Sony HDR-SR12 10.2MP 120GB High Definition Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom by Sony
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Digital camera reviews of Sony HDR-SR12 10.2MP 120GB High Definition Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Digital camera Review: 1080i and 1080p Differences
Summary: 5 Stars
I wanted to clear the air about a little misinformation that has been posted on hi def resolutions. There are other sites on the net that explain the same thing with but with more detail, but the link below is the reference for my information:
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How 1080i and 1080p Are Both The Same and Different
1080i and 1080p are both High Definition display formats for HDTVs. 1080i and 1080p signals actually contain the same information. Both 1080i and 1080p represent a 1920x1080 pixel resolution (1,920 pixels across the screen by 1,080 pixels down the screen). The difference between 1080i and 1080p is in the way the signal is sent from a source component or displayed on an HDTV screen.
In 1080i each frame of video is sent or displayed in alternative fields. The fields in 1080i are composed of 540 rows of pixels or lines of pixels running from the top to the bottom of the screen, with the odd fields displayed first and the even fields displayed second. Together, both fields create a full frame, made up of all 1,080 pixel rows or lines, every 30th of a second.
In 1080p, each frame of video is sent or displayed progressively. This means that both the odd and even fields (all 1,080 pixel rows or pixel lines) that make up the full frame are displayed together. This results in a smoother looking image, with less motion artifacts and jagged edges.
Differences Within 1080p
1080p can also be displayed (depending on the video processing used) as a 1080p/60 (most common), 1080p/30, or in 1080p/24 formats.
1080p/60 is essentially the same frame repeated twice every 30th of a second. (enhanced video frame rate).
1080p/30 is the same frame displayed once every 30th of a second. (standard live or recorded video frame rate).
1080p/24 is the same frame displayed every 24th of a second (standard motion picture film frame rate),
The Key is in the Processing
1080p processing can be done at the source, such as on a Upscaling DVD Player, Blu-ray Disc Player, or HD-DVD player - or it can be done by the HDTV itself.
Depending on the actual video processors used, there may or may not be a difference in having the TV do the final processing (referred to as deinterlacing) step of converting 1080i to 1080p.
For instance, if the TV is utilizing a Faroudja Genesis, DVDO, Silicon Optix HQV, or homegrown processors, such as the ones used in higher-end Sony, Pioneer, Hitachi, and Panasonic sets for example, may be equal to the processors used in many source components - so the results displayed on screen should be equivalent, or very close. Any differences would be more noticable on larger screen sizes.
1080p, Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD
Also, keep in mind that with both Blu-ray and HD-DVD, the actual information on the disc itself is in the 1080p/24 format. Players, such as LG BH100 Blu-ray/HD-DVD combo player, have the ability to output 1080p/24 direct from the disc to its output.
However, since most current HDTVs cannot display 1080p/24, when you connect the LG BH100 to an HDTV that does not have 1080p/24 input and display capability but only has 1080p/60/30 or 1080i input capability, the LG BH100 automatically sends its 1080p/24 signal from the disc to its own video processor which then outputs a 1080i/60 signal. This leaves the HDTV to do the final step of deinterlacing and displaying the incoming 1080i signal in 1080p.
Another example of 1080p processing, is the Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray Disc Player - what is does is even more complicated. This Blu-ray player reads the 1080p/24 signal off the disc, then it actually reinterlaces the signal to 1080i, and then deinterlaces its own internally made 1080i signal in order to create a 1080p/60 signal for output to a 1080p input capable television. However, if it detects that the HDTV cannot input a 1080p signal, the Samsung BD-P1000 just takes its own internally created 1080i signal and passes that signal through to the HDTV, letting the HDTV do the final deinterlacing step.
Just as with the previous LG BH100 example. The final 1080p display format depends what deinterlacing processor is used by the HDTV for the final step. In fact, in the Samsung case, it may that a specific HDTV has better 1080i-to-1080p deinterlacer than Samsung has, it which case you may see a better result using the deinterlacer built into the HDTV.
Final Take
In the final analysis, the proof is in the actual viewing - how the image looks to you in the real world with your specific HDTV. Short of having a tech come out and doing actual measurements, or comparing results using different TVs and source components yourself, even if you don't have a 1080p input capable Television, as long your HDTV has 1080p internal processing, you may still be able to get the benefits of 1080p. The key is in the processing, and, of course, not all HDTVs and video processors are created equal - let your eyes be your guide.
Digital camera Review: A 5-Star Camcorder Indeed!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll keep this short and sweet... After "purchasing" and "returng" camcorders to different stores in my area; FINALLY I found what I was looking for in a video camera... I just cannot begin to explain how crystal clear this camera shoots... Everyone I show the previews on the screen to want to either buy one or jokingly tell me if they can have my camera... The kicker is that it behaves extremely well in low-light situations... the best I've seen so far (and the reason why I returned so many camcorders after trying them out for a couple of days)... This is a no-brainer... The Sony HDR-SR12 is THE camcorder to get... Recording in space saving SP is incredible but when I switch to the highest setting (FH) the picture details became almost three dimensional... The fact that it has a Carl Zeiss lens doesn't hurt either... Beware who you buy online from as I did get burned by a New York based internet company (who shall remain unnamed... NOT AMAZON mind you)... They played a major bait and switch where I ended up paying at least $200 overprice... but oh well, live and learn... buy it here on Amazon and play it safe... 5 Star Camcorder and I can't even imagine how much any company can improve on image quality in the future after seeing what the SR12 can do!Digital camera Review: A REAL BEAUTY
Summary: 5 Stars
I PURCHASED THIS CAMCORDER FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF SHOOTING A TRIP TO THE EAST COAST(WE LIVE ON THE WEST COAST)AT CHRISTMAS TIME. I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WITH IT, ITS SMALL, LIGHT AND EASY TO USE(COCKPIT PROBLEMS). SONY, SHOULD AT SOME POINT, WRITE A MANUAL IN A LANGUAGE THAT NOVICES CAN UNDERSTAND THAT EXPLAINS HOW TO SET UP & USE EACH OPTION INSTEAD OF SAYING "YOU CAN" I SHOT OVER 10GB OF THE TRIP AND RELATIVES AND STILL HAVE OVER 100GB TO USE(HAVEN'T DELETED ANYTHING AS OF NOW). CONTROLS ARE EASY TO USE ONCE YOU GET USE TO WHERE THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY DO(AGAIN COCKPIT PROBLEMS). I PUT THE OVER 10GB TRIP ON THREE DISCS(EASY TO DO) BUT THEY CAN NOT BE VIEWED THRU A REGULAR DVD PLAYER, MUST BE PLAYED ON A BLU-RAY PLAYER. THE PROGRAMS YOU HAVE SHOT CAN BE VIEWED THROUGH THE CAMCORDER ON A DESKTOP OR LAPTOP(USB PORT). I COPIED THE TRIP TO AN EXTERNAL HD, BUT CANNOT PLAY THEM UNTIL I FIND A PROGRAM THAT WILL PLAY THE FORMAT AVCHD. THE NIGHT SHOTS WERE A SURPRISE, SLIGHTLY GREEN, MAYBE THERE IS AN OPTION TO CORRECT THAT, SONY DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE MANUAL, AS I SAID BEFORE, LEAVES A LOT TO BE DESIRED. THE MEMORY CARD IS A PLUS BUT YOU HAVE TO CHANGE, AS YOU ARE SHOOTING, WHERE YOU WANT THE STILLS TO GO, HD OR CARD. AS I'M SHOOTING I DON'T, USUALLY, WANT THE STILLS TO GO ON THE HD. YOU CAN USE UP TO AN 8GB MEMORY CARD. I HAVE SEVERAL AND HAVE YET TO FILL ONE AND THEY ARE HI DEF, HOWEVER THEY AUTOMATICALLY GO TO A 4/3 FORMAT, NOT 16/9. THE BATTERIES CAN BE CHARGED IN THE CAMCORDER OR ON THE EXTERNAL CHARGER, AND SEVERAL SIZES ARE AVAILABLE, COMES WITH A SMALL ONE(TIME WISE). I HAVE YET TO USE THE PLATFORM, SO I CAN'T COMMENT ON IT.I WOULD DEFINETLY SUGGEST IT TO ANY ONE WHO WANTS A HIGH END CAMCORDER. THE PRICE, AS USUSAL HAS COME DOWN SINCE I BOUGHT IT, BUT ITS WORTH WHAT I PAID FOR IT. THANKS SONY FOR A GREAT PRODUCT, BUT PLEASE, DO BETTER WITH YOUR MANUALS. 1-28-09 I HAVE, SINCE I ORIGINALLY WROTE THIS REVIEW, DISCOVERED THAT I CAN PLAY FROM THE HD WHAT I SHOT ON OUR TRIP WITH THE PROGRAM THAT IS INCLUDED WITH THE CAMERA. ITS CALLED AVCHD AND LOOKS AS GOOD AS FROM THE CAMERA. I WILL PROBABLY DISCOVER OTHER THINGS THAT, AS OF NOW, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT. I SURE WISH SONY WOULD INCLUDE A COMPRENSIVE AND UNDERSTANDABLE MANUAL OR AT LEAST HAVE A WEB SITE WHERE I COULD LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS LITTLE JEWEL. I STILL THINK ITS GREAT!!!2-14-09 I now have a Blu-Ray(Panasonic BD55) dvd player(purchased through Amazon) and it plays great. My HD tv has only 1 HD input so I bought a hub that has 5 and have both my HD players pluged into it, still have to get an HDMI cord to be able to plug in the camera, but the dvds look every bit as good as if comming through the camera to the computer. I just can't say enough good things about this little jewel. I am still learning things(options) about it. I see the price has gone up considerably since I bought it (in October), for once I did it right.Digital camera Review: Best Camera/Camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the best Camera/Camcorder I have ever had. Great pictures and great videos! The menus are a little complicated to work through, and I miss the scroll wheel that my other Sony Camcorder had, but I love the camcorder.Digital camera Review: Best One on market
Summary: 5 Stars
I have this camera for a year now and it is going strong with time.
Pros:
Video looks crisp on 46' television.
Photos are sharp.
I like that you can take photos while shooting videos.
Adding space for memory card is nice touch
easy mode for parents who get confused using high tech gears.
Cons:
Not a big fan of software provided by sony to transfer videos and photos ( interface is clunky and confusing at its best ) but its fine coz I just transfer them in one go and delete them from camera to avoid confusion.