Yet another video format

What will they think of next? Hitachi recently announced the first of a new generation of camcorders. The Blu-ray disc camcorder. As if there weren’t three too many different formats already, the Hitachi DZ-BD70A offers full HD recording at a genuine 1920 x 1080.

To do this, they have incorporated a high definition lens (*12 element, 9 group, 18 sided multicoating) and a 5.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, an HD Camera Signal Processing LSI and a High def H.264 LSI.

Although they feel the need to enhance the images on their website to show the effect of the multi coating, which tells me, the lens ain’t that great.

I like the look of the camera, but as always am a little disappointed at the manufacturers mis-selling of a new product. How can a lens be high definition? It can’t – sure, you can record the image at a high definition, but the lens itself cannot be so why do they feel the need to feed you a line? Beats me. I guess the quality of the camera isn’t as advertised so they are resorting to a little advertising license and “enhancing” the photos (otherwise known as lying.)

Anyone interested can see the release and the enhanced images here.