should I get a blu-ray camcorder?

[rogman]

Originally Posted by jono1414

It sounds like you and I are in the same boat...trying to decide between a few camcorders. I have it narrowed to the sony sr11 or 12 also and the panasonic hdc sd5. what did you find in your research regarding the panasonic brand?

The reviews I've seen of the Panny rated it a distant 3rd to the Canon & Sony. That's why I removed it from contention.

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Chevypower

Yes, you can burn on regular DVD using Blu Ray codecs, and Blu Ray players/PS3 etc will be able to play them. The only drawback from regular Blu Ray disc is recording time. Since only Blu Ray players can read it anyway, you might as well get a BD-Rom (though I am waiting for prices to come down, and for burn times to get much shorter).

Thanks for the info. I'm in the same boat as you as far as waiting for BD-ROM prices to come down. I'll need a new PC too, so I figure by the time I fill up the camcorder's hard drive (or flash memory) I'll be ready to by one.

The benefit of taking 10 MegaPixel stills on the SR11/12 is you only need to take one camera with you. I am very impressed with the stills from it. So much so, that I will no longer use my DSC-F717 dedicated still camera.

That's funny, I have a DSC-F707 that I need to replace. The built-in flash died, and the shoe for the external flash broke. Now, the only way I can take flash pics is holding the external flash in my hand (connected via cable to the camera- no hot shoe in the 707.)

I realize the S11/12 stills are really 5MP (interpolated to 10MP) which is the same size stills as the 707. Am looking for a smaller more compact still camera, so I'm not sure if the Mrs. would want to use the camcorder for stills. It WOULD BE NICE to only carry around ONE camera though!

Do you watch your videos on a 5.1 surround system? Do you really notice any difference in surround audio than you would shooting in stereo?

[Chevypower]

At the moment, I don't have a home theater (moved to the US not so long ago, and newly-wed and all), but will probably get something cheap like STR-DG920 (yeah I am a Sony man) with Harman Kardon HTKS 18 speaker system (with Sony 37XBR6 and BDP-S350)... I am definitely keen to hear the 5.1 playback from the camera. At the moment my old videos are all over the place. PAL Mini DV tapes, wedding was filmed on Sony HVR-Z1 HDV which I am yet to edit, and now using this little beast. I think Blu Ray will be a good archive solution to Mini-DV, as I think could put it on there in AVI uncompressed I think, and playback in BD player. If that is true, then I can transfer all my old footage and sell my TRV900!

[jono1414]

I just spent some time at BB talking with the guys and getting my hands on some of these cameras. I was most impressed with the Sony 11 (they didnt have a 12). I took a picture of a dryer in the box across the store and could read the shipping label on it! The Sony was 1200$ i think, have you guys found it lower anywhere? Also I spoke with them about copying to a DVD-R that would look like a bluray and he said it is possible but you would need the Vegas software which was 120$! That software had better fix dinner and change baby diapers too! I have about a month before I pull the trigger on a camera but something new would have to come out to change my mind from a Sony 11 or 12.

[rogman]

Originally Posted by jono1414

I just spent some time at BB talking with the guys and getting my hands on some of these cameras. I was most impressed with the Sony 11 (they didnt have a 12). I took a picture of a dryer in the box across the store and could read the shipping label on it! The Sony was 1200$ i think, have you guys found it lower anywhere? Also I spoke with them about copying to a DVD-R that would look like a bluray and he said it is possible but you would need the Vegas software which was 120$! That software had better fix dinner and change baby diapers too! I have about a month before I pull the trigger on a camera but something new would have to come out to change my mind from a Sony 11 or 12.

The $1200 at BB seems to be the going rate for the SR11 these days. B&H has if for that as well. Free shipping and no sales tax (or restocking fee!) at B&H make it a better deal in my book. I suppose other less-reputable places may have it cheaper, but I avoid those- especially anyone w/an "ALL SALES FINAL" policy.

[john_1958]

Originally Posted by ESUNintel

I really want a BD camcorder, since not only does the disk hold a lot more than the little DVD's, but it'll also look a lot better on an HDTV, plus I could take advantage of my BD drive on my laptop. Only thing is I'm not willing to spend so much on one, plus there aren't any that are that good out. I do plan on getting one when Sony releases a really good one that's between $800 to $1200 (depending on specs too). For now I find hard drive camcorders to be amazing, especially the Sony ones, the night vision feature is amazing, and so is the touch screen, not to mention the space available and ease of connecting it to an HDTV and making DVD's or even BD's on my PC (Since my Mac lacks a BD drive ...sad ).

sure there are hd camcorders but what ever happened to blu-ray camcorder?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9753804-7.html ?

i'll try http://sdcardcamcorders.panasonic.com.au/sdr-sw20/

[cathexist]

Originally Posted by john_1958

sure there are hd camcorders but what ever happened to blu-ray camcorder?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9753804-7.html ?

i'll try http://sdcardcamcorders.panasonic.com.au/sdr-sw20/

You mean these?

http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-DZ-BD7...3732755&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-DZ-BD7...3732755&sr=8-3

...nothing else has been announced to my knowledge...and the reviews of those are far from good.

[john_1958]

Originally Posted by cathexist

You mean these?

http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-DZ-BD7...3732755&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-DZ-BD7...3732755&sr=8-3

...nothing else has been announced to my knowledge...and the reviews of those are far from good.

same thing i think they were on market then yanked
http://www.hitachi.ca/Apps/hitachica...sp/hcl/hcl/en/

[rogman]

Originally Posted by jono1414

I just spent some time at BB talking with the guys and getting my hands on some of these cameras. I was most impressed with the Sony 11 (they didnt have a 12). I took a picture of a dryer in the box across the store and could read the shipping label on it! The Sony was 1200$ i think, have you guys found it lower anywhere? Also I spoke with them about copying to a DVD-R that would look like a bluray and he said it is possible but you would need the Vegas software which was 120$! That software had better fix dinner and change baby diapers too! I have about a month before I pull the trigger on a camera but something new would have to come out to change my mind from a Sony 11 or 12.

I just ordered the SR11 from B&H. It should come next Monday. I'll try to post my impressions for those considering such a purchase.

Oh- and BTW Vegas Pro is between $400-$500. $120 would be a steal!