Sony is the latest to jump on the 3D band wagon at consumer/prosumer level with the release of the HDR-TD10 camcorder. Using two fixed Sony G lenses, each with its own Exmore processor, the TD10 is no lightweight at 630g and has stacked on a bit of a podge too compared to a standard camcorder being at least as half as thick again.

And I reckon Sony has had a rummage through the old models parts bin too, as goodness me, isn’t that an LCD from the old TRV10 series? A full 9cm diagonally? No viewfinder though (sigh).

Full 5.1 audio is built in, and a little image on the screen shows which tdirection the sound is being picked up from by the 5 in 1 mic which is front mounted. The top of the HD10 has a photo button (which will not operate in 3D which is selected by a switch above the battery; images at 7.1 megapixels – not too shabby) and a left/right zoom rocker. The start/stop recording button is in the usual position on the right rear quarter.

Also on the rear are two flip up panels that reveal AV out / HDMI / headphone and mic in ports. To my mind, this is one of the best layout setups I have seen; more than once I have had to hunt around to find some hidden orifice tucked away somewhere, and this location makes perfect sense.

Under the LCD are buttons for power, play and to switch the display (which is excellent) between 2D and 3D – and note, you do NOT need 3D glasses to see the play back on the LCD. There is also an SD card slot here although there is also 64GB flash memory on board.

However, the most important control on the TD10 is the one for depth control; without knowing how this works – and reading the supplied paper-based manual is essential here – your 3D movies will look decidedly queasy! To get this right, there is a button on the front of the camera that when turned (after pressing Manual) lets you set the 3D depth when recording. And unlike the Panasonic 3D camcorder (which to be fair is a lens adaptor), with the Sony you can zoom up to 10X in 3D. THIS is where knowing the 3D depth settings are vital.

All the expected features are there such as Face Detection, Intelligent Auto, Backlight Compensation etc although Smooth Slow Rec, Golf Shot Mode, And Smile Shutter only works in 2D mode. Shame, the Golf Shot Mode in 3D would have been very interesting!

And hallelujah! Sony DOES supply a mini HDMI cable with the HDR TC10. Maybe our ranting has finally paid off. You also get a remote control, AV cable and USB cable too. The supplied software, Picture Motion Browser, is a bit how’s your father – it would be much better to invest in Sony’s own Vegas Movie Studio HD methinks.

At $2199 this is not an inexpensive camcorder, but it is a fully featured one with 3D thrown in. If that is the way you want to go, this is the way to do it – at this stage of the game anyway.

Vendor: Sony Australia www.sony.com.au

Price:  $2199

Auscam Ratings  

Ease of use:                         8

Features:                     9

Build quality:                         9

Value for money:  8

We liked: Fully featured, 3D lens, 3D depth control, LCD

We didn’t like: It’s pricey, bit bulky, no viewfinder

By David Hague

David is the owner and publisher of AusCam Online. He has a background in media dating back to 1979 when he first got involved with photojournalism in motorsport, and went from there into technology via a 5 year stint with Tandy Computers. Following that, he ran a software distribution company on the Gold Coast and was one of the first to recognise the potential of Microsoft Windows.

Moving back to WA, David wrote scripts for Computer Television for video training for the just released Windows and Office 95 among others, and was then lured to Sydney to create web sites for the newly commercial Internet in 1995, building hundreds of sites under contract to OzEmail including Coates Hire, Hertz Queensland, John Williamson, the NSW Board of Studies and many, many more.

He went back into full time journalism as the Managing Editor for Channel 7's 'Gadget Guy', Peter Blasina's publications VideoCamera and Pixelmag, before starting Australasian Camcorder magazine when these publications were shelved. He lives at Sydney's Avalon Beaches nearly on the ocean front with dog Budweiser and in his spare time is a nut for motor sport, road safety, fishing, science fiction - especially Dr Who - and technology.

David can be contacted via david@auscamonline.com