Sanyo Xacti HD2 Press Release

Packed with performance upgrades including a new 7.38-megapixel CCD image sensor that dramatically improves low-light sensitivity, the new SANYO Xacti HD2 is the world’s smallest and lightest high-definition digital video camera* and the highly anticipated next-generation follow-up to 2006’s innovative and multi award-winning HD1 and HD1a series.
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The SANYO Xacti HD2 combines the functionality of a 720p high-definition digital camcorder and 7.1-megapixel digital still camera into one ergonomic, pocket-sized device. For optimized performance, a new HDMI digital interface, built into the HD2’s multifunction docking station, provides an all-digital output to HDTVs and high-definition video recorders. Featuring a unique pistol-grip and thumb-operable design, the HD2 can record up to 21 minutes of high-definition video (or up to one hour of standard-definition video) per gigabyte of available memory on any standard SD or high-capacity SDHC card (memory cards sold separately). Using a single 8-gigabyte SDHC card, HD2 users can easily and spontaneously shoot nearly three hours of high-definition video, up to eight hours of standard-definition video or thousands of 7.1- megapixel digital still images.

“The enormous worldwide demand for the high-definition HD1 series inspired and invigorated SANYO’s design team to significantly raise the performance bar on the HD2,” said John Lamb, Senior Marketing Manager for SANYO Fisher Company’s Audio Video Division. “Increased low-light sensitivity is just one example of how the HD2 has been engineered to provide a more satisfying user experience than ever before.”

Sporting a stylish blue graphite body, the SANYO Xacti HD2 will be available in the U.S. in March 2007 at an MSRP of $699.99**.

The Xacti HD2 responds to light as low as 12.5 lux in auto mode. This represents an up to 75% increase in low-light sensitivity when compared to the 50 lux auto mode capability of the previous models, the HD1 and HD1a. The HD2 responds to light as low as 6 lux, in lamp mode, representing an up to 76% increase in low-light sensitivity when compared to the 25 lux capability of the HD1 and HD1a. The HD2 features a special “High Sensitivity” button, allowing users to quickly switch from standard sensitivity mode and shoot in a wide variety of low-light situations.

Super-fast start up

The Xacti HD2 high-definition video camera is designed for super fast start-up and shooting. With no tape to queue up, simply open the display and the HD2 automatically powers up and is ready to record in as little as 1.7 seconds.

Image Stabilization

The SANYO Xacti HD2 features a digital image stabilization that works across the full shooting range from wide-angle to telephoto. Using an original corrective algorithm developed by SANYO, the HD2 is able to distinguish between “trembling hands” and “camera work” such as panning and tilting.

1280 x 720 progressive HD video scanning

Thanks to highly efficient MPEG-4 technology, the HD2 is able to create richly detailed high-definition 720p (1280 x 720 pixels) videos at 30 frames per second. That’s up to three times more pixels than standard conventional video cameras.

High-definition engine

The SANYO Xacti HD2 is powered by high-precision LSI (large-scale integration) circuitry for advanced, high-definition image processing. This powerful “high-definition engine” processes a vast number of calculations and enables the HD2 to realize image processing functions such as high-definition 720p processing, real-time MPEG-4 compression and noise
reduction.

Super-fast 9Mbs frame rate

The SANYO HD2 high-definition digital video camera features an
accelerated frame rate in the HD mode that is more than four times faster than earlier digital cameras. Transmitting data at 9 megabits per seconds ensures that camera and subject motion are smooth and natural, without the image lag or distortion that might occur in slower-responding systems.

10x optical zoom

The HD2 features a generous and highly efficient 10x optical zoom lens. Built from 12 elements designed in 9 groups and with a built-in neutral density filter, the 10x zoom lens has a maximum aperture of f/3.5 in both wide and telephoto angles, allowing for clear images in lower light situations. Combined with a 10x digital zoom capability, the HD2 is capable of a total 100x zoom.

2.2-inch LCD display

The HD2 features a large Sanyo-developed 2.2-inch LCD display with 210,000 total pixels for exceptionally clear viewing. The display flips out from the camera and rotates up to 285 degrees on axis for taking great video or still images even in difficult locations.

Digital video and stills, all in one

The HD2 can record 7.1-megapixel still images in addition to 720p video clips. It can even snap a still image while recording high-definition (1280 x 720-pixel) digital video with a simple press of the shutter button during the shooting of a video clip.***

Video recording optimized for personal media players

The HD2’s “Web-SHQ” recording mode is designed specifically to capture video destined for video iPod and other popular MPEG-4 capable personal media players. For optimal playback on such devices, video is captured at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels and a smooth and natural 30 frames per second.

16:9 still shooting

A selectable 16:9 shooting mode allows users to capture stills in the same widescreen format as their high-definition videos for eye-catching viewing on a 16:9 television screen.

Convenient in-camera video editing

The HD2 offers enhanced video editing functions, enabling quick A>B deletions and easy combining of video clips. In-camera editing makes it easy to remove unwanted material and helps conserve memory card space.

Very small, very light

Lightweight at only 8.3 ounces (including battery and a standard SDmemory card), the HD2 measures 3.1. W x 4.7. H x 1.4. D.

Other SANYO Xacti HD2 features include:
- 16:9 widescreen format (HD-SHQ / HD-HQ modes)
- Rapid 7.1-megapixel sequential still shooting
- High-quality 48 kHz, 16-bit, stereo AAC-LC sound (MPEG-4 Audio)
- Convenient pop-up flash
- HD/Norm switch for easy video mode changes
- Talking navigation guide for first-time users
- Super Macro shooting down to 1 cm (W) / 1 m (T)
- Self timer (2 seconds / 10 seconds)
- Voice recorder function- Red-eye reduction mode
- Multifunction compact docking/charging station with HDMI, Component,
S-Video/AV output
- High-capacity SANYO rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
- Remote control included
- Exif Print and Print Image Matching III
- PictBridge-capable for PC-Free printing with PictBridge-compatible
printers

SANYO Xacti HD2 optional accessories include:
- NEW Belt-clip Holster Case (VCP-HCX1) $19.99**
- 0.6x Wide-angle Lens Adapter (VCP-L06WU) $99.99**
- 1.4x Telephoto Lens Adapter (VCP-L14TU) $99.99**
- 49mm Lens Filter Adapter (VCP-AL49) $17.99**
- L40 Battery Charging Cradle (VAR-L40U) $39.99**
- Original SANYO L40 Battery (DB-L40AU) $49.99**

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Sanyo Xacti HD2 Reviews

CamcorderInfo has a first impressions review of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 and writes, “The Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 is an unusual camcorder that doesn’t compare easily to anything else on the consumer market. At an MSRP of $699, it is the cheapest HD-capable camcorder available. It records a unique flavor of MPEG-4 video, at bit rates equivalent to the standard-definition MPEG-2 video seen on many DVD, HDD and flash camcorders. It produces large and very good looking stills – and above all, it’s a truly pocket-sized camcorder that will fit in many women’s jeans pockets – an achievement that no other cam we’ve reviewed matches. Unfortunately, if last year’s tests of the HD1 are an indicator of the HD2’s video performance, this will be a similarly compromised product. Last year, we found the video performance and resolution to be disappointing. Colors were too saturated, and in-camera sharpening resulted in muddy edges. Resolution at the 720p SHQ setting was slightly better than the best standard-definition camcorders of 2006 but a far cry from every 1080i cam we reviewed. … The VPC-HD2 is a tech toy more than a high-performing camcorder.” Link.

CNET has a review of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 and writes, “Though still quite usable, the VPC-HD2’s actual footage and performance disappointed us. The camcorder takes a long time to get a focus lock, especially in low light. When it finally focused and shot, the camcorder’s video came out soft and washed out. Even when viewed on an HDTV over an HDMI cable, fine details are obscured and colors appear bland and undersaturated. The footage is still high definition and will appear as such on any HDTV, but it doesn’t look nearly as crisp as footage from higher-end high-def camcorders. … Price certainly plays a factor, but even the less expensive camera-turned-HD-camcorder Canon PowerShot TX1 offers clearer HD video than the VPC-HD2. The VPC-HD2 produces decent footage and won’t ruin your home movies with poor quality, but you can find better video elsewhere.” Link.

CamcorderInfo has a review of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 and writes, ” In still mode, the Sanyo does very well, producing high-resolution photos that look like a digital still camera took them. While video performance is not great, it does show some improvements over last year’s VPC-HD1, especially in terms of color performance. Unfortunately, handling and working with this camcorder is incredibly frustrating. Without a live preview, it is virtually impossible to make use of the respectable suite of manual image adjustments. The 2.2” screen is small and cramped, the joystick and zoom are undersized and difficult to use, and the menu structure and control interface suffers from fundamental design flaws.” Link.

PCMag has a review of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 and writes, “When I compared the HD2’s video quality with that of the Sony HC3, one of last year’s Editors’ Choice HD camcorders, Sanyo’s HD video looked too contrasty. The image was slightly oversharpened and had a narrower dynamic range than that of more-expensive, full-featured HD camcorders. This is particularly evident when shadowy areas are swallowed up by dark tones and details in highlight areas get blown out. … As a camcorder alone, Sanyo’s HD2 would be merely average, but with its decent-to-very-good digital-still camera capabilities, it deserves a very good, 3.5-star rating.” Link.

DigitalTrends has a review of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 and weren’t particularly impressed: “Video was pretty good in bright sunlight. Colors were fairly accurate but there were times when it got washed out. Footage shot indoors in the High Sensitivity mode was very noisy, much worse than the recently reviewed JVC-GZ-HD7US that was worse than the Canon HV20. Still there were minimal artifacts when recording outside with that option turned off. Overall the colors looked fairly natural, in particular the green of tree leaves, a red Japanese maple and the aqua color of the water in a pool. … The search for a really good two-in-one imaging device continues. The VPC-HD2 is not the Holy Grail, not even a Monty Python version of it. In fact I suggest you pick it up at the store, marvel at its small size then put it back down. Then if you can afford the extra cash, buy a 1080i HD camcorder from Panasonic, Sony or Canon.” Link.

PCWorld has a review of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 and gives it a 72 rating: The camcoder’s high-definition video capture didn’t quite live up to our expectations. The VPC-HD2 records video at 720p, not 1080i, as do the three other high-definition camcorders we tested concurrently. The VPC-HD2’s video suffered from fuzzy details and dull-looking colors; in low-light footage, shadow areas lacked subtle gradations. As a result, of the four high-definition camcorders in its cohort, the VPC-HD2 earned the lowest scores for video quality in standard light, video quality in low light, and audio quality.” Link.

Vnunet has a review of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 and writes, ” in low lighting, the HD magic starts to wear off, and we were disappointed to find in such conditions the recording suffered from increased fuzziness and dull colours. This extends to other features too - zooming in, for example, using the digital zoom resulted in a grainy, noisy picture, pretty far from high definition. To make the best of the HD recordings users must also ensure they plug the device into an high definition television set. On the plus side, however, the camcorder can take can take clear seven megapixel still pictures whilst recording.” Link.

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