14 DAY TRIAL // Sure, we live in a world where high-definition has become the main concept behind just about any piece of A/V gear, but the truth of the matter is that there are a lot of people out there who simply shoot video clips in order to upload them to YouTube, the world's most famous video sharing website. And it's no wonder that quite a lot of consumer electronics manufacturers have begun launching all sorts of "YouTube-ready" devices, the latest being none other than the Korean giant Samsung, which has just unveiled its SC-MX20 camcorder, designed especially for the exploding generation of consumers uploading video content to the Internet.
The main selling point of the SC-MX20 is a special shooting mode that allows users to select a resolution and format that are designed for uploading content to YouTube or multi-media devices. By selecting the Web & Mobile mode, the camcorder?s resolution is automatically adjusted to 640x480 (H.264 / AAC / MP4) and optimized for use on Web sites, but also on portable multimedia players (as long as they support H.264).
As mentioned above, the format of YouTube videos is a bit less demanding than HD, and for this reason the device from Samsung is far from being an HD monster. So, the Samsung SC-MX20 has been equipped with a 680K pixel CCD sensor which delivers a resolution of 720x480, as well as with a Schneider lens with 34x optical zoom and advanced noise reduction (3-D Noise Reduction) technology.
Moreover, given the fact that its target-segment is not formed out of professional cameramen, the device also comes equipped with an improved Advanced Image Stabilization system, as well as with Face Detection technology, which can automatically detect up to five faces and adjust focus to ensure better composition.
The device also allows users to shoot quite a lot of video content, as it works with SD/SDHC memory cards with capacities of up to 32GB and MMC+ memory cards, and utilizes H.264 compression for longer record times and enhanced video quality. Furthermore, according to Samsung, the SC-MX20 features the longest battery life in its class, lasting up to three hours, and includes Samsung?s exclusive swivel hand-grip, which effortlessly adjusts for regular and low angle shooting. Users can always view/review the videos on the built-in 2.7-inch LCD, which works quite well even in direct sunlight.
Samsung's SC-MX20 camcorder is slated to arrive in stores at some point in August 2008 (a bit late for the summer holidays), and will be available in four different color options, namely black, red, white, and blue. Regardless of the color variant, the device will sell for around $279.99.
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