if you have a mac which the best and the HDR-SR1 which is suppose to be a great camera. You would agree that it stinks together.

I have taken many photos and videos with my camera. I love the quality of the videos. The only drawback that I have with it is making a video. It takes eight hours to make a one-hour video. That is if you can get it to work. I have thrown several disk away just because it did not do it right. You have to be very precise on how you do it or it will not work on the standard DVD player. Would I buy another? NO. Too much trouble.

I have had this camera for a year now and I have used and used and used it. I own a recording studio so I do music videos also. This camera is an incredible tool and the video quality is perfection!!

For the people who gave this camcorder a bad review U don't know jack about technology. This is about as good as it gets for under $2000.00 so my advice is shut up!

I owned other camcorders. This is, by far, the best that I have ever had. Despite various claims concerning upload software problems, I have no (zero) problems. Picture quality is awesome in its different modes. Night vision is amazing at 4:30 AM recording ocean wildlife on tropical beaches. Sound is great, but would probably be better suited for MY purposes with an attached mike. Ergonomically pleasing with functions easily accessible. I will not need another camera for many years. Thanks Sony!!

Jarvis

The SR1 is one of 5 HD video cameras I own. It had a specific purpose... be small (as the big ones can be difficult at times).

It does take rather excellent images limited by the lens (obviously not equal to pro lenses). All the sound limitations and lens limits are OK when used as B roll or C roll footage or for hard to get tight place secondary shots.

What makes it useless is that once you take the footage, you are dead. It almost seems as if Sony wanted to make sure this camera will never be used for real (professional) work or anything with a time factor. Sony's own general video software does not support this camera's footage. It can be ( I did it) hacked, but the result is hugely time costly and impossible to keep track of portions in the process.

There is NO FIREWIRE port and so any edit mechanism that uses firewire control is out. The HDMI output is not vanilla. So many observations converge on only one logic... something for the riff raff to play with. If you are thinking of using this as a small fill shot camera, for real work, think better.

If you go into the purchase knowing you will need a blu-ray player to watch your hd video on a disc. The picture quality is AMAZING but you have to watch it directly from the camcorder via hdmi or burn to dvd or blu-ray disc and play via a blu-ray player. The regular dvd will give the same picture quality as a blu-ray disc, you just won't get as much video on it (about 40 min.) I purschased a light to mount on top of the camcorder as the extra light helps a lot when recording in low light situations. I'm writing this on 6/7/07 and sony is coming out with a 40g and 80g version later this month. HDR-SR5 and HDR-SR7. You might want to check those out before making your decision.

I was very apprehensive about buying this camera due to the negative reviews of some people which are almost entirely based upon their not being able to wait for the HD editing software. Well if that's your problem then why buy the camera and give it a lousy review? I think it's fantastic. I made HD DVD's. They play back jerky on my computer but my computer is 6 years old and not very powerful. You absolutely CAN edit the converted mpeg2's contrary to what some people say. They must be making up stuff because they work for the competition. This thing feels great in the hand, is beautiful and intuitive to use. This is not a hobby for me so I am not prepared to have to do too much work to make a movie and put it on DVD and with this thing it's easy. I've had a DVD burner for 2.5years and never could make a DVD till I got tis thing. Plus, contrary to some reviews, I think the Sony software is pretty cool. It searched my entire computer for pics and movies to put on DVD. Thanks Sony.

The only negative thing about HDR SR1 is that it records in AVCHD (.m2ts) format which is basically useless beyond the camcorder itself. You won't be able to edit any of your footage. Playback on a PC is also limited to the Sony's "Player for AVCHD" that comes with the camera, even then, it requires a lot of up-to-date hardware to play it with out glitches.

Also, the hard drive feature - no the best idea. After using it for little bit you'll find out that you need a lot more than just the HDD on the camcorder so you'll dig into your PC's HDD and eventually you'll end up purchasing more HDD's just to accommodate the footage. MiniDV tapes is still the best option for videos, IMO.

Other than that it's an OK camcorder.

The picture quality of this camcorder is absolutely phenomenal and I'm sad to see it go back to the store. I do not like the "monopoly-esque" position Sony has taken. Currently, Sony is offering no support for MAC users. This camera simply does not work on a MAC. This is clearly a conscious effort by Sony to grab market share for their Sony Vegas editing software, as they try to rival Final Cut Pro. Business is business, but Sony, in the long run, will be shooting themselves in the foot. Most photo and video editors are MAC users. They have isolated the very market they should be catering to. No matter how cutting edge or great Sony products may be, they have lost at least one formerly loyal customer.

Okay guys, I edited my footage from New York City New Years Eve (thank GAWD!) by doing this: In your Picture Browser right click and make it CONVERT TO MPEG2 AND SAVE, then I used a free trial of ULEAD VIDEOSTUDIO 10 which I'll get in 30 days $99. YAHHHHHHH! Ulead made it super easy even for ME! Hope this helps out.

Remember this camcorder is not as great as it looks it has great recording in HD mode and has a lot to offer but the worse thing about this camcorder is that you cannot import your video to MAC because it is not compatible with a MAC, so remember if you have a MAC and are a MAC user and also are planing to edit your video on your MAC this camcorder is not the one unless SONY comes out with a program that will let you import to your MAC, overall this camcorder is great but I gotta tell you the service Sony has sucks and that they want you to use a PC over a MAC to edit which is just bullshit so I am telling you this camcorder is not for MAC users if you want a camcorder which is for mac users but a Canon or an MAC compatible camcorder!!!

The HDR-SR1 is truly a camera that is ahead of its time — and that's one of the big drawbacks of purchasing this product (at least right now).

Here's the deal: The SR1 shoots very good high-definition footage. Great detail. Great colour saturation. The only problem: there is no editing software available for the SR1's HD footage...at least not yet (and contrary to the incorrect statement made by another reviewer, you CAN edit SD footage from this camera...and the quality of the SD footage is VERY impressive).

So, if you need a camera that allows you to edit the footage and you can't wait a few months for proper software to arrive, you might want to pass on this camera.

But if you can wait, well, this camera is certainly one to consider. In fact, apart from the lack of software (an issue that will be rectified over the coming months) this camera has very few weaknesses.

There is also some discussion that the "noise issue" (which is a result of the new AVCHD codec, not the camera itself) will be improved with a firmware update in the near future. Not sure how true this is, but I've never even noticed noise anyway. I also own the HC3, and the footage recorded live from the SR1 is identical to the footage recorded live from the HC3.

A great camera. The only reason I gave it a 4 (instead of a 5) is that there's no manual shutter speed adjustment, the super-slow motion feature is a bit blurry (although still cool), and the lack of software issue (which will be fixed in due time).

Ridiculous that some reviewers gave this camera a 1 out of 5 simply for a short-term lack of software support. It's the best overall consumer HD camera I've used to date. Reviewers who give 1 out 5 for this kind of equipment are clearly just showing their ignorance, or lack of knowledge in this field.

steadyshot stinks,shacky on or off
useless software
have to program fade every time in and out

First of all, in response to the previous negative review; "..can't edit SD mpeg2 either..". last night I transferred 35mins of HD footage in 4 mins to my pc! I then "using the Sony software" converted all the footage to mpeg2 and then pulled in to Ulead Videostudio 9, edited and created a fantastic DVD (in SD). The compression is superb of the HD files meaning easy backup onto a DVD. The Sd conversion was very good quality indeed.

The picture quality (HD directly onto my Sony LCD TV) is mind blowing. The noise that some mention is really not a problem (not on my camera anyway). Also dead handy is each time you capture a new file is created which means when you pull each file into a video editing app (well certainly for Ulead) this massively helps the editing workflow.

I cannot praise the camera enough. I was a bit nervous with some of the negative review comments from various "professional" tests but these testers must have been overly anal in their analysis as I had no cause for concern at all.

The only problem I had with this camera was obtaining one from a high st shop, as every shop in a 25 mile radius from Weybridge, Surrey had sold out, so Haywards Heath it was in the end. I saved £100 over the local Sony Centre shops though.

Finally!!! A company makes a non- professional camcorder which produces footage which is as good as anything you will see on broadcast TV. When I first bought it I must admit I was a bit sceptical but now I am absolutely thrilled I made the right choice. I have to say though the best way to view footage is to hook the SR1 up to a HD LCD TV with an HDMI cable.

Fist I want to say that you should consider the fact that Sony Advertises in the Magizines that review these cameras.. So when you read a rave review you should consider the source..

This would be a nice camera if it worked.. IT does not.. You can not edit the HD AVCHD footage this camera takes.. You also wont beable to edit the MPEG2 SD footage either.. So Unless your spending 1300 dollars just to WATCH your Unedited Footage directly from the camera then your out of luck with this one.. RECORD to TAPE so you can capture Tape in HDV into an editing program.. This product doent belong on the market.. and you will find working with it a nightmare..

Thanks

Good recording in HD mode but when you trying to make dvd - thats nightmare!!!!!!!!!!! Sony gives you worst software ever (unless you buy from them for $499). And when your create DVD - it is not playable on regular DVD player!!!!!!!!!! If you buy this camera, buy some special player and very very good PC!

This is the handycam that I've been waiting for. It's basically an all-in-one solution for all your digital photography and video needs. I love the factor that the true HD quality is so brilliant and so crisp. The bundled software is also a plus which makes burning to a DVD a snap. The built-in Duo Pro slot is another plus if you would like to save your photo shots to the memory stick. So long to the old school of buying tapes, mini dv cartridges, etc. Once you go HDD HD, you will never want to go back to old fashioned tapes.

I really like the sony hdr-sr1 but it can not be used on a mac at all!!!!! (they need to come out with a plug-in for imovie or final cut pro asap) well because of that one small detail I think I will have to bring it back the the store:-( other then that it takes amazin video ohwell mac users dont waste your money!!! (unless they become mac friendly)

This Sony Handycam had been advertised to be available for 19 Nov 2006, so it was a pleasant surprise to see it at Futureshop (Canada) on 27 Oct. Having done my research, I snapped it up on the day it came out after a five minute test drive.

The purchase requires a leap of faith. If you are used to HD images on cable or satellite TV, camera is right up there in quality. Colours are bright and images are sharp. Rapid motion in the scene will however test the limits of the compression algorithm and is noticeable but overall the result is very good for a camera in this price range.

With a 30 GB hard drive it records up to 4 hours of video at the highest resolution (1440x1080/60i) in High Definition ( 15 Mbps at variable bit rate). Downloading the video to computer is easy and quick (with an HP Pavilion 7680n dual processor computer)

It also records in standard definition and will hold 7 to 20 hours with choices of 9 to 3 Mbps selectable). I have recorded everything at the High Definition 15 Mbps as the software will convert to MPEG2 Standard defintion- but if you choose to record initially in standard def you can't go back i.e. upvert to High def.

The leap of faith refers to the fact that the High Definition recordings are made to a new standard (variously referrd to as AVCHD, MPEG4 AVC/H.264 standard. So far the only software I've found that will manipulate video in this format comes with the camera.

While the software, Picture Motion Browser is a great video / still digital picture organizer, it can only handle very rudimentary editing of the AVCHD files. As mentioned it will convert them to MPEG2 with a significant loss of quality, and those files can be used by most video editing software eg. Sonic My DVD.

In native AVCHD format it allows you to cut trim the video and either save it to a standard DVD with a scene menu, which can be played on a computer DVD ROM with the AVCHD player included in the software package. You can also load the edited files back into the camera's hard drive and play back on a HD TV with either a composite cable (included) or HDMI cable (optional)

While the AVCHD DVD will apparently play on a blu ray player - there is a strong caution not to try it on a regular DVD player. I believe the warnings and haven't tested what happens if you do.

Got to get a Playstation 3 in November I guess, since it comes with a blu ray player.

While it's speculation, I fully expect Sonic and others to incorporate ACVHD codecs in their packages so that more sophisticated discs can be made from the camera's HD video.

There's a whole bunch of features, as far as I can tell, identical to Sony's previously released HD mini tape and DVD cameras - for example, over 30 touch screen controls to change exposure, white balance, manual/auto focus etc. It has a few gimmicks like black and white, sepia and old style movies. There is built in infrared with infrared spotlignt. The camera takes up to three stills in widescreen (even while you are capturing video) and in photo mode takes 4 megapixel jpegs which either go to the hard drive or optional duo memory card.

If you know nothing about settings, this camera is great beacuse you can take it out of the box, turn it on and start capturing High Definition video in seconds. If you want to fiddle every last parameter, you'll be frustrated unless you trade it in for the high end videocams (at 3 times the price). I like to fiddle with settings and there is enough leeway here as far as I'm concerned.

Tbe Carl Zeiss lens is a beaut with superb autofocusing, (options to spot meter) and great clarity with minimal flaring.

All in all this is the camera I've been waiting for and in all of the one week I've had it, I have yet to be disappointed.

What more interesting is what the camera doesn't do