The MPEG-4 video recording options include two wide-screen modes (1,280x720 at 30fps, compressing to either 9Mbps or 6Mbps) and four standard modes (640x480 at 60fps, compressing to 6Mbps; 640x480 at 30fps, compressing to either 3Mbps or 2Mbps; and 320x240 at 15fps, compressing to 684Kbps). The photo-capture options include two JPEG compression modes for 5.1 megapixels but only a single compression mode each for 0.3, 1.2 and 2.0 megapixels.
On the docking station, there's a connector for the bundled USB/AV combo cable -- the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 is one of the rare camcorders that supports component and 720p output, as well as both PAL and NTSC.
Performance
In theory, a tapeless camcorder should be quicker than a MiniDV model to power on and grab your first shot. Tape-based systems have to position the recording head, but with flash memory there are no moving parts. To keep the on/off button from being pressed accidentally, Sanyo designed the button so that it doesn't register unless you hold it down for about 2 seconds. As a result, the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1 is faster than tape-based camcorders but not as fast as most digital cameras.
Our tests averaged 4.3 seconds from a cold start to our first video frame, though about 2 seconds of that was spent holding down the button. Using the standby mode that's triggered by closing and opening the display reduced the wait time to 3.3 seconds. In bright light, we measured a 0.6-second delay between pressing the video-record button and the actual start of the shot. In dim light, the delay increased to 0.8 seconds. For fast-moving sports, kids at play or other spontaneous activities, this and other fully electronic camcorders have a distinct advantage in capturing the first few seconds of the action.
More important, the VPC-HD1's processor seemed unable to adapt quickly to just about any kind of dramatic change, whether it was a change in movement, contrast, exposure or focal plane. It sometimes took a second or two to recover the focus when the camera was moved quickly from one subject to another. In an exterior shot where we moved at a moderate pace from one group of flowers to another, it was painfully obvious that the camera couldn't keep up. This problem occurred both with and without the image stabilisation system engaged.
Image quality
If you're considering the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1, your number-one concern will probably be how good is the video. Judged purely for its size, the video quality is good, but inconsistent. In bright light with minimal movement of either the camera or the subject, you can capture decent video clips. If you prefer not to shoot in a wide-screen format, the highest-quality 640x480 setting provides much smoother video in a traditional 4:3 aspect ratio.
However, once you add movement or decrease the light, the quality becomes more erratic. In moderate light indoors, there's enough illumination to clearly see the subject but often with significant amounts of visual noise, compression artefacts, diagonal jaggies and discoloration. The camera has poor dynamic range -- it significantly clips highlights and shadows -- and because that increases the number of high-contrast areas, there's also a serious amount of coloured fringing. And the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1's photos have that smeary, overprocessed look.
Additional editing by Kate Macefield
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Robert Witchell 31 July 2006
Good: Size
Bad: The picture quality is poor and it jumps between scenes and it is too slow to join each scene together
Comment: I purchased this camera based on reviews on the Net. I say save your money, it's rubbish.
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