Shola's Home Gadgets

I've just bought a new gadget, it is the Hitachi DZ-HV565E HD digital camcorder which will be replacing my Sanyo Xacti CA6 which I still have, but was a camcorder I didn't like!



The Hitachi camcorder was a birthday present from my wife, and has already been put to use for recording high definition driving lesson videos with very good clarity as shown below (high speed ADSL broadband internet connection required for this video clip).



This gadget reminds me of my first digital camcorder the Sanyo Xacti C40 which I loved so much and was gutted when it got lost or stolen under misterious circumstances.
It has many of the features of the Sanyo C40 that were missing in the CA6.
Rotatable LCD screen, full size tripod mount, can also take photographs as well as record HD video, the only disappointment is that the battery can not be charged while in the camera. The Hitachi records to solid state SD cards, so is tapeless, which means quicker editing times of the quicktime mov files it produces (I use final cut express on a mac for editing, but I'm sure you can use Movie Maker or Adobe Premier Elements on the PC).

So far I've only used the Hitachi DZ-HV565E to record video, and have been happy with it, and I can see that it will get more use than my Sanyo Xacti CA6. One question that a lot of people often ask is what is the low light recording like? Being a semi-professional videographer, I tend not to shoot in low light as even the professionals use lights in daylight, not to talk of indoors, and I will be using it mostly for outdoor activities in the day.

If I do have a genuine reason for shooting in low light, I will let you know how I get on with the inbuilt LED lights on the front of the Hitachi hybrid camera.

I will post more video clips and photos from the DZ-HV565E once I've had more time to evaluate it, and would give a proper review then.

This Hitachi Camcorder Broke in 2012!

More Hitachi Camcorder views
DZ-HV565E Camera auto focus Issues.
Hitachi HD camcorder spare battery

My latest home gadget is the LG RZ37LZ55 HD ready LCD TV which I bought recently as part of my quest for a Digital Media Experience.

The LG RZ37LZ55 is an affordable good quality 37" HD ready LCD TV, and though it is not the latest model from LG, it still offers good value for money. Not every one will like the styling of the LG RZ37LZ55, especially with the 2 speakers on the side, which are not removable. It also comes with a desktop stand. The TV has an analogue tuner which I don't use, as I have a SKY box connected via scart RGB.

In terms of connectivity this home gadget the LG RZ37LZ55 offers 2 Scart sockets, 1 composite, 1 component, 1 VGA and 1 HDMI interface, so will connect to any device you can think of. A RS232 control interface is also included for those computer geeks who want computer control.

The quality of the picture is very good, and when I connect my gaming home gadget the XBOX 360 via the component input the HD picture is stunning.

What I don't like about this home gadget Non detachable speakers (not a lot of LCD or Plasmas have these anyway), but would have been nice especially as I intend to wall mount mine. The TV does not scan the inputs for a signal, so if I switch on the XBOX 360, switch off the SKY box, I get a no signal screen saver, it would have been nice if the LG RZ37LZ55 automatically detected that there was a signal on the component input and automatically switched to it (maybe this is available in more expensive sets?). When the aspect ratio on the TV is set to automatically detect from the broadcast signal it puts grey bars on the side of 4:3 broadcasts, I would prefer black. On the whole I'm pleased with the set. Points to note: The TV remote is supposed to be a programmable universal model, but I couldn't get the remote to control my SKY box or Samsung AV601 receiver. If you are used to CRT pictures, it takes time to get used to the LG RZ37LZ55 LCD HD ready TV, especially when watching poor quality broadcasts, as the high quality screen really shows the artefacts. I am still trying to get the picture settings adjusted right especially for watching DVDs, as the dark scenes from the movie 'Tears of the sun' where not watch able last night with the current settings, so you will need to adjust the factory preset settings.

I got mine from Dixon's Online for less that £1000 (2006), I got an automatic £25 web discount as well as an additional £10 pricerunner discount (check pricerunner site for the current discount code). Took 6 days to arrive from ordering. The price of the set seems to be coming down everyday, with some outlets now selling it for £900. I you are looking for an affordable 37" hd ready LCD, the LG RZ37LZ55 might fit the bill, as with everything, you get what you pay for, so don't expect this TV to out perform a similar sized LCD from a leading brand manufacturer.

LG RZ37LZ55 TV Problems

There have been a few problems reported on this LG TV, howver the only one I've encountered is the issue of the LCD TV not waking from stand by. I've not heard of a fix for this problem by LG, but since switching off the telly from the main and turning it back on again overides it, I can live with it. Update 2012: Almost 6 years of owning this High Definition LG TV, and I'm very satisfied with the product, it now is connected to a SKY HD box, and I watched the London 2012 olympics in full glory HD including Hussain Bolt and mates breaking the 100m relay record. LGs are reliable TVs.

High Definition TV HDTV, finally arrives in the UK as two of the major broadcasters today announced their plans to start HDTV transmissions in the UK.

The BBC plans to start HDTV trials with its coverage of the world cup and this years coverage of the Wimbledon championships.

BBC to start HD trials

SKY TV today also released prices for its HDTV service. With a monopoly of the satellite market, the prices are not cheap.

SKY HDTV

Its a bit early for me, and the price of SKY's system is too much for me to even consider. Did I mention I don't have a HD TV yet?