Similar offers
Postage & Packaging: £0.91
Postage & Packaging: £2.95
Postage & Packaging: £0.91
Quote-start

First ever Blu-ray camcorder.

Quote-end

4 Mar 1st, 2008  (Mar 11th, 2008)

18 Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful

Advantages:
Record in full HD, very light, 5 . 3 mega - pixel camera, reliable

Disadvantages:
large exterior, small screen, pricey

Recommendable Yes:

Detailed rating:

Ease of use

Recording quality

Picture quality

Sound quality

Value for money

yassarikhan786

yassarikhan786

About me:

Hello! Thank you for rating and commenting on my reviews. I will not be writing a review within the ...

Member since:27.02.2008

Reviews:35

Members who trust:35

The Hitachi DZ-BD7OE is the first ever Blu-ray camcorder. It has the ability to record in full High Definition (1080p). You can buy this very camcorder for £569-over £600 if you look hard enough on the internet, which does seem a lot for a camcorder.

Blu-ray technology is fairly new, so it is fair to understand the initial prices of all blu-ray compatible devices will be high. This is the first camcorder which incorporates blu-ray technology. When more and more companies release similar devices, the prices of blu-ray camcorders (including the DZ-BD70E) will drop due to high levels of competition.

Now, leaving the price 'issues' of the camcorder and moving onto other areas of the camcorder. You may be pleased to know that you will be able to buy the DZ-BD70E in only the standard grey and silver colour. It is a fairly large and bulky device, which may make you think that it is also very heavy. But with its large exterior you will be pleased to know that this very camcorder weighs just 575g.

It has a 16:9 screen, which simply means that the horizontal length is greater than the vertical height, or that it has a ratio of 16:9. In inches the screen size is 2.7", which is reasonably small considering the size of the exterior. Although, with the 2.7" screen you will be able to record efficiently without having too much trouble viewing the recording content on the screen. You have an option of using the retractable electronic viewfinder (EVF) instead. However over exposure to the motion blur involved in using the (EVF) will be hard on the eyes.

There is an added bonus of a 5.3 megapixel camera with 10x digital zoom. You will certainly be able to take pictures, but not during a recording session, which really takes the fun out of creating truly enjoyable picture and video experiences.

The downside to all of the fun things about this blu-ray video camera is the time it takes in transferring HD (High definition) content to another source, most likely to a desktop PC. It takes approximately 1 minute to transfer a 5 second piece of HD content. The 7.5 GB blu-ray disk will let you record a maximum of 1 hour in HD. So the transfer of 1 hour of HD content will take up to 12 hours, which is a long wait.

However, there is another factor which determines the time taken to transfer the HD content. That factor is the processing speed of your hard drive. A regular hard drive gives you 7200 rpms of processing power, which will take you the full 12 hours to transfer the content. Although the newer and more advanced hard drives give you up to 15,000 rpms, which ultimately means that it will transfer the data twice as fast.

You will also have an option of connecting the camcorder to an external output device such as a Television. This way you will instantly be able to watch the content without having to wait for it to transfer. The only problem is that you will not be able to make a copy of the content as you would require a HD blu-ray recorder, which I am very sure does not exist. The only possible solution would be to transfer the content to a PC, which like I said before would take the MICK.

When you buy this camcorder you will get in the box a remote control, a single blu-ray disk and essential wires required to connect to TV's and other devices, in order to transfer or view content. Within the blu-ray disk there will be a maximum of 7.5 GB of memory which will essentially let you record up to 1 hour of full HD (high definition) content. You will also be able to change recording modes which will enable you to record in video qualities below HD quality, meaning you will be able to record longer movies. Whoohoo. 

How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines

exceptional

very helpful

helpful

somewhat helpful

not helpful

off topic

Products you might be interested in »

Hitachi DZ-GX3300E

Hitachi DZ-GX3300E

Digital Zoom: 500 x - Optical Zoom: 10 x, 10 - Image Stabiliser: Electronic - Supported Media Type: SD Memory Card, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD+RW - Viewfinder Type: without Viewfinder

Rate it now

Buy now for only £ 262.50

Panasonic SDR-S26

Panasonic SDR-S26

Digital Zoom: 3500 - Optical Zoom: 70 - Image Stabiliser: Optical, Optical (Advanced O.I.S.) - Supported Media Type: HDD, SD/SDHC Memory Card

User reviews (3)

Buy now for only £ 153.32

Hitachi DZ-GX3100E

Hitachi DZ-GX3100E

Digital Zoom: 800 x - Optical Zoom: 15 x - Image Stabiliser: Electronic - Supported Media Type: SD Memory Card

Rate it now

Buy Now

Samsung SMX-F30

Samsung SMX-F30

Camcorder - Optical Zoom: 34 - Digital Zoom: 1200x - Weight: 270 g - Supported Media Type: Flash card - Viewfinder: without Viewfinder

User reviews (1)

Buy now for only £ 117.00

Hitachi DVD Camcorder DZ MV550E Sony DCR-SX30

Sony DCR-SX30

Digital Zoom: 2000 - Optical Zoom: 60 - Image Stabiliser: Electronic (Steady Shot) - Supported Media Type: Memory Stick PRO Duo - Viewfinder Type: without Viewfinder

User reviews (2)

Buy now for only £ 167.88

Comments about this review »

mum2boys82 23.04.2008 08:34

I think blu ray is still a developing technology from what little I know of it so I am sure it will come down in price soon, then maybe we will get one! Rebecca Xx

Expired-Account 16.04.2008 20:39

I'm after a camcorder at the moment but I wouldn't want a Blu-Ray one, I couldn't watch my DVDs properly, very helpful review

Mitsudan 26.03.2008 17:42

They'll soon be cheaper, faster, smaller and better, like all new gadgets, I guess, so I'll wait a while yet! David

Similar offers for Hitachi DZ-BD70E »

1 to 10 out of 21 similar offers for Hitachi DZ-BD70E Show all similar offers
DuraSec HighTec screen protection film for Hitachi DZ-BD70E

DuraSec HighTec screen protection film for Hitachi DZ-BD70E

Protectyour screenagainstuglyscratches!Pieces/Package:1 film(You really need not ... more

more!)Made in Germany


Postage & Packaging:  £0.91
Availability:  Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days......
 Visit Shop  >
amazon electronics
DuraSec NanoTec liquid screen protector Hitachi DZ-BD70E

DuraSec NanoTec liquid screen protector Hitachi DZ-BD70E

Bubblefreescreen protection byliquid sealingof the display withnanotechnology!Package ... more

contents:2 sponges, 2 microfiber towels, 1
spray-bottle display cleaner, 1 spray-bottle
nanotech sealerMade in Ge


Postage & Packaging:  £2.95
Availability:  Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days......
 Visit Shop  >
amazon electronics
5 x DuraSec ClearTec display protection film for Hitachi DZ-BD70E

5 x DuraSec ClearTec display protection film for Hitachi DZ-BD70E

Protectyour screenagainstuglyscratches!Pieces/Package:5 filmsMade in Germany


Postage & Packaging:  £0.91
Availability:  Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days......
 Visit Shop  >
amazon electronics
DuraSec HighTec screen protection film for Hitachi DZ-BD70E

DuraSec HighTec screen protection film for Hitachi DZ-BD70E

Protectyour screenagainstuglyscratches!Pieces/Package:1 film(You really need not ... more

more!)Made in Germany


Postage & Packaging:  £0.91
Availability:  Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
 Visit Shop  >
amazon marketplace electronics
DuraSec NanoTec liquid screen protector Hitachi DZ-BD70E

DuraSec NanoTec liquid screen protector Hitachi DZ-BD70E

Bubblefreescreen protection byliquid sealingof the display withnanotechnology!Package ... more

contents:2 sponges, 2 microfiber towels, 1
spray-bottle display cleaner, 1 spray-bottle
nanotech sealerMade in Ge


Postage & Packaging:  £2.95
Availability:  Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
 Visit Shop  >
amazon marketplace electronics
5 x DuraSec ClearTec display protection film for Hitachi DZ-BD70E

5 x DuraSec ClearTec display protection film for Hitachi DZ-BD70E

Protectyour screenagainstuglyscratches!Pieces/Package:5 filmsMade in Germany


Postage & Packaging:  £0.91
Availability:  Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
 Visit Shop  >
amazon marketplace electronics
PowerPlanet DZ-BP07SW, DZ-BP07PW Hitachi Compatible Camcorder Battery for Hitachi DZ-BD70E, DZ-BD7HE, DZ-BX35E/E(UK), DZ-BX37E/E(UK)

PowerPlanet DZ-BP07SW, DZ-BP07PW Hitachi Compatible Camcorder Battery for Hitachi DZ-BD70E, DZ-BD7HE, DZ-BX35E/E(UK), DZ-BX37E/E(UK)

This PowerPlanet rechargeable battery pack is specifically designed to replace the Hitachi ... more

original battery. It can be charged in exactly the
same way the original battery is charged i.e.
using an original or 3rd party charger, or via the
camcorder (if the device supports this
feature).PowerPlanet rechargeable battery packs
feature the latest battery technology, the highest
quality components, and meet or exceed the
manufacturers specifications. They are also
designed to last longer and have no memory effect.
All PowerPlanet products have a one-year limited
warranty.Designed to operate in the following
camcorders:Hitachi DZ-BD70E, DZ-BD7HEHitachi
DZ-BX35E/E(UK), DZ-BX37E/E(UK)Hitachi
DZ-GX3100E/E(UK), DZ-GX3200E/E(UK),
DZ-GX3300E/E(UK), DZ-GX5020E, DZ-GX5040E,
DZ-GX5060E/E(UK), DZ-GX5100EHitachi
DZ-HS300E/(UK), DZ-HS301E/(UK), DZ-HS303E/(UK),
DZ-HS500E/(UK), DZ-HS501E/(UK)Hitachi DZMV350E,
DZMV350ESW/ESWH, DZMV350EUK/EAU, DZMV380E,
DZ-MV730E/E(UK), DZ-MV750E/E(UK), DZ-MV780E/E(UK)


Postage & Packaging:  Check Site.
Availability:  Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
 Visit Shop  >
amazon electronics
Compatible Accessory Kit - High-Capacity Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery and Battery Charger ( Mains Leads&Car ) for / fits digital camera/camcorder model HITACHI Blu-ray DZ-BD70E

Compatible Accessory Kit - High-Capacity Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery and Battery Charger ( Mains Leads&Car ) for / fits digital camera/camcorder model HITACHI Blu-ray DZ-BD70E

Premium quality rechargeable replacement battery pack and battery charger kit compatible ... more

with the model(s) stated. The battery can be
recharged with the original battery charger/main
adapter or LLpower77 battery charger.


Postage & Packaging:  free Super Saver Delivery
Availability:  Usually dispatched within 2-3 business days...
 Visit Shop  >
amazon electronics
Compatible Accessory Kit - High-Capacity Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery and Battery Charger ( Mains Leads&Car ) for / fits digital camera/camcorder model HITACHI Blu-ray DZ-BD70E

Compatible Accessory Kit - High-Capacity Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery and Battery Charger ( Mains Leads&Car ) for / fits digital camera/camcorder model HITACHI Blu-ray DZ-BD70E

Premium quality rechargeable replacement battery pack and battery charger kit compatible ... more

with the model(s) stated. The battery can be
recharged with the original battery charger/main
adapter or LLpower77 battery charger.


Postage & Packaging:  free Super Saver Delivery
Availability:  Usually dispatched within 2-3 business days...
 Visit Shop  >
amazon electronics
Compatible Accessory Kit - High-Capacity Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery and Battery Charger ( Mains Leads&Car ) for / fits digital camera/camcorder model HITACHI Blu-ray DZ-BD70E

Compatible Accessory Kit - High-Capacity Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery and Battery Charger ( Mains Leads&Car ) for / fits digital camera/camcorder model HITACHI Blu-ray DZ-BD70E

Premium quality rechargeable replacement battery pack and battery charger kit compatible ... more

with the model(s) stated. The battery can be
recharged with the original battery charger/main
adapter or LLpower77 battery charger.


Postage & Packaging:  free Super Saver Delivery
Availability:  Usually dispatched within 2-3 business days...
 Visit Shop  >
amazon electronics




Are you the manufacturer / provider of Hitachi DZ-BD70E? Click here