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| Date Reviewed: 12/21/2006 |
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Strengths: manual focus/zoom ring, high definition
Weaknesses: None
Summary: I have been researching the Sony HDR-UX1 camcorder and have found some information about it that will help those looking for a DVD camcorder. This camcorder is very similar to the highly rated Sony DVD-505 camcorder, except that it records in high definition. There is some confusion about how to play back the disks. I will attempt to explain.
[1] This camcorder records in high definition to mini-dvd disks using the AVCHD compression format. It will only playback in AVCHD capable DVD players (which will become common in the next couple of years), Blueray players have this capability, but from what I read you should not neccessarily need to get a blueray player, just one that can support the AVCHD compression codec. HD-DVD players may also be able to play these disks. These disks will also play on computer DVD drives with the bundled AVCHD software as well.
[2] You can playback the disk through the camcorder itself and hook it up to your high definition TV directly. So in effect the camcorder itself replaces the need for a blueray player to playback MiniDVD disks.
[3] If you want, you can also record in standard definition (just like the DVD 505) and play back the DVD on almost any DVD player, since the compression used is MPEG 2 for this and all DVD players are made for this.
So basically you have two camcorders in one. Standard definition or high definition. You can shoot in high definition, use the camera or your computer to view without the need to a blueray player. Or shoot in standard definition and view on a standard DVD player. The choice is yours.
[4] Some improved features of this camcorder are manual focus/zoom ring option for more control, Guideframes to compose your shots, 4 megapixel still image capability. You can hookup to your HDTV with component or HDMI connectors. Headphone Jack. Microphone Jack. Dolby 5.1 surround sound. Large high resolution 3.5 inch screen (same as DVD505 model).
[5] How much video can you fit on a disk? It took a while to find out this information, but here it is. In high definition, a dual layer DVD+R disk will hold 27 minutes in highest HD resolution, or in LP mode 60 minutes.
 90% of People (28/31) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 02/28/2007 |
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Strengths: High Definition Camcorder at affordable price
Weaknesses: Short recording time on MiniDVD; Noisy at low light; Eletronic Image Stabalization
Summary: Sony HDR-UX1 is a high definition (1920x1080 pixel=1080i) camcorder records in MiniDVD disks. Because it records in regular MinDVD discs, the video signal is highly compressed in the Sony proprietary format called AVCHD at a rate of 12Mbps, compared to 25 Mbps of HD video and 9 Mbps of standard definition DVD. The AVCHD’s current bit rates are strikingly low. Although there are a few AVCHD capable DVD players right now (Blueray players have this capability), you can playback the MiniDVD disk through the camcorder itself and hook it up to your high definition TV directly. The MiniDVD disks can be played on PC DVD drives with the bundled Sony AVCHD software or WMP (or others) with H264 codec installed.
Despite the high compression of AVCHD format, the quality of the video shot outdoor in bright day is breath-taking when played on HDTV. However, there is some noise when shooting in low light conditions.
One of the drawbacks of the UX1 is the short recording time in MiniDVD disks. A miniDVD-+R will only hold 13 Min in highest HD resolution or 30 Min. in LP mode. You can double the recording time with a much more expensive dual layer MiniDVD+R. Instead of dual layer MiniDVD+R disc, you can get the double side MiniDVD-R discs at much lower price if you don’t mind flipping the disc. half way in recording.
The biggest strength of the UX1 is the price. The UX1, which can also record in standard definition (MEG-2) and play back the DVD on almost any DVD player, is only $100 more than the DCR-DVD505 camcorder, a standard definition camcorder. It is also loaded with a lot of features such as 10X optical zoom, electronic image stabilization, manual focus ring, 4MP still camera capability with flash light, night shot, Dolby 5.1 surround sound, and 3.5” LCD.
One of the biggest drawbacks of the camcorder is its electronic Image Stabilization IS), which makes video choppy when playing. One really needs better IS like optical IS for HDV.
89% of People (8/9) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/20/2007 |
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Strengths: Super quality of images. Easy to play back. Scene selections are quick to find.
Weaknesses: Battery life could be longer.
Summary: If you want to upgrade your older video camera, then I suggest you buy this on from Sony! I have. The use and functionality is a pleasure to work with. Super quality images will not be surpassed with this unit for awhile! If you have a plasma HD TV, then the true image quality you have with this Handycam may be appreciated. Took footage of the Grand Canyon, Sunrise Ski Resort, road shots while moving. and pregame activities in the parking lot at Glendal Stadium while in Arizona for the BCS Bowl. We played it back at home on the Sony BR2 Plasma TV and WOW it was so clear and detailed. Still shots are very good too. Nice experience.
86% of People (6/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 03/17/2007 |
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Strengths: Price now has really dropped. HD recording rules and is really easy to playback (on applicable hardware).
Weaknesses: No Charger or AVCHD media included
Summary: This camcorder offers excellent value at the present time ($750 internet street price). The high definition quality is tremendous and even though the mini disks with AVCHD format are pricey, they record about 35 minutes per. You need a blu-ray player or PS3 or your computer (with the enclosed software) to playback the HD content. In standard definition just put in any old DVD-R(or similar media), record, finalize and put it in any DVD player. The features are great. However the audio is really annoying outdoors in windy weather. It picks up too much "whistling". I changed over from a Sony MINI DV camcorder and must say that I am very, very happy with this purchase. In addition to the camcorder, I spent about $40 for recording media, $40 for a sony memory stick, $20 on a charger, $30 for a 7 hour spare battery, $40 for a case, and $30 for a filter. So add those expenses to your budget but all in all I would say a very, very worthwhile purchase!
83% of People (5/6) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/05/2007 |
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Strengths: Very good HD video quality in good light
Large LCD with intuitive controls
Weaknesses: Some video noise in low light
DVD format is inconvienient
Summary: I purchased this camcorder and its bluetooth microphone for a very low price compared to the other HD options. I am very pleased with its video and audio recording results, altough it displays quite a bit of video noise and searches for focus in low light. I am not of fan of DVD camcorders and have found that you have only about 13 minutes of recording time per disk on its highest quality. It is also heavier and bulkier than its competing formats. Despite its short comings, it has good manual control for such a low priced camcorder and I recommend it to anyone that doesn't mind the DVD format.
83% of People (5/6) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/25/2006 |
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Strengths: It's really randy and easy to use.
Weaknesses: Nothing I can complain with right now. Mmm, maybe, recording time is a issue.
Summary: It's an awesome deal, I don't think you can get another one better than this. It's really randy and easy to use. Nothing I can complain about right now. Mmm, maybe, how long it can record is an issue.
78% of People (7/9) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/10/2007 |
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 A very nice Camercoder Strengths: The good video quality because of the AVCHD standard.
Weaknesses: Can not record on the MSPD card. Can not shut down the sound recording.
Summary: The HDR-UX1 is potentially great for the people who wants to get features like a large LCD screen, improved control, and more inputs and outputs that will allow them to make great videos. The HDR-UX1 is like a lower down Sony A1 with audio control and picture control that prople want.
71% of People (5/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/01/2007 |
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Strengths: great price for a nice camcorder
Weaknesses: dvd is not suitable for hd content
Summary: While this camcorder has a lot to offer in terms of features and options the dvd format is an option a buyer must be ready to deal with. I'm not sure as to why this camcorder get better reviews then the hc3. If you can get this at the right price it is a good buy. At retail however, this product is a disaster. It uses avc format which is not native to almost anything yet(ps3 works other bluray players cant read the discs even though they should). In time this camcorders options will get better but for now, if you want hd and can spend the extra cash go for the hc3. Hope this helps someone out.
71% of People (5/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/29/2006 |
- colorpu
- Member Since:
Dec 2006
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Strengths: high-definition
Weaknesses: none
Summary: i bought this kind of camcorder few months ago and really like it.
very good camcorder with great high-definition picture. The picture is really super than the standard DVD or DV recorders
71% of People (5/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/01/2007 |
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Strengths: night shot mode is great.
affordable HD technology for a resonable price camcorder
Weaknesses: This camcorder records in high definition to mini-dvd disks using the AVCHD compression format. It will only playback in AVCHD capable DVD players
the record time is a ridiculous 13-15 minutes per mi
Summary: High definition quality is very detailed. It requires good camcorder technique. You have to have a very smooth panning technique or else your video will be choppy and stutter. Don't blame the camcorder as many others have on the internet
67% of People (6/9) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/21/2006 |
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Strengths: high-def video recording, very good still image quality, touch screen control, 3.5" lcd
Weaknesses: kind of heavy. big investment too
Summary: this video camera is one of the first that support double sided mini-DVD (has to be DVD+R or RW seemingly). it could record up to 60min high-def video or 110min standard def. i only do high-def, coz that's why i bought it. still image quality is also good, but i don't use it that much, since i have my dSLR. on the downside, the camera is a little heavy, but ok for most guys for a while i assume. the DVD it records is in AVCHD format and you need an AVCHD-compatible DVD player to play back. (it indeed wouldn't be a problem because many players you buy nowadays is AVCHD-compatible). If you do want a high-def video camera, look no further.
67% of People (4/6) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/29/2006 |
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Strengths: HD picture
Weaknesses: So far no.
Summary: I like SONY high end camcorder products and this is my second SONY camcorders. This is the first SONY 1080i HD camcorder on DVDs. The picture is really super than the standard DVD or DV recorders on my 56" HDTV and the AVCHD format can be recorded on almost all standard 1.4G 8mm DVDs, including the DVD+RW DL which is make it more affordable for HD recording. As always, SONY's camcorder gives out superb low light picture quality. The 4MP still camera function, I have not checked it out and may not use it much since I have a 7MP standalone camera. The only thing that you have to keep in mind that for the HD HQ picture, you can only do 15 minutes recording on standard 1.4G media, 30 minutes for the dual layer ones. For standard DVD quality, it does same as the normal DVD camcorder s do. This is the only disadvantage comparing with the HDR-SR1 which is the one w/ 30G hard drive but you have pay at least $300 more for the later one. Anyway, so far I am very pleased by the 1080i HD picture quality and it gave me a wonderful shot for my this year's X'mas holiday memories.
57% of People (4/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/21/2006 |
- xxfmjn
- Member Since:
Dec 2006
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Reviews
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Strengths: This is a standard definition camcorder with high definition capabilities throw in for free. The quality really good.
Weaknesses: his is a DVD format HDR not hard drive format. One DVD can only hold for less than 30 mins.3. the zoom of this camcorder is only 10X, a bit shy compare to other comparable ones
Summary: I would like to say high definition quality is very detailed. It requires good camcorder technique. You have to have a very smooth panning technique or else your video will be choppy and stutter. Don't blame the camcorder as many others have on the internet
57% of People (4/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/27/2007 |
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Strengths: Great LCD, excellent HD quality, YES it can be played back on PS3 and BluRay players
Weaknesses: AVCHD can be a little choppy on faster movements, but can be corrected in editing
Summary: Some people's common misconceptions about this camcorder:
1) It cannot be edited - WRONG! I've tested it with Ulead VS 11, Pinnacle Studio 11 plus, and Adobe Premiere Pro 3, as well as Sony Vegas 7.0d and works great with all of them. Pinnacle has smoothest import IMO, but all are fine.
2) Have to use expensive disks to record or playback in BluRay --- WRONG! You can use the cheap 50 cent DVD-R discs and record at the highest quality for 15 minutes and play back in beautiful HD on your BluRay player. Yeah, 15 min isn't very much, but most true shooters can get a lot of good video on a 15 minute disc. To me it's worth the tradeoff.
Things I like: It saves time and disc space. I love HDV, but it's a hard disc hog. And frankly, you don't get back in quality what you give up in disc space. Especially if you're burning down to DVD resolutions, why bother to shoot in HDV at all? If you're burning to BluRay, then maybe, but again to me AVCHD looks great on a BluRay player even after it's edited.
It also imports very quickly with many of the AVCHD editing programs. No conversion needed.
This is the wave of the future, folks.
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