Video Accessories MiscVideo Accessories Misc
Anamorphic Lenses and Projection Screens: Affordable?
- Written by Chris Heinonen
- Published on 25 March 2013
When I finally took the plunge into a projection setup in my home theater, the hardest decision I had to make was what aspect ratio to get for my screen. Everything that came after that, from the screen material to the projector, was dependent on that decision.
iRule Home Automation System Review - Controller Application
- Written by Chris Eberle
- Published on 03 December 2012
Ever since I built my first AV system, I have wanted a slick touch-screen remote to control it all. Let's face it; once you have more than just a TV in your media room, you need a way to integrate that pile of remotes into an...
Panasonic AG-HSC-1UP 3-CCD 1080p High Definition Video Camera
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 20 August 2009
Panasonic's AG-HSC1UP High Definition Camcorder has 3 CCDs, records at 1080p in the AVCHD format, and comes with a portable hard drive to transfer your videos when you fill up the included SD memory card that holds about 1.5 hours of video recorded at the highest quality (13 Mbps). It has a 12x optical zoom, and is very compact.
Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-Smartphone
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 01 August 2012
New models of Smartphones seem to be arriving on phone store shelves almost daily, and the Apple iPhone is feeling the snapping at their heels by the latest models from numerous companies. Samsung's Galaxy S-III is definitely strong competition. . . . .
Canon VIXIA HF11 1080p High Definition Video Camera
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 25 December 2008
Just when you thought high definition video cameras couldn't get any smaller, Canon comes along and releases the Vixia HF11. It is full high def (1,920 x 1,080) and will record it as 108060i, 108030p, or 108024p. It uses SD memory cards instead of tape, DVD-R, or hard drive, so it has no moving parts other than the zoom lens and focus. It has 32 GB of memory built-in, which will record nearly 3 hours at the highest bitrate option. Ladies and gentlemen, this is some video camera.
JVC GZ-HM1 High Definition Video Camera
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 23 December 2010
JVC's GZ-HM1 follows on the HM550, but adds a few more features, such as external microphone inputs. JVC's latest series of consumer high definition video cameras continue to set standards in resolution and image quality.
Sigma DP1 Compact Digital Camera with DSLR-Sized Sensor
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 23 October 2008
Sigma's new DP1 compact digital camera has the same large Foveon sensor as in the SD14 DSLR, yet it can fit in your pocket. Read Secrets exclusive, detailed bench test report to see how it compares with its larger SLR cousins.
JVC GZ-HM550 High Definition Video Camera
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 01 June 2010
JVC's new GZ-HM550 has full 1920 x 1080 resolution, records up to 2 hours, 57 minutes in its highest quality mode, has a built-in 32 GB SD card, and is the smallest high definition video camera we have ever tested. At $799.95 MSRP, it will not only fit in your shirt pocket, but won't strain the wallet in your hip pocket.
Sony PMW-EX1 Prosumer 1080p High Definition Video Camera
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 01 September 2008
The Sony PMW-EX1 is a Prosumer HD video camera that is quite affordable ($7,499) when you take into account that it will record 1080p30. That's right. Remember how we have all been talking about the day when HDTV programs might begin broadcasting in 1080p instead of 1080i? Well, if it isn't actually part of program broadcasting yet, you can have it for all your home videos. Those birthday parties, daughter's wedding, trip to Europe . . . . you can record them in 1080p30 with a camera that is reasonably portable (it comes with its own small suitcase).
No, it's not one of the pocket sized HD cameras, but you can carry it around without too much difficulty. And, as you will see, the image quality is vastly superior to any consumer HD camera of the past. It's studio quality, affordable to the aficionado.
JVC GZ-HM400U High Definition Video Camera
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 16 November 2009
Up until the past year, the sensors in HD video cameras were just barely enough in pixel count (2,073,600) to get 1920 x 1080 video. That has changed now, and camera manufacturers are putting sensors in their HD video cameras that have a much higher pixel count. The main reason is so that consumers can take high resolution snapshots with their video cameras, similar to the high resolution photos they can get from dedicated digital snapshot cameras. The serendipity is that the high resolution image can be downsampled to 1920 x 1080 rather than there being only just over 2 megapixels to start with, and this gives a sharper video image. The JVC GZ-HM400U is just such a camera, with its 10.3 megapixel sensor. Have a look at our review to see how it performed.
Canon HG10 Hard Disc Drive High Definition Video Camera
- Written by John E. Johnson, Jr.
- Published on 30 June 2008
Canon's new HG10 is a hard disk drive (HDD)-based high definition (1080i) video camera that can be had for less than $1,000. It takes very nice videos, but how does it compare to Canon's HV20 which uses tape and a different compression algorithm, at about the same price?
