|
REVIEW
HEAD
EX-TRA ORDINARY...
INTRO
The Sanyo EX30 is one of this year's most exciting and innovative new
camcorders, could this the shape of things to come?
COPY
To be honest Sanyo's EX30 is a fairly-run-of-the-mill 8mm palmcorder;
it's an agreeable enough machine that performs adequately well but what really
makes it special is a small black box that comes with it, called the VRM-30P.
The VRM-30 serves three functions: the first and most obvious one is a
detachable LCD monitor with a 2.2-inch screen. It shows the same picture as the
machine's own viewfinder display, but in colour. Secondly, it's a dual-mode
(infra-red and wired), multi-function remote control for the EX30, a VCR and an
optional motorised pan/tilt head (more about that later). Lastly it's an
automatic assembly edit controller that can designate up to five scenes, in any
order, and instruct the EX30 to replay them, so they can be re-recorded on a
VCR, also controlled by the VRM-30.
None of this is new, but combining all these features together into one
package is! It's all the more remarkable considering that the EX30 outfit costs
just £800; that's a good deal less than buying comparable components
separately, as well as being a lot more convenient and easy to use. For
the first three months after its July launch it will be an even better deal
because Sanyo are throwing in a free accessory pack comprising a carry-all bag,
tripod and video light, together worth almost £100.
FEATURES
The logical place to begin is with the EX30. It's a modestly-equipped 8mm
palmcorder with a 10x zoom lens. It's an inner-focus design with a small
thumbwheel at the front of the machine for manual focus. The camera section has
a 6-option programmed auto-exposure system -- Sanyo call them 'Director modes'
-- controlled from a selector knob on
the left side of the machine. In addition to a full auto mode there is:
* sports -- variable shutter speed and de-sensitised auto-focus for
tracking fast action
* twilight -- white balance
biased towards the red light in sunsets
etc.
* low-light -- gain-up, to increase camera sensitivity
* auto high-speed shutter -- fast shutter speeds, up to 1/10,000th sec
for improved slomo reproduction of fast-moving subjects
* close-up -- macro mode, locks zoom to wide setting
* flickerless -- fixes shutter to 1/120th sec, for shooting under
florescent lighting.
The EX30 has a Control L or LANC socket, so it can be used with most of
the current generation of aftermarket edit controllers. In normal circumstances
that would rate as one of the machine's most outstanding features but it is
overshadowed, somewhat, by its own
editing features. Nevertheless, we are still delighted to see it and it is
worth bearing in mind that this is one of the few non-Sony camcorders to have
this facility which is invaluable for
serious editing work, involving stringing together more than just a handful of
scenes.
Before we move on, other features worth a brief mention include an AV fader (to and from white), an accessory shoe, with built-in
contacts for a video light, a pop-up infra-red sensor, external microphone
socket, nickel-hydride compatible charger with refresh facility and fuzzy-logic
controlled auto-focus, exposure and white balance systems.
IN USE
On its own the EX30 is an uncontroversial machine, it wouldn't stand out
in a crowd and could easily pass for one of the clutch of sub-compacts launched
within the last year or so. It seems to be fairly well put together, though
some of the panels feel a little on the thin side; it doesn't feel as solid as a
Sony machine, say, but we've rarely had cause to complain about the
durability of Sanyo products. The five (six if you count full auto) director
modes are not quite as sophisticated as a full-blown program AE system but the
options available are reasonably effective. A backlight control wouldn't go
amiss, though, even so the fuzzy logic system does its best. We have a couple
ergonomic niggles; the manual focus thumbwheel is fiddly, and a bit too close
to the mike for comfort, so if you're not careful scuffing noises can be heard
on the soundtrack. The on-board transport controls are located beneath the
viewfinder module, several of the keys are quite along way back and not very
accessible. The viewfinder extension tube, which has to be pulled out before it
can be used, could do with a more positive lock as it has a tendency to slip
back to the storage position if pressed. Apart from that it's been quite well
thought-out and the lack of secondary features (no titler or manual exposure
controls etc.) means it looks unthreatening, ideal for beginners and the
technologically challenged, in fact.
REMOTE MONITOR
And so we come to the VRM-30. Ironically this little unassuming little
box is the hardest part of the outfit to describe, not least because of it's
numerous functions and configurations, and the fact that there's nothing to
compare it with, at the moment...
The simplest application is a colour monitor, mounted on the machine's
accessory shoe, facing the user. It connects to the EX30 by a short lead which
plugs into a socket on the side of the machine. This carries remote control
commands to the EX30, for all of its transport functions, and the zoom lens. That's in addition to power, audio and
video signals/on-screen displays, so you can hear, (as well as see what is
being recorded, or replayed), on a tiny loudspeaker built into the unit.
The picture on the 2.2-inch LCD screen is about par for the course, the
image is quite coarse, colours only approximate to the real thing -- what you'll see when it's connected to a
proper TV -- but it frees the user from the tiny monochrome viewfinder, and it
is just large enough for a couple of people to watch. The screen has a hinged
cover, this can be used as a shield, to prevent reflections or bright lights
washing out the picture, or it can be folded out of the way, behind the unit
Two small grumbles at this point, the screen has an unusually narrow
viewing angle and it needs a fair amount of fiddling with the controls to get an acceptable picture. The lead isn't
quite long enough to comfortably allow the screen to be faced the other way, so
you can watch yourself. It can be done, just, but it puts quite a strain on the
plug and socket, which we fear might eventually fail, especially if it were to
be accidentally knocked.
The connecting lead and its plug stows away beneath a hinged cover, which
doubles up as a table stand. The outfit includes a 2.5 metre extension cable,
so the monitor can be held or placed away from the camcorder. Sanyo tell us
that it is possible to add further extension leads, up to 10 metres in length,
so it could have some interesting applications in wildlife videography, for
example, especially if used in conjunction with the VAH-30 pan/tilt head.
Using VRM-30 as a monitor does have some impact on battery running times,
we estimate it results in a reduction of between a third and quarter. In
practice this means a drop from around thirty minutes, to twenty minutes or so,
with normal stop-start recording.
Now we come to the really clever part; the VRM-30 incorporates an
infra-red remote control transmitter, powered by its own on-board lithium
battery, so it can operate independently of the machine, though obviously there
will be no picture on the screen, withou tthe hard-wire interconnect. The
control codes cover three main applications; the first is the camcorder's
transport and zoom functions, it's just like a conventional camcorder remote
handset in that respect, but bigger. The second set of commands are for the
optional VAH-30 pan/tilt head; the third group are multi-brand VCR controls, to
engage and release the record-pause mode on a VCR when the EX30 is being used
in an editing set-up. The codes cover 26 different control protocols, used by
most of the major brands, though we found it was not capable of working with at
least one recent Philips 'Turbodrive' VCR, and we suspect a few more besides.
Sanyo also warn that it may not work with older VCRs, so it's important to
check first with the dealer, before you buy, to make sure your machine is on
the approved list.
EDITING
Up to five scenes at a time can be selected, and transferred to the
record VCR. The first task is to set the correct IR codes for the VCR, these are selected by pressing
a recessed button on the unit, which then runs through it's library of commands
until one is found that operates the machines record-pause function. A list of
the most popular brands is included in the instruction book for reference.
Editing couldn't be much simpler; the selected scenes are first found
using the remote monitor's transport controls, it has still-frame,
frame-advance and a useful scene search facility, so the edit in and out points
can be defined with a fair degree of accuracy, though the small buttons require
a certain amount of dexterity. Each edit point is flagged using the 'memo'
button, this puts a small numbered clapperboard icon on the display screen.
When the selections have been made they can be previewed, or committed to tape
by putting the VCR into the record-pause mode, pointing the remote monitor at
it and pressing the run button. It's not possible to modify any of the
segments, other than by cancelling the relevant program number, and re-entering
a new scene.
The first question has to be how accurate is it? Not very, is the short
answer, but that deserves some qualification. The controller uses the EX30's
linear tape counter for reference, and this is calibrated seconds, so in theory
it will be able to get to within plus or minus one second, or 25 frames of the
designated point. Add to that the timing characteristics of the destination VCR
and errors could increase to a couple of seconds or more either way.
Unfortunately it is not possible to modify post or pre-roll times, though once
you know what they are it is a relatively simple matter to compensate manually.
Even in an ideal setup it is not possible to reliably edit scenes lasting less
than a couple of seconds. Whilst all that may sound fairly crude, compared with
a proper edit controller, it's quite sufficient for most home videos, where the
primary need is to cut out the mistakes and boring bits, and maybe tidy up the
running order or slot in some new scenes. In that context it's excellent, and
just right for the majority of home
video movie-makers where anything more complicated or demanding might be
off-putting.
If accuracy, consistency and greater capacity are important then the EX30
is still a strong contender as a source machine, thanks to it's LANC terminal.
We tested our sample using two different types of edit controller and it was
able to make cuts to within half a second
(+/-a 12 frames or so) of the designated points, but that was mainly as
a result of being able to adjust for the VCRs timings.
PERFORMANCE
Technically the EX30 slots easily into its role as a middle-market
palmcorder. Resolution on our sample nudged above 230 lines in the SP mode,
which we consider to be a good average. Colour noise was well within acceptable
limits, though it prefers good natural light. Indoors, under artificial light
picture noise increases noticeably, more so in the low-light director mode
which is really only a last resort as the picture looks very grainy indeed.
Colour accuracy was fine in daylight but the WB system had difficulty with most
forms of artificial light, producing some quite distinct green and yellow
colour castes, a good case for a white balance lock perhaps? The only manual WB
override is in the twilight director mode, which biases the picture towards the
red end of the spectrum, giving sunsets added impact, and this can look very
effective.
The EX30's has a mono soundtrack but unlike most VHS-C camcorders it uses
an FM recording system, which results in a clean, well-defined sound, with very
low levels of background noise. The mike isn't particularly directional, and it
picks up sound from all around, including the users voice, which can be useful
for adding narration to a recording, (or not, if you're an asthmatic...).
VERDICT
The remote monitor concept is a genuine innovation, we can only wonder
why it hasn't been done before, but one thing we are certain of is that it
won't be the last; other manufacturers will be bound to follow suit, if they
want to stay in the game. The EX30
represents a landmark in camcorder design
and we have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who has ever been
put off by the thought of editing video recording and wants a fuss-free way of
getting the best from their home video
movies.
SIDEBAR -- VAH-30 Pan/Tilt head
If, after you've brought an EX30 you've got a further £130 or so to spare
we'd suggest you take a close look at the VAH-30 motorised
pan/tilt head. It bolts to the underside of the EX30, and there's a mounting
boss on the base, to attach it to a tripod. Power comes from a 6-volt nicad
pack, the same NP style battery used by the camcorder, but it is not supplied
as standard. A fully charged battery will keep it running for around ten hours.
There's only a simple on-off switch, everything else is controlled from a
credit-card sized remote handset. This has four direction buttons, two for
panning through an angle of 90 degrees, and the others for tilting the head, 10
degrees either side of horizontal. Additionally there is an auto-pan mode which
moves the head from side to side at a speed of four degrees per second,
precisely half the speed of manual panning. The handset also operates the
EX30's zoom and stop/start functions. The pan and tilt controls are duplicated
on the EX30's remote monitor.
In the centre of the moving pan/tilt platform there is an illuminated
cross; this is used to help aim or direct the head from the front, when the
cross is evenly-lit it's pointed directly at the subject. The motors in the
head are barely audible, which is important when shooting in quiet
surroundings, noises won't be recorded
on the video soundtrack, or scare skittish subjects, when it's used out in the
wild.
We have only a couple of comments. It's not advisable to use the unit
free-standing as at the extremes of it's travel the weight of the camcorder is
enough to make it topple over. There's no mention of this in the instruction
book, though the padded feet on the
underside suggest it could be used on a table-top. The IR receptor is at the
front of the unit, which isn't much use if you're operating it from behind. It
is possible to mount the camcorder back to front, but this disables the locking
pin next to the mounting bolt, which ensures the machine is squarely seated on the
moving platform. Fortunately the pop-up IR sensor on the EX30 can be turned
through 360 degrees, so it can be controlled at the same time from one
position.
VERDICT
Excellent! Maybe a touch pricey as accessories go, and we would probably
think about buying a spare battery and maybe a set of filters first, but the
VAH-30 would definitely be high on our list of acquisitions if we had any
interest in recording wildlife, or were keen -- for whatever reason -- to
record ourselves.
SPECIFICATIONS
Make/model SANYO
VM-EX30
Recording format 8mm
Guide price
£800
OPTICS
Lens
f1.18, 5.8-58mm
Zoom
10x
Filter diameter
37mm
Pick-up device
0.3in CCD
Min. illum. (lux) 2
(low light mode)
VIDEO DECK
Tape speed (mm/sec) 20.051 (SP), 10.026(LP)
Max. rec. time
120mins (LP mode)
Remote control
full-function IR, LANC/Control L
(see text)
Main facilities auto/manual focus, 5-mode programmed
auto exposure, auto white balance, fader, time/date recording, record search, tally lamp, 5-segment auto
assemble editing
VIEWFINDER
Viewfinder
0.6in monochrome and 2.2in colour LCD (see text)
Viewfinder info.
deck mode and status, low battery, tape count, shutter speed, fader,
focus mode, tape end, time/date, edit mode and status, IR code, dew
AUDIO
System
mono FM
Microphone omnidirectional electret
GENERAL
Sockets video and audio out
(phono), edit control (8-pin mini DIN),
external
mic and Control L (minijack) , DC in
Size (mm)
119 x 111 x 205
Weight
1.1 kg (inc. tape and battery)
STANDARD ACCESSORIES
Batteries, (nicad and lithium), straps, AC charger/power supply, AV lead
and adaptor, colour monitor/remote
control, extension lead, RF converter
PERFORMANCE
Resolution
>230-lines
Colour fidelity
average
Picture stability
average
Colour bleed none
White balance
average
Exposure
average
Autofocus
average
Audio performance average
Insert edit
manual inserts clean
Playback thru adaptor N/A
VC RATINGS
Value for money 9
Ease of use 8
Performance 8
Features 9
---end---
(c) R Maybury 1993 0406
|
