The HDR-UX20 is Sony’s top DVD Handycam for 2008. It captures video in AVCHD format with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. This resolution is a step up from other Sony models, which have a resolution of only 1440 x 1080. It can store High Definition (HD) videos at 16Mbps in its 8GB internal flash memory or in a Memory Stick Pro Duo card. Its Hybrid Plus ability enables this camcorder to record videos in both types of media. Video recording comes in three options with HD HQ at 9Mbps, HD SP at 7Mbps and HD LP at 5Mbps. You can then choose to record these HD videos on DVD media.

The Panasonic HDC-HS300 is the company’s top camcorder for 2009 and easily fits in the first-class camcorder category. With a price range of $1200-$1499, the HDC-HS300 brims with features and manual controls and boasts an amazing video quality. The HDC-HS300 also features Panasonic’s intelligent Auto (iA) capability and the Advanced Optical Image Stabilization (Advanced OIS) which equips the camcorder with excellent shake-reduction capabilities.

In the fourth quarter of 2007, Panasonic has announced a new model of AVCHD pro camcorder added to its line-up, the AG-HMC70. Panasonic has tried to balance a professional look with affordability. Panasonic scheduled it to release in April of 2008, and they expected it to sell for less than $2000. It is similar to HDC-SD1 with a shoulder-mount design and upgraded audio options. It can store up to 32 GB in AVCHD video format to SD/SDHC cards.

Sony launched the HDR-CX500V and HDR-CX520V in July of 2009. They are both flash memory camcorders. The main differentiating point between these two siblings is the internal memory: CX500V has 32GB of internal memory and CX520V offers 64GB of internal memory. When compared to the HDR-CX12, Sony has made some very important and useful changes, or some may say improvements, in the CX500, which include the lens, stabilization, and a full 1080p output.
Like all the other Sony camcorders that have a “V” at the end of their names, the CX500V …

Sony Vegas Pro is editing software for Windows and although it can perform both, audio and video editing, audio editing is certainly its strength. It has quite a few new features, but at the same time, it also shares the same problems like the earlier version 8.1.
It fails to offer many new features when you compare it with Vegas Pro 8. It includes a few new plug-ins and visual effects. It supports Blu-ray authoring in MPEG2 AVC format, thanks to the DVD Architect5. It also offers support for AVCHD, DV, mpeg2 HDV, and MPEG. Simple tasks can be very difficult to perform and you may have to take the help of tutorials to do them.
Although, Sony Vegas Pro has some flaws it is a good bargain at the price, when compared to other editing programs in the same price range. It has the capability to provide results that can be achieved from a professional program.

Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro is a highly efficient and stable editing interface that incorporates new and improved features. It gives you almost the same interface as the one in Vegas Pro 8 and at the same time is an enhanced version of Vegas Movie Studio 9. It is intended at semi-professionals and enthusiasts.
Priced at $239, Platinum Pro includes quite a few features for that amount of money. Most of these features are present in the standard Movie Studio 9, but they are very useful features that were …

Final Cut Studio 2 is a fantastic editing software that has six powerful applications specially designed for editors. It is loaded with high-end features and is aimed at experienced to professional users. This software that was used to edit movies like Letters from Iwo Jima, Cold Mountain, and No Country for Old Men, can definitely be called one of a kind.  Sorry Windows users, Final Cut Studio 2 is only available for the Mac.
Final Cut Studio 2 needs a 1.25GHz Mac computer running OS 10.4.9 with 1GB of RAM and …

The Canon VIXIA HF S100 brings pro level quality to the prosumer market at an amazingly affordable price. Despite a few usability issues this camcorder’s quality more than makes up for its few flaws.

MiniDV has dominated the camcorder market for over a decade, but that stronghold is beginning to weaken. Flash memory camcorders, hard disk camcorders, and optical media camcorders are all aiming to take MiniDV’s place as the king of the camcorder. New small and feature rich flash camcorders provide strong competition for MiniDV camcorders. Still, MiniDV is not dead yet, so which one should you buy?

VIXIA HF S10 has a lot in common with its sister model, the HF S100. The only difference between the two is that HF S100 lacks a built-in memory. HF S10 is designed for people who require a professional camcorder at a reasonable price.
VIXIA HF S10 is Canon’s flagship consumer flash memory camcorder. One of its better features is the professional quality 10x HD Video lens that captures perfect pictures comparable to those taken from a professional camera.  It delivers pictures that are crisp, clear, and with the least flare and …

The Sony HDR-CX12 High Definition Memory Stick PRO Duo Handycam Camcorder is a great innovation over its predecessor Sony HDR-CX7. Built with class and style, the HDR-CX12 from Sony boasts of high-end CMOS sensor (1/3-inch), and up to 16Mbps bit rate, which is better than the Sony HDR-CX7, but still lower than the 24Mbs on Canon’s HF S10 and HF S100. It has 12X Optical Zoom / 150X Digital Zoom which is more powerful than other Sony Camcorders, but about average for it’s class.

The Canon VIXIA HF200 HD Flash Memory Camcorder is a light weight and compact flash camcorder. The 15x Optical Zoom is above average for it’s class, and the 3.89 Megapixel CMOS image sensor provides better video quality than the HF100. The HF200 uses Canon’s latest advanced image processor, the DIGIC DV III which has better noise reduction than it’s predecessor.
The VIXIA HF200 lets you record at up to 24Mbps, the highest bit rate in AVCHD format and that too with the highest quality images. It has a 1080/24p Cinema Mode and …

The Vixia HF100 is very similar to its predecessor the Vixia HF10 in most of the aspects. The two main differences between the siblings are the built-in memory and the color. The HF10 has a built-in flash memory of 16GB, while the HF 100 doesn’t and the HF10 is black, while the HF100 is a matte-grey. The HF100 is a compact and sleek flash memory camcorder with an array of features and high quality video.  
The Vixia HF100 is an AVCHD format Flash Memory camcorder. The AVCHD uses MPEG-4 AVC …