Subscores
3D video recording is finally here for ordinary consumers. The Sony HDR-TD10E's double lens with independent sensors makes it the first 'real' 3D camcorder to be able to shoot stereoscopic video in Full HD. Alongside the JVC GS-TD1, it's also one of the first to feature a 3D display.
The TD10E is breaking new ground by shooting video three dimensions and providing a 3D screen for you to view it on without any 3D glasses It manages this feat by having two separate lenses coupled to two separate sensors each of which produces its own Full HD video stream. The 10x optical zoom is available while filming in 3D, and the TD10E goes a lot further than the Panasonic SDT750, which was the first 3D camcorder back in September last year.
The TD10E's biggest new feature is that spectacular display which can play back your video in three dimensions but without any glasses, a little bit like on the Nintendo 3DS. There's a real sense of depth of field and people and objects seem to occupy space. That's only true, however, if you're looking straight at the screen from a distance of at least 30 cm. The display is made up of two separate images which converge at a fixed point, and finding it can take a little getting used to. It can even lead to headaches and users are recommended to take a break every few minutes during playback, so it's just as well that you can revert to traditional 2D at the flick of a switch.
When you switch the TD10E on for the first time, you need to calibrate the 3D display. The system is much simpler than with the Panasonic SDT750, where you had to line up the two lenses using three separate dials. The process is entirely automatic on the TD10: the camcorder starts to zoom in and you only have to press OK when the meter passes the green line. It's as simple as that!
Adjusting a slider at the back of the camcorder body allows you to switch back to traditional 2D recording using only the left-hand lens. Video is recorded using AVCHD just as it would on any other camcorder.
The TD10E certainly isn't the smallest camcorder we've ever seen, and its slab-like design makes it the biggest and heaviest camera available for sale to the general public. But don't forget that it actually contains the equivalent of two cameras working side-by-side. Sony's engineers have done a good job of keeping the weight down (it's under 700 g) and making it easy enough to hold, especially with the screen open to counterbalance it.
Indeed, the technological complexity of the TD10E is hidden underneath a very simple user interface. To take the example of playing back a clip you've shot, all you have to do switch the camera on is open the LCD screen (which will then open the lens). You can choose the clip you want to watch on the screen itself and control the whole process from there. There's 64 GB of flash memory which should leave enough room for around six hours of HD video.
When filming in 3D, the TD10E only offers an interlaced resolution of 1920 x 1080/50i, with a progressive 50p out of the question because the processor simply can't handle two entire Full HD video frames at once. That's not too much of a problem because the quality is excellent, and the TD10E has the same advantages as the rest of the 2011 Handycam range from Sony. Video is very sharp, colours are reproduced accurately and, most impressively, the combination of an Exmor R sensor and a f/1.8 lens makes for incredible sensitivity even in low light. You'll be able to film under very poor conditions in both 2D and 3D. In our lab, the TD10E was capable of picking out objects even with as little as 3 lux, which is about the amount of light produced by a candle, making it perfect for birthday parties!
A 1080/50p mode with a progressive scan is available in 2D, which leads to more detail but with the same smoothness as with 50i.
Sound is captured using the AC3 format at 48 kHz via the 5.1 mic with four modules, which can be switched over to ordinary stereo. The screen has a volume indicator, while there's also a line in for a mic and a line out for headphones if you're looking to conduct interviews.
Alternatively, you can edit your 3D video yourself. You'll need to connect the TD10E to a computer using the USB cable, and then dig out the AVCHD files which are hidden in a sub-folder. Fortunately, there aren't two files for each video (one for each eye): the TD10E pulls both streams together into a single file, which makes editing video much easier.
We used Sony Vegas Pro 10 which had absolutely no problems handling 3D video. When you add a 3D clip to the timeline, the stream for each eye appears. If you're using the 5.1 mic, there are also four separate audio tracks to play with. Once you're done editing, you can then export your finished film in side-by-side 3D and play it back on a compatible monitor or TV.
Sony's first 3D camcorder is a very rounded product and is almost perfect: combining such complex technology with an accessible interface is no mean feat, but the manufacturer has managed it here. The TD10E really is two camcorders for (almost) the price of one.
Handling
The TD10E is breaking new ground by shooting video three dimensions and providing a 3D screen for you to view it on without any 3D glasses It manages this feat by having two separate lenses coupled to two separate sensors each of which produces its own Full HD video stream. The 10x optical zoom is available while filming in 3D, and the TD10E goes a lot further than the Panasonic SDT750, which was the first 3D camcorder back in September last year.The TD10E's biggest new feature is that spectacular display which can play back your video in three dimensions but without any glasses, a little bit like on the Nintendo 3DS. There's a real sense of depth of field and people and objects seem to occupy space. That's only true, however, if you're looking straight at the screen from a distance of at least 30 cm. The display is made up of two separate images which converge at a fixed point, and finding it can take a little getting used to. It can even lead to headaches and users are recommended to take a break every few minutes during playback, so it's just as well that you can revert to traditional 2D at the flick of a switch.
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| The f/1.8 Sony G lens has a 10x zoom in 3D and 12x in 2D. |
The 3.5'', 1.229 Megapixel touchscreen display. |
When you switch the TD10E on for the first time, you need to calibrate the 3D display. The system is much simpler than with the Panasonic SDT750, where you had to line up the two lenses using three separate dials. The process is entirely automatic on the TD10: the camcorder starts to zoom in and you only have to press OK when the meter passes the green line. It's as simple as that!
Adjusting a slider at the back of the camcorder body allows you to switch back to traditional 2D recording using only the left-hand lens. Video is recorded using AVCHD just as it would on any other camcorder.
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| The connectors, 2D/3D slider and battery are at the back. |
The handle houses the USB port, the record button and the zoom. |
The TD10E certainly isn't the smallest camcorder we've ever seen, and its slab-like design makes it the biggest and heaviest camera available for sale to the general public. But don't forget that it actually contains the equivalent of two cameras working side-by-side. Sony's engineers have done a good job of keeping the weight down (it's under 700 g) and making it easy enough to hold, especially with the screen open to counterbalance it.
Indeed, the technological complexity of the TD10E is hidden underneath a very simple user interface. To take the example of playing back a clip you've shot, all you have to do switch the camera on is open the LCD screen (which will then open the lens). You can choose the clip you want to watch on the screen itself and control the whole process from there. There's 64 GB of flash memory which should leave enough room for around six hours of HD video.
Video Quality
When filming in 3D, the TD10E only offers an interlaced resolution of 1920 x 1080/50i, with a progressive 50p out of the question because the processor simply can't handle two entire Full HD video frames at once. That's not too much of a problem because the quality is excellent, and the TD10E has the same advantages as the rest of the 2011 Handycam range from Sony. Video is very sharp, colours are reproduced accurately and, most impressively, the combination of an Exmor R sensor and a f/1.8 lens makes for incredible sensitivity even in low light. You'll be able to film under very poor conditions in both 2D and 3D. In our lab, the TD10E was capable of picking out objects even with as little as 3 lux, which is about the amount of light produced by a candle, making it perfect for birthday parties! |
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| 34.4 mm wide-angle (29.8 mm in 2D). Download the 3D video (65 MB) |
10x optical zoom in 3D (2x in 2D). Download the 3D video (85 MB) |
A 1080/50p mode with a progressive scan is available in 2D, which leads to more detail but with the same smoothness as with 50i.
Sound is captured using the AC3 format at 48 kHz via the 5.1 mic with four modules, which can be switched over to ordinary stereo. The screen has a volume indicator, while there's also a line in for a mic and a line out for headphones if you're looking to conduct interviews.
Editing 3D
There is just one problem though: what do you do with all that 3D video? The easiest solution is to play it straight back on a 3D TV via a HDMI cable, or on the camcorder's 3.5'' display which has a decent enough resolution of 1.229 Megapixels. The TD10E will automatically compile all of your rushes from one day's filming into its own 'Selection', edit them together and add some music. The resulting video isn't at all bad and if you like it you can save it on the camcorder.Alternatively, you can edit your 3D video yourself. You'll need to connect the TD10E to a computer using the USB cable, and then dig out the AVCHD files which are hidden in a sub-folder. Fortunately, there aren't two files for each video (one for each eye): the TD10E pulls both streams together into a single file, which makes editing video much easier.
We used Sony Vegas Pro 10 which had absolutely no problems handling 3D video. When you add a 3D clip to the timeline, the stream for each eye appears. If you're using the 5.1 mic, there are also four separate audio tracks to play with. Once you're done editing, you can then export your finished film in side-by-side 3D and play it back on a compatible monitor or TV.
Sony's first 3D camcorder is a very rounded product and is almost perfect: combining such complex technology with an accessible interface is no mean feat, but the manufacturer has managed it here. The TD10E really is two camcorders for (almost) the price of one.
Pros
- Glasses-free 3D display
- Optical zoom available in 3D
- 64 GB memory
- Two Full HD lenses
- 50p mode in 2D
Cons
- Unattractive exterior
Conclusion
Sony's first 3D camcorder is a real success. The video is great, the screen boasts glasses-free playback and there's plenty of internal memory to store all that video which is very easy to shoot. The TD10E puts in a flawless performance!
OUR SCORE
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