The hobbier
I bought this camera when I was oversea vacation. It's great camera for the amount of money. So, I edited my footage time line video clips by using Sony Vegas Pro to make a Blu-ray movie. It's unreal, it's sharp, but the only thing that got me is: I had to import the video clip through its own software that came with the camera and then save them as MPEG2 file before I can transfer to the Vegas time line. If anyone has better idea, please let me know. Thank you
Thomas B.
Comprehensive little pocket camcorder
The AG-HSC1U is a VERY small camcorder, for my particular use the size and solid-state recording was a big part of the choice.
Once in use the camcorder impressed with beautiful pictures, however for interviews one need to mount a bracket to hold the microphone, I got one with 2 shoe mounts for a video light to pop the faces and also a microphone, it would be nice to have a headphone jack, but there is no such thing, instead there is a recording level indicator on the screen, I was a bit apprehensive about this starting out, but in practical everyday use this works well.
This camcorder is a "Pro" version of the older Panasonic SD1 camera, the colors have been tweaked to match the look of other professional cameras, this works well and I find the shots to play nicely with much more expensive panasonic pro cameras.
Unlike most serious camcorders this camera is mostly menu driven, there is no exposure-compensation. however there is a small joystick which makes it easy to adjust the lighting. the most common used adjustments are accessed by sliding the mode slider to Manual and then pressing the joystick once, this will let you toggle through the settings one at a time, you can select a option by moving the cursor sideways - once selected you can move sideways to increase or decrease a setting such as aperture, gain, or shutter speed, press downwards to exit a option. in practical use this works easy and are simple to figure out, I use the aperture all the time and it is the first option when I turn on manual because it was used last. The camera have zebra stripes so it is easy to judge exposure.
The camera could possible have a bit more dynamic range, but I have not found it being a problem, I typically shoot outdoors interviews with a graduated ND filter to control the sky and use a reflector to pop some light in the top of the face which also is in the ND filter, the result look great and do not look like something from a cheap camcorder.
The lens is longer than the other SD cameras with 12x zoom, which really is about as long as you can hold still any way, I use this camera mostly on monopod or handheld in the cockpit of airplanes. The lens is sharp and with no vignetting.
The AVCHD files edits well with Vegas Pro 8, I have not tried the economy compression and only use the best quality setting which looks beautiful on the screen. A added bonus is the 40gig portable harddrive which ships with this camera model, the drive is battery powered and I have successfully dumped 5 days worth of cards to the drive with no recharge required.
Generally the camera performs well and overall I am very pleased with this purchase, it plays well with other cameras and I am about to pick up a second for the company. In my personal opinion this camera is highly recommended as long as you realize that have have some limitations it will serve you well and deliver images you can use for production. Ultimately, only you can determine if this camera will "do the trick" for you, based on your needs and the performance vs price of the camera, you can find larger cameras with more features at the same price, but they are pretty darn hard to stuff in the pocket in the cockpit.
If you do not have Windows XP or 2000 be very aware!
This is a good produce except for a few things. The battery life on both the camera and the external hard drive is very poor. The software that comes with the camera can only work on Windows XP or 2000... sorry Mac or Vista users. However Panasonic does have an application that can work on Windows Vista but it is in Japanese's. If you do run Finial Cut Studio 2 in your Mac you can import it in to your timeline. I have not got it to work with Adobe or Avid editing programs. The audio is quite good give the nature of the camera. Unless you need a small 3 CCD camera that stores on a memory card I would suggest you consider something a little cheaper... maybe a Sony HDV cam? Hope this helps!
Camera is great but beware the external Hard Disk Drive
The AG-HSC1UP is easy to use, light and compact, and takes great video. Transferring AVCHD footage from the camcorder itself to a Mac is a breeze. Do note that if you transfer video from the camcorder to the included portable Hard Disk Drive (VW-PT2), and then try to transfer those clips from the HDD to a Mac for editing in Final Cut, it can be confusing. Here's a solution:
Connect the portable hard disk drive to computer using USB cable and turn on the HDD. Icon "untitled" will appear on desktop.
Open Final Cut. Click Final Cut in menu bar > System Settings > Scratch Disks. Click "Set". Then select destination folder (for example user name > document > Final Cut Documents > new folder (and name the new folder). Then also click "Set" for Waveform Cache, Thumbnail Cache, and Autosave Cache.
Then on the menu bar, click File > Log and Transfer. When new screen appears, click icon "Add Folder" in upper left corner. then click "Untitled" icon > Pana > 080311_1 (or whatever number appears). Click Open. Drag clip from "Name" to "Untitled Project 1" where it says "Drag Media Here".
The next time you open Final Cut, click File > Import Files > Documents > Final Cut Documents > Capture Scratch > Untitled Project 1 > and there, by golly, will be Clip #1.mov. Click on Clip #1 (et al) and it will appear in the browser window.
It's easier just to get some extra SDHC cards and forget the HDD.
The GV-D800 takes advantage of digital technology advances to ensure playback with up to 500 lines of resolution and three times the color bandwidth of VHS tapes. Digital video also offers significantly less video noise and deterioration. The GV-D800 is also backward-compatible with older Hi8 and 8mm recordings, letting users watch previously recorded material in either SP or LP modes. The device is no slouch from an audio perspective, either, with 16-bit recording capability that offers the same high-quality sound as a compact disc. In addition, it lets users transfer the recorded signal via iLink to a compatible digital video device so they can add narration or a music soundtrack without disturbing the original sound.
The GV-D800 offers several inputs and outputs for efficient component connection, including S-video and composite video inputs and outputs, an iLink (IEEE 1394) DV input and output, and a Super LaserLink wireless connection that transmits audio and video wirelessly via infrared to an optional LaserLink receiver at a distance of up to 26 feet. The LaserLink system reduces the need for long video cables or clumsy adapters. In addition, the device is compact and lightweight, measuring a mere 5.87 x 2.62 x 5.38 inches (W x H x D) and weighing a bit over 2 pounds.
What's in the Box
Digital VCR, AC power adapter, power cord, AV converting cable, AV connecting cable, user's manual.
Very nice and easy machine
I ordered this machine to record my old 8 mm tapes of my kids. It operates quite easily out of the box. The picture on the LCD was nice and clear and it connected to my TV with ease. It looks like a high quality product and the price was good. I am very happy with it so far.
I'm glad I made this purchase
First, I am very happy with the purchase & delivery - It was very prompt and packaged well. I will order from this Amazon partner again as a result.
Second, the Sony GVD800 has worked flawlessly and the $$ I spent doesn't seem to matter after I had a chance to see my older 8mm video memories.
I was worried that the GVD800 wont be offered for very much longer and I bought it as my old 8mm camcoder no longer works. It's very easy to use and I am happy with the quality. My older 8mm video tapes worked without any issues and I can now transfer them to modern media (e.g. DVD). I would recommend the model which has the video screen rather than the one without the screen which is approx. 0 less. Otherwise, you will be dependent on an external display of some type.
If you need or want one of these, don't wait.
Good little VCR
If you are using Hi8 and/or Digital 8 then this VCR will be useful to you. The other guys pretty much summed up the features. I bought mine about 3 years ago. I use it to input video to my editing computer to save wear and tear on my cameras. It's also capable of editing but I do all that with the PC. You could just connect it to a TV and use it for 8mm playback. The quality is good and it's got inputs/outputs for everything. I am glad someone makes a VCR for the 8mm formats. I highly recommend it!
Best of 8mm.
The only thing I miss with this device is a MEMORY STICK.
This is one of Most Complete Heroes of Sony!
Love them!
Just like every body has said here, these glasses are excellent! I use these over my fancier Riedel all the time, why? because they perform just as well, but clean alot easier.....after 2 years of use, I only have broken 2 out of 8...
Excelent choice.
We are very happy whit our riedel Ouverture Magnum Red Wine Glass.
Excelent for every day use, and for partys, the price is very good for this quality glass.
And the packing is very nice. I live in Mexico and any glass broked whit the shipping.
versatile stem
These glasses are very good for an all purpose glass. They are short enough to fit in a standard cupboard and easy to clean. I drink chardonnay and my husband drinks the red wines. My chardonnay tastes just as good in these red wine stems as the reds do!! No drama with the look...just great versatility.
Stem Too Short
Although the quality of Riedel wine glasses is wonderful, and the price of this set excellent, I returned them. The stem was too short for my hands and would definitely be too short for a man's hands. It felt uncomfortable and cumbersome to me. I obviously am not of a fan of the Riedel "O" stemless wine glasses either.
Hard to find item.
It seems this product, Halo 3: Master Chief Kubricks has already become hard to find. Every store checked was either sold out, or was no longer carrying this item. I did find the item on Amazon and I can tell you that when it came my grandson who is 12 was very excited.
Since then I have checked with most of the stores again including Game Stop stores who have told me they are out of stock and would not be re-ordered. There are pretty neat Kubricks and add to my grandsons collection.
Hard to pose, but still great
[...]The paint job on my figures was detailed and excellent. Kubricks are simply amazing, and Master Chief looks awesome standing side by side to my other legos. (Take note: he is about twice their size)
The set comes with a battle rifle and two SMGs per Spartan, and yes you can remove the helmets (no face though). However, the Kubricks unfortunately cannot sit down very well. They also hold the weapons a little awkwardly. They are, though, pretty heavy for their size(a good thing) and very durable. I got mine to hold their weapons perfectly but it took a little work. They also can pose pretty well too but you just have to be patient.
To summarize everything: an overall amazing product. If you like Halo, you won't be disappointed. Great for displaying on your desk or giving to a Halo fan as they are pretty uncommon.
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