Rating: 
Summary: Excellent MiniDV.... audio needs work
Review: A BEST-KEPT MINIDV SECRET: the video "pass-through" feature on the HC30 lets you connect a VCR or camcorder and digitize the signal for editing. You think it can't make a difference? Think again!
I have several DVDs created with one of those USB all-in-one devices, from tapes made on my old analog camcorder. Using the USB, video quality was ok but with some artifacts and pixilazation. I then tried running the analog camcorder signal through the HC30 using the "pass through" feature. What I got were zero lost frames, zero pixalization, and full screen video with no artifacts (!)
I didn't believe it when I saw it, but I realize that despite what "they say", USB 2.0 can't handle the full bandwidth of analog video. As a result I've been spending evenings re-editing all my old analog camcorder tapes through my HC30.
- So don't use the supplied USB cable! Go buy a i.link/Firewire card and cable, otherwise you will lose 1/3 the picture quality. I'm not sure why Sony even bothered to include a USB cable and cause everyone grief.
- Instead of griping about the software Sony bundled, spend an extra buck and go buy the top-notch "Pinnacle Studio" or download the trial of Sony Vegas 5.0. Why buy a quality MiniDV camera and struggle editing your family movies with freeware?
HOWEVER: One downside to the HC30 is that mechanical noise from the camera is slightly picked up by the built-in microphone. Adding a high-quality mike like the Sony ECMS930C picks up the sound even more. This is a problem Sony needs to fix to make this camera's sound as good as it's picture...which is excellent.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent camera for the price!
Review: After doing much research on the 'net and visiting every electronics store on the island, I decided on the HC30 and I am not disappointed. I've never owned a camcorder before, so I was worried that I'd have trouble using one, but Sony has taken away any hassle with its "Easy" mode, which uses automatic settings--great for point-and-shoot novice (read: wannabe) videographers like myself.Pros: Size (this camera is tiny compared to other camcorders in this price range), Memory Stick MPEG movie + still image recording (perfect for e-mails + websites, but not for prints), bright 2.5" touchscreen LCD, good automatic settings, excellent picture quality, Super NightShot (a MUST for single CCD cameras used in low-light settings), analog-to-digital pass-through (for recording from a VCR onto your PC using firewire), Carl Zeiss lens (hence the excellent picture quality. Cons: Menu navigation and getting to manual controls is not intuitive and can be problematic while shooting. The optical zoom is small compared to other cameras in this class (10x vs. 20x). It's low-light performance is mediocre, but compared to other camera's I've researched and tested, the HC30 outperforms them all with its Super NightShot. And for anyone complaining about the poor still image quality, I will say that this camcorder, and its stills were not meant for prints, but for e-mails or the 'net. It's a given that if you want good photo quality, buy a regular digital camera--even the most ambitious of camcorders usually only come with a one megapixel sensor, which is not nearly enough for crisp photos. Don't worry, this camcorder is small enough that you can still carry around your digital camera and not be weighted down. I'm new to the world of digital video, but I'm an avid digital photographer and I've got to say that with its feature set and ease of use, I can readily recommend this camera to people who want no-hassles with good quality. Given it's pros (good auto settings) and cons (buried manual controls) it's obvious that this is meant for consumers and not prosumers, but with its excellent image quality and decent low-light performance, I think that even prosumers should think of picking this up as a good backup camera.
Rating: 
Summary: software (and its support) is poor
Review: Cant figure out the software ("Picture Package") that comes with the camcorder. The only way to get video from the camcorder through Firewire interface, seems to be to use the "Automatic Video Producer" feature of "Picture Package". To do such a video capture, it forces you to choose a value for the options "Music settings" (for sound) and "Effect/Style" (for video). There is NO WAY not to choose a value for these options !! So whatever video you download has these stupid effects :( I managed to get rid of the "Music settings" by going to the installation folder and physically removing the .mp3 file it was using for the sound effects. But I cannot find a way to get rid of the video effects .. Sony support was not helpful.
Rating:
Summary: A lovely camcorder, and the price is right.
Review: Don't buy a camcorder for the computer software. Do yourself a favor, get a Mac if you want to do any serious movie editing. iMovie (free with every Mac) is mission-critical for any home movie editor or aspiring Scorcese. That aside, let me tell you what is right about this smartly-priced beauty. It's tiny. It has long battery life. It has a terrific, touch-sensitive display. It works great across light levels, and even has a special low-light feature that may make you look a little like a zombie, but it's terrific if you want to film those aliens stealing your trash. The picture quality is terrific (as one might expect from Sony), the form, fit and function are first-rate, it has all the standard features you expect (including a mic-out and "hot shoe"). I can't really see spending more.
Rating: 
Summary: LCD MALFUNCTIONING RIGHT FROM START
Review: DON'T buy this model DCRHC30, unless you want to get into REAL BIG TROUBLE. This model is quite useless as you can see from the numerous complaints of others also.
My LCD screen is malfunctioning right from the 16th day after purchase. It has been sent for repairs two time within 45 days for the same problem. That's poor performance for something so expensive. The LCD screen's backlight doesn't show up at all after a while. After this happens the unit cannot be operated and becomes USELESS, because all functions are touch-screen.
Sony people is not cooperating at all. They are apologizing quite profusely, but when it comes to replacing the defective unit that is less than 45 days old, they are having all sorts of "problems". Am facing BIG PROBLEM personally.
If you want to know more or read my e-mails to Sony and their reply, you can write to me at am_fre@yahoo.com
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Great Camera
Review: I absolutely love this camera. With the Sony name you can't go wrong. The Mini DV quality is fantastic. Little features about this camera really add up as well, such as the Carl Zeiss lens which makes the picture quality even better and with less glare. The internal lens cover is great, you don't have to worry about loosing one. Touch screen is very easy to use and makes shooting that much better. Nightshot modes work very well and it's very impressive how much light it can pick up in very low level light conditions. Remote control is very useful and is a must for any camera. One of the best features is the battery info. Not only does it tell you when your battery is getting low but it also tells you approximately how many minutes you have to work with. Color viewfinder is also nice since it gives great detail and uses less battery power. This camera is very lightweight and small but at the same time very sturdy and not too small to operate. My only complaint is that the camera would have been a little better with an internal light however you can buy one later and attach it to the camera. Overall couldn't be happier, worth the money if you want a top quality mini dv camcorder.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to figure out vidio transfer to computer
Review: I am also Software engineer(5+) and have many years of building and fixing computer problems. But it was so hard for me to figure out how to transfer video to my computer. With this Picture Package software, it was impossible so I had to use other tools(luckly I had pinnacle software). It did not come with firewire so I wanted to use USB cable but it did not work. I had to install xp sp1(not mentioned in sony mannual) for this to recognize video transfer. Quality was bad so I bought firewire cable and card and it works fine now.
Rating:
Summary: Love The Night Shot - Zoom Doesn't Bother Me
Review: I am really pleased with this camcorder. It is my second miniDV camcorder, my first one was a Panasonic PV-DV910. I got the Panasonic years ago when digital camcorders first came out, and it was no good in low light. So, my main criteria in looking for a new one was...
1. Ability to shoot in low light
2. Zoom comparable to Panasonic (18x-320x)
3. Smaller size
4. Ability to download to PC
5. Ability to take still pics
I got the sony the day of my birthday with full intention of returning it if it didn't suit ALL of my needs. A group of friends rented a limo for the night, so I planned to run the sony through a series of Low-Light and Zoom tests. Here are my results:
1. LOW-Light-(5 Stars) I was able to get some great shots in the limo!!! With the panasonic I would have had to use my Light which would have been very distracting to the situation and ate up most of my battery before we even made it to the destination.
With the Sony, I was able to get great natural shots, because with the infrared light, it wasn't so obvious that i was filming.
2. Zoom- (5 Stars) At fist glance the zoom really isn't that great compared to what I have. This was the biggest question in my mind... would I miss what I currently had. We went to a bar after dinner and I was able to zoom in an acceptable distance to the band. I really didn't miss my old zoom at all. But the thing that really made me accept the low-zoom was the fact you can BUY A BETTER ZOOM!!! The lens has the capability to expand!
3. Smaller Size- (5 stars) Wouldn't want it any smaller. Love the touch menu and menus are intuitive and easy to use.
4. Ability To Download To PC- (5 Stars) Everyone is right about the software, it isn't the greatest but I have other software that I use to capture video to pc.
5. Still Pics- (5 Stars) I have a digital camera to take the quality photos but this camcorder takes pretty good quality pics. Not having to carry both camcorder and camera is nice.
To make a long story longer.... I love this camcorder!!! Obviously, I didn't return it. I hope this helps.
Rating:
Summary: Problems brand new out of box
Review: I bought this camcorder last night. After charging the battery and attempting to use it for the very first time there was a warning on the screen "Dirty Video Head". How could that be with a brand new camcorder? I turned off the power, turned it back on, and the warning was gone. So I started filming, about 15 minutes worth, and then hooked it up to the TV to watch it back. Half of the recording did not even work~ all I had was a blue screen! The 2nd half that did record had thick grey lines running horizontally across the picture, as well as sound distortion (including the very loud motor noise others have mentioned!). I checked the troubleshooting section of the handbook and found that these lines indicate "Dirty Video Head" (again!) and that I would need to use an optional (not included) cleaning cassette! This is unacceptable in a brand new product. I have sinced checked other review sites and found another consumer who had the same problem with their brand new Sony! This really makes me lose confidence in this company. I returned my camcorder today and will keep looking.
Rating:
Summary: its good but not the best
Review: i bought this camera a month back, and found video quality is uncomparable but stills are not upto mark. i am a professional vidographer and editor in INDIA and purchased this camcorder for professional use but disappointed in stills.
software supplied are a total waste excluding still transfer from cam to PC with USB cable. i dont heard any motor noise as others had.
for night picture quality is not very good.
in total the camera is good for daylight but not for nights.
manish, Ranchi, Jharkhand, INDIA.
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