The Latest in Brilliant High Definition Recordings: The Ultra-compact XACTI HD1A by SANYO

The Japanese electronics company is following up on the success of its first digital HD camcorder. Like its predecessor, the light-weight (210g), multi-talented XACTI HD1A stands out thanks to its ultra-compact dimensions of just 80 x 119 x 36 mm as well as its high definition video.

The HDTV format is no longer just the domain of technology geeks – it is increasingly popular in everyday digital video use. The new XACTI HD1A delivers impressively brilliant videos thanks to its 720p technology too: With a resolution of 1,280 x 720 pixels and 30 frames per second, the camcorder delivers detailed videos with rich colours and outstanding sharpness. The 16:9 widescreen format lends video clips as well as still images (up to a maximum of 3.8 MP) a powerful, film-like character. Captured images and video can then be played back in their full splendour in HDTV quality.

By compressing videos in the MPEG-4 format, file sizes are kept to a minimum despite the high definition resolution. This means that you can record up to one hour of video at a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels on a 1 Gigabyte SD card. The powerful lithium-ion battery delivers the necessary power for approximately 70 minutes. Thanks to the USB 2.0 connector and extremely fast transfer rate of 9 Mbit/s, data is archived quickly in a space-saving format.

The Xacti HD1A delivers extremely sharp, 5-Megapixel photographic images as well. The practical one-handed operation allows you to shoot cool photos directly from hip level. The popup flash with a range of 2.8 meters ensures that the main subject is illuminated even in the dark. Extras such as the image stabilizer, flicker reduction, and fast focusing put an end to blurry photos. Fast-moving sport scenes are realistically captured with the extra-fast sequential shot mode at 5 frames per second.

Photographers and directors can easily check whether their recordings have turned out on the large 2.2" LCD display. Because the display can be swivelled by up to 285 degrees, you always have a full view of the subject from any position before releasing the shutter.

Photographers and film makers can combine the 10x optical and digital zooms for an outstanding 100x zoom factor. Numerous manual settings give free range to your creativity as well. With full stereo sound, the camera’s audio quality matches its outstanding images too. To ensure optimal sound quality in every situation, the camera is equipped with a jack for an external microphone and comes with an anti-wind filter. The video editing function, which allows you to insert and delete sequences at will, provides a personal editing studio virtually built-in.

Key Features of the XACTI HD1A at a Glance:

_ Video Camera: HD Quality in 720p Mode (1280 x 720)

_ Video storage in MPEG4 format

_ 5-Megapixel still image resolution

_ Photo Camera: High-speed sequential shot function with 5 frames per second at full resolution

_ Large 2.2" LCD display

_ 10x optical zoom with a focal length of 38 – 380 mm

_ Popup flash with a range of 2.8 m

_ SD Card storage

_ New, powerful battery (1200 mAh) for 70 minutes of video recording

_ Faster data transfer thanks to USB 2.0 high-speed interface

_ Weight (without battery and SD card) just 210g

Supplied Accessories:

_ Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery

_ Charger

_ 1 GB SD Card

_ USB cable

_ Wrist strap

_ Sanyo Software Pack

_ AC Adapter

_ Connector cable for a microphone

_ Adapter

_ Lens cap

_ Remote control (incl. lithium battery)

_ Docking station for charging and data transfer

_ S-Video, AV cable

_ Component video cable

_ Bag

Optional Accessories:

_ Telephoto and wide-angle adaptors

XACTI HD1A Technical Specifications:

_ 1/2.5", 5.36 Megapixel CCD

_ Still Image Resolution:

10M: 3680 x 2760 (Real-Time Interpolation)

5M: 2592 x 1944 (standard or low compression)

3.8M: 2592 x 1464 (16:9 format available)

2M: 1600 x 1200 (16:9 format available)

1.2M: 1280 x 960 (16:9 format available)

0.3M: 640 x 480 (16:9 format available)

_ Sequential Shot Resolution:

5M: 2592 x 1944 (standard or low compression)

2M: 1600 x 1200

1.2M: 1280 x 960

0.3M: 640 x 480

_ Video Resolution:

HD SHQ: 1280 x 720, 30 fps, 9 Mbps

HD HQ: 1280 x 720, 30 fps, 6 Mbps

TVHR: 640 x 480, 60 fps, 6 Mbps

TV SHQ: 640 x 480, 30 fps, 3 Mbps

TV HQ: 640 x 480, 30 fps, 2 Mbps

Web: 320 x 240, 30 fps

Web: 320 x 240, 15 fps

_ Recording Formats:

Photo: JPEG (DCF, Exif 2.2, DPOF Standard)

Video: MPEG 4

16 bit/48 kHz audio quality, two-channel stereo sound, AAC compression (stereo)

_ 10x optical zoom (f = 6.3 – 63 mm, 38 – 380 mm equivalent on a 35 mm camera), F = 3.5 (wide-angle) – 3.5 (telephoto)

_ 10x digital zoom

_ Focusing Range: 10 cm to infinity

Macro: 1 cm – 100 cm

_ Focus:

Photo: Five point, spot, manual with 22 steps

Video: Continuous

_ Video Correction: Electronic image stabilizer (built-in), flicker reduction, anti-wind filter

_ Shutter Speeds:

Photo: 1/2 – 1/2000 s (flash: 1/30 s – 1/2000, Bulb Exposure: max. 4s)

Video: 1/30 – 1/10000 s

_ White Balance: Automatic, Sunny, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Tungsten, Custom

_ Built-in flash (automatic, forced on and off)

_ Flash Range: 30 – 280 cm (wide angle), 30 – 190 cm (tele)

_ Program Modes: Automatic, Sports, Portrait, Landscape, Night, Fireworks, Artificial Light

_ Self-timer: 2 modes (2 seconds / 10 seconds)

_ Filters: Cosmetic, Black & White, Sepia

_ Exposure Meter: Multi-zone, spot, centre-weighted

_ Exposure Compensation: +/- 1.8 EV in 0.3 steps

_ Sensitivity

Photo: Automatic: ISO 50 – 200

Manual: 50/100/200/400

Video: Automatic: ISO 200 – 800

Manual: 200/400/800

_ LCD Monitor: 2.2" diagonal, can be swivelled by up to 285°

_ Microphone: Integrated microphone, built-in stereo speaker

_ Power Supply: 1200 mAh Lithium-ion battery for up to 70 minutes of video

_ Connectors: USB 2.0 high-speed, Video: Composite, S-Video, NTSC/PAL

Audio: stereo

_ Storage Medium: SD card

_ Weight: 235 g (including SD card and battery)

_ Dimensions: 80 x 119 x 36 mm

_ 3-year guarantee

SRP: 899 euros

Availability: September 2006

Status 07/06. Technical specifications subject to change without notice.