Sony DCRHC40 MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom
- Sleek, compact MiniDV camcorder and digital still camera with 1-megapixel CCD
- 10x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 120x) with Super SteadyShot image stabilizer
- 2.5-inch rotating LCD and color viewfinder
- Low-light recording settings, Memory Stick Duo slot, and accessory shoe
- NP-FM50 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery
Rating: 4 of 5
Great miniDV camera
I just needed a small camcorder 4 making video game movies & this fits that. My laptop recognized it right away. Transfer is good & I have not had any problems with this DV Camcorder. The only complaint that I do have is the touch screen. I prefer actual buttons, but the camcorder is still easy 2 use.
Rating: 4 of 5
This camera is absolutely useful & awesome
I just purchased this camera about a week ago & I received it a few days ago.
The camera is absolutely wonderful. Even though people say the bottom loading tape is bad, I think it is actually a good feature. It makes the camera less bulky & it is so easy 2 carry around because the tape isn't top loading.
I love the size & it's so convenient. I'm used 2 bulky cameras & this is way better.
The touch screen feature is great. People say it is inconvenient, but I don't think it is. I think it's because I'm used 2 having cameras with the controls in the LCD itself. The touch screen is neat, & it means you don't have 2 press a gajilion buttons like some cameras 2 control the camera.
Although people say the LCD screen looks "washed out" if you mess around with the LCD brightness & stuff light that, it'll look less washed out & it will look pretty good.
Also, I learned that if you used your middle finger 2 use the zoom toggle, you have more control over it & it doesn't make the "zoom toggle noise" that gets recorded if you don't control it.
The fact that this camera takes pictures is cool. Although they are not "digital camera" sort of pictures, what do ya expect? This camera is mainly used 4 recording, not pictures. But I love how you can take pictures with the nightshot on & it looks pretty awesome.
I bought this camera primarily 4 its analog through digital passthrough & its amazing. Its so easy 2 transfer your videos 2 the computer. (via firewire, it doesn't come with the camera, but you can find some on amazon that are under five bucks) The software that comes with the camera isn't that great when it comes 2 transferring. I recommend ArcSoft ShowBiz & its really easy 2 use. I haven't used Microsoft Movie Maker 4 transferring it yet, but it will most likely work.
It doesn't do well under low light, but that's what the super night shot plus is for. The supernight shot plus feature is awesome. I've never had a camera like this before that could do that. I went into a dark room 2 test it out, I could see almost everything that I couldn't see without the super night shot plus.
The problems I had with this camera is its instructions on using analog through digital pass through. I never used a camera with this feature, so I didn't know how 2 use it. I spent 2 hours trying 2 figure it out through the manual that came with the camera, which didn't help much. I was so frustrated that I looked on the net on how 2 do it. Guess what? In less then five minutes from looking, I found the instructions & it worked. If only I had looked on the net first instead of wasting 2 hours of my time on how 2 do it... But, when I finally digitized my old analog tapes, they came out perfect.
Another thing that I don't like about this camera is that the viewfinder doesn't tilt up, even though it pulls out.
Other than that, this camera is amazing. I like the the zoom because I've used it 2 watch & record a play. With the zoom up all the way, it was very clear & it felt like I was sitting close up 2 the stage with this useful gadget.
Sony is such a great brand & I wouldn't hesitate 2 buy another camera from them in the future.
The camera is absolutely wonderful. Even though people say the bottom loading tape is bad, I think it is actually a good feature. It makes the camera less bulky & it is so easy 2 carry around because the tape isn't top loading.
I love the size & it's so convenient. I'm used 2 bulky cameras & this is way better.
The touch screen feature is great. People say it is inconvenient, but I don't think it is. I think it's because I'm used 2 having cameras with the controls in the LCD itself. The touch screen is neat, & it means you don't have 2 press a gajilion buttons like some cameras 2 control the camera.
Although people say the LCD screen looks "washed out" if you mess around with the LCD brightness & stuff light that, it'll look less washed out & it will look pretty good.
Also, I learned that if you used your middle finger 2 use the zoom toggle, you have more control over it & it doesn't make the "zoom toggle noise" that gets recorded if you don't control it.
The fact that this camera takes pictures is cool. Although they are not "digital camera" sort of pictures, what do ya expect? This camera is mainly used 4 recording, not pictures. But I love how you can take pictures with the nightshot on & it looks pretty awesome.
I bought this camera primarily 4 its analog through digital passthrough & its amazing. Its so easy 2 transfer your videos 2 the computer. (via firewire, it doesn't come with the camera, but you can find some on amazon that are under five bucks) The software that comes with the camera isn't that great when it comes 2 transferring. I recommend ArcSoft ShowBiz & its really easy 2 use. I haven't used Microsoft Movie Maker 4 transferring it yet, but it will most likely work.
It doesn't do well under low light, but that's what the super night shot plus is for. The supernight shot plus feature is awesome. I've never had a camera like this before that could do that. I went into a dark room 2 test it out, I could see almost everything that I couldn't see without the super night shot plus.
The problems I had with this camera is its instructions on using analog through digital pass through. I never used a camera with this feature, so I didn't know how 2 use it. I spent 2 hours trying 2 figure it out through the manual that came with the camera, which didn't help much. I was so frustrated that I looked on the net on how 2 do it. Guess what? In less then five minutes from looking, I found the instructions & it worked. If only I had looked on the net first instead of wasting 2 hours of my time on how 2 do it... But, when I finally digitized my old analog tapes, they came out perfect.
Another thing that I don't like about this camera is that the viewfinder doesn't tilt up, even though it pulls out.
Other than that, this camera is amazing. I like the the zoom because I've used it 2 watch & record a play. With the zoom up all the way, it was very clear & it felt like I was sitting close up 2 the stage with this useful gadget.
Sony is such a great brand & I wouldn't hesitate 2 buy another camera from them in the future.
Rating: 5 of 5
its SONY....you gotta buy it
if you think SONY is a quality brand....YOU ARE CORRECT
too bad i dont know how 2 use all the features....and you will use a camcorder less than you think....so dont spend too much....and buy a good still camera...the stills on this is low resolution
too bad i dont know how 2 use all the features....and you will use a camcorder less than you think....so dont spend too much....and buy a good still camera...the stills on this is low resolution
Rating: 1 of 5
Major Problems getting videos from tape 2 computer or CD/DVD
The Picture Package software that comes with these Sony's is terrible - incompatible with most DVD/CD-R writers, meaning that you can't get your video off the MiniDV cassette tapes onto either your computer or a DVD or CD-R. I spent over 10 hours on the phone with Sony & Picture Package tech support, & ultimately learned that it is incompatible with my DVD/CD-R writer (in my Compaq Presario computer), & now am having 2 try 2 find some other solution 4 getting my videos off the cassettes 2 some other medium. The manuals are no help, & tech support is extremely time-consuming & ultimately found no solution other than telling me 2 use Microsoft Movie Maker - which takes FOREVER & I'm not even sure it really works. Before you buy this model - I highly recommend you seriously research whether it is compatible with your DVD/CD-R writer, & get some certainty about how you will be able 2 transfer the video tapes 2 computer or DVD or CD-R. I WOULD NOT buy this camcorder knowing what I now know.
Rating: 4 of 5
Worth the money
Over the past 35 years that I have been shooting video, it has come a long way. Comparing this 2 the RCA TK-76 "Minicam" that I shot tv news with on 3/4" in 1977 is fun: 1/100 the cost & double the scan lines. Oh, & 1/80th the weight not including the 40 pound recorder. At first, I didn't think something this size could work this well. I needed something quick & inexpensive 2 do video cuts 4 inserting into PowerPoint. My boss was too cheap 2 buy equipment 4 the department & I needed training tapes. So I just bought a HC40, shot the material, edited it on my HP a622n & inserted into the PP. And then did it about a dozen more times on other training material. It looks surprisingly well 10' tall through a 2000 lumen projector. A handheld or wireless mic is a must. At least a key light, if not key, base & fill are a must. My Lowell Totalight kit works perfectly with a few scrims. Not broadcast quality of today although surpassing broadcast quality of 30 years ago. Just border line 4 industrial or PP if lit well with good sound. I am satisfied with it & it travels well.
The DCR-HC40 MiniDV Handycam gives you all the features you'd expect from a Sony camcorder in an ultra-compact design that's as beautiful as the images it captures. It features a 1.0 Megapixel Advanced HAD imaging chip & a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens which combine 2 capture video with incredible detail & clarity, making every video picture perfect. It also includes a huge 2.5" hybrid SwivelScreen touch panel LCD display with a 3D menu system, Super NightShot Plus infrared recording, USB streaming, & digital still image capturing on MemoryStick DUO media. Only Sony could pack so many features in a camcorder so small.
($340.00)
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