Sony Handycam HDR-SR11 60GB Hard Drive Camcorder

HD recording at its best.

Posted Mar 18, 2008 - The HDR-SR11 has superb video and audio recording in Dolby 5.1 is impressive. Very compact and lightweight, fast zoom, big touch-screen LCD that works beautifully even under sunlight. You can also take 10 megapixel picture stills while you're recording video. Software included is very basic but it does the job it's supposed to do. You can back up all your files and photos with ease and do simple editing with it. If you want to do more elaborate editing, there are a couple of excellent programs on the market that support the AVCHD format - Sony Vegas 8, Pinaccle 11. The camera features multiple shooting settings and manual controls which helps you to have more control on what's being recorded. The results are incredible and you'll be very satisfied to immortalize all those special moments with the quality they deserve. I would definately recommend this camera.

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Awesome Camcorder and Amazing Picture Quality

Posted Mar 31, 2008 - After 2 days of use, this is by far one of the best purchases I have made in a while. Out of the box, the camcorder is well built with no loose or fragile parts. It reminds me that this is a great Sony product. After charging it up, I hand the camera to my wife and see what she can do with it after never giving her any instructions. Guess what? She was recording in no time! Not even that, but she was able to set the time and other settings by using the touch screen menu on the large screened view finder. As for the view screen, she is in love with it! It is the sharpest screen we have ever seen on a camcorder. A few things to know though before buying. One, you need a very good computer to start editing your own DVDs. Editing HD video will take forever even on a great computer. Second, the software provided only touches the tip of the iceberg when it comes to editing. It would have been nice if Sony gave a coupon for their Vegas Pro Video Editing software. Third, the package did not include an HDMI cable, that will have to be purchase separately. You can however hook up the component cables. In short, a great camcorder that is easy to use and gives exceptional video.

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A Great Camcorder Choice for HD - or SD Recording - Plus 10MP Camera

Posted 1 year ago - This Camcorder can be used for either Full High Definition or Standard Definition recording. I'm planning to use it in Standard Definition for now and switch over to High Definition later once I update to a Blue Ray Player for play back to a High Definition TV. If you're worried about 'future proofing' your investment, this is a great option. I'm also very impressed with high resolution view screen which displays your images and video in what appears to be high definition. The built in 10 mega-pixel Digital Camera is another great feature of this camera. - There is no need to carry both a Video Camera and a separate Digital Still Camera, since this unit contains both. One thing perspective buyers should consider, especially if they are new to digital camera and camcorders is that the cost of pruchasing the Camcorder is is only part of the total expense. - To complete the package, you will also want to purchase the following: 1.) A spare rechargable battery - optionally with longer life. 2.) A travel charger. (- Otherwise you'll need to charge the battery in the camera.) 3.) A Camcorder Case. 4.) (optional) Accessory Microphone 5.) (optional) Accessory Lens Filter ('Neutral' or Polarizing - for outdoor shots) 6.) (optional) Accessory Flash 7.) (optional) Tri-pod 8.) (Highly Recommended) Extended Warranty ($80 - $200 for basic coverage).

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Excellent HD Camcorder

Posted May 8, 2008 - I have been researching HD Camcorders for over 2 years and finally purchased this Sony. In my opinion, for the money this is the best HD camcorder on the market today. It has most all the features you need and gives you a full 1080i HD recording. The picture quality when watching on my 50” plasma is excellent using either the AV component or HDMI cables. * Some of the features include a "Quick On" standby feature, saves on the battery and you can switch to recording mode in 1 second. A zoom option for the Mic which does a nice job of picking up voices. All the jacks you need are on the camcorder (Power, Mini HDMI, USB, A/V to Component, External MIC and Head Set), so you don’t really need the base. Has a built in speaker. Ability to quickly change from video to pictures and capture still images from video. * It is one of the few HD camcorders with both a viewfinder and a flip out LCD panel. Viewfinder is nice for outdoor video or pictures in bright sunlight. It has a high resolution LCD panel, but it washes out in the sun. The touch panel on the LCD works well. Able to tap icons with your fingernail, so you don’t get fingerprints on the display. * Another nice feature is the LCD shows you the minutes of recording time remaining. Also, when the camcorder is off, you can press the “DISP/BATT” button and it shows you the % of charge remaining. When watching video on the LCD, you can press the same button to hide icons/indicators. * There are a few disappointments. 1) Wish the included editing software was more robust. The best software for AVCHD appears to be Sony Vegas Pro ($300+) 2) the power cord for my Canon camcorder could be used to charge a battery w/o the camcorder. So you could always be charging a spare battery. Sony power cord requires the battery be attached to the camcorder to charge it. You can spend $45+ to get an external charger. 3) Wish you could move video files directly from camcorder to a portable hard drive via the USB port w/o a PC. You can bring a laptop on trips or buy a Memory Stick Pro Duo cards or portable DVD burner to back up video on the fly. 4) Camcorder is a bit heavy for its size, have to adjust the strap just right to get a good balanced grip. 5) 8GB Memory Stick Pro Duo cards are expensive ($100). 6) Fader option is virtually useless, have to turn it on to fade in. Then while recording, you have to go thru menus to turn on fader again, to fade out. * Overall, I highly recommend it and feel it is worth a 5 star rating.

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Lookin' Good

Posted May 28, 2008 - I've had this camcorder for two months now and very satisfied with my choice. I had just got done converting my Hi-8 tapes to DVD and didn't want to go through that process again so I started my searching for a new camcorder. I was a bit influenced by the $130 rebate Sony offered when purchased with a SonyCard. That helped offset the higher price of their new models. The camera overall is very easy to use - the touch screen interface helps a bunch in that area. Quality wise the HD looks super - I burn the AVCHD to standard DVDs and play them on my Bluray player to a 60" projection TV - no complaints. I was bit miffed that an HD camera didn't come with an HDMI cable to connect it to my HDTV - without it or a Bluray player any type of HD quality playback can't be done. I called Sony on it and they offered to sell me one for $40 + shipping - easily purchased for $5 at other places. It uses a standard mini-HDMI to HDMI cable. I also purchased and additional NP-FH70 ($65 from Amazon) battery and wall charger. The wall charger is nice and small. The originally battery gives about 90 minutes and the second battery gives me about 150 minutes. All in all I'd have no problems recommending this camera to someone looking for a HD camcorder.

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Trial by Fire

Posted Apr 7, 2008 - I put this camcorder through its paces taping a long weekend of footraces (for hire), a bridal shower, and ball-game w/Grandson. I'm no professional - but a knowledgable amature. Straight forward operation is very easy to make great videoes and pictures. There's an "EASY" button, but I can't figure out what it does for me! I think there for people like my wife, because the camera intimidates her. But, theres no reason to fear using this one. The unit is solidly made and provides a little heft (MOI in golf terms!) for stable handheld operations that other lighter cameras can't. For the rest of us, there are enough controls to provide creative options that someone with a little more than basic photography/videography will desire. To get much more, I'd expect you'd have to go pro. Storage: I'm barely denting the storage after all the above - more than 2 hours of videos and a couple dozen stills. I was never in doubt that I had storage even while heavily using the unit taping 2 mornings worth of foot-races (Large 10K, Kids Run, Half/Full Marathon!) and the associated events. Before buying - I looked at nearly 25 camcorders, in person, because I had to justify the cost. I'm Very Pleased with the selection - every other unit would have traded some feature for cost. Buy this one. It it clearly the best unit available.

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Incredible Camcorder

Posted Feb 26, 2008 - The video quality on this camcorder is stunning, the best on the market so far. I have had it for 5 days so far and can barely put it down. To me it's worth every cent! Gary Toronto, Ontario

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New generation Sony HD camcorder - HDD and MS Pro Duo

Posted Apr 1, 2008 - With new baby in the house, I needed a camcorded to create long lasting memories. Reading reviews and comparing specs, I have made my decision to go with SR-11 rather than SR-10. There are few of them: better photo pictures, lager HDD, viewfinder and lager LCD. Yes, I looked at other brands, but I bought SR-11 and I don't regret. Looking forward to use it more on upcoming vacation.

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Great buy

Posted Mar 12, 2008 - The video quality on this thing is just superb in daylight. The low light quality is pretty good too. The camera takes really nice pictures and it has the built in flash too. There are a lot of nice features which make capturing video for a novice like me great. You do need an HDTV to take full advantage of this, and more specifically something with HDMI and hopefully something that can handle 1920x1080. It looks great when I hook up the HDMI cable straight from the camcorder to the TV. Also, I can view it through my PS3. I have a 500 gb external HD on which I can literally drag and drop these huge movie files. Then I hook up the drive to my PS3 and it plays perfectly. This is great for long trips where you can transfer files to an external hard drive and continue shooting. If you have the PS3 (or AVCHD player), 1080p tv, then this camcorder is great. I can see how you'd have problems if you dont have all the right pieces.

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Awesome video HD camcorder

Posted Mar 25, 2008 - Great Video HD Camcorder. Couldn't justify the costs of teh 120GB version. Great all the way around. It has a one touch button to burn the video to a dvd on your computer or laptop. Very convenient. Bundled with some good software. I would highly recommend this camcorder.

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HDR-SR11 - Great camcorder, just a little pricey

Posted Apr 3, 2008 - With so many camcorders to choose from I found this at the top of my list (barely above the Canon HF10). I researched these way too much. I find the hard drive models will give you the most bang for the buck for the next year or two, but then flash memory will take over. This also has about every input/output you'd like (except firewire). My favorite feature is the large LCD screen. You can see every detail with it so clearly. I didn't think I would like a touch screen, but I enjoy it very much. The image quality has blown me away. Details are so crisp. My only complaint is that a progressive mode would have been nice. So far my PC has worked fine with editing the AVCHD format. Also, the mic on this thing is amazing. Overall this is a great camcorder.

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Super Camcorder

Posted Mar 19, 2008 - Where do I start? This camcorder is awesome! The quality is great and so are the features. I have always been impressed with Sony's cameras/camcorders and this model is no exception. So glad I waited and didn't get the SR7. This had many more features and was less money. I would highly recommend this model.

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Expensive and Disappointing

Posted 1 year ago - This camcorder sells for a high price, so you would expect high level results, but what you get is only average photographic quality. Another problem is that this camcorder's output is in AVCHD format which forces the user to also purchase a blu-ray player to see the output and most likely an HD monitor to view it. This can get very expensive.

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Camcorder has incredible recording in HD

Posted 1 year ago - I don't understand why they put an electronic shutter on the camera. Its just another thing that can break. In my case, it did and so did my camera after multiple times having it get stuck. Some have reported banging the front part removes the problem. Did not work for me. The focus engine does not work now along with the shutter. I have to send it in for repair. Is there any way of disabling the shutter? Its going to cost over $400 to repair.

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