Sony Handycam HDR-SR1 AVC 30GB Hard Drive Camcorder (1.99MP, 10x Opt, 80x Dig, 3.5" LCD)

Reviewed by: djl251

Duration of ownership: 2 Months

Strengths: Picture quality - far superior to digital-8 Hard disk drive Recording time Touch Screen Great sound recording

Weaknesses: No i-link

Overall: I have been using this Camcorder for the past month for a specific project - that is to record our PeeWee hockey teams' games as they progress through the state and national tournaments. I distribute these videos on DVD to the parents and coaches. Since I already have one full time day job, I do not want to waste time fussing with these videos. For assembling the video segments I like to use iMovie. I like to burn the DVDs with iDVD. These Apple products allow me to get the finished videos to the reciepients in a timely manner. To import video segments into iMovie you need a fire wire connection. Many Sony video products have an i-link connection that allows the computer to directly import the digital video data into iMovie. However, HDR-SR1 is not one of them. Too bad. I work around this by inputting the s-video output from the HDR-SR1 into my Sony Video Walkman GV-D800 and using its' i-link to input the video to iMovie. It's not pretty but it works. It's a bit irritating to have to use the analog outputs and then convert back to digital. I know it sounds like i'm complaining but I am not. Really the video quality is awesome. I am talking about SD not even HD. I did have to buy some extras, like a super-sized Sony battery and the s-video cable. But now I have a system that allows me to record and burn very high quality, professional looking DVDs in a very short time.

Reviewed by: Gadget_Maniac

Strengths: High Definition, Hard Disc Drive, Surround Sound, 3.5" screen, Touch Screen, CMOS, Auto and manual focus, Mic Input, Ease and quikness of transfer to computer for editing, Quick Start-up.

Weaknesses: Hard drive not upgradable! Battery life not enough.

Overall: I am a gadget freak and all my money usually goes to buying electronic gadgets and after I got and played with it when I go to bed, eat breakfast, eat lunch, eat dinner, go to bed and not sleep but play with it for about 2 days now I can proudly say that it's worth every penny I spent. I'm even playing with it right now while I'm typing this review. The video and sound quality is 100/100....I know this because I use professional tools like Pro Tools for Music Production and Video Editing. Ounce I've recorded my first movie with sr1 and transfered it to my computer and played it, right away I can tell the difference in the video and audio quality...no question about it that it's the best home video quality I've seen in my editing screen so far, Not to mention the ability to use manual focus on both video and still image...I love using manual focus because it gives me flexiblity and control on my subject..and also one more thing...if you want to focus on a specific subject you just touch the subject on the screen and it will automatically focus on that subject....isn't that cool, I love the touch screen because it's way easier to navigate...just like navigating my palm lifedrive. The only flaw I can see as of the moment is the not upgradable hard drive. I don't know why they didn't design it that you can swap the hard drive to a new one when your other one is full...and also so that in the future you can buy a bigger hard drive and use the other one as back-up...something like that anyway...the technology that we have now...they should have done it that way...just my opinion. Maybe they're just cutting cost and the bigger the hard drive the bigger power you'll need and of course more money because of bigger battery and more heavier too, and the processor will take longer to access the files because of the bigger hard drive. I have my laptop anyways so even if I'm out somewhere I can transfer the videos if needed to in one click of a button. If you're not like me that can't wait till there's a bigger hard drive and high definition out there, then I highly recommend that you get this one..but if you can sit and wait and just wonder how it's like to have a Sr1 in your hand then just wait till a new and better one comes out...after all the new era of Hard drive cam and high definition just begun...I'm pretty sure the competitors are brainstorming right now on how they could beat everybody else on the market. COMPETITION that's the word I'm looking for.

Reviewed by: ryanb

Strengths: Great HD & excellent SD video plus 5.1ch audio, 30GB HDD storage, 3.5" (16:9) LCD screen, digital stills on Memory Stick Duo or HDD

Weaknesses: Limited capacity (70< min.) stock battery, currently limited editing support for AVCHD format

Overall: If you want a camera with HD and top notch SD capabilities then the Sony HDR-SR1 is for you. Featuring a plentiful 30GB HDD the SR1 can store 4 hours of HD video plus digital stills can be stored on the HDD or a Memory Stick Duo card. The camera is easy to use and feels ?right? in your hand. The LCD screen is sharp in most light levels and can be rotated 270 degrees. Digital stills can be captured concurrently while shooting and are of good quality.Other features include slow motion video, low light capture, image stabilization and, 10x optical zoom.The only notable weaknesses are the limited capacity of the provided battery and the lack of software support for the AVCHD storage format.

Reviewed by: ksprem

Strengths: SR1 CMOS Sensor Clarity and HDD

Weaknesses: Bit heavy, No editing software for MPEG2

Overall: When I bought this Item after much comparison of rates and reviews from pricegrabber.com. Thanks to the users and reviewers in the site. I loved the Sony SR1 handycam from the instant I bought it. It makes a real feeling of taking live videos. Thanks to the clearvid CMOS Sensor clarity( which uses diagonal pixel than ordinary square pixel).I read lot of reviews in different websites and each time it provoke me to buy it, though I thought of some cheap handycam. But finally managed to get it for $1300 bucks.Worth every penny I spent.

Reviewed by: yxd2005

Strengths: best HD resolution, hard drive

Weaknesses: none

Overall: The best HDcamcorder in the market. A lot of features, compatible for the next generation HDTV. Hot products for the next two years to come. Enjoy the quality. Buyit now.

Reviewed by: saliso

Strengths: Beautiful picture and crisp video in the right setting. Easy to use touch screen, nice size and convient power controls on the right( I am right handed, husband not)!

Weaknesses: Not so "easy burn" thus far apparently you have to have the specific sony 8 cm discs(30 min. not very long) .In some settings the picture is blurry and actually out of focus.

Overall: So far, the camera takes nice pictures, however the storage may become an issue if the disc burning does not work to my needs. I do anticipate the discs working and much more manual reading and calls to Sony. It is not very organized, nor it it detailed enough in the art of DVD making