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Sony Handycam HDR-HC1 Mini DV Digital Camcorder

Handycam HDR-HC1 Mini DV Digital Camcorder

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Most recent User Reviews for

Sony Handycam HDR-HC1 Mini DV Digital Camcorder

  • Reviewed by: ronniesmith

    05-29-06

    Duration of ownership: 6 Months

    Strengths: excellent camera otherwise

    Weaknesses:can't use the external power supply when mic input is plugged into a external mic.

    Overall Evaluation: The problem I have found is you can only use the battery when I have an external mic input coming to the camcorder. If I use the power supply. A hum is created.

  • Reviewed by: malachid

    01-13-06

    Duration of ownership: 2 Weeks

    Strengths: Great nightvision (lag with Super Nightvision). Nice shape and size. touchscreen menus are much easier that finding little roller dials and buttons. works as webcam without additional software.

    Weaknesses:bottom-loading. does not come with software to rip DV or burn to DVD. does not come with firewire cable (required for DV capture).

    Overall Evaluation: We bought this camera just a couple weeks ago. So far, using the camera has been great. I have not put it on the tripod yet, because we have to remove it from the tripod to change the tapes.The camera did not come with any software. Sony sells their software from $130 to $175000, but could not even be bothered to put the $130 package into the box or allow a 5-minute test burn to see how well it worked. Asked them about it, and they were very unhelpful.So far, the only software I have found that has been able to rip the DV without frame loss (on DV, not HDV) has been winDV (freeware, under 100K in size).So far, have been able to successfully write a DVD+RW that will work on the standalone DVD player, but not a DVD-R. Have made a few platters so far.If you already have a software solution that works great (with DV capture) then I would say this camera is worth it. If not, don't forget to add that (and the firewire cable itself) into the cost.Overall, very happy with the camcorder itself - frustrated with PC integration.

  • Reviewed by: Allang68

    11-26-05

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: If you just have to have HD then this is currently the only reasonable price consumer HD cam.

    Weaknesses:Don't expect this camera to pro quality output.HD artifacts.

    Overall Evaluation: Here is the bottom line on this camera:1. If you are thinking its output will be capable to a AG-DVX100a or VX-2100...forget it. The video quality is more inline with a good consumer camera not a pro grade 3-CCD camera. I was really hoping that this camera would be capable...2. Since the HD signal has to be recorded on the same tape as DV it has to be compressed more this shows up in motion artifacts and jpg compression low light artifacts. Shooting in low to average light with any kind of reasonable panning will bring out these very noticable artifacts.3. The autofocus system is not as good as a pro grade camera which causes more motion artifacts: lots of blurry scenes.4. Low light performance is pretty bad.Now, what's the good point. Shooting in good light in HD and playing back on a HD TV looks pretty good. Then this camera really shines. That footage is capable to the pro grade camera's. Obviously at some point it will have to be down converted and you will lose the quality. It won't be easy to mix footage from this camera with a VX-2100 for example. Good start...maybe the new 3-CCD pro version will be better.

  • Reviewed by: Camboshaft

    10-31-05

    Duration of ownership: 60 Days

    Strengths: GREAT PICTURE ON LCD & EASY TO HOOK UP TO DISPLAY.

    Weaknesses:BUTTON TO TAKE PICTURE NOT IN A GOOD PLACE, NO SPECIAL EFFECTS, A LITTLE BIG, EXPENSIVE

    Overall Evaluation: This is my first ever HD recorder. I'm not really that impressed with the unit as it has no special effects built into the unit. I guess one should have that kind of software on your computer. Overall the unit is a little big and it zooms too fast. It takes a wonderful picture and my new born twins are definately worth the investment!!!

  • Reviewed by: texdoc

    10-14-05

    Duration of ownership: 3 Weeks

    Strengths: This is a ground breaking high-end consumer camcorder. Takes really sharp, 16:9 widescreen high-definition video in good and OK lighting. Paying 'street price' lets you get some accessories.

    Weaknesses:No progressive scan mode. Needs a video light in dimly-lit settings unless you want the green 'NightShot' look of a wildlife movie.

    Overall Evaluation: I have used this camera for three weeks. The 'killer feature' that makes this camera worth the hefty price tag is the wonderful High-Definition 16:9 widescreen picture quality - it leaves Mini DV in the dust for both video and the occasional still when you don't want to carry a digital still camera as well. Second, I love the one hour recording time compared with 25-30 minutes for DVD camcorders. The camera's size and weight and handling are pretty good - I don't want to lug a 4-5 pound 'pro' HDV camera around, but some of the newer, smaller Mini-DV models seem to be designed to look cute in the store/slip into a purse rather than for comfortable shooting at least for big-handed adults. There is no substitute for picking a few cameras up in your local electronics store before you make your buying decision. The build quality is excellent, the kind you used to get all the time from Japanese electronics. The color viewfinder is the best I've ever used. It's so good that the LCD doesn't measure up in terms of picture quality, but often the LCD is more convenient for shooting. With a larger capacity battery you're probably stuck with the LCD because the viewfinder tilts up but doesn't extend back. The Zeiss video lens is up to the quality you would expect from a camera this price. Auto-focus is sharp and reacts fairly quickly. I like the well-placed exposure control. Color rendition is great in good lighting. Negatives are fairly minor. Please remember that this is a high-end consumer camcorder, not a $3K+ pro model. It's not at all a true 'prosumer' crossover item like a decent Nikon Digital SLR. I wish it was easier to get a slow zoom - the primary zoom control on top of the camera is too speedy for me. The zoom/focus ring on the lens is a great feature but since it's not mechanically linked to the lens why can't we adjust how fast or slow it zooms, at least as as a menu option? The buttons next to the LCD are the best way to zoom slowly but I wish they were more tactile - just like using the touch screen LCD controls for spot exposure or focus it takes my attention away from the subject I'm shooting. The standard battery life is OK for me (50-60 minutes with stop and starts) without using a video light - I got the medium sized SQ quick charging battery (QM71D) as a second battery for 'on the road'. The QM91D is too big for me but your mileage may vary. I ordered a stand-alone quick charger as on-camera charging is slow for the QM71D. You may also need a case, and some HDV-quality tapes. Compared with the cost of the camera $12 to $17 per Sony HDV-quality MiniDV tape is not a deal-breaker but I haven't compared the quality with shooting HDV on regular Mini-DV tape. I expect tape prices to come down as more people buy this camera and when more camera makers and tape manufacturers get on the HDV bandwagon. Consumer 1080p camcorders aren't available yet (10/05) and it's debatable whether 720p is a step down or a step up from 1080i. This product is the first of it's kind - a relatively affordable, 'right-sized' camera that lets ordinary consumers shoot in beautiful widescreen high-definition. Try it out in a store and then buy online. You won't be disappointed. Suddenly 'DVD-quality' won't quite be good enough ...

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