Flash Memory Marvel: Panasonic's new 64GB HDC-TM350 reviewed

Panasonic has at last released its flagship HDC-TM350 3MOS AVCHD camcorder into the UK market - but in its own-brand high street retail stores only.

The new model inherits features of the ground-breaking TM300 but has now been given a whopping 64GB of built-in Flash Memory in addition to a high capacity SD (SDHC) card slot. That means that users can be out shooting full-specification 1920x1080 HD video with a potential 96GB of solid-state memory available for the recording and playback of video and stills.

We've had a play with this exciting new model and we're very impressed; the increased flash memory capacity is very welcome indeed - flash memory is the future of camcorder movie-making, for sure, but there's a host of other welcome features like special accessory shoe adaptor (for mics and lights), good manual controllability and also dedicated headphone output and microphone input sockets.

Like other models in the Panasonic "300" and even "200" series 3MOS AVCHD camcorders, the TM350 handles beautifully and will be welcomed by enthusiasts looking for a higher level of functionality - even if that means forking out more than £1000 for the privilege. A word of note, however; the HDC-TM350 will only be available in a Panasonic Store near you, and is limited in quantity to 200 in total. When they're gone they're gone so get in quick if you're tempted by its professional-quality recordings and comprehensive functionality.

See what we think of it in our exclusive Panasonic HDC-TM350 Review.

(CB)

Wireless transfers with Eye-Fi memory cards

The job of transferring your photos or movie clips from camera to computer and onwards to the internet has now been made a whole lot easier thanks to a true mobile wireless file transfer solution from a US technology company.

The introduction of three new products from Eye-Fi Inc. now make it possible to say goodbye to all the awkward cables required to connect your camera or camcorder to the Wi-Fi router or hub in order to copy across your files. Eye-Fi uses a SDHC memory card to do this wirelessly.

Available in the UK for the first time, the 4GB Eye-Fi cards will make saving and sharing memories effortless by allowing users to wirelessly upload photos and videos to their computer and the web.

Eye-Fi cards allow users to take photos and videos anywhere (like their existing memory card) and automatically upload their photos and videos as soon as the camera is within range of either the user’s Wi-Fi network or one to which he/she has access.

Three Eye-Fi cards will be available in the UK with a range of features: the Eye-Fi Home Video, the Eye-Fi Share Video and the Eye-Fi Pro, offering easy uploads and feature sets for every photo lover, from the simple snapper to the photography enthusiast. The cards will bring similar benefits to video camera users as well.

Eye-Fi Home Video – automatic photo and video backups to the computer
The Eye-Fi Home Video card is intended to save users time by wirelessly uploading JPEG photos and videos from their camera to their PC or Mac. Eye-Fi is designed to make file organisation easy since it will upload to any folder on their computer and arrange photos by date, and ­Mac users can even upload directly to iPhoto.

With its 4GB of flash memory, the Eye-Fi Home Video stores up to 2,000 photos or 90 minutes of video (depending on the recording format used) and facilitates automatic backup to the computer thanks to its wireless capabilities.

Eye-Fi Share Video – wireless saving & sharing on the Web
The Eye-Fi Share Video card makes saving and sharing effortless by automatically and wirelessly uploading photos and videos to the user’s computer and to the web.

Users can choose to upload their files to popular websites like Flickr, Facebook, Picasa, MobileMe or YouTube – all without the need for the computer to be turned on; Eye-Fi simply accesses the web via the user's Wi-Fi router connection. Privacy is assured by its Selective Transfer option - available with all Eye-Fi cards - giving users control over exactly which media files will be wirelessly uploaded.

Eye-Fi Pro – streamlining the professional's workflow
Professional users will benefit from Eye-Fi Pro card, which wirelessly uploads JPEG, RAW and video files to any folder on a computer (PC or Mac) and to the Web. Whether working on location or in the studio, busy photographers can also take advantage of its direct to computer (ad hoc) connectivity capabilities for direct uploads from camera to the computer without the need for a router.

File management is made easy thanks to lifetime, automatic geotagging (using Wi-Fi Positioning System or WPS), which enables users to view, search and share photos on maps and take advantage of a seamless integration with (for example) iPhoto ‘09.

The Eye-Fi cards range in price from £49.99 - £119.00 and are available at Amazon, Apple, Computer Warehouse and Dabs from October 19th 2009.

More info: How the Eye-Fi Wi-Fi cards actually work

Colin Barrett, SimplyDV.

64GB flash memory for limited edition Panasonic HDC-TM350

Panasonic has just announced that its HDC-TM350 AVCHD high definition camcorder will be made available in the UK after all.

Although this companion model to the successful HDC-TM300 was to be made available in mainland Europe only, the company has now agreed to bring it to the UK - but as a limited edition product only.

Sharing many of the award-winning features of the HDC-TM30 - such as its larger capacity flash memory, new Advanced O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilisation) and improved low light performance - the HDC-TM350 will be available exclusively from mid October at Panasonic Stores for a limited period only.

The newest member of the company's AVCHD range, the TM350 offers a range of technical features that will be attractive to the serious camcorder user, including a manual focus ring, Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), Hot Shoe and mic terminal. The camera is equipped with a 12 x optical zoom lens.

Simultaneous video and stills recording
The TM350 also records still images with a resolution of up to 10.6 megapixels. Additionally, the TM350 allows simultaneous recording of motion images and still images with 8.3 megapixels, which enables users to grab a still image even whilst recording high definition video. As with other models in the range, the TM350 utilises iA (Intelligent Auto) O.I.S functions to maintain tight control over image functions whilst recording and where there isn't time to set camera functions manually.

This new model is also equipped with AF/AE Tracking, which automatically tracks a moving subject in order to maintain consistency of exposure, colour balance, focus, etc. AF/AE Tracking, which was very popular in previous models, differs from normal auto settings in that, once the user touches a selected subject on the touch-screen - the subject can be at the centre of the screen or at an edge - and locks onto the subject, AF/AE Tracking will maintain the focus and exposure even if the subject moves or turns to one side. This records the subject with the optimal AF/AE (Auto focus/Auto exposure) settings.

Totally solid state recording and playback
The TM350 offers a choice of two recording media. For a start, it takes advantage of the near-standard high capacity SD (SDHC) memory card technology, but goes one further by also offering an impressive 64GB (gigabytes) of built-in flash memory media storage. This compares to 32GB for the TM300. Like its sibling models, the TM350 facilitates full touch-screen LCD operation. Unlike its siblings, however, it is offered in a stylish gun-metal body styling.

We understand that the UK allocation for the TM350 is limited to only 200, and available only in Panasonic Shops, so if you're thinking of grabbing one it looks as if you'll need to act quickly.

Colin Barrett, SimplyDV

Ongoing changes to SimplyDV

Regular visitors to the site will have noticed a few extra-ordinary goings-on of late.

To begin with, we've had ongoing problems with the smooth functioning of the forums - which have been running fine for 7 years but have decided to act up a bit of late - and also the fact that we've moved not only the SimplyDV main website (this one) but a whole collection of other related domains onto a single web host.

The move hasn't been without its problems even though the migration was necessary. It's left us with a bit of a dilemma: what to do about the forums.

The migration of the forums hasn't gone well; the phpBB-based package we use has decided that it doesn't want to include almost 60,000 posts and nothing I (or some experts) can do will persuade it otherwise. So I've decided to drop the forums as of now. Finito.

I know this will disappoint some of our regular users but it can't be helped. It had to be done.

Anyhow, the good news is that the whole SimplyDV website is being treated to a bit of a make-over in order to make it much easier for myself and others to manage - and, yes, there will also be new forums! It's just that they'll be in a slightly different form. You might even be able to have your own!

The new site is already taking shape; it will have a wider focus than just camcorders - taking in stills cameras and mobile phones that shoot video, home media centres, Blu-ray and HDD recorder/players, HDTVs, editing systems and - of course - software designed to help you acquire, edit and share your digital video content with the world. In other words, it'll be much more comprehensive.

In the meantime, if you want to be kept in the loop why not sign up to the SimplyDV Digital Video Newsletter? If you do you'll receive your four daily downloadable PDF "eGuide" documents entitled "Choosing A New Camcorder : The SimplyDV Guide for the Complete and Utter Newbie" absolutely free!

Simply CLICK HERE to sign up now (or click the ad in the right sidebar)

You'll also be the first to know about upcoming changes to the website - as well as some competitions and special offers!

So, sign up now. And thanks for your patience during the recent changes.

Colin
Website Owner / Editor