AVCHD Camcorders, Top Picks, Best Buys, Auction Deals!
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AVCHD Camcorders
What is AVCHD? AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) is a high definition (HD) digital video camera recorder format recording 1080i and 720p signals onto MiniDVD discs, MiniDV tape, Hard Drive, and digital camera Memory Cards. Developed jointly by Matsushita (Panasonic), and Sony Corporation, AVCHD recordings made on MiniDVD discs can be played back on some Blu-ray disc players. They cannot, however, be played back on standard DVD players that are not currently equipped to record DVDs in the AVCHD format.
AVCHD records video at a range of resolutions including 1080p, 1080i and 720p. Most AVCHD camcorders that advertise themselves as "Full HD" models will record HD video at a resolution of 1080i. AVCHD video can also be burned directly to a blank Blu-ray disc or output to a TV via an HDMI cable or component outputs. It can also be transferred to and viewed on a computer.
Once burned to a standard DVD disc, high definition videos then can be played in a Blu-ray disc player, allowing you to view your high definition video on an HDTV. So even if you don't own a Blu-ray disc burner, you can still play back your high definition home movies on a Blu-ray disc player (or even a Sony PlayStation 3).
Contents at a Glance
In the Spotlight
Panasonic HDC-SD100 AVCHD Camcorder night video Hong Kong from Star Ferry
Panasonic HDC-SD100 AVCHD Camcorder video shot from lower deck on Star Ferry halfway across Hong Kong Harbor, looking at HK Central.
Runtime: 0:36 | 8634 views | 5 Comments
automatically generated by YouTube
The AVCHD Technology
AVCHD uses an MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) video codec. AVC's better compression (compared to the older MPEG-2 codec of HDV) lets it record video of the same quality of MPEG-2 but in less space. The audio track can be stored as uncompressed 7.1 linear PCM or compressed AC-3 5.1.The compressed audio and video data are encapsulated in an MPEG-2 Transport stream called BDAV. This stream format and most of the structure of AVCHD are derived from the Blu-ray Disc BDMV format. Consequently, AVCHD recordings can be played without modification in most set-top Blu-ray Disc players, such as the Sony BDP-S1, Panasonic DMP-BD10, and the PlayStation 3.
AVCHD supports a variety of resolutions and aspect ratios, all the way from 480/60i to 1080/24p "Full HD" with 1920x1080 pixels in 16:9 aspect ratio. The typical maximum bit rate for HD recordings is ~24Mbps when recording to hard disk or flash memory and ~18Mbps for when recording to DVD. This results in 3MB or 2.25MB used per second respectively (which is about 6 minutes of recording for every GB of storage).
Learn more from the following links:
- AVCHD: Understanding the AVCHD Camcorder Format
- AVHD stands for Advanced Video Codec High Definition. AVCHD is high definition camcorder video format jointly developed by Panasonic and Sony for use in consumer camcorders.
- Making Movies: The New HD Camcorder Format Explained - PC World
- Sony and Panasonic are among the companies supporting the new AVCHD format. So what does it mean for you?
Online Reviews
- Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder | Slickdawg ...
- Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder Review from Slickdawg electronics junkie. HG21 Works for Mac/iMovie, Let me start by saying that I've been using.
- Sony HDR-CX100 AVCHD Camcorder Review | The Camcorder Review
- HDR CX100 is 2.3-inches by 2.4-inches by 4.5-inches and weighs 11.7 ounces including battery and Memory Stick Duo; at this weight and dimensions, it is a.
- TechFuel® Desktop Battery Charger for Sony HDR-SR7E Camcorder ...
- TechFuel® Desktop Battery Charger for Sony HDR-SR7E Camcorder Review TechFuel® Desktop Battery Charger for Sony HDR-SR7E Camcorder Feature Charger kit.
- NightShot Demo | Buy & Review : Camcorder HDR
- HDC-SD9 AVCHD 3CCD Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder. VIXIA HF200 HD Flash Memory Camcorder with 15x Optical Zoom. HDR-CX100 AVCHD HD Camcorder with Smile Shutter & 10x Optical Zoom. Video Mino HD Camcorder, 60 Minutes ...
Where to shop
- AVCHD Camcorders @ maxBLITZ Electronics
- Shop maxBLITZ Electronics for the latest and best priced consumer electronics products including audio and video, camera and photo, car electronics, cell phones and services, computers and add-ons, GPS and navigation, home automation and security, MP3 players, office electronics and more.
Top Picks!
Favorites on Amazon.com
Sony HDR-CX100 AVCHD HD Camcorder with Smile Shutter & 10x Optical Zoom (Black)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/30/2009) 
List Price: $599.99
Sony HDR-CX100 AVCHD HD Camcorder with Smile Shutter & 10x Optical Zoom (Silver)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $413.55 (as of 12/30/2009)
List Price: $599.99
Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $699.00 (as of 12/30/2009)
List Price: $1,299.00
Panasonic Professional AG-HMC40 AVCHD Camcorder with 10.6MP Still and 12x Optical Zoom
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/30/2009)
List Price: $2,295.00
Panasonic Pro AG-HMC150 3CCD AVCHD 24fps Camcorder
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/30/2009)
List Price:
Hot Auctions on eBay
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What Does AVCHD Record Onto?
Are All HD Camcorders AVCHD Camcorders?
Canon
Best Buys!
Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $699.00 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom (Bundle) 2GB SD Card, Extra Battery, Tiff Switch Case & Tripod Kit
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $709.00 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Canon VIXIA HF11 AVCHD 32 GB Flash Memory Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $734.99 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Canon DW-100 DVD Burner for Canon Hard Drive and Flash Memory Based Camcorders
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Canon HR10 AVCHD 3.1MP High Definition DVD Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $689.90 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Auctions on eBay
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Best Buys!
JVC Everio GZ-X900 AVCHD HD Flash Camcorder w/5x Optical Zoom
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
JVC Everio GZ-HM400 High-Definition Full HD AVCHD Flash Memory Camcorder with 10MP Still
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
JVC Everio GZ-HD30 80 GB AVCHD High Definition Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $799.95 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
JVC CU-VD50 Share Station DVD Burner for Everio Camcorders
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $328.33 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Opteka 30mm High Definition² Multi-Coated Circular Polarizing Glass Filter
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Auctions on eBay
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Best Buys!
Panasonic Professional AG-HMC40 AVCHD Camcorder with 10.6MP Still and 12x Optical Zoom
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Panasonic Pro AG-HMC150 3CCD AVCHD 24fps Camcorder
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Panasonic AG-HMC70 AVCHD 3CCD Flash Memory Professional Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Panasonic HDC-HS9 AVCHD 3CCD 60GB Hard Drive High Definition Hybrid Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $799.95 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Panasonic HDC-SD1 AVCHD 3CCD Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $749.90 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Auctions on eBay
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Best Buys!
Sony HDR-CX100 AVCHD HD Camcorder with Smile Shutter & 10x Optical Zoom (Black)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Sony HDR-CX100 AVCHD HD Camcorder with Smile Shutter & 10x Optical Zoom (Silver)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $413.55 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Sony HDR-CX100/R AVCHD HD Camcorder in Red + 8 Gigabyte Pro-Duo Memory Stick + Sony Camcorder Case + Deluxe Camcorder Accessory Kit
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $499.95 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Sony HDR-CX100 AVCHD HD Camcorder in Silver + 8 Gigabyte Pro-Duo Memory Stick + Sony Camcorder Case + Deluxe Camcorder Accessory Kit
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $499.95 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Sony HDR-CX100/B AVCHD HD Camcorder in Black + 8 Gigabyte Pro-Duo Memory Stick + Sony Camcorder Case + Camcorder Accessory Kit
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $529.95 (as of 12/30/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Auctions on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byAVCHD Camcorder User on the Blogs
- How to import MTS or M2TS files from AVCHD camcorders into Final ...
- How to import MTS or M2TS files from AVCHD camcorders into Final Cut Express? If you have an AVCHD camcorder like Canon HF S11/HF 21, Panasonic AVCHD,
- A solution to the problem of importing MTS files to Sony Vegas ...
- Therefore, AVCHD camcorder users often meet problems one or another while playing or editing .MTS files. To relieve people's pains, this article will give a solution to importing MTS file to Sony Vegas. If you have demand for this ...
- 49% off Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder $709.00 (was ...
- Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom (Bundle) 2GB SD Card, Sakar Battery, Tiff Switch Case & Tripod Kit List Price: $1399.99 Price: $709.00 You Save: $690.99 (49%)
- Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder | Slickdawg ...
- Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder Review from Slickdawg electronics junkie. HG21 Works for Mac/iMovie, Let me start by saying that I've been using.
AVCHD Camcorders in the News
- Have some problems when importing AVCHD camcorder videos to Premiere
- ... multimedia industry, it becomes much easier for those amateur photographers who want to make DIY videos or edit the videos shot by the camcorders. ...
- Samsung HMX-U10
- Even given the quality of the resulting video this seems unnecessarily large, making the files as unwieldy as those from serious AVCHD camcorders. ...
- Blu-ray Players for $300 or Less
- Every model on our chart can read digital images and music files from USB or SD Card; some can read AVCHD camcorder video and other video formats, too. ...
- Free Premium Holiday Menu Templates with Purchase of MPGEnc Authoring Works 4
- HD video files ? such as those imported from HDV and AVCHD camcorders ?slow down computers trying to process large amounts of information. ...
Your Expert Guide
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