Sony Handycam HDR-UX10

Summary: This is the first review posted for this camcorder and I am more than happy to do it.

First let me start off by saying that I bought the Sony DCR-DVD610, which I enjoyed for a week before returning it for the HDR-UX10. The main reason is I wanted HD quality with the DVD option on the camcorder and also did not want to spend in the $1000.00’s for an HD camcorder.

The 610 was very good and I was pleased. Although, not having a up converting DVD player hooked to my TV, the picture was good, not great. I’m sure with the proper DVD player the picture would be perfect. This is important to recognize considering technology is moving rapidly fast and with the various new TV’s whether LCD or Plasma in order to watch HD quality you must have an HD quality DVD player to match the TV or at least an up-converting DVD player which sells for about $100.00 give or take a couple of bucks. My current TV is a 37” Vizio LCD. I figured the cut to the chase would be for me to buy an HD model without spending a ton of money. Now, the 610 played on a regular TV is great, but as a society we are heading out of that direction.

The Sony HDR-UX10 is amazing. On the first use, I was able to test it out and have a burnt DVD from my computer within 25 minutes of taking the actual footage. (Note, this can be done with any of the Sony DVD camcorders) The quality was great and also noting I do not have an up-converting DVD player I was very impressed with the outcome. I did not notice much of a difference between the 1080 setting and the next one down on my Vizio, but I attribute that to the fact that my DVD player connected to the TV is about 5-6 years old and does not play HD quality or up-convert.

The process is simple and easy to follow. As stated you can burn a DVD almost immediately from your computer, which is nice to have. The standard Handycam DVD will record up to 11 minutes on the highest setting or 21 minutes on the next to highest setting with the camcorder. The nice part about that for me is that I will be more aware of just taking footage I need, rather than taking hours of footage and then always fast forwarding to the parts I want. If you have ever sat through a friend saying “watch our family vacation” after about 5 minutes of scenery you know what I mean.

The 8cm DVD’s are pretty cheap and I was able to buy Sony’s version DVD+RW for $8.00 on sale for 3 at best buy. The best part and the dealmaker for DVD camcorders is that are re-usable. You must make sure you buy the –RW or +RW and then you can use them as many times as you want. So three of them at next to high setting with yield 63 minutes of footage. That is plenty for the average user. Then take them home transfer to your computer or laptop, re-format DVD and use again, and again, and again…Now if you buy the DVD RW Double Layer (DL) you will get even more time per mini DVD.

The camcorder also has the ability to finalize your disc so you may be able to use it in a DVD player where ever you are. This could be nice for vacation as you can record during the day and watch it later. Then you can un-finalize the disk and keep using it or erase after you have transferred the footage off the camera. I have not tried out this option yet, but I do like that it can be done.

The next dealmaker for me is the hybrid recording option. Not only can you record on DVD media, but you can also record on a memory stick as well. Again, two gigs will yield about 25 minutes of recording. EBay is great for finding deals on the memory sticks or even newegg.com.

The camera is solid, has many great features such as the auto on. Meaning you can keep the camera on standby, almost on sleep mode, and when you are ready, just hit the auto on button and the camera is immediately ready to record.

The menus are fairly easy to use and for me playing around every time I use the camcorder I find out new and easy ways to use them.

I am extremely happy and am giving the rating a 9 given that I have not had it long enough to fairly give a perfect score, although I have a feeling that will happen in the future. I also feel this camera will carry me into the next technological age where I won’t have to replace it in a year or two.