Canon HF10

(Camcorders)

"I've had this camera for over a week now. I tried the tape-based HV20 and the hard-drive based HG10 and I've decided on the flash-based HF10. IMO flash storage is the wave of the future for camcorders.

Video quality is excellent and even approaches HDV standards with the increased AVCHD bitrate - now at 17Mbps.

It has 16 GB of onboard flash memory and I added a 16 GB SDHC Class 4 card - sufficient for most users. I also upgraded to the BP-819 battery pack for an additional 3 hours or so of power.

The AVCHD footage is easy to export to a PC although you need a pretty beefy machine to work with these files. I use ULead Video Sudio 11.5 which works natively with m2ts files and editing is a snap. The AVCHD discs can be burned to DVD5's (30 mins) and DL-DVD9's (1 hour) - no need for a BluRay burner. These play flawlessly on my PS3 and Panny BD player.

Bottom line - this is the best AVCHD camcorder in the market so far."

Review date: 27 May, 2008

Toshiba HD-XA2

(DVD players)

"I agree with dblbogey7 on this one. It's the best for both HD DVD playback and for upconversion.

It also bitstreams all advanced audio so those with capable receivers should be pleased."

Review date: 12 Mar, 2008

Panasonic DMP-BD30K

(DVD players)

"For BluRay playback this Panasonic is BETTER than my PS3. I have it set to 1080p/24fps with an HDMI connection to a Sony VPL-VW50 1080p projector and a 110" screen.

Upconversion is a little on the soft side compared to my Toshiba HD-XA2/Reon but some people may actually prefer that.

This model bitstreams all advanced audio so no problems on my Denon receiver."

Review date: 12 Mar, 2008