Manzella Recommended: Sanyo HD2

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Brian Manzella

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sanyohd2.jpg


Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 7MP MPEG4 High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom

$644.99 ($30 off if you use Visa)

I have owned about 20 camcorders since the very first one introduced from Sony, was released in 1985. I was on a waiting list to receive that camcorder, and I was on a list to buy this one.

The Sanyo HD2 is a dream product that records 720p HD Video to a Memory Card. It has a shutter speed of 1/10,000 sec., which as you can see from the Masters videos on this site, stops the golfer and club as well as any consumer camcorder. It has near instant payback on the unit on a 2.2 color screen, and you can do Frame-by-Frame and pause right on the camera with ease with no need to use a remote. It also takes 7.1 mega pixel stills that are very good quality as well.

For me, having a camera that I can teach golf with, take video at Tour Events, and basically record anything—anywhere, and have that camera in MY POCKET, weighing next to nothing, is a dream come true.

It is also the first product I am recommending on my Amazon.com Associate program. So if you buy from the link below, the Italian Stallion gets a small commission for the recommendation.

I rate this camera/camcorder 9.5 of 10!

Click Here to Buy Item from Amazon.com
 
cmartingolf

cmartingolf

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Does an SD card come with the camera? What size? Thanks for the insight. It looks like an excellent camera. I like the fact it also has a mic jack for wireless audio..... cool!
 
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dmurfet

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looking at the quality of the videos you have posted from the masters, this is an excellent buy - I'll get one
 
rbaumgolf

rbaumgolf

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Be careful with low cost electronics dealers

They are all about bait and switch.......after you order they will state they are out of stock or will only sell if you buy accessories......or at worst they will steal your credit card number and fold up shop.

Buyer beware -------
 
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Brian Manzella

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Broadway is the absolute worst.

I have bought products from many a company. But, I have called Broadway a few times and didn't even ORDER they were so rude, and on the "up-sell" at all times.

Amazon is as big as they are because they do a great job.
 
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cjgolf

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dthobbs said:
Broadway has it for less.
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Might be best to either go with Brian or post the results of some solid research that you have done.

Price is just a part of the whole equation. Brian would have done his homework.

In the past Brian has been genorous enough to share where he used to purchase his stuff from and there is lots of good info on the net regarding online retailers.
 
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Martee

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Brian, how does it work for wide angle, say like when you are in practice bay and only have like 4 to 6 feet distance from the golfer for face on views?

Do you get the whole golf stroke motion?

With past cams, it was always necessary to get a wide wide angle, not the fish eye (still have figured out why people try and use that lens, it distorts the picture, ??).
 
huestisc

huestisc

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PAL compatible?

Brian, Amazon mentions that is both NTSC and PAL compatible, can you confirm this? If so, I think I'll be ready to pull the trigger on one of thes :)

PS - My wife wants to know if the picture looks as good on a full size TV as it does in your Masters clips on the web
 
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dmurfet

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huestisc said:
Brian, Amazon mentions that is both NTSC and PAL compatible, can you confirm this? If so, I think I'll be ready to pull the trigger on one of thes :)

PS - My wife wants to know if the picture looks as good on a full size TV as it does in your Masters clips on the web
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Definitively - it does do PAL and NTSC - yes. IT's an option you toggle in playback mode.

I have not plugged mine into the plasma yet, but the amopunt of acbles it comes with take up about 3/4 of the box it comes in - given that it outputs HDMI, Svideo and component (not composite that I saw) I would imagine it is a lot better than on the PC and the video card in the camera is a lot better than that in my Sony laptop which stalls on really high def footage.
 
huestisc

huestisc

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Thanks for the info

Good to know...this is certainly the camera I want, now I just have to get approval from my wife :D
 
Ducky

Ducky

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I recently purchased a Sony HDR-SR7 (their latest high definition HDD camcorder) for the sole purpose of recording my golf swing. Unfortunately, the shutter speed is not manually adjustable, which renders it useless (in my opinion). I may sell it and purchase a Sanyo HD2.
 
tourdeep

tourdeep

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aiptek-hd-camcorder.jpg


Here is an alternative to the Sanyo. Aiptek has packaged this for appr. $250 and is great for HD viewing including feedback that suggests low light situations are better than the Sanyo. Costco.com carried the Aiptek and may still do so. With their liberal refund policy, it's a great way to give it a try, expecially for the price. Docking station with a spare battery along with a belt pouch are included. The still pictures are horrible, IMO but I've heard the same for the Sanyo from those that demand DSLR type quality! Aiptek could not touch the performace of my point/shoot Casio. Reviews from others suggest the pics are more than acceptable. I say no way! However, I've seen some pics from other manufacturers that are awesome, but the price point is basically near double that of the Sanyo (canon has one that takes great pics, around $500, but it's a memory hog even with a larger card). Also, some claim it feels cheap. To me, it was fine considering the price.

I wanted to try the Sanyo, but Costco.com discontinued carrying it less than a month ago and I have a hard time buying something without trying it first and having the luxury of returning it hassle free.

Lots of pros and cons with both units compared to some that are a little more heavier on the pocketbook. But, the compact size of both units are impressive and for a video on the "go", it's hard to beat.
 
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djm

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Ducky,
Have you tried adjusting the camera to take advantage of the 240 fields per second recording feature? FPS is much, much more important than shutter speed, IMHO, in capturing a golf swing.
 
Ducky

Ducky

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djm said:
Have you tried adjusting the camera to take advantage of the 240 fields per second recording feature? FPS is much, much more important than shutter speed, IMHO, in capturing a golf swing.
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I have, but it can only record for a couple of seconds, which is a major inconvenience when I am trying to record 30+ minute range sessions. If I could just 'force' the camera to use a higher shutter speed it would be fantastic, but after talking to Sony technical support it seems it's not possible with the HDR-SR7 (which makes absolutely no sense to me considering it is the pinnacle of their consumer camcorders).
 
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