Samsung debuts 64GB SSD full-HD camcorder

Samsung Electronics has extended its line of full-HD digital camcorders with four new models - the HMX-H106, HMX-H105, HMX-H104, and HMX-H100. In addition to full HD video, the new H-Series offers a renowned Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan HD lens with Optical Image Stabilization, H.264 and internal Solid State Drives to provide onboard memory. Samsung's new flagship HMX-H106 features an internal 64GB Solid State Drive (SSD), increasing both write performance and dramatically reduces power consumption. The company claims that when actively reading and writing data, Samsung's SSD technology consumes approximately 1/8th of the power of a comparable HDD.

The HMX-H105 and HMX-H104 offer 32GB and 16GB SSDs, respectively, and like the HMX-H106, also allow consumers to expand memory capacity using an SD/SDHC memory card. The lowest-end HMX H100 does not feature an internal SSD and requires the use of a SD/SDHC memory card.

The new H-Series full-HD digital camcorders also utilize H.264 compression, which significantly increases recording time. Samsung says that when capturing at full-HD resolution (in fine mode), users can record up to three hours directly to the 16GB HMX-H104, six hours to the 32GB HMX H105, and 12 hours to the 64GB HMX-H106.

The camcorders' Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan HD lens features a 10x optical zoom and is paired with Samsung's new Optical Image Stabilizer to help reduce the blur from vibrations and hand shake. The Schneider lens also features a 37mm wide-angle focal length.

The H-Series also features direct HDMI connections, a built-in strobe flash, and the ability to capture 4.7 mega-pixel digital still photos. In addition, the camcorders also offer a large 2.7 inch touch-screen, swiveling LCD and HD Time Lapse functions.

The H106 will be available in April 2009, while the H105, H104, and H100 will be available in March 2009.