Hitachi debuts first Blu-ray camcorders

Hitachi has released two versions of the world's first Blu-ray camcorder that records directly onto high-definition discs.

The DZ-BD70A and DZ-BD7HA camcorders can store up to a maximum of one hour of FullHD (1920 x 1080) footage on each Blu-ray disc.

In addition, the DZ-BD7HA model is a hybrid unit with a 30GB hard disc drive (HDD) that can record up to four hours of FullHD video or eight hours of 1440 x 1080 video.

Both cameras feature Hitachi's 5.3 mega pixel CMOS image sensor and HD-quality 12-element lens system.

The non-hybrid DZ-BD70A also comes with an SD card slot for storing digital still photos at a maximum resolution of 4.32-megapixels.

Hitachi's Photo Capture feature also allows DZ-BD70A users to grab any still frame from a Blu-ray disc and save it as 2.1-megapixel photo to the SD card.

The DZ-BD70A also allows video to be recorded in standard definition quality to regular DVDs.

Meanwhile, the hybrid DZ-BD7HA device allows footage on its HDD to be edited using the split, delete and connect commands.

It can then be transferred from the drive straight onto a Blu-ray disc, bypassing external editing devices such as PCs.

"To be the first manufacturer to create two models of the world's first Blu-ray disc camcorders that shoot, playback and store HD video is a huge milestone for us and something we are exceptionally proud of," said Jeff Fochtman product manager at Hitachi America.

"Hitachi is well known for having introduced the world's first DVD camcorder in 2000, and last year we introduced the world's first Hybrid camcorder with a DVD drive and a hard disk drive."

The DZ-BD70A camcorder will be priced at an RRP of US$1,299, while the hybrid DZ-BD7HA will cost around US$1,499.