[Macworld]

Post your comments for Review: Sony HDR-SR11 Handycam here

[Photonerd]

If the only con is dark still images (easily fixed), why only 4 mice? Makes no sense. It's a VIDEO camera. The still image feature is just an added benefit. Common guys, get it together. This deserves 4.5 or 5 mice most likely unless there are other flaws, in which case, name them.

[RiversideGuy]

Pointless review as it says not one word about what video codec is used in camera.

[tallscot]

Yes, this propaganda is missing critical information:
1. What codec does it use?
2. Does iMovie import and edit the native codec, or does it have to transcode it first?
3. How long does it take to import 1 hour of footage?

[Uncommon]

If the picture were a bit bigger, you could read the AVCHD logo on the side, which answers the codec question.
What I'm curious about is how the video quality compares with my year-old HDR-SR7.

[whiz100]

The codec is AVCHD. When you import using iMove'08 it uses "Apple Intermediate Codec".
When importing you have a choice of importing in 1920x1080 or 960x540. I haven't noticed any speed difference when importing between them. On average it takes about double time to import as play time. i.e. if the clip is 10mins long it will take 20mins to import it (approx).
but iMovie allows you to preview the clips and select which clips to import. If you record video clips like I do, I normally only import a small selection at a time, so it's no big deal. I normally start it importing then go and do something else.
I can't compare the image to an HDR-sr7 but I think it's very good.
My only problem is how to get it on the TV in 1080 format. I'm not going to buy a Blu-ray until the prices come down.
I'm currently using DivX but i'm lucky if I can get it to play 720 as the player I'm using can't process all the data fast enough. Any one have any ideas?
I use the camera for underwater (scuba diver) shots and it works extremely well for me.

[tallscot]

>On average it takes about double time to import as play time. i.e. if the clip is 10mins long it will take 20mins to import it (approx).

That is completely unacceptable to me. What's the point of having a hard drive-based camcorder if it takes longer to import than a tape-based one?

In this area, Windows is far ahead of the Mac. It's a shame too.

Oh yeah, thanks for the info!

[rynoesco2]

I have the Sony HDR-SR12 Handycam. What are the steps to import the HD footage into Final Cut Pro? I have tried several times and have not had any luck at all. I could pull off the .m2ts files but could not import the files into FCP. Any help would be appreciated.
-Ryan
rynoesco@yahoo.com

[Richard_62]

I have one and excellent video, easy to use and Mac friendly.The hard drive is a perfect size, why pay more for the SR12 just bigger drive.

[rynoesco2]

I am shooting a lot of sports with it and wanted to make sure I had a big drive on it. What are the steps to import the HD footage into Final Cut Pro? How is it different to import than a dv tape?

[haim_vital]

You may be out of luck.

Answer this: Are you using an Intel mac or a G5?
If your NOT using an Intel mac, the AVCHD will not work with Final Cut Pro...period.
Sorry, sounds rough I know.

If that is not the case, than Im truly sorry, as it sounds buggy, and only God knows when the bug will be straightened out.
As people have noted, Apple is a little behind the boat on this tapeless format. Strange isnt it, the 'king' of video lagging behind. (Perhaps to much focus on iphone...but anyway.) :)

It was interesting the SR11 review did not mention the SR12 (perhaps I overlooked it), but my initial thought was - "perhaps there is a difference where the SR 12 doesnt work, despite the fact supposedly the only difference is a larger harddrive."

Let us know what you figure out.

Best Regards

dAlen

[rynoesco2]

Yes, I have a souped up G5, Intel, with the latest FCP version. I would think that it should work exactly like the SR11. What are the step to import for the SR11? I will try the same way and see what happens.

thank you.

[haim_vital]

It sounds like you are referring to one machine when you say you have a souped up G5 Intel.
And here is the problem: Its either a G5 or an Intel. It cannot be both.

If your machine says G5 anywhere on it, then it is not Intel, it is a Power PC from IBM.

Point is, the HDR SR11 and SR12 will NOT work with a G5 machine using Final Cut Pro.
You can go to places like dvinfo.net, where you can hopefully find more info out about this in their AVCHD section.

Sorry - but it sounds like you have a G5, and if thats the case - Final Cut and imovie, etc will not work for you.

Best Regards

dAlen

[haim_vital]

I wanted to add to my above comment:

If you do have a souped up G5 (note, this is not Intel and thus will not work with the Sony HDR 11 or 12 in final cut, etc), then you may consider the following:

1) Taking your camera back to the store if you still have time and getting a tape based format. (HDV)
This may actually prove faster than your AVCHD...yes, ironic I know that tape would be faster...

This would probably be your best option.

2) If you had that G5 for some time now, perhaps upgrade. (yes, thats painful I know and perhaps not an option...so back to the first option.)

Hopefully you can get this all sorted out.

Again, take a look at the forums at the link I provided above - you can read more about AVCHD and other HD cameras and DV. (dvinfo.net, just click on communities.)

Peace

dAlen