How cheap the HD1? at DVinfo.net

Wayne Morellini · April 13th, 2006, 12:33 PM

I read a review of the HD1 at a digital camera site the other day, where they reckoned it was too expensive. It struck me that, that was the problem, it is a reasonable still camera but not as reasonable video camera (though we can milk performance from it) and it was not worth $799 to me. Similar 5Mp cameras are a lot cheaper, but without HD. If, on the other hand, it was say, $200, I would have little problem buying it to carry around, and I could buy a higher quality camera for most work.

But, then again, it is the cheapest and smallest HD camera out there, and they used to pay a big premium for such models in the MiniDV days. I just can't help but think, if they had all the bugs worked out (focus, exposure, diagonal line problem, low latitude and low light problems (look at Cypress Smalcamera/Fill-factory sensor guys) and 25fps720p with H264 or 19mb/s, then it would be worth buying at that price now. We can only hope that they read this and do it for the HD2, the chorus of bad reviews should be enough proof that they should.

Let's, hope Ambarella H264 cameras come along strong and fast in the future.

Felipe Del Villar · April 13th, 2006, 03:40 PM

Do not purchase anything from bestpricecameras, they are scammers:

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller8754.html

same with TCS Cameras in everyprice:

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller9193.html

and I guess other stores there too maybe be scammers...or bait and switch stores.

Bo Lorentzen · April 13th, 2006, 06:33 PM

Generally the old words..."if it seems too good to be true........" generally are right on.

Bo

www.bophoto.com/HDV

Chris Taylor · April 14th, 2006, 01:10 AM

$600 is the normal going rate for the HD1 its how much I paid ($638 with overnight shipping which I thought VERY reasonable for overnight shipping)

If you hunt you can get 4gb cards for $105 or so $122 straight up from newegg

2gb are cheap dont pay more than $50 shipped

I saw mine on ebay where a phone number was included so I called it and ordered it over the phone. I will find the company name and # when I get home (at work right now)

$600 is what you should be paying for this camera. I have owned 3 Camcorders before this one TWO being DV Camera's and they all cost $500 and up and none come even CLOSE to the video quality of this unit.

the fact that it is EXTREMELY CHEAP for what it is was a major deciding factor in buying it.

I have been nothing but totally impressed with the video it has captured so far - now maybe I am just a lower end end user but thats why I bought it.

Comparing it to $2000 cameras and off course its not going to fair well.

Compare it to $600 camcorders from best buy and circuit city. Now it suddenly fairs quite well :-)

Oh and except for manually setting iso 50 in daytime and iso 400 at night and indoors I leave the camera on full auto (I also lock focus to infinity when shooting far stuff and will do that as well when I shoot rocket launches but I have to do that on all camcorders)

Chris Taylor
http://www.nerys.com/

Mark Critchley · April 19th, 2006, 05:13 PM

Hello Chris.
I've enjoyed reading your HD1 reports.
Recently you wrote: "$600 is the normal going rate for the HD1 its how much I paid ($638 with overnight shipping which I thought VERY reasonable for overnight shipping). I saw mine on ebay where a phone number was included so I called it and ordered it over the phone. I will find the company name and # when I get home (at work right now)."
I want to get a HD1 and I hoped that you could pass on that company name & phone number. Could you post it please? (or email me at m_critchley@yahoo.com)
Thanks.
Mark C.

Chris Taylor · April 19th, 2006, 05:20 PM

Time 2 Envy 888-477-1712

They are out of NY

Chris Taylor
http://www.nerys.com/

April 13th, 2006, 12:33 PM	#1
Wayne Morellini Inner Circle Join Date: May 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 2,762	How cheap the HD1? I read a review of the HD1 at a digital camera site the other day, where they reckoned it was too expensive. It struck me that, that was the problem, it is a reasonable still camera but not as reasonable video camera (though we can milk performance from it) and it was not worth $799 to me. Similar 5Mp cameras are a lot cheaper, but without HD. If, on the other hand, it was say, $200, I would have little problem buying it to carry around, and I could buy a higher quality camera for most work. But, then again, it is the cheapest and smallest HD camera out there, and they used to pay a big premium for such models in the MiniDV days. I just can't help but think, if they had all the bugs worked out (focus, exposure, diagonal line problem, low latitude and low light problems (look at Cypress Smalcamera/Fill-factory sensor guys) and 25fps720p with H264 or 19mb/s, then it would be worth buying at that price now. We can only hope that they read this and do it for the HD2, the chorus of bad reviews should be enough proof that they should. Let's, hope Ambarella H264 cameras come along strong and fast in the future.

April 13th, 2006, 03:40 PM	#2
Felipe Del Villar Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 28	Do not purchase anything from bestpricecameras, they are scammers: http://www.resellerratings.com/seller8754.html same with TCS Cameras in everyprice: http://www.resellerratings.com/seller9193.html and I guess other stores there too maybe be scammers...or bait and switch stores.

April 13th, 2006, 06:33 PM	#3
Bo Lorentzen Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles - California Posts: 114	Generally the old words..."if it seems too good to be true........" generally are right on. Bo www.bophoto.com/HDV

April 14th, 2006, 01:10 AM	#4
Chris Taylor Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Levittown PA Posts: 132	$600 is the normal going rate for the HD1 its how much I paid ($638 with overnight shipping which I thought VERY reasonable for overnight shipping) If you hunt you can get 4gb cards for $105 or so $122 straight up from newegg 2gb are cheap dont pay more than $50 shipped I saw mine on ebay where a phone number was included so I called it and ordered it over the phone. I will find the company name and # when I get home (at work right now) $600 is what you should be paying for this camera. I have owned 3 Camcorders before this one TWO being DV Camera's and they all cost $500 and up and none come even CLOSE to the video quality of this unit. the fact that it is EXTREMELY CHEAP for what it is was a major deciding factor in buying it. I have been nothing but totally impressed with the video it has captured so far - now maybe I am just a lower end end user but thats why I bought it. Comparing it to $2000 cameras and off course its not going to fair well. Compare it to $600 camcorders from best buy and circuit city. Now it suddenly fairs quite well :-) Oh and except for manually setting iso 50 in daytime and iso 400 at night and indoors I leave the camera on full auto (I also lock focus to infinity when shooting far stuff and will do that as well when I shoot rocket launches but I have to do that on all camcorders) Chris Taylor http://www.nerys.com/

April 19th, 2006, 05:13 PM	#5
Mark Critchley Tourist Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1	Hello Chris. I've enjoyed reading your HD1 reports. Recently you wrote: "$600 is the normal going rate for the HD1 its how much I paid ($638 with overnight shipping which I thought VERY reasonable for overnight shipping). I saw mine on ebay where a phone number was included so I called it and ordered it over the phone. I will find the company name and # when I get home (at work right now)." I want to get a HD1 and I hoped that you could pass on that company name & phone number. Could you post it please? (or email me at m_critchley@yahoo.com) Thanks. Mark C.

April 19th, 2006, 05:20 PM	#6
Chris Taylor Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Levittown PA Posts: 132	Time 2 Envy 888-477-1712 They are out of NY Chris Taylor http://www.nerys.com/