What with Kamal waxing lyrical about High Definition, I thought I'd have a shot (ahem) at it too. David Pogue of New York Times reviews Sony's new HDR-HC1 and has a brisk look at the attitudes to HDTV dividing the world into three camps:

Group A thinks HDTV is the greatest invention since the microwave, and counts the hours until the nation's transition to HDTV is complete. Group B thinks that HDTV is an enormous boondoggle, a bald-faced government-industry conspiracy to milk the citizenry for billions.

And Group C would just like somebody to explain what HDTV is.

The Group C is dealt with briefly:

No problem, C. HDTV is a new, improved video format. The picture is wide, like a movie screen. And it's so sharp, you can practically count the actors' pores. For many people, one look at the stunningly clear, realistic picture is enough to--well, to push them into Group A.

The review of Sony's HDR-HC1 is glowing and comprehensive, heck, I'd buy if I had the money.

Sony's new HDR-HC1 is the world's smallest and least expensive HD camcorder. At 7.4 by 2.8 by 3.7 inches, it's about a third the size of previous HD models, and small enough to pass for an ordinary digital camcorder. At $1,750 online, it's about half the price of the FX1. And as if price and size didn't make the HC1 distinctive enough, here's the best news of all: it's also an absolutely terrific camcorder.

And how is this for recommendation? Where's my geek gadget budget?

You'll see a spectacular picture in a format the geeks call 1080i high-def. The video is so clear and sharp, it's not so much a home movie as a flashback.

Although I am not sure that I'd want to keep my flashbacks anywhere else but where they belong - deeply embedded in my memory, and not on my flash memory card. Heh.

But let us conclude on a serious note, gazing firmly beyond the horizon:

In other words, buying a high-def camcorder today is a decidedly forward-thinking move. It allows you to capture the priceless moments today, at the best possible quality, even though the rest of the HDTV puzzle pieces have yet to fall into place.

If that kind of "shoot now, show later" philosophy appeals to you, thank Sony. The HC1 is a true breakthrough in price and size, and it brings the potential of dazzling high-definition video to an enormous new audience.

Just like Blowing Smoke... ;-) But what do our resident geeks experts say?