Nvidia graphics you can run/edit HD. Also 4g ram will help it along.

I bought a 2 pack of batteries on Amazon with free ship for $9.99 and an Olympus water strap is not for float but has plastic wrap on the leash to keep dry for $4.99 will use it when on dry land.

Thats about it till I get my camera OH also you can get a 16g SDHC class 6 card on amazon for $38 includes SDHC USB reader free shipping.

Will let you know how it goes thanks for sharing your results am even more excited to get the camcorder.

Rich.

I guess this is more geared towards a vacation type camera. May get one if the quality is good.

Any updates on this camera? Reviews are hard to find. Wonder if it works with imovie '09...

Also very curious about this camera. I've been watching it since it was announced, but reviews are very hard to find. After snorkeling in the Bahamas last Xmas, I'm looking for something that can take pictures and video underwater so I can capture images of all the fish we saw.

I realize its only rated for 5 ft, but I would hope as long as I don't dive down it would be ok. I'd like to hear some actual reviews

I'd probably also use it at the cottage when we go fishing, where getting a little wet is always a possibility.

Hi again, hey any VPC CA9 owners out there, does your xacty lose the date and time btween battery changes? That's really my only complaint..

Hi Twinfin,
I have the same problem about the Sanyo VPC-CA9 losing time and date information. I reckon the Sanyo VPC-CA9 's internal backup battery is disfunctional on mine. I just returned the camcorder to Jessops today and they replaced it straight away with a new model. I am waiting to find out whether (once the backup battery internal to the camcorder) has been recharged by the actual external battery and check whether it keeps sate and time.
I will let you know but in the meantime I am away for a while so may respond to the forum in 2 1/2 weeks time on this issue. In the mea time, please let me know how your problem's going.

This kind of problem occurs on PC motherboards as well.

Olivier

Hi Twinfin,
I have the same problem about the Sanyo VPC-CA9 losing time and date information. I reckon the Sanyo VPC-CA9 's internal backup battery is disfunctional on mine. I just returned the camcorder to Jessops today and they replaced it straight away with a new model. I am waiting to find out whether (once the backup battery internal to the camcorder) has been recharged by the actual external battery and check whether it keeps sate and time.
I will let you know but in the meantime I am away for a while so may respond to the forum in 2 1/2 weeks time on this issue. In the mea time, please let me know how your problem's going.

This kind of problem occurs on PC motherboards as well.

Olivier

Hey Olivier,

just wondering is your replacment working good or not? my is loosing date too everytime you change battery.

thanks

Hi,

I am also having the same issues with the internal battery. Every time I replace the rechargeable battery, even just taking a couple of seconds, the cameras settings are lost. This includes the time and date settings and any other customisations I have made e.g. Key press beep.

I am starting to find this rather frustrating and know that it will be an issue on holiday when I will be using it every day.

I got the camera from Currys in the UK.

Has anyone else had a similar issue and if so how did you resolve?

Thanks,

Paul

I'm from Brazil and I'm going to Miami in August.
I searched over the internet and didn't found a supplier for this camera in USA. Tried everything...Amazon...Radioshack...etc. Just one seller in eBay.
Anyone got any tips or recomendation on where I can find it in USA ?

Thank you

Toni

Hi All,

Following a conversation with Sanyo UK regarding the issues with the date & time settings not being retained when the battery is removed, I have been provided with an updated version of the VPC-CA9 camera firmware.

I have successfully upgraded to the new firmware version and the issue with settings not being retained no longer exists.

Please find the instructions for firmware update below.

Please note: You will be updating the firmware at your own risk! I can not be held responsible for any damage that may be caused to your camera.

From Sanyo UK:
----------------------------
**Unzip the attached file - it must be copied to SD card in .hex format**
Please copy the attached file to your SD card in root directory
(not in any folder).
Please ensure you battery is fully charge before starting the flash.
If the power is interrupted during the flash the camera will be permanently damaged.

Please follow the instructions below;

How to upgrade;
**Unzip the attached file - it must be copied to SD card in .hex format**
1. Put the attached file in the root directory of a card.
2. Turn on VPC-CA9 and move the cursor to "DELETE" of "Playback MENU".
3. Press and hold the LEFT button.
Then the update display will be appeared automatically.
4. Start the firmware-upgrade following menu instructions.
The counter display will increment.
5. After completing this, the display will be disappeared and
VPC-CA9 will turn off.
6. The flash upgrade is now complete.

-------------------------------------------------

Best regards,

Paul

Hi All,

Following a conversation with Sanyo UK regarding the issues with the date & time settings not being retained when the battery is removed, I have been provided with an updated version of the VPC-CA9 camera firmware.

I have successfully upgraded to the new firmware version and the issue with settings not being retained no longer exists.

Please find the instructions for firmware update below.


Wow, thank you so much for this!!! I bought mine for a trip to Hawaii (unfortunately when it arrived I was in Hawaii, and the camera was not!) a few months ago and I've been playing with it ever since. I even convinced a co-worker to get one (he went on a trip to Italy). Seems his had the newer firmware (his was sent from HK), and mine did not (from Canada).

This had been the main quibbling point I had about it. It looks out I started out with firmware SBM 1330A, and it looks like this one upgrades it to version SBM 1527A.

Also a note to anyone else who has been looking or owns this camera, there are a lot, and I mean A LOT, of generic batteries out there, which do not fit well. Or rather, they fit, but will get completely stuck in the camera. I must have spent 2 hours very very carefully yanking and essentially destroying one of these batteries after jamming it in. It really involves a lot of prying and I was afraid I damaged the waterproof seal around the battery case. If not for some surgical instruments I had lying around, I'm not sure how I would have gotten it out.

The one I did find which fit was this one at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000COZ43C/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

If you'll notice in the picture, this battery has a sort of ridge on the flat faces. If you look at a lot of ebay batteries, like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-TWO-DB-L20-DBL20-1000mAh-Li-Ion-Batteries-for-Sanyo_W0QQitemZ120443765955QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBatteries_Char gers?hash=item1c0b0204c3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1234|293%3A1|294%3A50

they are smooth on the edges. Stay away from the smooth faced ones! They are too fat to fit properly.

I'm from Brazil and I'm going to Miami in August.
I searched over the internet and didn't found a supplier for this camera in USA. Tried everything...Amazon...Radioshack...etc. Just one seller in eBay.
Anyone got any tips or recomendation on where I can find it in USA ?

Thank you

Toni

I don't think they are available in the US yet as far as I know. Only the few sellers on e-bay, based either in Canada or Hong Kong.

Any updates on this camera? Reviews are hard to find. Wonder if it works with imovie '09...

You can look at this review:
http://www.ferket.com/blog/2009-06-05/sanyo-xacti-vpc-ca9-test-review/

Or this thread:
http://forums.steves-digicams.com/sanyo/154769-sanyo-xacti-vpc-ca9.html

There are also some decent posts on youtube, if you search for vpc ca9

Hi All,
I bought this camera too, is good for underwater videos but not to good for pictures... anyone know how to join all the video mpeg4 files in one and how to burn it on a dvd to watch it on a HD TV without loosing HD definition?
thanks

Guillermo

Sanyo has finally posted the above mentioned firmware update info on their website:

http://www.sanyo-dsc.com/websupport/ca9/firmware/index.html

Some more detailed (overly detailed?) instructions:

http://www.sanyo-dsc.com/websupport/ca9/firmware/detail_1.html

Hi All,
I bought this camera too, is good for underwater videos but not to good for pictures... anyone know how to join all the video mpeg4 files in one and how to burn it on a dvd to watch it on a HD TV without loosing HD definition?
thanks

Guillermo

No standard-def DVD will keep all the detail, as DVD quality is 480 vertical pixels, and the HD recorded by the VPC-Ca9 is 720. So it's a physical impossibility.

You need to use some DVD mastering software to create the DVDs. I use PowerDirector by Cyberlink because it's really simple. If you have a mac I'm sure imovie will do this for you but I don't use a mac, so I'm not sure.

For very simple DVD mastering without any editing, I use VSO ConvertXtoDVD.