Help X8 Android 2.1 - HD 720p Recording?

[whirlpool]

Anybody know how to activate the HD 720p video recording in Android 2.1 on the X8?

I took a video but it doesn't look HD, and I can't find any video settings

 

[rosered]

There is no HD video on the X8, I believe it was only the X10 that got that.

This was lifted from their product launch blog

The key changes for the different products are the following:

Xperia X10:

HD video recording with continuous auto-focus for high quality videos
Upgrade of the Android platform to Android 2.1
New back up and restore application, with extended content back up
5 homescreens for apps, widgets, shortcuts and folders
Social phonebook which automatically syncs contact pictures from Facebook and shows when your friends are online
Xperia X10 mini and X10 mini pro:

Improved Bluetooth functionality with support for sending and receiving pictures, contacts and more
New backup and restore application with extended content back up
Automatic synchronization of your contact pictures between Facebook and your phone book
Improved ways of handling pictures, audio, text and numbers in your messages
Upgrade of the Android platform to Android platform 2.1

 

[whirlpool]

There is no HD video on the X8, I believe it was only the X10 that got that.

Disappointing. Thanks for replying

 

[rosered]

No worries. I still think the video quality is pretty good on the phones without it. I have an X10 and keep meaning to do a direct comparison. Maybe as I am snowed in and not going anywhere I will get a chance later!

 

[coman_nick]

You were waiting for HD video for X8? I don't mean to be rude, but HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!. Seriously, it's the WORST camera I ever had on a phone! And I'm not a heavy camera user.

 

[whirlpool]

You were waiting for HD video for X8? I don't mean to be rude, but HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!. Seriously, it's the WORST camera I ever had on a phone! And I'm not a heavy camera user.

I've had worse cameras. Well, on older phones.

Yeah I thought it sounded very strange that updating the OS could make the camera function in HD. But I just figured that I obviously didn't have a firm understanding of how phone cameras work.

I wasn't waiting, though. I only saw yesterday that it says in multiple places online (in fairness to me!) that "The X8 upgrade to 2.1 will provide you with HD 720p recording." It said that numerous places. Why?

 

[coman_nick]

The X10 had this comming. The others from Xperia Android family didn't, and that was clearly visible on any SE official statement. Anything else was a rumor.
Also, you don't need to explain yourself in my opinion, since I didn't laugh at you, but at the situation. Again, I apologise if I offended you.

 

[whirlpool]

You didn't offend me, don't worry.

However, this week's Official Announcement from SonyE (which was the first I heard of the announcement) states nothing about the upgraded or non-upgraded camera capabilities of either the X8 or the X10. http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products/2010/11/27/update-roll-out-started-also-for-xperia-x8/

Furthermore, multiple websites were reporting that yes the X8 does upgrade to 720p with the Android upgrade, e.g:

Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 Android 2.1 Update Rolling Out

"Android 2.1 is finally ready for the X8. With Android 2.1, you can expect 720p recording."


So, there was misleading information online. I now know that my gut instincts about the capabilities of phone-camera technology were correct, i.e. the 720p upgrade on the X8 wasn't possible.