Pros
br /-the .mp4 files are OSX friendly and viewable instantly in QuickTime !
br /- we had no problem getting these files into Final Cut Xpress 4 or iMovie '08
br /- I was editing these files within minutes of popping the card out of the cam
br /- Photos can be plucked out of the video streams at 8mp (4mp interpolated?)
br /- the menu interface is clean ,intuitive, and performs well
br /- the photos look great, even the ones you capture while viewing video playback
br /- the TouchPoint focus can create cool effects
br /- colors and automatic levels seem pretty accurate
br /- quickly change recording to INTERNAL or SDHC or MMC
br /- manual controls are simple sliders (WB, Exposure, Shutter)
br /- 90 minute battery life from a small form battery
br /- shoots in 4 resolutions : 1080p/30p , 1080i/60i, 480p/60p an 300fps SlowMotion
br /- you can be in and out of these resolutions in seconds via QuickMenus
br /- shooting this puppy is a breeze, we haven't even looked at the manual yet
br /- nice Slideshow with music functions
br /- TouchFocus allows you to focus on different objects in the foreground or background
br /- it's a very small package and feels quite solid for it's size
br /- QuickInfo button displays battery life / memory / resolution even powered off
br /-clips can be split, deleted and combined IN CAMERA
br /-the phot slideshow can be accompanied by music
br /
br /Cons
br /- you MUST have the cradle (included) for charging / HDMI out
br /- manual controls are very simple ...... will be too limiting for hardcore tweakers
br /........ that being said, the automatic levels are about as good as you'll want
br /- no hot shoe
br /- no built in light ... only pop-up flash
br /- photos cannot be cropped or rotated in camera - no red-eye removal tool either
br /- the focus drifted on me a few times
br /- btw, the focus is a little SLOW
br /- the TouchFocus was hit or miss in practice
br /-the battery and SD/MMC slot are behind a trap door, probably not going to be an extended run battery
br /
br /there's alot to like about this camera
br /the easy to use touchscreen does almost everything I need it to do under normal circumstances
br /playback in QUICKTIME is smooth and free of some processing artifacts I noticed when using VLC (nightly) to view .mts files from Panasonics and Canon's ... and that comes in handy if you shot alot of clips and want to get to previewing them quickly and not waiting an hour for it to load into your editor
br /
br /
br /I think I've narrowed it down to this camera and the Canon hf100. I went to the store and shot some clips with my memory card. I found the .mts file buried in a STREAM subfolder several layers deep.
br /The Samsung has a folder called 100video, click on that and there's your files
br /The Canon's menu is more advanced and offers more options, but it's also more complex
br /but if you can live without advanced manual controls and a mini-hotshoe and want to work with a more friendly file, this Samsung SC_HMX20C is the camcorder to have
br /
br /this camcorder works well with a 2.2ghz Macbook with 4gb RAM running OSX Leopard

This review is going to be a description of this camcorders ease of use and application of features and isn't meant to be comparison to other camcorders in the same price class. Contextual references to other camcorders and cameras may be included for basis of perspective.
br /
br /+ The menu tree structure is flat, in other words the menus are laid by selecting a feature like "Enhancements" and underneath it are choices like "Color", "BW", "Sepia" then apply the function and without more sub choices to memorize.
br /
br /It has about 24 features with just a few choices under each. Other cameras have steeper menu trees forcing the owner to start with just four - six features, then memorize and drill down into more choices, sub choices of sub choices until you find the function you wanted or just compromise in frustration.
br /
br /The fact the menus are laid out in this matter underscores the evolution of implementing customer feedback. This feature alone could be a decider for me.
br /
br /+ It is ready to go right out of the box, the battery arrived with a 70% charge and it took only 30 minutes on the charger to fully charge, the grip thumb buttons almost make single handed use a reality.
br /
br /+ The touch screen menus are created in a hierarchal outline of functions instead of the tree of features like those found Nikon SLR's. The Samsung has four menu items per page and six pages totaling 24 features with simple "Yes / NO" or "On / OFF" options. A Nikon and othe cameras have menus that require you to drill down to sub menus and sub sub menus and the Samsung avoids this frustration.
br /
br /+ Crystal clear clarity even in low light conditions the Samsung performed admirably and in 1080 / 30p, or 1080/60i, or 480/60p.
br /
br /+ Great battery life, we've been shooting video for intermittent periods for two days and the battery held up longer than we expected and took only an hour to fully recharge. The charging cable can be used in the cradle or mainlined to the camera, it doesn't seem we can use the camcorder in shooting mode while simultaneously charging the battery, but you battery recharges while the camcorder is off. THE ADAPTER CAN POWER THE CAMERA W/O AN INSERTED BATTERY and this may seem trite but it seems some camcorders won't power on a cable w/o an inserted battery just like most cell phones.
br /
br /+ Anti shake and facial focus are better than others I've used, we shot almost perfect videos with these functions turned on, the facial focus feature even started locking onto the faces of our TV screen that was over 30 feet away and zoomed in.
br /
br /+ Black White and Sepia mode for video and still mode, the BW and Sepia effects were just as nice as our Nikon D80 SLR which cost three times as much as this Samsung.
br /
br /+ Worked with every SD card we tried, cards more than 5 years old worked perfectly along with our latest SDHC Transcend Transcend TS16GSDHC6 16GB SDHC card (SD 2.0 SPD Class 6) and SanDisk MicroSD SanDisk 8GB microSDHC Card CLASS 2 (SDSDQ-8192, Bulk Package) with adapters all worked seamlessly and hassle free.
br /
br /+ Almost water resistant, all of the slots such as battery cover, external microphone, USB and AC adapter port are covered with easy to open but flush fitting port covers, the open and close with the same ease of the doors on a BMW sedan and would almost tempt you take it outside into the rain since all access covers close with a satisfying and tactile "click"
br /
br /Nothing is absolutely perfect, and there some quirks you should consider especially if they are important parts of your selection criteria:
br /
br /- Speed of focus when rapidly shifting to closer objects. This is most prominent if you're standing in the end zone of football or soccer field and tracking the ball as it is passed closer to you. The Samsung isn't the fastest when auto-focusing, but we noticed it seemed slower than acceptable when rapidly shifting to advancing objects. This shortcoming will be observed when filming oncoming soccer balls and approaching vehicles.
br /
br /- The still camera is barely better than a cell phone camera, this really doesn't qualify as a criticism since you aren't considering this camcorder as a still camera, the quality of the image is substandard enough that it makes us wonder why even include it but since it doesn't add any extra weight to the camcorder then it doesn't really matter. If you are looking for a good camcorder / still camera combo then compare the Samsung to other makes and models before you commit.
br /
br /- MP4 video format requires Apple Quicktime, the video files crashed Quicktime on two of our computers when played directly on our desktop. Apple owners can rejoice around this but we don't prefer Apple over Windows just because Mac and Apple isn't Windows doesn't make it a better choice.
br /
br /=====================
br /We skipped the users manual and had it up and running in less than three minutes and shooting satisfactory video, this is a fairly straightforward camcorder and its features didn't intimidate anyone in our house from the novice to super techs.
br /
br /There are White Balance settings and manual shutter and aperture settings to create infinite combinations for those who want to tweak and tune.

I am finally replacing my Mini-DV camcorder with a wonderful True HD Camcorder. The portability and capacity of SDHC cards makes this medium a more feasible form of media and this camera makes an excellent travel companion.
br /
br /I also have the Samsung SC-MX20 which is an excellent entry level camcorder that is great for Youtube video and makes a great format for any other online video site like Swing Academy (for golfers out there).
br /
br /Samsung SC-MX20 Flash Memory Camcorder w/34x Optical Zoom (Black)
br /
br /WHAT IS IN THE BOX?
br /
br /Camcorder
br /Drawstring pouch
br /User Manual CD
br /Quick Start Guide
br /Software CD (Cyberlink DVD Suite: PowerDVD 7.3, Power Producer 4.2 and Power Director 6.0 for HD)
br /Battery Pack
br /AC Power Adaptor
br /Multi-AV cable
br /Component cable
br /USB cable
br /Infrared remote control
br /Cradle
br /Core filters
br /
br /To read the actual manual, you will need to load the Manual on CD. Most of the functions are explained in the Quick Start Guide.
br /
br /THE SOFTWARE SUITE:
br /
br /Hardware requirements (sorry, not Mac compatible):
br /Microsoft Windows XP or Vista
br /Pentium 4, 3.2 Ghz or greater/AMD Athlon FX, 2.6 Ghz or higher
br /Nvidia Geforce 7600GT or higher/ATi X1600 series or higher
br /
br /Cyberlink Power Director is a robust video editing program for a bundled software package. You can adjust photographic settings, add special effects, trim clips, add titles, picture in picture, transitions, etc. I cannot believe software like this accompanies such a great camera. It is more than functional for a casual user, like myself.
br /
br /Cyberlink Power DVD is a video player. Power Producer allows you to author a DVD.
br /
br /In summary, the software suite was a very nice surprise for me. It is no Adobe Premiere but it is more robust than many software programs that accompany digital cameras and digital camcorders. Thanks, Cyberlink and Samsung. You made me a happy customer!
br /
br /DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION:
br /
br /Battery life indicators are an important feature of all cameras and camcorders to me. This can be seen in the indicator screen or by pushing the iCheck button. The battery indicator level, estimated duration of battery life in minutes and duration of time for recording is also shown.
br /
br /Given that I have the SC-MX20, I will use it for comparison. The unit measures 2 3/4" x 2 5/8" x 5 3/8" compared to 4 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 2 1/4" of the SC-MX20. The housing hard plastic black with silver highlights. It is stylish and more solid in feel and heavier in weight than its counterpart. This is a bullet shaped camcorder with a pop up flash in the top of the unit. The strap is a suede lined velcro strap with a rotating handle that goes about 135 degrees (my guess) - unlike 180 degrees by the SC-MX20. The practicality of a rotating handle is the ability to hold the camera like a pistol, for one application. You can record from almost any angle in an up down plane (combined with the rotating screen).
br /
br /The flip out LCD rotates 180 degrees and the frame has a Quick Menu Button, Zoom button and record button. The housing has a button for toggling screen information, flash (for the camera function) and the EasyQ button. A small sliding panel hides the AV and USB ports. The LCD can also be folded with the screen out so that you can watch a clip (however, the speaker gets muffled).
br /
br /The top of the unit has the zoom button, camera shutter button, and mode key with indicator light. The Battery door is opened with a sliding latch lock housing the battery and the MMC/SDHC memory card. A second sliding door conceals the AC plug port. The underbody has a tripod receptacle and a cradle receptacle.
br /
br /Given the more round shape on the bottom, the camcorder can roll off of the table when charging directly into the camera, so I advise using the cradle. The SC-MX20 is flatter on the bottom and does not require a cradle.
br /
br /Dual microphones are at the underside of the lens housing.
br /
br /The LCD touch screen is a welcome feature and is intuitive to operate. If you want to customize your video. EasyQ functions with a point and shoot mode so that taking videos is so simple that any person of any level of videography experience can start using this camcorder immediately. The LCD screen is crisp and vivid and is a lot better in quality over the SC-MX20.
br /
br /Another feature that I love about this camera is that there is a lens cover that opens and closes when the power button is turned on and turned off, respectively. The SC-MX20 requires the user to manually open and close the cover.
br /
br /With 8 GB of built-in memory with the capacity to add more capacity, with memory cards, the SC-HMX20C is great for many applications.
br /
br /The remote is compact in size, sleek and buttons are well marked. The remote control is responsive. With the remote, you can control everything (photograph, toggle on screen display, fast forward, slow motion, play, stop, record, zoom, menu, quick menu), including toggling between video/photo and review images. You can do everything with the remote! The remote works great if you are using this to record your golf swing, self recording or reviewing the videos. The remote is the icing on the cake!
br /
br /OPERATION:
br /
br /The unit turns on in about 6 seconds and is slightly faster in activation than the SC-MX20. The Mode button in the back of the unit allows the user to record video, take photos or review photos/video clips with an indicator light letting the user know exactly what is going on.
br /
br /With the redundancy of the zoom and record buttons, the user can operate with a one or two handed operation. The record button at the back of the unit is awkward to push with the thumb (while the hand is in the strap) but this is no deal breaker. I find the record button easier to push with my index finger. Zoom is responsive but too quick for fine tuning.
br /
br /Playback mode is facilitated through the touch screen. Tabs at the top of the screen allow the user to view SD video, HD video and photographs. A menu button on the screen gives access to features such as the slide show, delete, protect, music slide show, slide show intervals, copy, and resize functions. There is a touch screen return button. The touch screen is easy to operate, accurate and responsive. Deleting photo(s)is easy: Just select delete selected, touch the pictures to delete, click OK, and a confirmation is asked.
br /
br /Taking videos is easy with the EasyQ button. Camera shake is activated, white balance, color, shutter speed, etc. are set. All you have to do is adjust your zoom and push record. This is a easy way to have foolproof operation.
br /
br /For more advanced users, turn off the EasyQ button and you can access the Menu. There are 10 iScene buttons for various situations: Auto, Night, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight, Beach/Snow, Manual. You can toggle Digital Zoom off (which I recommend since there is too much pixelation with digital zoom) but 10x zoom is standard for many cameras in this tier. Guide lines are available to frame your video in 3 modes: Off, Cross, Grid and Safety Zone. Super C.Nite (Normal,Super) has excellent low light sensitivity with good color saturation. Anti-shake is decent but not entirely effective (especially with highest zoom). Focus can be set by selecting Auto, Manual or Touch object (cool!). Manual shutter can be set from 1/10,000 to 1/30. Guidelines allow a 9 segment grid, 4 quadrant grid and central zone.
br /
br /Resolution can be set at 2 levels of definition: Standard (480p/60p and Slow motion) and High definition (1080/30p and 1080/60i). The fader can be toggled. Backlight for subjects in front of intense light can also be adjusted.
br /
br /One of my favorite features on this camera is the Digital Effect function where you can set Black and White, Sepia, Negative,Cosmetic, and Cinema Tone can be set for a more artsy touch without requiring post-processing.
br /
br /Recommended battery charging time is 100 minutes.
br /
br /INTERFACE:
br /
br /The A/V cable or the multi AV cable can be used. But if you want 1080p, you need to use the multi AV cable or an (optional) HDMI cable. You can watch video clips or record while attached. The LCD flips out and inverts so you can have the camcorder shut with the LCD menu out to watch your videos. The remote control is a great feature of this camera.
br /
br /Additionally, the docking station has ports for power, the USB cable, component, HDMI cable or Multi AV cable.
br /
br /PHOTOGRAPHIC FEATURES:
br /
br /This camera functions at 4 Megapixels which allows the user to print a 4x6 photograph or smaller. That is the only size I print (despite the fact that I have a 9.1 MP digital camera, also).
br /
br /The pop-up flash works well and even in low light, I get a high quality photograph. In my personal experience, this functions like a 2nd or 3rd generation digital camera. Even with zoom, the picture clarity and color was quite accurate. This makes a very good companion for a traveler since it functions as a solid camera, in addition to a camcorder (well done, Samsung!).
br /
br /VIDEO/SOUND QUALITY (settings in 1080p/60):
br /
br /My house has low light and this camera handles that well at standard settings with accurate color saturation and image quality. The Super C.Nite activation (normal and super) even enhance low light conditions. Given this fact, this is great as both an indoor and outdoor camera. The caveat is if you are filming in low light with a bright back light (say from a lamp), the auto-focus is unable to function. At normal C.Nite, the auto-focus works better but the color saturation is slightly diminished.
br /
br /This camera handles fast motion well (i.e. moving target, like my dog or my daughter).
br /
br /1080p/30 is less responsive regarding faster motion in my informal test and color saturation is less in low light. So, I will keep it at 1080p/60. To be honest, I don't know what either does, but when I moved it to 1080/60, I had a better result. Standard definition is good but if I have an HD camcorder, I will use HD. I have the other camcorder for standard definition (SC-MX20).
br /
br /PRACTICAL ISSUES:
br /
br /This camera works well both indoors and outdoors. Capturing my memories in video and photographs will be facilitated easily and well with this combination unit.
br /
br /To view HD on your television, although the multifunction AV cable works, I prefer HDMI inputs (since I have a free port in my Plasma):
br /
br /You can only charge this camera by plugging in the unit. It would be more ideal if the battery can be charged, instead.
br /
br /You will really need an additional memory card and a backup battery for this unit.
br /
br /Samsung BP85 Lithium Ion Battery for SC-HMX10,SC-HMX20 and SC-MX10
br /
br /PROS:
br /
br /Excellent video and photographic picture quality
br /Excellent sound
br /Simplicity in design and operation
br /Intuitive Touch Screen
br /Very good in low light situations
br /Easy to use menu system
br /Comes with an Infrared remote
br /Docking station has ports for outputs
br /Excellent software bundle for editing videos, authoring DVDs and watching videos
br /
br /CONS
br /
br /Average/Slightly below average Anti-shake capability
br /Software not compatible with Mac
br /Drawstring pouch necessitates a real camera case
br /
br /VERDICT:
br /
br /For the money and simplicity of this camera, this camcorder/camera combo is an excellent value.
br /
br /For a casual user, Prosumer, beginner and even intermediate videographer would be happy with this camera. This makes a great travel camera and camera/camcorder for first time parents.
br /
br /Given the utilization of flash memory, this camera is the finest of this new generation of cameras.
br /
br /I highly recommend this item! Don't walk. Run to the store to get one this holiday season! You will not be disappointed.
br /
br /GOLF APPLICATION:
br /
br /I decided to try to mount this unit on a tripod and see my golf swing. It is amazing how you see what you do during a golf swing versus what you think you are doing.
br /
br /I just recorded my golf swing using the remote, instead of having to push a button and running back to the 'station'. The remote access works well from about 15 feet in daylight. There is an indicator sound that beeped to let me know that the video started and there is a red light that also confirms the recording. The camcorder was very responsive to pushing the record button when I terminated the video. That was impressive! i record video in HD and SD slow motion. Great feature.
br /
br /SPECIAL OFFER (I did not take advantage of this offer, personally):
br /
br /This is a $54.95 value for the year.
br /
br /You get a complementary unlimited membership from www.phanfare.com/samsung. This allows secure online file storage to share your photos and videos, slideshows, embed photos and videos on your blog, upload videos to Facebook
br /
br /The offer expires: 5/31/2009.
br /
br /UPDATE:
br /
br /I just filmed a choir singing today from about 60 feet with the camera which had low light. The picture quality was great. Zoom worked well and was accurate. Sound was remarkably good from where I was standing. This is an excellent camera, if I may say so, again! This camera has not ceased to amaze me.

I will start out by stating that they have released a firmware upgrade (go to the samsung site and search on the model #) that improved (not resolved) my major problem with the camera, the instructions on how to check your firmware release completely didn't work, so just look at the list of enhancements and it will be clear that you don't have it. The instructions for installing it were good (although they talk about a file that isn't there - just ignore that.)
br /
br /I'm a Mom, so my primary use for the camera is capturing pictures of the kids. The nature of that means I need to have the camera ready to get video or stills at a moment's notice. Out of box (pre-firmware), if you were in photo mode, you would have to hit the button twice to get it back into video mode. The big problem is that there was a several second pause getting out of the viewing mode. By the time I got to video, my opportunity was lost. I was about ready to return it.
br /
br /Post-firmware, you can now keep it in video mode and still take photos. (Before you could only take photos while actively taking a video.) So, you just keep it in video mode and you are good. If you accidentally hit the mode button, you are still in the same situation, but I'll just have to get used to that.
br /
br /Why on earth they designed it with one button for three modes makes no sense whatsoever to me. There are seperate buttons for taking photos and taking video, so why even have two different modes at all? Just have one button (that's a little tougher to accidentally hit) that puts it into viewing mode. Or, at the very least, two buttons, one for viewing and one that switches it back and forth between video and photo so that you don't have the lag time going through viewing. Even if it is only on the touch screen. Hopefully they will release another firmware release that adds touch screen buttons to address the issue.
br /
br /Aside from that, the grip is weird to get used to, but I think I am going to like it. It does make it easy to hold the camera down low or up high to get better shots. The pictures and video in good light are great. And there is no stutter of the video if you are taking still pictures while shooting video.
br /
br /You will have to install the included software to view the videos. We couldn't get them to work with Windows Media Player or Quicktime, even with new codecs. Not a huge deal, just a little annoying.

I've been researching HD camcorders for sometime now and was thrilled to get this one. Of course with everything there is good and bad and I'll explain it all, there's a bit to cover.
br /
br /First, the camera is heavier then it looks, which for me is ok because I know that its made with metal parts and not all plastic. Its very sleek looking and compact, smaller then I thought. Its a shiny metallic black which is also a fingerprint magnet.
br /
br /The swivel handle grip is comfortable but I find that holding your hand with your fingers pointing down and using your thumb to control the buttons makes things more stable and comfortable in the long run. The buttons for the most part are placed well, the power button is a two hander but is out of the way so there is no accidental shut off.
br /
br /The LCD screen...is a touch screen....WOW, its great, works very very well. Its very accurate and only needs a light touch. Yep another fingerprint magnet but its expected. All the settings and configurations are done thru the touch panel and are very easy to configure. Its got beeps and noises like the bridge of the Enterprise from Star Trek. The 2.7 inch display is super super sharp, I was very impressed with it. It also has a set of controls for W/T zoom and start/stop record which is great because you don't have to use your hand that is holding the camera steady, although there are the same controls for that hand too.
br /
br /Its got loads of features the main one being its full 1080P HD (1920x1080) plus a standard mode and even a slow motion. It has a 4mp still camera (with flash), in a pinch its good, test photos looked sharp but your limited with settings so stick to your separate D.C. for stills. There's a photo shutter button for snapping photos. I did find that you can't have both at the same time, meaning either still camera or video, It would have been nice to take a still of what your videoing.
br /
br /It comes with 8 GB of memory built in which is enough for around 70 minutes of full HD recording. You can expand it with a simple SD card (not included). The camcorder has an array of settings like Scene mode, white balance, exposure, anti-shake (i'll mention this later), digital effects, and manual settings for all the majors.
br /
br /I did some test video both indoors and out and for the most part it was all pretty good. The colors were on the money and looked great. They were very accurate. Low light shots got a bit grainy but most camcorders have that issue. There's no infra red for night shots only a scene setting that helps a little. Daylight shots were vibrant and well detailed and well exposed using all the auto features.
br /
br /The Anti-Shake feature is a joke...ahhh man, this is the big disappointment of the camera. Anti-shake has been around for so long and I had really hoped it would have been good on this camera but its not. The big reason I stick with still cameras is because of the shake. Most of my videos made me sick from the shake. Being the small size of the camera i think has to do with it but its really bad. The shake was bad zoomed out and horrible zoomed in.
br /
br /It also comes with a docking station that has all the external ports like USB, HDMI and AC this way you can basically plug-and-play. It was very easy to connect to a TV. My test videos for the most part looked sharp with no noise/grain and true colors but I didn't get that HD wow. Maybe I'm expecting too much? I'll have to test it some more but honestly I didn't see that HD WOW. The quality in general was way better then my Canon DV camcorder which is a few years old now but I guess I expected HD like the Discovery Channel.
br /
br /Is it worth $600 bucks...mmmm not really, $400 yes, the video is good but just not great. Again, this is only after a days messing around and in the Fall season so most of anything nice isn't around to further test. I'll bring it around over the Holidays and update this review.

This has excellent HD quality in a tiny camera...
br /Pros:
br /
br /- Very Good HD quality for a point and shoot video camera.
br /- small, light, and ergonomic.
br /- easy to show off your videos and photos using my ps3
br /
br /Cons:
br /
br /- Limited Manual controls, wish they exposed shutter and iris controls.
br /kinda of a waste... Such a good image quality with very little control.
br /- Navigating through menus and modes are clunky and slow.
br /- videos are have approx. 1.5x crop factor. Can't get wide angle shots.
br /
br /Because of its excellent 1080p HD quality, it's easy to use, light to carry around, and easy to show my videos to friends and family... I like this camera alot as my "Vacation" camera.
br /
br /
br /
br /

After returning a different camcorder because of disappointing video quality I researched a bit harder and ended up buying the HMX20.
br /
br /I am very happy with the Samsung- videos taken in decent light are gorgeous and sharp, well exposed, and with nice contrast. I haven't noticed compression artifacts or aliasing. Also, the ability to record progressive frames is important as I look at clips on a computer monitor, and don't really understand the point of recording interlaced images. On the downside, the electronic image stabilization doesn't appear to be that good, although I haven't been able to find a lab-test for this. This means hand-held shots at full zoom are pretty shaky, although handheld videos are fine when you are zoomed out. As the widest angle view is not really wide enough (this seems common for the current crop of camcorders) I will probably pick up a wideangle converter at some point.
br /
br /As other reviews have mentioned, this camera is extremely Mac friendly, and video clips can be played in Quicktime directly from the SD card. This is very convenient, especially since a number of common editing programs dont run on Macs. Look into MPEG Streamclip, a free mpeg converter which has been very helpful.
br /
br /A full battery charge has been giving me about an hour of normal recording (including zooming and a bit of clip viewing), which also seems to be about right to mostly fill up an 8gb memory card with HD footage.
br /
br /Overall I have been very pleased with this camera.

I have been watching Mpeg-4 cameras to see if they could become usuable. So far, the stock AVCHD cameras have provided images that were so compressed all they were good for were shoot and display; editing the video was an utter pain. The artifacting made the contrast too hard, and the standard AVCHD file was decidedly unstandard with the streams unmuxed and the framerates inconsistent. Lotsa luck trying to get QuickTime compliant apps like Final Cut to deal with the video.
br /
br /The Samsung SC-HMX20 delivers something new: an H264 mpeg-4 file that is not so highly compressed (the 1080p files have a 14.85 mbit/sec bandwidth) and the mpeg wrapper file is fully QuickTime compliant so editing is not a problem. The images aren't perfect (there's still artifacting and banding where colors and contrasts converge), but its head and shoulders above any other AVCHD camera. The 1080p image is quite handsome, but sometimes doesn't handle fast motion so well. The camera claims to shoot in 1080i, but it doesn't work on the Mac so I haven't been able to check that. It would be terrific if the camera could shoot both 1080p (for resolution) AND 720p (for fast motion). I guess that's asking for too much at this price.

Samsung SC-HMX20C
br /
br /I'm in no means a professional at using video cameras, nor am I willing to spend the kind of $$$ required for such equipment, but I did want a video camera that would record in HD, not break the bank and still offer plenty of cool features and acceptable performance.
br /I found what I required in this Samsung HMX20C. Priced right for what you get at around $600-800, offers good battery life of about 90 minutes and enables you ease to carry by slipping it into your jacket pocket, hold about 2 hours of video in 1080P mode, edit ability through your Windows XP, a full 8gb hard drive built in so additional cards will not be necessary unless you plan on being gone away from your computer for more than a day and it offers slow motion if you need it, although not while in HD mode.
br /I've used the little Samsung for my daughters programs at school inside of a well lit auditorium and outside in good daylight and I was very impressed with its performance. I have not tried it yet indoors in poorly lit areas, but if it performs nearly as good in doors as it does outside, I'll be content. The optical zoom of 10X is more than plenty adequate.
br /I like Samsung products, as I have always had very good luck with their performance and durability. This camera was dropped once while handing it over to my daughter. I was a little worried because it fell about three feet onto concrete, but I was extremely happy to see it worked flawlessly even after the drop with no damage what so ever or even a scratch.
br /I don't believe you will see this camera in the hands of any professionals, but for using it for basic functions at school, at home or for any family type of get-together, you'll be completely happy with it.
br /I rate this camera a 4-Star. I could have given it a 5-Star except like so many other new electronic products, they tend to load it with a lot of whistles and bells that will probably not get utilized much by everyday type photographers.
br /

Overall an OK camera, just a few drawbacks killed it.
br /* The Image stability system doesn't work. The picture is jetty at long end of the zoom all the time.
br /* Although all files are recorded in MP4 format, the 1080-60i and 1080-30p files are not compatible with most existing video players/converters including QuickTime Player. Even for those that do(like Corel video studio), the file format requires a lot of CPU. This is currently the most headache problem for guys like me who watch/manage their videos mostly on PC. Since the most stupid invention in video format history -- AVCHD by the three stupid musketeers, suddenly you found your PC is obsolete. I don't get it: Canon/Panasonic are not major PC manufacturer, -- Maybe the evil emperor SONY benefits a little bit, but that's just the way SONY has always been -- Why would they invent such a stupid awkward format that's not compatible with most player? And force you to upgrade your PC? And now even Samsung followed the same path down the road. Why? Why can't they just use plain old MP4? Lots of other manufacturers do, like Sanyo. Maybe this is just how big manufacturers play their game: Ouu! I am all so powerful! I am the King! You are just gonna do what I ask you to do!
br /

The Samsung SC-HMX20C is one of the very few solid state camcorders capable of recording full 1080 progressive video directly into flash memory. It comes with a decent 8GB of built-in memory and an SD/SDHC memory slot. I was able to use a 16GB SDHC card (class 6) with no problems.
br /
br /It is about the size and shape of a standard soft drink can, and weighs a little over 1 lb ready to shoot.
br /
br /The handle on the side is articulated and flips down, which makes it extremely convenient to hold at various heights, such as waist-level for better point-of-view when fiming children.
br /
br /The controls are simple and clearly laid out. The most common controls (movie/still/playback, zoom, power, record) are immediately accessible and conveniently located. A few other simple hard buttons can be found once you open up the flip viewfinder, as well as a USB and AV/HD connector behind a little sliding door. Most of the controls and settings are accessible via the touch screen menu, which is a mixed blessing because it inevitably becomes all smudged up pretty quickly. The menus are clearly laid out, however some features are buried too many levels deep or are too cumbersome to use. For instance, the manual focus requires pressing soft +/- buttons on the screen, which is not terribly practical.
br /
br /There is no eyelet viewfinder, not really a problem on a consumer-grade camcorder. The articulated flip-out monitor screen is pretty standard fare on modern camcorders, this one is excellent, very bright and crisp, with very good resolution and color fidelity. It is visible in bright daylight.
br /
br /Surprisingly for a camcorder, the SC-HMX20C is capable of taking excellent still pictures. It's no substitute for an SLR, but a very suitable replacement for an average point-and-shoot camera. It has a reasonably powerful pop-up flash and the pictures I took in both bright and dim indoor conditions came out great (as long as I used the flash indoors). It also has a great feature which lets you grab a video frame simply by pressing the "PHOTO" button during playback. The frame will be listed along with other pictures you took in photo mode. Not revolutionary, but very clever and user-friendly.
br /
br /Video can be shot in one of the following modes: 1080p 30fps, 1080i 60fps, 480p 60fps, or an unusual slow-motion format which records 300 448x336 frames per second (no sound). The slow motion mode can be a fascinating tool when filming athletes or wildlife, unfortunately it is limited to 10 second clips (which play back as 50 second clips in slow motion). Sadly, there is no 720p mode. Although 720p seems to be on its way out now that higher resolution displays are available, the 1080 format's requirements are still out of reach of many users in terms of processing power and storage; this is an omission that will disappoint more than a few people.
br /
br /The package contains:
br /* camcorder
br /* 1-hour battery
br /* power adapter
br /* docking station
br /* USB cable
br /* AV/composite, S-video and audio cable
br /* AV/component and audio cable
br /* Cyberlink DVD Suite software CD (Windows only)
br /* Manual CD
br /* soft carry pouch
br /
br /The charging adapter can be connected to the dock or directly to the back of the camera. The AV adapters can also be connected to the side of the camcorder as well as the docking station, but the HDMI connector is only available on the dock.
br /
br /A standard tripod thread is available on the bottom of the camcorder.
br /
br /Here are the pros and cons I have been able to determine after a couple of weeks of use.
br /
br /PROS:
br /* Excellent 1080p quality. On the right equipment the pictures are bright, contrasted and the high definition really shines
br /* Doubles as a very capable point-and-shoot still camera
br /* Built-in pop-up flash makes the still camera fully usable in all conditions
br /* Basic operation is very easy (grandma-friendly)
br /* Interesting and unusual features (slow motion)
br /* Convenient automatic lens cover protects the lens as soon as it is no longer needed
br /* Very high quality build
br /
br /CONS:
br /* No 720p mode (1080 contains too much data and will choke a 1st-gen MacBook on playback)
br /* Lackluster low-light performance (typical of consumer grade camcorders in this price range)
br /* No night mode
br /* No built-in light (the flash is only used for still shots)
br /* No wide angle (the widest end is insufficient for comfortably shooting indoors)
br /* Fairly heavy; odd shape makes it difficult to carry in a pocket
br /
br /This is an excellent camcorder with unique features and a great choice as long as you don't mind its lack of 720p support.

OUT OF THE BOX
br /
br /What a treat it was to get this camcorder! It comes with a charging stand, which I prefer to just plugging directly into a wall. It took about 1 ½ hours to charge and I have about 90 minutes of recording time on my battery. That is so nice.
br /
br /I have a choice of memory cards, either SDHC or MMCplus -- or I could go with the internal memory, which gives me 75 minutes in superfine mode. That is a huge plus. There have been many a time when I've brought my camera or camcorder with me only to find I've forgotten to put a memory card in or the memory card is full. No need to worry here. I have a built-in backup.
br /
br /The filmed images at night under incandescent light is somewhat grainy, but I haven't found a camcorder which wasn't grainy at night. The graininess is less than my other camcorders, so it's better than I expected.
br /
br /The sound is clean and crisp, no static or distortion. I have no complaints.
br /
br /When I zoom, the image is shaky. Whatever stabilization feature the camera has, it's not enough. I would need a tripod to help with that. Even at wide angle, it takes effort to keep the image stable. My son keeps asking why I'm shaking the camcorder so much. I'm not trying to shake the camcorder.
br /
br /Daytime video quality is good. It does take a little time to focus sometimes, but it was fast enough to not bother me. Except for the shakiness, I do like the quality when viewed on my television.
br /
br /The menu is intuitive. I have no problem navigating the touchscreen and I realize this isn't always the case with camcorders. It's well thought out and I appreciate the ease of use.
br /
br /
br /CAMERA FUNCTION
br /
br /I can take photos as I film. What a marvelous feature. There have been countless times when I wanted to do both and had to choose. Or maybe I was filming and realized that was a Kodak moment that I missed. I can now do both, and boy have I utilized that feature. This has to be the absolute strongest selling point of this camcorder.
br /
br /The flash pops up out of the camcorder and gives plenty of light, but it doesn't happen if I am taking photos in filming mode. For that, I need to be in camera mode. The red eyes appear less noticeable than in other cameras and there is a strobe feature to reduce red eye.
br /
br /The photo resolution is better than any other camcorder I own. I have yet to get my photos back from developing and will update my review when I get them.
br /
br /
br /HANDLING
br /
br /The size and shape would make the grip a bit awkward, but the swivel grip helps with that. I just wish the record button wasn't so far down low to the right. It's just difficult for me to reach that position with my right thumb. It would have been better to locate that button somewhere near the top of the camcorder,
br /
br /
br /SOFTWARE
br /
br /The software included is Cyberlink DVD Suite. I don't know what's wrong, whether it's my computer or a softward glitch, but I just can't get it to work. Actually, it's most likely my ancient computer. I have a Compact Presario SR1930NX with 960 MB of RAM. I work a long time to get the video I want and then it won't burn the CD and it's very frustrating. I tried MediaShow and that worked, but it has fewer bells and whistles.
br /
br /
br /THE FINER POINTS -- details which would make life nice
br /
br /The camcorder is missing a neck/shoulder strap. I'm not sure if that is a plus or minus. I found myself wanting one yesterday, when I was lugging it around to film a birthday party. Then again, the strap on my other camcorder was an annoyance. Putting it in and out of the bag, it just kept finding a way to get stuck on Velcro. It was nice not to have a strap to get in the way. I find myself going either way on this feature.
br /
br /The lens opens and shuts automatically as needed.. I like that because I never have to remember to close it.
br /
br /A small annoyance is the shell is just too shiny on the side with the screen. It just gets covered in my fingerprints. Wish they have made it more like the rest of the body.
br /
br /Something I never expected to have but is a nice plus is the slideshow feature. I am used to scrolling through my photos. This is the first time I could play a slideshow to music with fading effects on the camera at the touch of a button That's so cool. The music only plays when the photos are on the internal memory. Still a nice feature.
br /
br /
br /Pros:
br /+Nice video quality
br /+Good sound
br /+Lens opens and closes automatically
br /+Take photos while filming
br /+Internal memory with about 75 minutes of recording time in superfine mode
br /+Long battery life
br /+Slideshow feature
br /+Pop-up flash
br /+Choice of optional memory cards SDHC or MMCplus
br /+Good photo quality
br /+Intuitive menu
br /
br /Cons:
br /-Image can be grainy at night
br /-Image stabilization could use improvement
br /-Record button located in an awkward position
br /-Shell is a fingerprint magnet
br /-Software didn't work for me
br /
br /
br /Overall, this is a fantastic camcorder. I highly recommend it.
br /
br /UPDATE: I got the photos back from Snapfish. They are good and I wouldn't know they came from a camcorder. Even the ones I took while in filming mode were good. The ones I took in camera mode were better, but only ever so slightly so when taken in daylight. Very nice photo quality, especially for a camcorder.

I've only owned the camera a short time (2 weeks.) So far the picture in day light shots is superb. Vivid color and true HD quality. At night it is a little grainy. In comparison to my old JVC Envrino the Samsung is much more competent at dark/night video. I like the touchscreen interface. It is not for everyone (I read several reviews before the purchase) I cruise through them menu system with no effort. The software is great for basic video editing and DVD production. I can't wait to try out the slow-mo, I need to conceive a great project to enjoy this feature. Any Ideas?

I was offered a Samsung SC-HMX20C 8GB High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom via the Amazon Vine program for review, and it had some intriguing possibilities. Easy-to-understand menu structure, and great video quality. I'm far from a vid expert, so I won't be able to intelligently detail pros and cons that someone who shoots professionally. But the design lends itself to my son's expectations perfectly...
br /
br /He rides a fixed gear bike and has competed in a number of alleycat competitions. He's also quite adept at trick riding, and has often wanted to do some YouTube videos. The Samsung ergonomic design is perfect for shooting those types of clips. The tubular shape fits perfectly in the palm of the hand for excellent angle control. It can also be held with the hand facing downward to get ground-angle shots with no strain. The view screen swivels for easy viewing as he's shooting under different conditions. And best of all, the zoom controls are located perfectly for one-handed fingertip control. All in all, he's extremely excited about the camera and the results he can get for shooting his way to YouTube fame.
br /
br /I'm very happy with the camera for what I had in mind, and I'm sure we'll get plenty of use from it over time... or until he runs over it... whichever comes first.

Imagine that you're out on a date with a beautiful lady. Everything's going great and you're having a wonderful time. And then something weird happens and the whole night sort of folds up. That's how I feel about this camcorder. The specs make it sound great, but the bottom line is how the pictures come out and that's where I've been disappointed.
br /
br /First the good stuff... If you're outside and have a tripod (or monopod), the pictures are terrific. At HD 1080p, they're sharp and the colors are great. Take it to your kid's sports activities or a picnic, Bar-B-Q or camping trip and you'll be really happy with the results. The docking/charging station can stay at home and remain plugged into your home theater system...when you get home you just place the camera on the little pedestal and you can play your movies and (assuming that you've connected the USB port) upload files to your computer. Using the camera is equally simple. The display is a touch screen. It's really easy to navigate through the menus and control the camera. I've found it to be much easier to use than other cameras with lots of buttons. (Of course, a traditional "record" button is still found on the back of the camera body.) The use of the internal flash memory, along with additional SDHC cards means that the camera is absolutely silent. If you're trying to be unobtrusive, you can also disable the red recording light...that's useful when you're trying to capture a candid shot.
br /
br /Now, the not so good stuff... First, my indoor pictures, shot using the available light, haven't been that great. The still pictures, in particular, show a lot of multicolor noise. The noise affects the movies (although it averages out somewhat in the moving image, there's still a loss in overall quality) but the still frames have been unusable. I'd give it a "C" for indoor movies, but an "F" for indoor stills. Frankly, this was really surprising since both the Samsung's image sensor and lens opening are quite large and I'd assumed that the low light sensitivity would be good. (I wouldn't give so much weight to the still picture capability if it wasn't so prominently featured as one of the camera's features...the reliance on which resulted in blowing a lot of pictures at my father's 80th birthday...)
br /
br /Next, the image stabilization is next to worthless. If you can hold the camera almost still, it'll take it the rest of the way and provide a stable image. In practice, I'm not sure that anybody can hold it that still for very long...I certainly can't and I've had a lot of experience with movie cameras. I have a much less expensive Canon (the FS-100) where the image stabilization works a whole lot better.
br /
br /Last, the widest angle of the zoom is barely wide enough for shooting indoors in close quarters. It's fine for a single person or two, but group shots are impossible unless you can back up far enough. You can, of course, always pan the camera across the crowd, but that's not exactly the same thing.
br /
br /So...this camera is worth looking at, but think about your needs critically before purchase. Compare the different manufacturers and, if possible, try them out before you buy.
br /

Like other reviewers have mentioned, this Samsung SC-HMX20C camcorder is absolutely excellent for those using Mac OS X, as it uses .mp4 files which are natively played by OS X with no plugins needed. You can even use the Quicklook function of OS X Leopard to play the files with the space bar.
br /
br /I'll add some pros/cons to this model so those camcorder hunting get some more info!
br /
br /Pros:
br /
br /+ Quite a small device
br /+ Quality is PRETTY good for 1080p
br /+ Also does standard definition video
br /+ Menus are VERY easy to navigate. Most people will NOT need to consult the manual
br /+ Files are easily found on internal storage/memory card and aren't proprietary, so very easy to get them off onto your computer.
br /+ Nice little carry pouch included
br /+ Battery and memory card easy to access
br /+ External microphone jack (a must for anyone making "movies")
br /+ Easy interface for playing back the movies on the camera itself
br /+ You can turn off the blinking "Recording" light so people won't feel as self-conscious. I know that I always shy away when I see that blinking or solid red light on the front of camcorders!
br /
br /Cons:
br /
br /- Low-light recording is, in a word, appalling. Lots of noise present, though to be fair this is VERY typical for small-sensor camcorders
br /- The "Record" button is a little awkwardly placed for my big hands. It's positioned too close to the hand-strap so my thumb doesn't enjoy the placement
br /- You can only charge the battery by using the included charging stand base, which is ridiculous really.
br /- You can only connect via HDMI to your TV using the charging stand base AND ONLY THEN if the stand is connected to a power source. I have no idea why this is...
br /- Focus speed is "adequate," but the device isn't that fast at closing or opening its aperture to take into account moving to a dark inside from a bright outside and vice versa.
br /- No ability for shallow depth of field (e.g. the ball in focus but the person in the distance out of focus, etc..)
br /- No 720p recording. Only 480/1080i/p.
br /- Some macro-blocking (break up of pixels) visible, ESPECIALLY in low light.
br /- Zoom toggler isn't as smooth and slow as "pro" camcorders, though this is to be expected. Just wish you could zoom in/zoom out a little slower..
br /
br /Overall, this camera is worth the money. It's a step above a point-and-shoot camera's video mode in that it does HD video, is significantly better quality, has a user-friendly touch-screen interface, and overall feels quite solid.
br /
br /I would, however, recommend that since media is so cheap nowadays, invest in a few SDHC cards and DON'T use the internal memory. If you drop the camera and destroy it, or it stops working, at least your memory cards will likely survive. The in-built memory will be lost forever, though...
br /
br /4.5/5.

I should preface this review by saying that I don't own an HMX20, but I've spent a lot of time with one to decide if I should and I wanted to share my experiences. What it comes down to, in my opinion, is that this camcorder is attempting to do a lot of things that just aren't possible yet in its form-factor. It has some really neat features, but when all is said and done if they aren't practically useful and its functionality as a video recorder doesn't do quite the job of its competitors it just isn't worth buying. Unless you're thinking about buying the Panasonic HDC-SD9 for some reason, I would go with several other cameras before this one.
br /
br /That said, there are some cool things. The slow motion feature is very good and works very well. The problem is that if you're buying a 1080p camcorder, chances are you actually care about having your video in high definition. The slow motion video's resolution is less than that of standard definition video, so you can't really use it for anything practical. If you're just uploading to YouTube or something like that then it's sufficient, but that's about it. You can also record at standard definition at a frame rate of 60fps. This is a little more acceptable, however you can easily get this frame rate with the less expensive Sanyo HD1000 and you can get it at 720p.
br /
br /Speaking of the HD1000, there is one other similarity I'd like to point out. The HD1000 has a very poor image stabilizer and so does the HMX20. They both are really worst of class in that regard. Auto focus on both units is also sluggish and often inaccurate. Both handle low light about the same, which is okay, and take wonderful video in well-lit places (but how many camcorders don't?).
br /
br /The HMX20 does have a nice feature for focusing, however. It would be more usable if the camcorder could keep the image still, but nonetheless I liked it a lot. You can use the touch screen to just touch the object you want to focus on and it will. It takes 3-4 seconds to finally get around to doing it, but it's extremely accurate. I'd love to see this implemented in more cameras and camcorders, but with a much faster operation. Canon's VIXIA line has super-quick auto focus units (Instant AF, as they call it) and an excellent optical image stabilizers (OIS). Paired with this feature, Canon would have a very nice line (not that they don't already--I think the VIXIA line is pretty much top of class in most features, and definitely top of class overall). Nonetheless, I think this is something we'll see from Sony first. While their stabilization and autofocus isn't quite as good as Canon's, in my opinion, it's still rather good and at least smoothes out any shaky motion so nobody feels like vomiting after watching your kid waterski for the first time.
br /
br /While the HMX20 does record in 1080p, I wouldn't say the quality of the video is really any better than Canon's VIXIA line. While I've messed around with an HF10, an HV20, an HV30 and an HG10, I'm comparing this specifically to the HF100 that I own and love. The video quality is great for a consumer camcorder, even though it's faux-30p/24p. I think it's going to be a couple of years before we start to see proper 1080p. That said, the HMX20 is definitely a world better than Panasonic's HDC-SD9. That's probably because that camera uses three standard definition CCD sensors and pretends they're 1080p, but we're not talking about the HDC-SD9.
br /
br /The body of the HMX20 is a bit bigger than I'd expected. Most cameras in its class are a bit smaller, and if you want something that can handle 1080i or 1080p at pocket size, you're really only looking at Sony's HDR-TG1 (although the Sanyo HD1000 is still pretty small and could fit into your pocket uncomfortably). That said, it fits nicely into your hand. It's easy to move. I don't really see how the swivel grip is particularly helpful but I do appreciate that you can adjust the camera to fit you comfortably. It's also pretty good looking on the outside.
br /
br /On the inside--which in this case I mean the menu system--it's also pretty attractive. Not only that, it's easy to use. Samsung's organization of features, for the most part, is very straightforward and clear. It's not hard to find 80-90% of what's there and you can change settings really quickly. With that in mind, I can't even begin to understand why they designed the mode switcher the way they did. If you want to switch from video to photo or photo to playback (or playback to video again) you have to press a button. It takes a few seconds and you have to go in linear order, rather than just jumping to the one you want. If the switch were instant it wouldn't be a big deal, but if you're on playback and suddenly need to get a photo you're going to miss it. Six seconds is a long time when something just happens. While I understood that maybe they were a bit rushed with the HMX10, it doesn't really make sense that they didn't change this with the HMX20. They had time and, if they read, must have known that nobody liked the way modes switch. So far I have to favorites for switching. Sanyo doesn't really require it so that's a plus--you can just take photos any time without issue. Sony's HDR-TG1 lets you switch by flicking a button. While I don't prefer this, it's so fast and the button is so comfortable that it's actually kind of fun. If I have to switch modes to take a photo, I'd want to do it the way the HDR-TG1 does it. Unfortunately that camcorder takes relatively poor photos, though I did take a couple today and print them out and it wasn't that bad.
br /
br /Photos on the HMX20 are not bad. Once again another company has pushed megapixels over quality and given the HMX20 an 8MP sensor. As a result, pictures are a bit noisier than they ought to be. Nonetheless, it does a decent job for a camcorder. So far I have yet to see a camcorder that can take a picture good enough to warrant using it for that purpose, but if you have a (D)SLR already and don't want a hybrid device for your everyday pictures (so you don't have to also buy a point-and-shoot camera) then this should get the job done all right.
br /
br /The HMX20 is an AVCHD camera so it comes with all the drawbacks and benefits of being one. This isn't a review of AVCHD so I won't get into that, but if you're unfamiliar with the pros and cons of the format I'd suggest doing a little research before you decide it's for you--especially if you have a PowerPC Mac (in which case it's almost definitely not for you).
br /
br /There isn't a whole lot more to say about it. It's not a bad camcorder and it has some very cool features, but the quality of the video isn't good enough to warrant buying it regardless of how neat they might be. And they're more neat in theory than in practice. The touch focus is a very cool idea but not implemented well enough to use in most situations. The slow motion is wonderful and fun but at too low of a resolution to use alongside the HD video you probably bought the thing for. If you're just planning on using it for its 1080p recording capabilities and its easy-to-use interface and controls, you'll probably be fairly happy with what you get. That said, if you intend to zoom in on anything you better be able to keep yourself stable, at least.
br /
br /Overall, my recommendation would be to get something else. I say that not because this camcorder is bad--it isn't--but because there are several other options that are better. I expect Samsung to step it up in a year or two. Hopefully for them, the other companies won't get too far ahead in the same time.

I don't have much time for this initial report, but let's set a few things straight:
br /
br /1/ I uses H.264 format with an MP4 wrapper.
br /2/ When I look at it on my HD monitor I am astounded by the picture as compared with my XDCAM. It's not the same but I can intercut with it for a number of applications. AVHCD is too compressed. It seems everyone but Samsung has gone to AVHCD for the $1000 market.
br /
br /
br /2/ The swivel grip works really well for running low to the ground.
br /
br /3/ It has an external mic jack.
br /
br /4/ It doesn't have a Lanc jack, like all the other non-HDV tape based options.
br /
br /5/ It works beautifully with my FCP 6.0 app, it's quicktime.
br /
br /Gotta go.
br /
br /Bill

I had a chance to own both this Samsung SC-HMX20C and Canon HF100. Comparing to Canon HF100, this Samsung unit has:
br /
br /Pros:
br /1. 8G internal memory.
br /2. 8M pixels still picture recording
br /
br /Cons:
br /1. No optical stabilization which is my biggest complain. It has a electronic stabilization which is totally useless.
br /2. Hard/slow to focus compared to HF100
br /3. Slow when switching between Camcorder/Camera/Watching mode.
br /5. Slow when zoom in/out.
br /6. Bucky.
br /7. Pricy. $80 more than HF100.
br /
br /In my opinion, this camcorder needs big improvement.

--------------
br /General specs
br /--------------
br /-flash-based design has 8GB of internal memory which allows ~71 minutes of recording time (but you can also use a SDHC memory card if you want)
br /-the camera uses MPEG-4(.mp4) which is MAC OSX friendly
br /- shoots in 4 resolutions : 1080p/30p , 1080i/60i, 480p/60p an 300fps SlowMotion
br /-10x optical zoom
br /Camcorder Sensor Resolution- 6.4 Megapixels
br /-Continuous still image capture during video recording: up to 5 pictures per second.
br /
br /---------------
br /Image Capture
br /---------------
br /Image Format JPEG
br /Max Vertical Image Resolution -1728 pixels
br /Max Horizontal Image Resolution -3268 pixels
br /Built-in Auto Flash
br /
br /---------------
br /Battery Life- 1.5 hours from regular battery
br /---------------
br /
br /
br /best thing is this camera is easy to use with macs
br /because the canon vixia hf100 was a little difficult to use with mac software
br /

All other things aside this camera does not have Time Lapsed Recording (the lower end models that do not support HD have Time Lapsed Recording).
br /
br /The utter shocker for me was that this camera does not support firmware. Their sites indicate in a couple places that it does. But the camera does not ever display it, and the instructions to install it are based on the non-HD cameras. Thus those instructions are actually wrong. You can not complete the steps.
br /
br /I find firmware to be a fundamental requirement on devices of this complexity and price. They future proof the device allowing existing features to be enhanced, new features to be added.
br /
br /But ultimately the point of firmware is to protect the buyer against bad releases. There are several ways in which the software in my camera break.
br /
br /For example:
br /Continuous Shot, Anti-Shake, Digital Zoom, Expose are all disabled in the interface. There is no way to turn these features on... unless
br /You enter and exit Easy-Q mode then these UI components will turn on and you can enable the feature(except Digital Zoom but who wants that anyway).
br /
br /Here is the kicker though, once you turn on Continuous Shot and switch to Play mode to see the pictures you took, you can not leave Continuous Shot mode. The UI component is disabled again.
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br /However enter and exit Easy-Q mode and the Continuous Shot mode will be turned off.
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br /Absence of upgradable firmware is plain delinquency on the part of Samsung, it should never happen on a device of this level of function and cost.