So,
I'm in the market for an HD camcorder. Thinking I don't want to deal with Tapes, and recording to DVD's isn't really what I'm looking for either, it leaves me with Hard Disk or Flash based options...
Ok, so that pretty much means AVCHD. I'm very much concerned about the reliability of HDD based solutions because of the delicate/sensitive components, along with this precision disc spinning at 4200 (I guess) RPM. I also like the idea of the perfect silence of the flash device. Certainly the only camcorder generated audio noise would be me pushing buttons, the lens focussing/zooming/OIStabilizing.
I've looked at some clips for the HDR-CX7 and am quite impressed with the quality of the video. I figure the video quality on the HDR-SR7 will be the same. Also, the HDR-CX7 appears to be the only device that saves to flash with bitrates exceeding 12 or 13MBPS. (It supports 15MBPS, same as SR7)
I am concerned about the capacity of the flash, however. I understand the 8GB will hold about an hour's worth of video at the highest setting (the only quality setting I'm particularly interested in using... The next lowest one is 9MBPS, I think.) Then I saw Toshiba's Press release announcing 16GB SDHC cards to be released shortly, along with 32GB cards in January and thought Great! Surely Sony will release 16GB and eventually 32GB cards too even if a few months (maybe 6-9 months) behind. Some research shows Sony has a new technology on the memory stick roadmap called Memory Stick Pro-HG which is much faster and designed to address 32GB. Then I found a report where Sony demonstrated transferring a 3+GB clip on a HG card from a CX7 in a few minutes and figured I was safe. Surely the CX7 will be able to handle the higher capacity, Higher speed cards too.
To confirm, I e-mailed Sony CS about the possibility of using a 16GB Memory stick, or even the 32GB varieties, if and when they come out.
This was the response:
WHAT? How could this be? This does not make any sense? Can this be true? Does anyone have any insiders at Sony that could confirm or deny this? I just don't believe they would be that stupid. Of course, it sounds as though this response came from a remote support center and perhaps the response is due to the fact that sony hasn't released any memory stick larger than 8GB. This may just be someone reading a spec off the same spec sheets we can see on the web.
Anyone know how to get the real answer?
- Mike
I'm in the market for an HD camcorder. Thinking I don't want to deal with Tapes, and recording to DVD's isn't really what I'm looking for either, it leaves me with Hard Disk or Flash based options...
Ok, so that pretty much means AVCHD. I'm very much concerned about the reliability of HDD based solutions because of the delicate/sensitive components, along with this precision disc spinning at 4200 (I guess) RPM. I also like the idea of the perfect silence of the flash device. Certainly the only camcorder generated audio noise would be me pushing buttons, the lens focussing/zooming/OIStabilizing.
I've looked at some clips for the HDR-CX7 and am quite impressed with the quality of the video. I figure the video quality on the HDR-SR7 will be the same. Also, the HDR-CX7 appears to be the only device that saves to flash with bitrates exceeding 12 or 13MBPS. (It supports 15MBPS, same as SR7)
I am concerned about the capacity of the flash, however. I understand the 8GB will hold about an hour's worth of video at the highest setting (the only quality setting I'm particularly interested in using... The next lowest one is 9MBPS, I think.) Then I saw Toshiba's Press release announcing 16GB SDHC cards to be released shortly, along with 32GB cards in January and thought Great! Surely Sony will release 16GB and eventually 32GB cards too even if a few months (maybe 6-9 months) behind. Some research shows Sony has a new technology on the memory stick roadmap called Memory Stick Pro-HG which is much faster and designed to address 32GB. Then I found a report where Sony demonstrated transferring a 3+GB clip on a HG card from a CX7 in a few minutes and figured I was safe. Surely the CX7 will be able to handle the higher capacity, Higher speed cards too.
To confirm, I e-mailed Sony CS about the possibility of using a 16GB Memory stick, or even the 32GB varieties, if and when they come out.
This was the response:
Quote:
We understand that you're asking of the model number HDR-CX7 will be compatible with 32GB memory stick and we are glad to provide you accurate information regarding your concern.
Based on the specifications, the camcorder is not compatible with a 32MB memory stick. It is designed to use up to 8GB expandable memory.
We hope this information is helpful to you. However, if you need further assistance, do not hesitate to reply to this message.
We understand that you're asking of the model number HDR-CX7 will be compatible with 32GB memory stick and we are glad to provide you accurate information regarding your concern.
Based on the specifications, the camcorder is not compatible with a 32MB memory stick. It is designed to use up to 8GB expandable memory.
We hope this information is helpful to you. However, if you need further assistance, do not hesitate to reply to this message.
WHAT? How could this be? This does not make any sense? Can this be true? Does anyone have any insiders at Sony that could confirm or deny this? I just don't believe they would be that stupid. Of course, it sounds as though this response came from a remote support center and perhaps the response is due to the fact that sony hasn't released any memory stick larger than 8GB. This may just be someone reading a spec off the same spec sheets we can see on the web.
Anyone know how to get the real answer?
- Mike
