Written on October 20, 2009 – 5:52 am | by CoolGadgetConcept |
If you have read yesterday's article then you probably found out about the point and shoot video camera Webbie HD. However, the yesterday's video camera is not the only one in Sony's portfolio that sports this name. Yesterday's Webbie High Definition camera also included its unique code (since this is the only way these days to separate Sony products) MHS PM1/D. however, Sony sports another Webbie High Definition with the following code, MHS CM1/V. Basically don't expect different specs, because this model is very much similar with the MHS PM1/D. the obvious difference is the design. But even in this department these two Webbies HD boast similarities, like the colors they are available in, Orange, Silver, and Eggplant. Also, Sony included the same advertising campaign, which hopefully will be chanced until the shopping season in December.

"Upload you life", might just work for a small part of the video cameras potential customers, but for the Webbies HD to become a market success, Sony must change the advertising scheme and deliver a refresh to these models improving not only the quality materials used but also some tech features, such as the auto focus. In terms of design the MHS CM1/V Webbie High Definition sports a classic design for a portable video camera, with the display cover opening on the left side and swiveling in order to record you without any problems or just get a better handling in any possible moment. This video camera is made out of the same tough matte plastic, like the other camera, but this model looks much cheaper than the other one. This is due probably because of the not metallic looks of the body. Even more bad news, the plastic is slippery and if you drop this camera be sure that when it will hit the ground it will break into pieces.

The display cover sports all the necessary logos to identify the product, "Sony" logo, "HD" logo, the product number, the "5 megapixel" logo and the format of the recordings, "MP4". The camera lenses are surrounded by an even more cheaply looking plastic. You don't really get many buttons or ports to work with. In terms of inputs and outputs, the MHS CM1/V sports a multi output, both audio and video, also a multi remote terminal with both audio and video and also a 2.0 USB port. You also get lens cover. However it is only a manual plastic cap. On the bottom side you can find the memory card slot with Memory Stick Pro memory card compatibility and also Memory Stick Pro Duo memory card. You don't get any inbuilt memory, but then again it is more easy to transfer the data on the memory cards by just  inserting them into your laptop's memory card slot, rather than transferring them using the USB connection.

This Sony product sports a height of 61 mm (2 ½ inches), wide of 43 mm (1 ¾ inches), deep of 105 mm (4 ¼ inches) the Webbie High Definition MHS CM1/V weights about 210 grams (or 7 oz with the battery included), making this camcorder not the lightest on the market. Even so the dimensions are very acceptable for a point and shoot video camera (and an occasionally photo camera). Because the battery subject came up, this Sony product sports an internal rechargeable Lithium Ion battery with power consumption, while working, of 2.3 Watt, sufficient to provide about 85 minutes of recording at the highest resolution. The battery can be recharged anytime (even when using it) but it will need at least three hours for a complete charge. The recording process is much simpler than the one from the previous Webbie HD thanks to the 2.5 inches LCD display with a 4 to 3 panel, capable of rendering about 153000 colors.

This display is fixed within a display cover that is capable of swiveling about 270 degrees, with the only purpose to offer the best user experience a point a shoot video camera can deliver nowadays. Professional camcorders offer way more excellent features, but then again their not as portable or as a matter a fact not as cheap as this camera. When you open the LCD cover, the Webbie High Definition powers up almost instantaneously. Getting ready for the whole general specs and lenses specs? Probably, you and everyone else, since this camera is a new product type and the only way to understand its purpose is to quietly analyze the physical data Sony was kind enough to provide.

Therefore, you get a 1 / 2.5 inches CMOS image sensor, with a real pixel count of 5 megapixels. The pictures resolution can only be in the full mode (5 megapixel with the 4:3), while the video's actual mode can be in either high Definition format with the two available resolutions, 1440 x 1080 pixels with 30 frames per second, 1280 x 720 pixels with 30 frames per second, or in the Standard Definition format with 640 x 480 pixels with 30 frames per second. You also get with the Webbie HD the 41 mm to 203 mm (in the 16 to 9), and from 38 mm to 190 mm (in the 4 to 3), while the aperture included is F3.3. The total digital zoom allowed is 20x, with a focal distance varying between 6.4 mm to 31.4 mm, and an optical zoom of 5x. The shutter speed also varies from 1/30 to 1/4000. All the video resolution available can be stored on a maximum Memory Stick Pro Duo memory card of 16 GB.

You can record about 340 minutes of video within the 1440 x 1080 pixels with 30 frames per second, 510 minutes with the 1280 x 720 pixels with 30 frames per second, and 990 minutes for the 640 x 480 pixels resolution with 30 frames per second. Also, to improve the quality of recorded video, Sony included a LED light which will improve the light conditions in the darker environment conditions. The recorded videos will be saved with the MPEG4 AVC / H.264 also known as MP4 for a better compatibility with both Microsoft and Mac operating systems. You can also connect the Webbie HD to an out source such as LCD display using either NTSC video signal or PAL video signal.

Sony included in the retail box beside the Webbie HD and the battery packs, one AC adaptor, one audio and video connecting cable, one USB cable, wrist strap, component audio and video cable, and the CD software. Sony is currently offering the Webbie HD MHS CM1/V with a special offer, including in the retail box a 2 GB Memory Stick Pro Duo within the same price list, $199.99. Overall, this point and shot video camera is an interesting product, not a real camcorder, and not a digital camera capable of recording videos. Its only competitor is the other Webbie HD MHS PM1/D.