Hey everyone, here is the link to our official LiHD product page for our HD Camcorders.  Here you will find links to sites where you can buy the products as well as videos, FAQ's, reviews and more. 

http://livinginhd.com/go/products/hdCamcorder

I have a Panasonic HDC-HS100 with AVCHD and a 60 gigabyte hard drive and it's already been to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands in the few months I have had it. Much like you it came out of the box right away. While I have handled all sorts of video cameras including the big VHS recorders on my shoulder and on tripods for galas, weddings, funerals, birthdays, banquets and dances, I LOVE this camera.

Basically you can hold, maneuver, and control it with one hand and do all your panning and zooming with the same hand. You can switch from view finder to the 360 degree swiveling LCD with the same hand and with your other hand (finally you need to use it) maneuver the handy and well thought out software menu with only one finger.

I taught my family how to use this camera in 10 minutes. They shot video and photos, a lot of them, in very short order and we didn't need to delete or edit a single photo. No red eye correction, shakiness, or unclear audio.

It can also take a 8GB SD card and it can double as a photo camera, remember stills? LOL.

It shoots FULL HD 1920 x 1080 and the light adjustment is pretty good. I've been very satisfied with everything so far but as I get to be more of an expert with this device, I'm sure to find something that could be better.

Either way, if you want an upgrade to your current camcorder, or you were like me and you're saving for the right brand model and price, this is your checklist:

1. It has to be Panasonic (I know, I'm generally not a fanboy, but as an LiHD family I know how amazing the suite of Panasonic devices are!)

I also own some Sony digital equipment but none of their HDNA gear. I also own a Sharp Surround Sound system that is a more complicated setup than the Panasonic gear is.

If you know old school audio visual component setups, if you don't get intimidated by 10 devices in one setup and if you are a complete newbie and dread complexity: Panasonic is the way to go.

Message me for details, I installed everything in the Panasonic LiHD suite myself (including all the computer networking gear with advanced security and other settings) and that's because I love doing that and I'm a Information Technology Specialist. I started very young with the TV, the VCR, the Outdoor VHF/UHF antenna and the home RCA audio system with the 8 track and the turntable for 33s and 45s.

Thank God for Panasonic!

2. You gotta like it!

Yea, once you do number 1, it's all good.

Wow, it sounds so cool, I totally want one now. I don't have a dedicated camcorder, just a camera that is capable of video. I'm starting to find that there are a lot of times where I'd benefit from a real camcorder with HD quality. These posts are giving me some insight on what to get. I'm such a tech geek hehe.

not sure, if this is the right place to ask, but can anybody tell me a little about the anounced micro four thirds camcorder? I would love to see a product like that, but I have concerns about how effective it will be. One of the issues that comes to mind is the noise from focusing and slower focusing speed. Also, will it be able to zoom using a rocker control? Or would we have to twist the lense? I'm afraid the way a typical camcorder is held doesn't give enough stability to zoom in and out only by twisting. Also, it can be hard to get slow continuous zooming by twisting. Does anybody know anything about it? I'm considering buying a tm700 or waiting for the micro four thirds depending on the answers.

Here is the answer from the Answerman... I hope it helps...

At this point there are very few details about the new camera which will be called the AG- AF100– it was shown at the NAB show this April.

The camera as shown was using standard photo lenses similar to the RED camera or the Canon 5D mk2 and thus the lens is manually operated – ie no rocker control for zoom. This camera is  designed for digital cinema where the zoom function of the lens is only to frame the shot not to zoom on air like a video camera .  Typically a camera like this will be used with prime lenses which of course do not zoom but are much faster and typically sharper.  

For focus the normal operation in digital cinema is to either have the focus set or to have a focus puller who changes the focus at the bequest of the director.  What differentiates this from  the GH1 still camera is that it has industry standard HDSDI out at full resolution and variable frame rate- This camera is designed for “stable camera work “ not a run and gun like a broadcast video camera.