Panasonic, the leading global manufacturer of consumer electronics, has announced the Middle East launch of two high definition video cameras – the HDC-SD1 and HDC-DX1 – that are designed to keep pace with the continued evolution in video toward larger TV screens and higher definition. The new cameras record detailed high-definition images and clear, high quality sound that make for exceptional viewing on today’s most advanced home theatres.

The HDC-SD1 records on SDHC Memory Cards. This tough, compact model debuts as the world's smallest and lightest 3CCD High Definition video camera. Because there are no moving parts in the recording section, the HDC-SD1 is also exceptionally resistant to impact, and guarantees virtually error-free recording.

The HDC-DX1 on the other hand, records on convenient DVD discs. There is never a need to rewind or fast-forward so users can play a recorded scene immediately. The image and sound data are recorded directly onto the disc for easy storage. Both models use the high-resolution AVCHD format and feature the 3CCD camera system used in many professional broadcast cameras. The HDC-SD1 provides around 1 hour of High Definition recording on a 4GB SDHC Memory Card, and the HDC-DX1 provides around 40 minutes of High Definition recording on a dual-layer DVD-R disc.

“Panasonic is working to match the new viewing environments by developing video cameras that offer superior image and sound reproduction and advanced functions. That is the development background for the new HDC-SD1 and HDC-DX1,” said Yasuo Kimoto, Product Manager, Panasonic Marketing Middle East, Panasonic. “Both models adopt the same kind of 3CCD camera system featured in professional video cameras. Panasonic, which has devoted extensive research and development to improving the image and sound quality of home-use video cameras, believes that the 3CCD camera system is essential to creating High Definition video cameras with the level of image quality demanded today.”


The new video cameras also feature 5 microphones and the world's first 5.1-channel surround sound system that make the viewer feel as if he or she were right in the scene. A Zoom Mic function links the microphone's action to the camera's action. For example, when the user zooms in on a bird in the distance, the microphones also zoom in and record the bird's chirping.


“With the HDC-SD1 and HDC-DX1, Panasonic has set new image and sound quality standards for today’s video cameras while giving home users a tool for making their own High Definition recordings,” concluded Kimoto.