3 comments about Sony DCRHC65 MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom.

1. My initial impression of the HC65 are generally very favorable. I like the feel and balance of it, and the controls are laid out nicely. The LCD display at 3.5" is very nice, and the touch screen is nice as well, being reasonably intuative and requiring only a light touch which minimizes camera movement while filming. I tried some filming outdoors first, close to sunset, and had great results in the Easy mode. The focus and exposure adjust very quickly and give a good picture. The colors are vibrant, and the image is clear.
   
   The manual focus is a nice feature as well, using a focus ring on the front of the lens, and also showing the focus distance on the LCD display. The zoom works quite well; easy to control the speed, and the button is well placed, although I wish it had just a little more than 10X. The 10X should be sufficient for most applications, and I would reccomend a telephoto lens adapter and tripod if you need extra magnification.



2. I bought the DCRHC65 after trying out the DCRHC30 thinking the larger CCD unit would make a difference in low-light conditions. But I wasn't able to see any difference.
   
   The design of this camera sux. The input / output cable ports are located in difficult spots. The tethered lens cap is ridiculous. Too heavy. Consumes battery too quickly.
   
   If you're considering this camera, compare it with the DCRHC30. The only big difference is the pixel memory and CCD size. Both do analog to digital pass-through. But the DCR-HC30 is hundreds less.



3. I got this camera for $430 at circuit city. I don't think its worth $800, but it has some great features if you can find it for a good price, since it is last year's model. I love the big touch screen. Its really easy to use. The supernight shot plus works great. This camera can see better than me in the dark. Picture quality is good and if you get an upgraded battery (only $20 on ebay) the camera can run for a long time. It doesn't have the built in lens cover, but I just keep my lens cover in a camera bag when I'm using the camera. The camera is a little bigger than some other models out there, but I think it makes it easier to hold and have control.

5 comments about Sony DCRPC1 Handycam Digital Camcorder.

1. I am looking for a digital camera which can record directly on a CD. If there is one then please let know about it. Sony DCR PC1 is an excellent piece of photographic equipment. It is very useful for my profession of Highway Designing/Improvement. For my profession I need something that can be immidiately loaded / displayed on computer.



2. An earlier review stated that it was not possible to edit digital video from the DCR-PC1 on a desktop computer. I bought a third party FireWire board and DV editing program bundle for my PC (I paid $80) and had the board installed, the software running, and video downloaded from my camera in under an hour. While cracking open a computer case and installing a new board might not be everyone's idea of fun, it is a simple procedure and greatly enhances the value of the camera. I've been very pleased with the DCR-PC1 and carry it everywhere I go.



3. I purchased this camcorder Oct. 1999. The picture quality is crystal clear in good lighting conditions, grainy in low light conditions. I also purchased a ... hardware/software package from Pinnacle Systems ... that allows me to edit video and audio captured on the camcorder on my PC. This is a very innexpensive way to produce high quality home movies. The best feature of the camcorder is its size-you take it everywhere.



4. I bought the PC1E in 2004 so it's not the newest, I have been looking for a camcorder to settle down with for a while now and have used Panasonics, Sharps and JVCs, I was put off Sony by the fact that you usually pay a premium price and I had no evidence that they were definitively better than the other brands. Obviously the size of the PC1 is noticeably small even by modern mini-DV standards it holds up well. It takes a little getting used to but unlike other upright cameras that I've used the natural holding position on the PC1 doesn't interfere with the microphone, a definite plus. Sound quality is good and the unit makes very little mech noise so you don't get that on playback. The Carl Zeiss lens is excellent as you'd expect, I particularly like the light adjustment which is very fast and very good, it means if you swing past a window whilst indoors it doesn't screw up your footage. All in all I'd recommend it as a great camera for the enthusiast, in terms of connectivity it links up to the Mac through iMovie with no trouble at all.



5. I owned this wonderful piece of optical marvel since 2000. In all these years I traveled from the Sahara to the Mont Blanc, from 120F to minus 40 in Siberia. It never failed! I kept it in my pocket to record my life's events. I imported the videos to my hard drive, edited them and burned them to DVD with amezing ease. It is all metal construction and never suffered from the occasional banging it received. Excellent, but keep spare batteries on hand.

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV840 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 3.5" LCD, USB Streaming, Memory Stick, and Mega Pixel Video/ Still.

1. The TRV840 is like a M1 tank in several ways:
   1)When you shoot a subject, you get great results.
   2) It can use a variety of "ammo" (plays Hi8 and 8mm tapes also).
   3) Weighs "a ton" (stable but rough on the hand after a while).
   4) Reliable and sturdy.

   Summary: Exceptional video, excellent sound, 1 MP digital stills (Great for email or web posting). Able to convert any video to digital, 8mm inside the camera or other video by pass through. A great feature if you have old videos you want to digitize. Just make sure your PC is up to the task!

   For my specific needs of great digital video and the ability to digitize old tapes, I can overlook the excess bulk. Videos should be short and sweet anyway, so I'll just put it down when my hand starts to ache! If you need the same features, the TRV840 can't be beat.




2. This is a great camera! It is very easy to use. It takes very clear digital video, and for 1 megapixel CCD takes good digital pictures. It has many neat features. It has a large LCD screen for easy reviewing.

   It records Mpeg files on the memorystick for display on computers. This is a great feature although the files recorded are a little grainy. This is great for e-mailing vacation movies back to family members.

   The quality of the digital video is great. The bad thing is that you don't get much recording time on one tape. It uses 2 hour analog tapes, but when you record in digital mode you only get 1 hour on each tape.

   The picture taking feature is wonderful for vacation. You don't have to carry both a still camera and a video camera around with you. The pictures are only 1 megapixel, but they show up on a computer screen great. We were very pleased with the results of the pictures.

   The battery life is very long. We purchased a separate quick charger for our batteries which was a great addition. It doesn't take much time to charge and they last quite a while compared to our old Minolta camcorder.




3. This is a very nice camcorder for the money. I love the larger view screen, and the battery lasts quite a long time. The picture quality is very good, but there is considerable noise from the motor that gets recorded on the tape. If you're taping a birthday party or sporting event, the noise isn't too bad, but if you're using it to record the birds chirping on a quiet morning, forget it; the noise from the motor will drown out anything you'd be able to hear, it's that loud. Lastly, I have had several old 8mm tapes from my old camcorder that will not play on this camcorder. They will play on my neighbor's 8mm Samsung camcorder, but not on this Sony. I was a little upset by this.



4. All the characteristics of this camera are great. The still digitals to mpegs, but I had to buy a Canon for this particular camera to be compatible with my G4 Mac. I bought the camera before I bought my G4.



5. hi
   i m intersted in 2 pieces. how do i contact you? what are the payment methods for it?
   thanks

2 comments about Sony CCDTRV328 Hi8 Analog Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom.

1. When our 8mm stopped working that we had used for nine years, I found it overwhelming to research and find a new camera.
   I knew I didn't want digital because I don't even use my digital still camera very often, other than to e-mail pictures.
   I knew that I wanted another 8mm, so that we could play our tapes we have now. I didn't want to spend too much money. We received this camera a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't be happier. It even has more options than I really need. We charged the battery when we got the camera and for 2 weeks we have been filming the kids occasionally and the battery is still full. I never thought I would use the night vision, but have found it is fun to film the kids when they are asleep and I don't have to turn a light on to film. The zoom works well and the color looks good. For the price, I don't see how you could get a better camera. I don't think you could find a better analog camera even if you did spend more money. I obviously can't comment on how well it will hold up in the future, but as far as its performance now, I love it.



2. Bought this tested for a day, the picture quality is awful. Recorded video had lots of grains in medium lights (even in a small room with 100 watts bulb), more yellowish even in bright (sun) light. Hoped the one I got might be bad, and exchanged for a new one. That was also the same quality. Had for a good deal (abt $200), and it is not worth for that money. Returned within hours.
   
   Already own few Sony products (including 4 yrs old camcorder Hi8 TRV68), which are good in quality, made me think all the Sony products are awesome.
   
   Video quality is the main thing needed in a camcorder, so rated 1.

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV740 Digital8 Camcorder w/ 2.3" LCD, USB Streaming, Memory Stick, & Mega Pixel Video/ Still.

1. This camera is excellent for capturing Videos, the Still Picture quality is good if you are outdoors, for shooting still pics indoors & especially during night-time, you must have a very bright Light Source or a very brightly illuminated room. The Optical zoom is just adequate but I would prefer 20X +. The memory stick is a great Acc., Sony should give 32 MB as Std Acc. I also have the EZ Editor Hard/Soft-ware but I am still struggling to get good output. Battery Life is adequate. Overall I would definitely recommend it.



2. Pros: Picture quality, Hi8 Playback Capability, Price

   Cons: Zoom Control, Image Stabilization, Bottom cassette loading, Handling Comfort, 15x Zoom

   While holding out for the cost to come down on DVD camcorders and needing a new camcorder that would play my existing Hi-8s, I went with the backwardly compatable Digital8. The TRV740 appeared to be a solid choice with it's many features and great output quality. But when I first started to use it I was quickly disappointed by the following:

   Zoom Control: My previous camcorder was a Canon ES5000 (Hi8). The TRV740's zoom control is awful in comparison with the Canon. It's very difficult to activate the slowest zoom speed as the sliding switch does not move smoothly. 9 times out of 10, you'll go right past the slow speed as the force needed to get the switch moving is much greater than the force to keep the zoom speed steady so an overzoom situation happens. Then you're zooming rapidly and have to slow it down which ruins the slow zoom effect.

   "Super" SteadyShot: Huge disappointment here. Electronic stabilizers simply do not compare with optical stabilizers (Canon). It almost seems that when the stabilizer is turned off, Sony added shake to the image so that when the stabilizer is on, it looks better in comparison to when it was "off". Just a silly conspiracy theory to let you know bad it is.

   Bottom cassette loading: Did you ever think you'd see a camcorder that had to be removed from a tripod in order to change the cassette? You've got it with this one. Unbelievable.

   Handling Comfort: It's a little heavy and not something you want to use for an extended period.

   15x Zoom: This is on the low side and the only reason I can imagine that they went with this low of an optical zoom is because of the poor image stabilizer. At 15x, let alone 20x, you need a tripod or it looks like you have some sort of neuro-muscular affliction.

   I'll probably keep it to use as a player to backup my Hi-8 collection by playing those tapes to a DVD burner. I recommend looking for something else if you think you'd be bothered by the same things as I am with this camcorder.




3. This is a great camera, but I wish I had done a little more research before going ahead and purchasing this. The quality is absolutely great. It has the ability to transfer data with the iLink, and the backwards compatibility is also a plus. However, the "digital camera" aspect is pretty poor. If you want to take digital pictures, buy a digital camera. The photo resolution on the still images is horrible and the actual size of it is too small. Also, there are a ton of extra features on the camera that are worked into the price that are never used, like the superimposing is a waste. It you want to do things like that, you probably should look into some editing software.
   If I could go back, I would have definatly got a MiniDV camcorder. The quaility is just as good but it's much smaller and more lightweight. After filming for awhile, your arm hurts lugging this monster around. I personally would stick with the Sony brand, only due to the great NightShot feature. If Cannon or Panasonic offered it, I would check them out. However, Sony is the only brand to go with in the ghost hunting buisness...



4. This is an excellent camera, however, anyone spending more than $200 dollars for one is wasting their money for some very old technology. Buy one, if you can, but do not spend too much money.



5. I purchased a 2G SD card to store more pics that the one that came with it. I put in the card and kept getting a "card reader error". The store indicated that the cam cannot handle the additional memory for storing pics. If anyone knows which SD card I can purchase to store more than the 40 pics, please let me know.

No comments about Sony DCRTRV830 Digital Camcorders.

1 comments about Sony LAV Microphone w/Bodypack Transmitter & Portable Wireless UHF Receiver (CH 66-69).

1. I purchased this microphone just prior to taking off on a two-week video shoot in SE Asia. I was a bit apprehensive about relying so heavily on a mic about which I wasn't able to get much information before purchasing. After having used the mic quite extensively for a couple of weeks, I can now breathe a sigh of relief and report that overall this is a very good microphone for the price. Its selection of frequencies and other user-changeable features are good, though its menu system is not intuitive and requires keeping the manual close by.
   
   My main criticism is its cheap plastic construction, typical with Sony products at this price point. It only took a few days to break the "foot" on the shoe mount.
   
   Overall, I am relatively happy with this purchase and would recommend this mic, but I would also strongly recommend a good hard case in which to store it (no case is included).

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV520 Digital Camcorder.

1. When we bought this camcorder I was a little worried, since I never handled a camcorder before. I had no problems! It was so lightweight and easy to use. I love the display that tells you how much time is left on the battery. I would recommend this camcorder to everyone!



2. DCR-TRV520. I bought this Digitial 8 camera (I am not a previous user/owner of any camcorder) about 4 weeks ago after much prognosticating over the miniDVD format in the Panasonic and Canon brands for a similar price (I would have gone for the Sony miniDVD but didn't want to pay the extra bucks). So I made my decision based on the extra features of optical stablization, manual focus and the greater zoom capability - also I trusted the Sony brand more, but that reason was entirely subjective. I have not been disappointed with this camera. The stabilization is excellent - in fact, while I like compact cameras and would have preferred miniDVD because of size, this camera is not that much bigger, and increased size and weight may be an advantage as the camera feels solid and steady to hold. The auto focus is excellent - I may never need to use the manual focus unless I want to get really fancy. The zoom capability works very well, even at the highest mag., and is more useful than what I would have thought. This alone places it above the other miniDVD cameras including the Sony which have lower zoom. With iMovie, $50 from Apple (I have a Mac G3), the only extra I needed was the $30 Firewire cable (4 pin-camera, to 6 pin-Mac) and I was importing and editing the video. Also, I put in a Hi8 tape of our wedding and was amazed that this non-digital format was automatically transmitted from the camera into iMovie as digital information with no apparent loss in resolution! Regarding memory stick, with iMovie there does not seem to be a way to directly import the stills, but if they are first copied to the tape, then they can be imported. However, the resolution after doing this is no better than a still made with iMovie from video. Maybe the resolution will be better after direct import, but I doubt it. In Photoshop a video still and memory stick import from tape has the same pixel count as specified for the still camera - 680 x 460 I think or thereabouts. Some people say the memory stick stills suck in resolution - they are not that bad. Hey, you're buying a camcorder first and foremost, not a digital camera. One other reason I got this camcorder was that some reviews said the Canon and Panasonic miniDVD didn't work too well at low light levels. I've never tried those cameras, but I can also tell you that this Sony I bought works great at low light as well. Sony 520 versus 320 - I went for ther 520 because of the bigger LCD display - I'm glad I did - the extra size is excellent as you can replay what you have shot and easily see it on the screen. Overall, this camera has no weaknesses and some advantages. Another thought - if you are considering buying Hi8 or even 8 so you can get a cheaper camcorder - don't! There is so much you can do with digital if you have the computer. and the video quality if better. Its worth the extra bucks. Cheers!



3. I've owned camcorders before but never digital. Before I made my choice, I did a lot of research on the net. The Sony products always seemed to show up on the recommended lists. I have a friend who owns the DCR-TRV320 and decided to check it out. I was very impressed with the camera. The features of the 320 and the 520 are basically the same. I like the bigger LCD screen on the 520 though and went for that instead. I Nightshot feature is GREAT on these cameras. You can shoot virtually anything up to 10 feet away in TOTAL darkness. I recommend this camera to anyone looking for a high quality, fully featured digital camera. But note that you can always save some bucksn if you opt for the DCR-TRV320. One extra note though. Get yourself a longer lasting battery with your new camera. Or at least a spare one. Anyone who's owned a camcorder will tell you the same!



4. I've had my TRV520 for a little over a year now and I'm very pleased with it. The quality of the video when transferred to VHS is very high. The camera is implicitly easy to use and handle. But to be honest there were one or two things that I found disappointing: The quality of the stills taken are not that great. Unless the light on the subject is very good I find that the images are quite grainy. Do not buy this camera for excellent digital photos. You won't get um. The images are just okay. I'm in the market for a digital camera now. Another thing I find annoying is that the camera shuts off if there no activity for 3 mins. This is a 'battery saving mechanism' but I have not found a way to disable it if the the camera is plug into the AC outlet. Other than that, I think it's a very good buy and I won't be changing it anytime soon.



5. It is not perfect,but I have used it at least once a week for two and a half years now. The zoom is out of this world! I have taken photos as close as two feet and really far away and have gotten super clear shots. I have taken still, moving and portraits. I like it. My friends like it too. It has a lot of flexability for taking pictures. For example; I run the camera and then when I plug it into my firewall I am able to take out still shots,the ones I want.I can also put my film on a video cassette.Personally, I would have rathered gotten a full version of the MGI software for the price I had to pay for the camera though. But I do like the software. I also shoot a lot in the dark. I'm using the night shot & super night shot right now.Super night shot works well although if there is a lot of movement, the pics are distorted. I plan to buy a light soon. Bottom line, I don't regret my purchase.Mechanically, I have had absolutely no problems. I have an 8 hour battery and I use the lcd screen to film. It is sufficeint.

5 comments about Sony DCR-HC1000 3-CCD MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom.

1. I had this camcorder for about a year and think this may be the best small 3-ccd in its class.
   Pros: true to life picture; fine low-light shooting, manual functions; optical stabalization; advanced audio features; comfortable grip
   Cons: most controls on LCD; jumpy flashcard recording (limited to no more than 15fps)



2. This is the greatest little camcorder in the world with lots of bells and whistles that would have been way more expensive a while ago. I do wish that it had actual fstops rather than a slider on the touch screen for more accurate adjustments, ditto shutter speed and the manual focus is a bit fussy. More easily accessible manual controls would make it close to perfect. the touch screen takes a little getting used to and is not the very best idea. Other than that image quality is terrific under all sorts of different conditions, a camera mounted mike has decent sound and it is really a pleasure to use.



3. It is an excellent camera, probably the BEST on market for the price you pay, excellent video quality, and good pictures too.
   But need to improve 3 points:
   
   1- You Cannot wath it on a PAL System TV, Thats important to me because have to travel a lot to Europe, but cannot show what i have recorded to my family there. All my olds cameras have that option.
   
   2- The Microfone is not as good as the cameras with the Mic on Front. This camera havi it on top, ¿why? i don't know
   
   3- Most of the funtions are on the touch panel, i want the white balance out, and maybe some others funtions.



4. this appears larger than the PC-1000, and its not clear to me what you get for that extra size other than a little extra zoom and the swivel mount. anyone know the difference? thanks.



5. Must say : this camcorder does it job as a pro-camera ! Althought the controll on its LCD, it is heplful when you have to creat some lively scence.

5 comments about Sony DCR-HC90 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom.

1. Like other reviewers, I researched this purchase carefully and was very pleased with the overall performance of this combination video/still camera. Video quality is great.
   
   Some issues - buttons are designed for holding the camera eyepiece to the eye. The secondary controls on the screen are ok, but otherwise it is awkward to use the camera at waist level. Still camera focus is slow and unreliable. Stills can take "forever" to snap - especially #2, 3.
   
   Finally, the camera has completely shut down on me twice in 6 months and I am sending it back again for service - just before the holidays when I would really like to have it. This unreliability is unacceptable.



2. I shopped around for a while before I bought this camera. I checked out many reviews and I have to say, I'm VERY happy with this camera. I wanted something that worked in low light. This was the most important feature I was looking for. I had a Canon video camera, and I now have very few videos of my daughter growing up because if there wasn't enough light it would make interference on the tape. This camera works very well with normal indoor lighting. You don't have to turn on extra lights. (It also has nightvision which works in very low light)
   
   The only complaints I have are 1) the battery doesn't last more than an hour - but I don't video that long anyway 2) the memory stick doesn't hold many pictures - but I'm spoiled with my digital camera holding lots.
   
   In general, I would highly recommend this camera. You can download the video to you PC really easily and burn it to DVD.
   
   Oh, and in some reviews it mentions that the zoom is hard to use. I don't find that to be true at all. It is sensitive, but not hard to use.



3. As an owner of the Sony DCR-HC30 model DV Handicam, I want to warn everyone about my horrible experience with this product line. Design and feature-wise, these Handicams are great. The problem is, they are built like junk.
   
   From the day I opened my box, I got a message that told me that the heads were dirty and needed to be cleaned. In retrospect, I should have returned it for a replacement then and there. But being a basically optimistic guy, I decided it just got dirty in transit, and I got a head cleaner and cleaned the heads. It worked fine for about 30 days - just about the amount of time in Sony's crappy labor warranty. And from that point forward, I have gotten dirty head messages constantly, which at first could be `cleaned away,' but now, even when the message is gone, problems persist.
   
   I often get bars across the screen during playback, and I have already determined that I have lost many a precious memory of my infant children. Sony's solution to this situation is their standard "flat rate" repair program, truly a bargain for $250 or so - more than half what I paid for the camera in the first place.
   
   And Sony wonders why their brand value has all but disappeared? They are just another electronics brand now, and one with sub-par quality and service at that. Guess I'll be buying Samsungs or Canons next time around.
   
   Are you listening, Sony?



4. This is one of the best camcorders in the market today and I would definitely recommend it to anyone planning to buy a Mini-DV camcorder
   
   Positive factors:
   - Very small and easy to hold with one hand. Can be easily attached even to a mini-tripod with ease.
   - Excellent widescreen video and hi-fi audio. Your videos finally get that "Hollywood" feel when you shoot movies in 16:9 ratio (widescreen format). Even if you don't have a widescreen TV currently, you will very soon have one as more and more people are buying them. So its better to buy this camcorder and shoot in 16:9 format to enjoy your movies later in widescreen format.
   - Includes widescreen rotatable LCD so what you see is what you get when you shoot in 16:9 ratio (widescreen format)
   - Good battery life. One extra battery is enough. You can easily manage a day's worth of shooting with two batteries before recharging them again
   - Includes docking station making it easier to connect to computer or TV. If you have a good computer with a firewire port, please buy a firewire cable to connect the camcorder to your computer. You can download your movie in excellent clarity in .avi format and edit it as required
   - Make sure to change the audio setting to 16 bit (instead of the default 12 bit) for very good hi-fi audio
   - Touchscreen menu system is great. You don't have to search for any buttons as they are all available in the touchscreen menu itself.
   - 10X optical zoom is more than sufficient for ordinary home videos. Anything more produces more "shaking" and would necessiate the use of a tripod. When you shoot without a tripod, 10X is the best zoom you can achieve without worrying about shaky videos
   - Widescreen still photo. The photo clarity is OK not too good. So please don't expect great shots. Since the photo is in 16:9 format, you can take panoramic photos and cover more people in group shots
   - Nightshot: Cool feature that records using infrared light. Useful for shooting at night as you can record a video even in 100% darkness
   - Color widescreen viewfinder - Very useful when you are running down on batteries and need to use the viewfinder. The color widescreen viewfinder gives an excellent picture and is as good as the LCD in clarity
   
   Negative factors:
   - Outdoor videos especially in bright sunlight are overexposed. So please adjust the white balance when shooting outdoors. Add the white-balance menu to your shortcuts so that you can easily access it and return to default once you start shooting indoors
   - Sensitive microphone may pick up button clicks (best to turn off the button click "beep" sound).
   
   Notes:
   - Use a fresh cassette after recording 2 or 3 times on the same cassette. The head tends to get dirty if you re-record on the same cassette more than 3 times
   - You can edit movies in Windowx XP using Windows Movie Maker, but beware it does not support 16:9 ratio video. Hence your videos look ugly as you shot them in 16:9 but Movie Maker converted it to 4:3. Invest in Pinnacle Software version 9 or 10 for better movie editing capabilities. Pinnacle is the only software, I am aware of, that preserves teh 16:9 ratio. Even Roxio could not allow 16:9 format.
   - You can also invest in wide-angle lens as it gives excellent coverage



5. Tuve este camara por año y medio, la usa bastante. Cualquier dia simplemente dejo de funcionar. Se daño el bus de datos que esta al lado del carro del cassete. Se daño simplemente por "mucho uso" o mas bien falta de calidad. Además la camara tiene problemas cuando enfoca fotografias. Es muy linda pero muy, muy delicada. No volvere a comprar filmadoras Sony me pase a Canon, que son menos lindas pero mas fuertes.