SANYO North America Corporation today introduces its high-end Dual Cameras, the VPC-HD2000A and the VPC-FH1A, as the world’s first camcorders to offer compatibility with iFrame, a next generation video format designed specifically to allow users to easily import, edit and share high quality videos. SANYO’s Dual Cameras have always been at the forefront for compatibility with computers as well as online applications and networking. The two models announced today feature the iFrame video mode, which records in the same format used to edit on a computer, dramatically speeding up the processes of importing, editing and sharing movies across multiple platforms and devices.
These camcorders will be available nationwide through national and regional retailers beginning October 13, 2009, with a suggested retail price of US$599.99 for the VPC-HD2000A and $499.99 for the VPC-FH1A.
“SANYO is proud to be the first manufacturer to offer camcorders that are compatible with the iFrame video format. This format offers a major breakthrough in reducing the time it takes for consumers to import, edit and share high quality video,” said Tom Van Voy, General Manager of the Consumer Products Group for SANYO North America, in the press release. “In addition to this new video format, our Dual Cameras also offer the ability to shoot 8-Megapixel photos as well as a number of video modes, including Full HD 1080P/60fps, making them the perfect choice for sharing high quality movies with family and friends, for video bloggers or budding videographers.” iFrame is a computer-friendly video format that has been specifically designed to simplify the process of working with video recorded from a camera. With iFrame, the video recorded in the camera is in the same format that will be used for editing, which means that importing video is fast and file sizes are small. This translates to quick and easy editing and sharing of movies across multiple platforms and devices. This new format can also be used with both Mac and PC compatible applications due to the use of standards-based technologies such as H.264, AAC, MP4 and MOV.
The HD2000A and the FH1A Dual Cameras are automatically programmed to default to the iFrame mode for ultimate ease of use and convenience to the user. In addition to the iFrame video format (960 x 540), the cameras can record in High Definition 1080P (1920 x 1080), as well as high speed video formats for slow motion playback.
The two new models are nearly identical camcorders in two different body designs. The HD2000A is in SANYO’s signature vertical form factor while the FH1A is a traditional style camcorder shape (horizontal).
Dual Cameras conveniently record photos and videos to SD/SDHC media cards (sold separately) and are thumb-operable for key functions, with separate video and photo buttons for easy switching between shooting video and photos. Unlike conventional camcorders, there’s no need to switch modes, enabling the capture of those once-in-a-lifetime moments as the cameras can take both stills and videos simultaneously.
Main Features: VPC-FH1A and VPC-HD2000A These highly advanced cameras not only offer a standard 1080i (interlaced) format (recording at 60 fields per second), but with the SANYO proprietary CMOS engine, recording is also available in an impressive 1080p (progressive) format, offering ultra-smooth, professional-looking 60 frames per second. The cameras also offer 8-Megapixel still photos, sequential shooting, and a number of modes including macro photo capability.
Other Features include: — iFrame video format H.264 960 x 540 (30fps) — Full 1080p HD Video (60fps) — 8-Megapixel Digital Photos and High-Speed Sequential Shooting (12fps) — High Speed Recording/Super Slow Motion Playback (240/600fps for 1/4 or 1/10 playback) — 3-inch wide LCD Monitor (FH1A), 2.7-inch wide LCD monitor (HD2000A) for HD Playback — 10x Optical Zoom for photos — 16x advanced zoom (more area included than standard zooming, 160x digital zoom) for video — Digital Image Stabilizer (Movies & Stills) — ‘Face Chaser’ technology (up to 12 faces) for photos/videos — HDMI Output (FH1A); HDMI Digital Interface via Cradle (HD2000A) — Optional lenses: Tele, Wide, Semi-Fisheye — External microphone input (HD2000A) — FH1A and HD2000A are available in Black — Cold shoe mount for external light or microphone (HD2000A).
iMovie, Mac, and the Mac logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Works with iMovie logo is a trademark of Apple Inc.
The iFrame logo and the iFrame symbol are trademarks of Apple Inc.
Source: SANYO North America Corporation
How much do they cost? They sound pretty good!
Sorry, just noticed the prices in the article. Not too bad either, for products like those.
Microsoft Fanboi wanker analyst ranting about Apple’s proprietary movie format monooly in 3, 2, 1…
a suggested retail price of US$599.99 for the VPC-HD2000A and $499.99 for the VPC-FH1A.
@Macintosher:
These camcorders will be available nationwide through national and regional retailers beginning October 13, 2009, with a suggested retail price of US$599.99 for the VPC-HD2000A and $499.99 for the VPC-FH1A.
@ Macintosher
Paragraph 2
“These camcorders will be available nationwide through national and regional retailers beginning October 13, 2009, with a suggested retail price of $599.99 for the VPC-HD2000A and $499.99 for the VPC-FH1A.”
MDN is the new Engadget! Right on!
Why is this the first time I’ve heard of this iFrame format? And that logo for it sucks… is this really an Apple “invention”? Seems more like a branded packaging scheme than a “video format”. For a second, I thought Apple was encouraging the use of HTML inline frames.. yuck. lol
The last digital camera I bought was in 1998.
I’ll be buying the HD200A. This device makes sense.
Oi, guys! Please! I pointed out my error before your comments. Thanks for the many price lists though. I’m sure my goldfish memory will appreciate a decent repetition.
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So, is this just H.264 in a 1/4 HD size?
@Macintosher
There’s MSRP and then there’s Street Price.
But it is compatible with Windows Movie maker?
Who uses “iMovie”?
(kidding)
iFrame? WTF? MAC continues to steamroll innovation with more proprietary file formats. Have you MAC sheep learned nothing from the I-Tunes disaster?
No wonder MAC has such puny market and mind share. I can’t wait for WMV in Windows 7 to open up video editing and distribution for the masses just . You MAC fangirls have no idea.
Your potential. Our passion.™
iFrame video format is based on industry standard technologies like H.264 video and AAC audio. As expected with H.264, iFrame produces much smaller file sizes than traditional video formats, while maintaining its high-quality video. Smaller file size increases import speed and helps with editing video files.
Video recorded in the camera is in the same format that will be used for editing, which means that importing video is fast and file sizes are small. This translates to quick and easy editing and sharing of movies across multiple platforms and devices. This new format can also be used with both Mac and PC compatible applications due to the use of standards-based technologies such as H.264, AAC, MP4 and MOV.
So the cameras can shoot HD, but the iFrame and iMovie connection negates that? Why didn’t they do something sensible like have the camcorders’ real-time video encoders speed up the Mac?
Better to Buy a Nano for 149.00 to 179.00 with SD Quality Video. If you compare the Nano to Sanyo Video, you will be surprised how close they are.
I compared my Nano to my Cannon 7.4-Megapixel. The Nano has better Saturation of Color and better 3-Dimensional Shadows
PLUS The Nano has Voice Memo, iCal, Contacts,FM Radio and Hours of Great Music.
Syncs with NO problems with iTunes9, iPhoto 8, iMovie 8
Yikes!!! Look at that logo for iFrames. It’s positively Microsoftian!
I’m sorry, but I call it as I see it.
Right now, a graphic designer is being flogged unmercifully by Steve Jobs.
Someone please explain, I can’t figure this out.
Why would I want to shoot in anything less than HD? I haven’t priced cameras recently so maybe my assumptions are bad.
I would think any $500 camera could shoot 1920×1080, or at least 1360×720 or whatever 720p is.
I am very confused why this format is being introduced now. Maybe 3-4 years ago I would have been stoked.
@ed
Size maters when it comes to video. You can eat up a lot of hard drive space and take a long time to render video. Most videos will not be seen on a HD TV. YouTube, Podcast, email is where most home movies will be shown. This will save a lot of time and space.
The ability to shoot still, and video and switch on the fly is great. I do a lot of animal shots and having one camera will let me capture those once in a lifetime shots.
@ed
In simple terms, typically a camera records in one type of format, and your Mac will edit in another – this camera records in the Editing format, removing the need to convert all your footage when you go to edit it. This can save precious hours, and potentially quality loss.
@ed, again
From Apple’s website:
“Setting a camcorder to record in the iFrame (960 x 540) format will result in optimized performance in iMovie ’09.
The iFrame Video format is designed by Apple to speed up importing and editing by keeping the content in its native recorded format while editing. Based on industry standard technologies such as H.264 and AAC audio, iFrame produces small file sizes and simplifies the process of working with Video recorded with your camera.”
Yeah, it’s not 1080p, but working with 1080p video is a MONSTER. This makes decent video while being SNAPPY!
It’s the height of the 2009 Christmas shopping season and neither the VPC-FH1A or VPC-HD2000A are for sale in any retail store. Sears, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Walmart, and many other are not selling these models. What’s up with that? What is the point of introducing a new product if it is only for sale through questionable online sellers. Come on Sanyo, get your sales act together. We want to buy your product but you have to be willing to sell it in standard sales establishments.