HX1 video compared to a AVCHD camcorder?

the HX1 specs are good, but I've looked a few video samples online and panning/ objects moving across the frame (eg. cars at an intersection) look terrible -- not smooth and very jerky (look at DPRs sample). Obviously I don't have one on hand to test on my PS3, but Canon HF100 also has a progressive mode (720/30p), CMOS sensor, yet it looks great (though I usually record at 1080/60i).

Cameras like the HX1, Canon SX1 and FZ35 are interesting for the thought of carrying only 1 camera. Recently I went with the kids to a petting zoo. I was torn as to which to have in my hand -- the still or video camera. Both were in my bag, but shuffling them around was turning me into the cameraman rather enjoying the time with them. Having 1 that would do both WELL would be ideal.

Is the HX1 any better in person, or is the DPR sample pretty much what to expect?

I'm also wondering about the pricey Panasonic GH1, but that's a question for the other forum.

as a hx1 user, i can say you can have lot of fun with it.
familial, and human situations, are hx1 target.

honnestly, hx1 video are good.
but it's only a very convinient P&S.

If you want better video (rate, captor size), GH1 is a better choice. But it's the price of 3.5 hx1...

I've found that most of the bad CMOS video artifacts that are commonly seen from the HX1 and other cameras with similar components, are a result of inadequate playing programs, too slow computer speeds and not the right CoDec packages to support them. I have Splash Beta 4, a free playing program with its own CoDecs. It does the best job of playing HX1 videos, as well as those from AVCHD, MOV and HDV. Having it on my computer also improves the playback performance of Windows Media Player 11, as it searches the other programs and acquires the best CoDecs by borrowing from them.

Splash Beta 4 is scheduled for an upgrade to Beta 5 on Aug. 17th. In September, Splash Player Pro will be released, which will contain an HDTV tuner and many other features. They say it will be reasonably priced and after my very favorable experience with the Beta versions, I will probably buy it.

The 720p HD video mode of the HX1 has produced much better quality for me, than the 1080p mode. It also uses only half the encoding bit-rate, showing how much better the AVC version of MPEG-4/H.264 can be, than the AVCHD and MOV versions, which require more bits to give comparable quality. The exceptional ability of the HX1 to record video in low light, also makes it stand out from most other HD video cameras and camcorders. The only other models with comparable low light capability, are the Sony XR500/XR520, which are AVCHD camcorders with Exmor-R CMOS sensors and they cost $1,300/$1,500. (U.S.).
--
Steve McDonald
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22121562@N00/
http://www.vimeo.com/user458315/videos



http://video.yahoo.com/people/4019627

I bought a Sanyo HD1010 video camera for my hang gliding and noticed that it also takes very reasonable still shots. So much to the point that I do not use my H9 any more for my stills.

What I really like about the Sanyo is the fact that it is small enough to fit in the back pocket of my jeans, therefore I carry it around much more than my H9.

Just some stats on the Sanyo

1. Full manual controls for video and stills
2. 7fps stills
3. 1920X1080 30frames/sec the new HD2000 does 60 frames/sec at 1920X1080.
4. I have not noticed any cmos wobble on my camera.

5. One problem though and for hand held video a big problem it does not have Optical Image Stabilisation. Which for my hang gliding videos is not a problem but hand held you do have to hold the camera steady to avoid camera shake.

Bottom line it is getting a harder choice whether to go with a still camera with video capabilities or a video camera with still capabilities.

--
http://www.pbase.com/reelate2
http://www.pbase.com/relate2
What flying means to me.
http://vimeo.com/2598837

Stephen McDonald wrote:

Thanks for the info. I think it was one of your posts on Vimeo that I was playing (if you are the same guy that is).

Stephen McDonald said:

I've found that most of the bad CMOS video artifacts that are commonly seen from the HX1 and other cameras with similar components, are a result of inadequate playing programs, too slow computer speeds and not the right CoDec packages to support them.

Click to expand...

I've owned a HC9 and now Canon HF100. From all I've read, for the purpose of this post, both compare decently to Sony XR500. If you run the video straight to a HDTV how does the HX1 compare to your Sony XR500?

Stephen McDonald said:

I have Splash Beta 4, a free playing program with its own CoDecs. It does the best job of playing HX1 videos, as well as those from AVCHD, MOV and HDV. Having it on my computer also improves the playback performance of Windows Media Player

Click to expand...

I'm on a Mac and use iMovie or FCE. But mainly I store the files on a large PS3 drive. Testing A/B it plays back my HF100 .MTS files as clean as from the camera itself.

Stephen McDonald said:

The 720p HD video mode of the HX1 has produced much better quality for me, than the 1080p mode.... The exceptional ability of the HX1 to record video in low light, also makes it stand out from most other HD video cameras and camcorders.

Click to expand...

My old Sony SD miniDV did great low light (far better than the HC9), but 99% of my shooting is in good light. I'm more concerned with smooth motion than low light noise. Like using Nightshot, it's easier to pass off poor low light video as "well, it's dark" than it is to not notice why your sunny day video is jumpy.

cmdisme said:

Thanks for the info. I think it was one of your posts on Vimeo that I was playing (if you are the same guy that is).

cmdisme said:

I've found that most of the bad CMOS video artifacts that are commonly seen from the HX1 and other cameras with similar components, are a result of inadequate playing programs, too slow computer speeds and not the right CoDec packages to support them.

Click to expand...

I've owned a HC9 and now Canon HF100. From all I've read, for the purpose of this post, both compare decently to Sony XR500. If you run the video straight to a HDTV how does the HX1 compare to your Sony XR500?

cmdisme said:

I have Splash Beta 4, a free playing program with its own CoDecs. It does the best job of playing HX1 videos, as well as those from AVCHD, MOV and HDV. Having it on my computer also improves the playback performance of Windows Media Player

Click to expand...

I'm on a Mac and use iMovie or FCE. But mainly I store the files on a large PS3 drive. Testing A/B it plays back my HF100 .MTS files as clean as from the camera itself.

cmdisme said:

The 720p HD video mode of the HX1 has produced much better quality for me, than the 1080p mode.... The exceptional ability of the HX1 to record video in low light, also makes it stand out from most other HD video cameras and camcorders.

Click to expand...

My old Sony SD miniDV did great low light (far better than the HC9), but 99% of my shooting is in good light. I'm more concerned with smooth motion than low light noise. Like using Nightshot, it's easier to pass off poor low light video as "well, it's dark" than it is to not notice why your sunny day video is jumpy.

Click to expand...

I don't have a Sony XR500-----I'm just going by samples I've downloaded and evaluations made by video experts, when I describe its good low light ability. I do have an HC9 and it does pretty well in dim light-----see my video called "Evening Beavers" on Vimeo. However, the HX1 does better in dim light for video-----see my Vimeo video called, "Beaver Flick". Both of these were shot near sunset or slightly after.

I have a very high-resolution 22-inch LCD monitor and almost never play anything back on my HDTV. In fact, my HDTV has gone unused for some time, except on rare occasions, due to my increasing involvement in making videos and taking pictures. To illustrate how far this withdrawal from TV programming has gone, I watched only two episodes of "24" last season and no "Law & Order" shows.
--
Steve McDonald
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22121562@N00/
http://www.vimeo.com/user458315/videos



http://video.yahoo.com/people/4019627

cmdisme said:

the HX1 specs are good, but I've looked a few video samples online and panning/ objects moving across the frame (eg. cars at an intersection) look terrible -- not smooth and very jerky (look at DPRs sample). Obviously I don't have one on hand to test on my PS3, but Canon HF100 also has a progressive mode (720/30p), CMOS sensor, yet it looks great (though I usually record at 1080/60i).

Click to expand...

in my option, hx1 video look very good, much better than any DSLR video, those video are best viewed from a real TV, you just connect directly to a TV, those jerky will go away and will look very smooth.

a real video camera video is also jerky on computer screen, but once you connect directly to a TV, it look much better than pc screen.