The press release with extensive details on the SD based model as well as another DVD based model can be found in machine translation at:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dwatch%2Bimpress%2Bavwatch%26num%3D50%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26rls%3DGGGL,GGGL:2 006-17,GGGL:en
The SD model is to be available in Japan on December 1, the DVD model in mid-December.

This camera is very small and SD cards only on one of them, very cool.

Some tidbits...

HDMI 1.2a
1080i, 1440x1080 video recording
6,9, or 13Mbps
Microphone port
USB 2
Internal battery bay on SD Card model and external on DVD model

Panasonic's HDC-SD1 AVCHD camcorder page is now up in Japan:

http://tinyurl.com/y53ctu

It's quite interesting, in my humble opinion.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

Interesting that the less expensive DVD version has a viewfinder and the SD version does not.

Interesting that the less expensive DVD version has a viewfinder and the SD version does not.

Where did you get that from? they both have...

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-Announces-Two-AVCHD-Camcorders-–-HDC-SD1-and-HDC-DX1.htm

The official English press release by PANASONIC is now up:

http://tinyurl.com/yeb6pn

"Their high-sensitivity features also allow for shooting in poorly-lit situations - for example, as low as six lux."

Amazing, if true.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

The specifications on the Panasonic site list a viewfinder for the DVD model and show just a dash in the viewfinder space for the SD model. There are lots of good pictures, and I see no evidence of a viewfinder on the SD model. I think Camcorderinfo got it wrong.

It's strange that the DVD model is cheaper as it includes a viewfinder+dvd writer. The extra cost of the SD card model must be in the bundled SD card, what other explanation could there be? If the DX1 can also record to SD card I think that would make that more popular.

As soon as someone get's an editing workflow sorted out (as well as support in NLE's) these things should take off!

I was surprised that nobody had already posted on News when I posted my thread on the announcement. I guess this was moved from there first.

The SD1 version sounds more like what I would expect from one of those $799 h264 cameras talked about earlier in the year. I wonder if the price will fall when higher spec versions come.

What is this progressive mode listed under shutter?:

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpanasonic.jp%2Fdvc%2Fsd1%2F3ccd.html&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools


It also mentions progressive CCD's on the first page:

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpanasonic.jp%2Fdvc%2Fsd1%2F3ccd.html&langpair=ja%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools


I wonder if the HDMI will do the progressive frames.

I am very dissapointed. I was expecting something much smaller, with higher resolution and better bit rate. 8GB SD cards are already just $250 so why not have 24Mbits/s? And 520K CCDs? Please! And it weighs more than the Canon HV10! 490g for this versus 480g for the HV10.

wow, no component output, just HDMI! Is there a way to convert HDI to component?

wow, no component output, just HDMI! Is there a way to convert HDI to component?

There appears to be a component output.

Take a second look at the photos.

The component output is also listed by CamcorderInfo.com's article:

http://tinyurl.com/y9sdxt

"The new Panasonics include HDMI terminals, as well as AV and component jacks."

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

As soon as someone get's an editing workflow sorted out (as well as support in NLE's) these things should take off!

I still say the best workflow is to use an Intensity card and capture the AVCHD through HDMI into a mjpeg based Blackmagic HD AVI file and edit that way. Yes the filesize is larger but it is still small enough to fit the bandwidth of a single SATA harddrive. The quality may not be any better but the editing will flow much better on the mjpeg files compared to editing the native AVCHD files.

CPU power will get better and NLE's may be able to edit AVCHD footage in the future but even then it is going to be slow for FX and realtime processing. Using a different codec such as mjpeg (through Intensity and HDMI) or Cineform (if they ever add AVCHD support) will allow the cpu and gpu to be used for FX and realtime processing.

I still say the best workflow is to use an Intensity card and capture the AVCHD through HDMI into a mjpeg based Blackmagic HD AVI file and edit that way.

That's what I was thinking too Thomas. Do you know if you can capture directly to Blackmagic's JPEG codec from the camera or do you have to first capture uncompressed and then transcode? I couldn't find this answer on their Intensity site and am about to Email them about it.

It would be great of course like you say to capture directly to a JPEG codec as you wouldn't need a disk array like with the uncompressed.

I talked to my local store today, and was told that Panasonic plans a range of hard drive cameras next year, and that JVC might have their HD hard drive camera out by Christmas.

Intensity will record to Photo Jpeg live as far as I know. It was discussed in the news thread on the AVCHD that was taken down to be repaired. Chris was planning to put it back up again, but it looks like it didn't. It had most of the answers on Intensity's HDMI capture.

I'm still curious, will this HDMI be interlace?

The Panasonic site says it sends 1080i or 480p out over HDMI, whatever that means.

Besides the included memory card I think the other reason why the HDC-SD1 is more expensive is because it’s more attractive to the consumer because of the compact size and the DVD version looks awkward. At least that’s my opinion.

I agree, but the reality should be different, the disk mechanism costs, and the disks cost less.

Wes, can we trust that to be the full story.

Unless it has progressive, I think I will skip now. I would prefer 50fps progressive.

Besides the included memory card I think the other reason why the HDC-SD1 is more expensive is because it’s more attractive to the consumer because of the compact size and the DVD version looks awkward. At least that’s my opinion.

True, however, they're also banking on the fact some consumers will want a camcorder that will provide "instant gratification" to those who simply want to pop the 8cm DVD disc out of the camcorder and then insert it into a Blu-ray Disc player and watch the high definition display.

But I agree the DVD version looks odd.

The official page for that model is here:

http://panasonic.jp/dvc/dx1/

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

I agree, but the reality should be different, the disk mechanism costs, and the disks cost less.

Wes, can we trust that to be the full story.

Unless it has progressive, I think I will skip now. I would prefer 50fps progressive.

I can't see how it aquires anything but 1080i. There doesn't seem to be any info anywhere that would say otherwise but we'll have to wait and see to be sure I suppose. I would prefer progressive but at least they included HDMI and a Microphone port. Can't wait to see what the video looks like.

Can't wait to see what the video looks like.
Stills appear to look like this:
http://www.simplydv.co.uk/newsitems/1st_imp_pana_hdc-sd1_dx1.html
I look forward to seeing some motion stuff somewhere!

If it has video quality like that, it would be acceptable. This is what I expected from the higher latitude, bigger sensor pads, in the pixel shifted CCD's. Looks like the Sanyo HD1 a little, but without the compromises. But video quality can always be dumbed down.

Too expensive, if they only had progressive 1080 24mb/s, or half the price. As it is it has to compete with better HDV cameras. I would love to see the video reviews.

Interesting that the bulkier but cheaper DVD model has a viewfinder and the SD model does not -- though I am not sure how useful it is with the battery sticking out of the back.

The SD-1 is attractive for me, but I would like to know what Sanyo's next move will be. I have certainly been pleased with the HD-1, and AVCHD seen so far doesn't look that fabulous on the HDTV.

The SD-1 is attractive for me, but I would like to know what Sanyo's next move will be. I have certainly been pleased with the HD-1, and AVCHD seen so far doesn't look that fabulous on the HDTV.
Lest not forget that Samsung has yet to release their own H.264 camcorder and so far it’s been delayed.

Interesting that the bulkier but cheaper DVD model has a viewfinder and the SD model does not -- though I am not sure how useful it is with the battery sticking out of the back.

The SD-1 is attractive for me, but I would like to know what Sanyo's next move will be. I have certainly been pleased with the HD-1, and AVCHD seen so far doesn't look that fabulous on the HDTV.

Maybe they will all show at CES (Samsung Sanyo, JVC). The Panasonics are coming in March in the States. Maybe the other cameras will be similar. I wish they would put a HD1a like camera in a Pocket PC phone (but much better, like 19mb/s, fast aperture, better sensor).

Does anyone know how to translate the listed FL for this new Pani camcorder into 35mm equivalent?

Is the conversion just the ratio of the 1/4" to 35mm (5.51:1)? I don't this so because the #'s just don't 'add up' given the stated FL's of Does anyone know how to translate the listed FL for this new Pani camcorder into 35mm equivalent? The listed FL is 3-30 mm.

Thanks
JohnG

Hello,

I had the opportunity to use one during one day, and my first (and ok.. very light) sensations are :

1- I small, looks very close to a HC3 very different from previous Pana SD Card camcorder
2- no viewfinder, small but good screen
3- obvious command organization, no need to open the book
4- can accept a mic (mic input)
5- rather quick start

for the rest it's like any other small camcorder.

The results ar rather good. I've been immensely disappointed by Sony AVCHD that provides good images by good light but has a high, too high, far too high noise level as soon s the light goes down
It's not a measurement -like advice, just my eyes advice but Panasonic noise level seem much much better
By good light the images are surprisingly good.

I think its a rather good camera probably better then the Sony

The problem right now is the software to convert files I've not seen it but I've been told that it's no way better than the Sony one and the Sony one is awful.

Luc

I've been viewing some AVCHD clips shot with the HDC-SD1 and it is difficult to get playback with some software. I use Nero 7 to view the Sony M2TS files but it locks up with the Panasonic MTS/M2TS files (don't know the difference yet). However, Windows Media Player 11 will play back both the Sony and Panasonic clips with no problems. I'm using an Intel E6300 Core 2 Duo system with 3GB/sec drives.

However, the video I've seen looks very good. I'm waiting to see some intimate lighting footage, but the low light shots I've seen so far are better on the Panasonic. Need more examples before I can say for sure it is significantly better.

I can say I'm disappointed with the features on the SD1. It has an enclosed battery, no EVF, no headphones jack (although it provides a headphones adapter for the AV port), no accessory shoe and only shoots 1080i video. I was expecting more from Panasonic at the $1500 level. After all, the DV953 just about killed the Sony TRV950 when it came in under $1500 a few years ago.

Consultant Tore Nordahl -- in August -- wrote an opinion piece.

http://tinyurl.com/vfgn3

His comment:

"Look for new semi-professional AVCHD models selling for as little as $3,000 from Panasonic."

Anybody heard anything to support this statement?

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

I've now seen some intimate lighting video clips from the HDC-SD1 and they are impressive. Better quality than the Sony clips I have seen and at lower light levels. I'm really looking forward to reviewing this camcorder.

His comment:

"Look for new semi-professional AVCHD models selling for as little as $3,000 from Panasonic."

Anybody heard anything to support this statement?

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

When talking to the local camera store one of the bosses to me of a range of HD Hard drive camcorders next year, but I am unsure wherever he meant JVC or Panasonic.


I can say I'm disappointed with the features on the SD1. It has an enclosed battery, no EVF, no headphones jack (although it provides a headphones adapter for the AV port), no accessory shoe and only shoots 1080i video. I was expecting more from Panasonic at the $1500 level...

Or a $499 level camera.

Hello,

The results ar rather good. I've been immensely disappointed by Sony AVCHD that provides good images by good light but has a high, too high, far too high noise level as soon s the light goes down
It's not a measurement -like advice, just my eyes advice but Panasonic noise level seem much much better
By good light the images are surprisingly good.

I think its a rather good camera probably better then the Sony
Luc


So, guys, how does it compare to HDV cameras like the HC1 or MV10 for noise, latitude, low light and picture quality?

How does the camera compare to this following example. I got to test an HC3 in store the other day. There was a lot of noise, in the well lit store, latitude was not spectacular, but not bad either. It was through HDMI to an HD panel, and I could see the noise evident even looking at a bright grey panel. So noise level was high. I have a theory that when colors are filmed the noise from the sensor pads that do not register that colour well adds to the noise of the pixel. On the HC3, areas of pure primary color had very high noise, even though they were bright. Complementaries were much less noise, and whites had none discernible. The same thing is visible on the Sanyo HD1 too.


Thanks

Wayne.

There appears to be a component output.

Take a second look at the photos.

"The new Panasonics include HDMI terminals, as well as AV and component jacks."

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

The Japanese version uses the D-Terminal component cable. Is there anyone who knows where I could buy a component cable for the HD SD1 for usage in Europe/USA , i.e. red green blue rca plugs?

SimplyDV review conclusion:

"The (Panasonic) HDC-SD1 is an excellent solid-state 3CCD device that currently sets the benchmark for tapeless high definition video camera technology in the consumer market."

"When tested alongside the Sony HDR-SR1 (and pointing at exactly the same subject whilst viewing on identical HD monitor screens), the pictures were markedly better than the Sony's - especially in the more lowly lit sectors of the screen."

"The Sony's images featured quite high levels of rectangular blockiness whereas the SD1's (and DX1's) equivalent images were beautifully clear and well rendered."

"The differences weren't just mildly worthy of note, they were immediately apparent - even to the untrained eye."

Link to SimplyDV Web site review: http://tinyurl.com/ysbw53

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

Here is another positive review about this camcorder. It’s good but like the SimplyDV review it doesn’t compare the picture quality to HDV camcorders and I’m going to have to disagree about this part:

“There are also options for manual focus, white balance, aperture as well as soft skin mode and tele macro. In other words, more than enough tweaks for 99 percent of the camcorder users out there.”

In other words, only one percent of users will complain about the camcorder not having a focusing ring around the lens. I’m certain the percentage is higher than that especially for someone paying at least 1000 dollars for a camcorder.

http://i4u.digitaltrends.com/review4333_main21673.html

Consultant Tore Nordahl -- in August -- wrote an opinion piece.

His comment:

"Look for new semi-professional AVCHD models selling for as little as $3,000 from Panasonic."

Anybody heard anything to support this statement?

Sorry for being 2 months late but I also read that several months ago and although he sounds reliable, I earnestly think he got that rumor from me.

Here is another quote from him
http://www.freshdv.com/2006/08/will-panasonic-lead-professional-hd.html

“I expect Panasonic to announce a HVX200-type camcorder with AVCHD CODEC and mini-Blue-ray Disc recording, in addition to SecureDigital and/or P2 soon. Panasonic badly needs a semi-professional HD camcorder line-up by end of 2006, not to lose market share.”

Almost word for word, this sounds very similar to what I wrote either on this board or camcorderinfo. I don’t feel like going back but believe me, this isn’t a joke.

I literally made that up back then. I also said that Sony may release a Z1u type camcorder with Blu-Ray disc drive as well.


I still would love to see my rumors becoming true!

Tore Nordahl's latest column on this subject is interesting: http://www.coax.tv/

But Nordahl's most interesting comment, in my humble opinion, had to do with Grass Valley's new "Infinity" pro camcorder, which can utilize the JPEG 2000 codec.

A lot of people in the pro community have wondered about the Infinity's native pixel matrix.

I think NAB in Vegas is going to be especially interesting this year.

Jerry Jones

Based on my original prediction back then it would have been a DVX100 type camcorder with Blu-Ray and SD memory card recordings so you can move footage from one place to another. The price would be around 3500.

Anyway if Panasonic releases a camera with AVC intra 50, it would guarantee be a HVX200 replacement and being priced at 3 to 4 thousand dollars would be pretty low. 4,500 to 5,000 seams more likely when you consider the price of the Canon XH-A1 and the HVX200.

In reality, Sony is more likely to release a Z1u type camcorder with Blu-Ray than Panasonic releasing a HVX type camcorder with Blu-Ray. But then again, a lot of people would complain if Sony abandons tape.

I have a new idea for a camcorder that I believe Panasonic would be interested in. They should use something like this for a DVC30 replacement. http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=63051 It wouldn’t be too expensive to implement since it has a price tag of around 600 dollars. Because Panasonic was able to squeeze three ¼” CCDs into the SD1, they could probably squeeze either CCDs or CMOS chips as big as 1/3.5” and still be around the size of the DVC30. On top of that they should allow you to transfer your footage to SD cards. If they did all that and priced it at around 2,500 to 3,000, it will be an extremely popular item.

If only I gave Panasonic that idea several months ago, because we would have been seeing a camcorder like that at NAB.



If you think about, if Panasonic looses the tape drive of the HVX200, they could easily make the chips bigger than 1/3” and/or add more P2 card slots.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4k2gD6BrPU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGCHhg15WFo&NR
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3349706842228090297&q=avchd&hl=en

one of the biggest selling points of the HVX was the fact taht it does DV, DVCpro25/50, DVCproHD 720 and 1080i...
its this formatting flexibility which makes teh camera so powerful, and the most versatile with regard to cross relations with other studios, be they commercial or private or broadcast

Now with this proven workflow of the P2, plus the coming of this new camera and its particualr recording format, i really wouldnt be surprised if pana decide to ditch the tape deck of the next HVX altogether and opt for an SD array (much like the SPX P2 array)

it would be cheaper, more efficient, definately much more robust and of course, lighter.. and retaining those P2 slots would guarantee that the unit can continue to offer these professionally accepted formats (by professional i mean BROADCAST STUDIO.. ON AIR... ) as well as cater for the "semi" pro formats such AVCHD... DV will be long gone soon enough as HDV (and its AVCHD equivalent) becomes the norm

As for editing, even the gruntiest machine have trouble, so IMO, it would be wise for the manufacturers, to at least offer some insight into hardware decoding. Obviously, they can encode in realtime (as proven by the cameras existance), so theres no reason why they cant decode in realtime either...

Either way, all this is moot and remains to be seen as these formats are still fledglings...

only time will tell

Just picked one up tonight at Circuit City at South Center (they had two or three more on the shelf). Haven't had a chance to decode and look at any footage yet, but it's a neat little cam. Manual settings require some menuing around, but there's WB, shutter, iris, etc. Found an 8 gig SDHC card at Fry's for $129, and it seems to work just fine.

I'll post a little more after I get a chance to really play. Shouldn't this cam get a forum or something?

Aaron
www.navagear.com

This unit has been at CC for a couple weeks now and it's not seeming to generate much interest (although a lot of store inventory shifting). I myself saw it live today and it's pretty sweet indeed! Talk about simple operation--I think there are 5 buttons total on it. I sorely miss a hotshoe for a light or enhanced mic, and why no viewfinder on THIS model is odd...but it really is slick overall. I'm really surprised to see so few real reviews too...

Even though I had a once-in-a-lifetime trip last year, I held off the 1st gen models to see what the current crop would be. 1 down---2 to go (Canon and JVC).

I think Pany was smart with the SD thing--compatible 8gig cards on ebay are now starting around $45. And that's over 80min of taping....

The US version of the SD1 gives a whole lot better picture quality than the SR1 and the Pal version of the SD1 is almost as good as HDV.
Check out these examples of the PAL Panasonic SD1 being compared to the Sony HC3:
http://www.fxsupport.de/17.html

The AG-HSC1U (professional version of the SD1) may indeed have a better picture quality than the Canon HV20, Sony HC7 and even the JVC HD7 when viewed on a standard High Definition screen. It’s just too bad Panasonic is being like everybody else by not including a manual focusing ring around the lens.

This article is obviously about Panasonic’s commitment toward Blu-Ray but the second to last sentence should tell you something.
http://www.ertweekly.com/Default.aspx.LocID-05nnew0cd.RefLocID-05n00l.Lang-EN.htm

Just picked one up tonight at Circuit City at South Center (they had two or three more on the shelf). Haven't had a chance to decode and look at any footage yet, but it's a neat little cam. Manual settings require some menuing around, but there's WB, shutter, iris, etc. Found an 8 gig SDHC card at Fry's for $129, and it seems to work just fine.

I'll post a little more after I get a chance to really play. Shouldn't this cam get a forum or something?

Aaron
www.navagear.com

Congrats on the cam Aaron. What's your opinion on it after one week? How do you connect it through HDMI? What's your HDTV?

I played with this camcorder in Circuit City last week. It's pretty good so far, but I asked them how could I transfer the recorded video into my NLE. He said I would have take out the SD card and insert in into my pc.

I have Vegas 7 and Adobe Premiere 2.0. Does anyone know if I can edit AVCHD files in Vegas and Premiere 2.0? I need all the info I can get before I purchase.

Also, I don't have a HDTV yet. Are there any A/V cables with the cam?

I played with this camcorder in Circuit City last week. It's pretty good so far, but I asked them how could I transfer the recorded video into my NLE. He said I would have take out the SD card and insert in into my pc.

I have Vegas 7 and Adobe Premiere 2.0. Does anyone know if I can edit AVCHD files in Vegas and Premiere 2.0? I need all the info I can get before I purchase.

Also, I don't have a HDTV yet. Are there any A/V cables with the cam?

There is an av cable and a component cable included I think, at least in the Japanese version I own there is. If you should buy it you will be able to use it on your SD TV with the AV Cable. And you could sell me the component cable, I still need one :).
The best thing to watch is to buy a $8 HDMI cable for HDTV viewing.

I asked them how could I transfer the recorded video into my NLE. He said I would have take out the SD card and insert in into my pc.

I have Vegas 7 and Adobe Premiere 2.0. Does anyone know if I can edit AVCHD files in Vegas and Premiere 2.0? I need all the info I can get before I purchase.

You can copy the video file from the SDHC card to your computer just like any other file. However, you will need an SDHC card reader, use the SD1 as a card reader, or use the software that comes with the SD1. Regular SD card readers will not work with the SDHC card because they are limited to 2 GB.

You cannot edit AVCHD .MTS files directly with Vegas or Premiere. Vegas is supposed to be updated this Spring to allow editing. In the interim, and perhaps a better long term solution, you can use Nero Vision 4 (part of the Nero 7 Ultra Enhanced suite) to convert the AVCHD file to HDV (MPEG2 at 25 Mbps). Then, you can edit it in just about any NLE.