The Paris Hilton of Camcorders

Shopping around for a new video camera, and wanting High Definition, I first preferred the old tried-and-true tape of the Canon HV20 or HV30 until I realized that they don't offer 5.1 surroundsound. (Believe me, get 5.1 sound. It makes you feel that you are there.)

This put me into the world of AVCHD. Here, I opted for an all memory chip solution which lead me first to the Panasonic SD9. Unfortunately, Panasonic uses the CCD system and its colours are, let's say, inebriated. (The technical terms is "saturated" meaning that the colours are livelier than real.)

Looking around further, sight unseen, I pre-ordered for better or worse the Sony TG1 (TG3 in Europe) because it met my main criteria: High Definition, an all memory chip camera with 5.1 sound. It was small and elegant too - at least in the photos. I actively checked on the Internet for any reviews. I learned that the TG1 has the same optical chip set as the Sony SR10.

[To get technical: The TG1 and SR10 have a 1/5 CMOS chip with 1430K raw pixels. In addition, the TG1 uses an electronic (or digital) image stabilization system. This reduces resolution since the camera boxes a smaller part of the image and then moves the box around as the camera physically moves to keep the image stable. AVCHD is a method of image compression that will become standard in the future. At present, AVCHD cameras (such as the TG1) can cope with data at 1920x1080 pixel images at 60 interlaced frames per second. 1920x1080 is generally considered high definition if it's 60 frames progressive per second. Two interlaced frames equal one progressive frame. IOW, most cameras now (ie, the TG1) offer 60i which is half the frame rate of cameras in the future or 60p. BTW, Sony's SR11 has 3810 raw pixels and a 1/2.9 CMOS chip. The SR11 is also 1920x1080 at 60i.]

When Sony Style phoned me to pick up the pre-ordered TG1, I was curious to see what I would find. I carefully checked it out, made a demo recording and then transferred the file on to my laptop for editing.

The TG1 is small and elegant although hefty enough to hold. The image stabilization works like a dream and the sound is excellent. There is no viewfinder and few exterior buttons. It appears simple. This didn't bother me since I wanted a point-and-shoot system for the family.

I ultimately refused the TG1 and bought the Sony SR11 instead. Why? Primarily, the TG1 is poor in lowlight conditions. The image is grainy and the automatic focus performs poorly. By lowlight, I mean the light of an inside room. The TG1 performs well if you're outside - but that's about all. While no perfectionist, I wanted a camcorder that would work well under ordinary conditions.

With this bad performance in lowlight, the TG1's other problems became apparent. Without a viewfinder and external buttons, the viewscreen becomes critical but it's too small. In addition, for semi-pros, you cannot add lenses or an external microphone to the TG1. The battery is small too and good for about 45 minutes in ideal conditions. (Buy an extra battery if you choose the TG1.) The still shots were about the same as a cheap still digital camera.

I'm not sure the TG1 will have a market. It's too expensive for the point-and-shoot crowd and it doesn't offer the picture quality for those who will pay. Its titanium shell and small size may turn heads and attract attention. If you are rich and want to buy a techno gift for your mistress, then the TG1 is the ideal choice, I suppose.

Let me add a few more points about Sony and AVCHD. The TG1 uses the non-standard Sony memory chip. The Sony chip is pricier and comes with an (SD) adaptor for non-Sony laptops. The TG1 also comes with a USB cable but I doubt anyone will use it. It's easier to simply move the chip. I have no doubt that future camcorders will all be chip-based.

If you have a Playstation 3, you can play your images easily and perfectly in 1920x1080 pixel, 5.1 sound immediately. Simply plug the Sony memory chip into the PS3. It looks great on a Bravia screen.

If you want to edit the M2TS file created by the TG1, you have little choice but to buy and install Sony's Vegas Platinum 8 software. (It's good and works well.) The software makes it easy to create a standard DVD your friends can play (5.1 sound but lower resolution than the almost Blu-Ray quality the TG1 offers). To edit the M2TS file though, you will need a fast Duo Core CPU PC (2 Ghz or so) with at least 2 gigs of RAM to edit AVCHD files.

In short, the TG1 (like Sony products in general) brings you into the Sony world. I have no objection in principle to this Sony approach to existence nor was I indifferent to the TG1's powers of seduction. Ultimately though, I didn't choose the TG1 because I didn't like its image/focus quality in ordinary light. Style aside, that's where most family cameras are used.

So, I bought instead Sony's clunky, less stylish SR11. Slightly larger, the SR11 performs much better in the ordinary circumstances of ordinary life.