Digital Cameras Ratings: Sony HDR-UX1 AVCHD 4MP High-Definition DVD Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom Review

Average Reviews:
4.2 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)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 geta 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.

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Product Description:
Record every detail of every moment with the HDR-UX1 Handycam. Make high-definition DVDs directly from your camcorder with supported DVD-R/-RW/+RW and +R DL media formats. In addition, the HDR-UX1 features a 10x Optical/80x Digital Zoom and Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens. Capture more than just video with the 4.0 Megapixel Still image feature and Dolby Digital 5.1-channel Audio Recording. Once you've recorded your footage, you can easily transfer and share with complete composite, component, USB 2.0 and HDMI connectivity. Capture, create, connect, and share in high-definition with the HDR-UX1. 10X Optical/80X Digital Zoom - The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition, the Digital Zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms - 35mm Equivalent -41.3-485mm (16 - 9 Camera Mode), 50.5-594mm (4 - 3 Camera Mode), 40.4-404mm (16 - 9 Memory Mode), 37-370mm (4 - 3 Memory Mode) - Accepts 30mm filters 3.5 LCD Screen Color Viewfinder Capture still images up to 2304x1728 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick(R) Duo Media for easy transfer to PCs for emailing, printing or sharingSuper SteadyShot(R) Picture Stabilization System