Sanyo High Definition Digital Media Camera (Refurbished)
Sanyo
- VPC-HD1A
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Reviews
(11)
+ 0 likes
As much as I wanted a higher end HD Camcorder I needed something that could fit in my ski jacket, when hiking, etc... since this is when I want to take 90% of my videos. This fits the bill but have yet to see action video.I use a Mac and iPhoto and iMovie so no need for the windows based software that is provided... I simple take the memory card from the camera and then use a card reader hooked up to a USB port... Everything down loads and can be edited.Plugged in to our HD TV looks fantastic and with the remote it is easy to watch video and view pics on the big screen.The only draw back so far is with Indoor / filming a performance was to dark but have yet to look at the features to see if I can improve that.
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For the price I paid, this camera is a great value. It's not true Hi-Def, but the quality is amazing. Better than my GL2, and fits in the same case I used to carry my digital snapshot camera in.
There are better cameras out there, but how many of them can you fit in your pocket? My GL2 is in the back of my closet. My HD-1A is in my glove box, on stand-bye, ready to shoot in three seconds. Which do you think will get more use?
Battery life is right around 40 minutes, so get extras. One 4gb SDHC card will hold several hours of video and an infinite amount of high resolution stills. So maybe two memory cards and and 3-4 batteries, and you're ready for anything.
Sound quality is better than expected, but not great. Luckily, there's a jack for an external microphone.
This is a referb, and the box showed it, but all of the accessories were included, and factory fresh.
This camera is the best electronics purchase I've made in years.
There are better cameras out there, but how many of them can you fit in your pocket? My GL2 is in the back of my closet. My HD-1A is in my glove box, on stand-bye, ready to shoot in three seconds. Which do you think will get more use?
Battery life is right around 40 minutes, so get extras. One 4gb SDHC card will hold several hours of video and an infinite amount of high resolution stills. So maybe two memory cards and and 3-4 batteries, and you're ready for anything.
Sound quality is better than expected, but not great. Luckily, there's a jack for an external microphone.
This is a referb, and the box showed it, but all of the accessories were included, and factory fresh.
This camera is the best electronics purchase I've made in years.
+ 0 likes
I ordered this camera on Monday and received it on Wed of the same week. I bought it from Ritz Camera for $399.00 and although it wasn't mentioned in the add I also got a free tripod, carrying case and cleaning kit.
The camera is fantastic. I have a Sony DV camcorder and the Sanyo is a huge improvement in video quality. I bought it because of the size thinking this would be a good little camera for trips but I would use my sony around the house. After seeing the Video and still picture quality, the Sony is being retired.
I don't understand the reviewer who said he had trouble downloading the images from the camera. I drop it into the docking station and open the videos in Windows Media viewer and enjoy the show.
I have burned several DVD's using the included software with no problems. I do prefer Nero, but that is because I have used it more.
The camera is fantastic. I have a Sony DV camcorder and the Sanyo is a huge improvement in video quality. I bought it because of the size thinking this would be a good little camera for trips but I would use my sony around the house. After seeing the Video and still picture quality, the Sony is being retired.
I don't understand the reviewer who said he had trouble downloading the images from the camera. I drop it into the docking station and open the videos in Windows Media viewer and enjoy the show.
I have burned several DVD's using the included software with no problems. I do prefer Nero, but that is because I have used it more.
+ 0 likes
I bought this when it came out and find myself using it so often, I finally decided to write and give it 5 stars (it really deserves 4 1/2, but its gotten some bad reviews by those who haven't figured out that by far the best basic setting is "action"...this basically fixes 99% of those complaints...red eye can be problematic with its flash location). The upside is a utility...it goes in my pocket wherever, even to the beach, taking lots of very good 720p videos / 5 MP photos. Remember that 720p is an intermediate HD format, very comparable to 1080i (significantly better than standard 480). There is no real downside to this product unless one compares it to another gadget that doesn't do everything it does. I can't wait until full 1080p comes out in this form factor along with the new 32 GB NAND flash memory that is now available in certain laptops...wahoo! Meantime, hey, I paid $800 for this (best price at the time)...it's certainly been worth it, as one example (from several) my
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+ 0 likes
I read all the reviews on the internet about this camera. Some rated the camera OK, while others were not as kind. I bought the camera knowing I could return it to Overstock.com if I did not like it.
The Camera is an absolutely outstanding product. The High Definition it captures is absolutely stunning on my 72" TV screen! It also takes pictures has a built in flash and more features that I could ever possibly remember and use. It fits easily in your pocket and records 2 hrs of HD video on a tiny 8 MG SD card, much more video in standard resolution ! The future is here now ! Highly recommended item. Overstock.com Thank You !
The Camera is an absolutely outstanding product. The High Definition it captures is absolutely stunning on my 72" TV screen! It also takes pictures has a built in flash and more features that I could ever possibly remember and use. It fits easily in your pocket and records 2 hrs of HD video on a tiny 8 MG SD card, much more video in standard resolution ! The future is here now ! Highly recommended item. Overstock.com Thank You !
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Seeing some of the other comments, and as the owner of an HD1 and an earlier version (C5?), there's a couple of points to make:
* MP4 playback software that actually works was hard to find. It looks like the latest Real Player is ok, so long as your PC is fast. There are probably other usable software products as well now. Movies I took 2 years ago that seemed jerky on playback at the time now play ok using later software versions.
* You do need to make sure you get high speed SD memory cards. Slow ones will spoil the whole experience. It does take the new SDHC cards, make sure they're at least class 4 cards.
Reading the manual is key to happiness with the Xacti - I thought the flash had broken, until I read the right bit of the book! Once you've got the settings right, you don't need to touch it again.
* MP4 playback software that actually works was hard to find. It looks like the latest Real Player is ok, so long as your PC is fast. There are probably other usable software products as well now. Movies I took 2 years ago that seemed jerky on playback at the time now play ok using later software versions.
* You do need to make sure you get high speed SD memory cards. Slow ones will spoil the whole experience. It does take the new SDHC cards, make sure they're at least class 4 cards.
Reading the manual is key to happiness with the Xacti - I thought the flash had broken, until I read the right bit of the book! Once you've got the settings right, you don't need to touch it again.
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It's too bad there are so many people that don't. What were you expecting? "I know, I'll spend $500 on an HD camcorder and I'll be burning Blu-ray's in no time!"
This is one awesome unit! And before you ask, I work in broadcast TV, so I know what HD camera's should and should not do. The first thing is they SHOULDN'T cost under $2,000, but this one does. Second, if it does cost under $2,000, you're not allowed to complain about the picture quality.
That said, it has it's pro's and con's, but overall this unit is spectacular! If you're outside, shooting the kids at the park or ballgame, you're in luck, because this camera will do you proud! However, the previous reviewers have it right when you get inside; if you don't have a lot of natural light, the pictures going to be off, but you can tweak the settings and still get some pretty good quality shots.
Overall, you can't beat this unit on a cost per feature basis. You don't want to use the cradle to transfer video/pics, though. Get
This is one awesome unit! And before you ask, I work in broadcast TV, so I know what HD camera's should and should not do. The first thing is they SHOULDN'T cost under $2,000, but this one does. Second, if it does cost under $2,000, you're not allowed to complain about the picture quality.
That said, it has it's pro's and con's, but overall this unit is spectacular! If you're outside, shooting the kids at the park or ballgame, you're in luck, because this camera will do you proud! However, the previous reviewers have it right when you get inside; if you don't have a lot of natural light, the pictures going to be off, but you can tweak the settings and still get some pretty good quality shots.
Overall, you can't beat this unit on a cost per feature basis. You don't want to use the cradle to transfer video/pics, though. Get
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+ 0 likes
After vigorous research and investigation, I decided on this camera because of portability with quality. Bigger cameras may provide better HD picture quality but I believe you may lose lots of opportunities since the camera is not in your pocket.
I used 4GB SD card to take about 1 hour of HD video. With two 2GB SD cards, I am pretty much covered in most occasions. With recent purchase of an 80GB portable hard drive that I can dump SD card to, I don't have to worry about running out of storage.
Battery life is also reasonable: I didn't measure the actual hours but I used all three SD cards with one charge.
Flash is also relatively powerful, but like other digital camera the built-in flash is not effective once it passes 10 ft or further.
Ergonomical design is the best of all like-kind portable video camera. I can control the button with one hand without too much worry about dropping the camera.
High Definition quality is not as nearly good as bulky ones such as Sony HDR-HC1,
I used 4GB SD card to take about 1 hour of HD video. With two 2GB SD cards, I am pretty much covered in most occasions. With recent purchase of an 80GB portable hard drive that I can dump SD card to, I don't have to worry about running out of storage.
Battery life is also reasonable: I didn't measure the actual hours but I used all three SD cards with one charge.
Flash is also relatively powerful, but like other digital camera the built-in flash is not effective once it passes 10 ft or further.
Ergonomical design is the best of all like-kind portable video camera. I can control the button with one hand without too much worry about dropping the camera.
High Definition quality is not as nearly good as bulky ones such as Sony HDR-HC1,
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+ 0 likes
I think I originally gave the HD1 I bought through Amazon a 5 star rating. And while that model has performed satisfactorily for me, some of the reviews I've read have suggested it has failed in many instances. I think the oled display must have been the cause of many of the failures, because Sanyo apparently replaced the oled display with a more conventional lcd display. I have purchased the HD1a, also from Amazon, because I like more than one camera angle, whether I'm videoing for home consumption or for stock video to be saved in the not-quite-ready-for-primetime mpeg 4 video codec... although it really is better than much of my standard video shot with mini DV tape cameras I oun. I found that by purchasing the 49mm Sanyo adapter, I could attach a 2x lens I already ouned and can now optically zoom in quite close on subjects. I also purchased a polarizing filter to go on the larger lens that really saturates the color, especially of a clear blue sky. In short, I think I feel more confident
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+ 0 likes
Great features, right?
I just returned it after very disappointing results.
Here are just a few issues:
1. If you use a tripod (and you WILL need to), you can't plug in the AC adapter to save on the short battery life, because mounting it on to a tripod covers the access to the AC connection.
2. Battery life is very short.
3. If you want to protect the lens, you will need to buy the lens adapter and then buy a protective lens.
4. You can't take still photos with the flash if you are using the lens adapter BECAUSE the adapter casts a shadow from the flash onto your pictures.
5. The automatic settings are horrible. The auto focus, auto white balance, auto anything will give you the worst results if shooting indoors.
6. You cannot adjust the manual focus or anything else once you begin recording.
7. Quality is very poor when recording indoors without an enormous amount light.
Save your money. Buy a camera with better features. I am waiting for the Panasonic HDC-SD1 due in March.
I just returned it after very disappointing results.
Here are just a few issues:
1. If you use a tripod (and you WILL need to), you can't plug in the AC adapter to save on the short battery life, because mounting it on to a tripod covers the access to the AC connection.
2. Battery life is very short.
3. If you want to protect the lens, you will need to buy the lens adapter and then buy a protective lens.
4. You can't take still photos with the flash if you are using the lens adapter BECAUSE the adapter casts a shadow from the flash onto your pictures.
5. The automatic settings are horrible. The auto focus, auto white balance, auto anything will give you the worst results if shooting indoors.
6. You cannot adjust the manual focus or anything else once you begin recording.
7. Quality is very poor when recording indoors without an enormous amount light.
Save your money. Buy a camera with better features. I am waiting for the Panasonic HDC-SD1 due in March.
+ 0 likes
The HD1 is a wonderful, amazing camera. And it is small enough that you can always have it with you -- I've carried mine for months in my front pants pocket in its protective case, and been able to capture family and work stills and video that would otherwise have been lost. Even if the quality were not up to par, I would have something instead of nothing. But the quality is great! I'll expand on the quality below.
This camera is genuinely high definition, more than three times the resolution of NTSC. This is best shown by comparing a DV image captured with firewire (no NTSC modulation artifacts) on a computer monitor, to the HD1 image transferred from its SD card. Notice that this comparison should favor the DV -- but instead, it makes the increased resolution of the HD1 clear.
HD televisons and monitors are already commonplace, and video captured at less than HD quality will not be as highly valued (like 8mm, good for historical content). Capturing now in HD preserves the
This camera is genuinely high definition, more than three times the resolution of NTSC. This is best shown by comparing a DV image captured with firewire (no NTSC modulation artifacts) on a computer monitor, to the HD1 image transferred from its SD card. Notice that this comparison should favor the DV -- but instead, it makes the increased resolution of the HD1 clear.
HD televisons and monitors are already commonplace, and video captured at less than HD quality will not be as highly valued (like 8mm, good for historical content). Capturing now in HD preserves the
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