Rating: 
Summary: NOt upto expectation
Review: I owned Sony analog camcorder for long time. Recently I bought this one for digital storage and compact size. I am suprised to see very poor quality video compare to my old analog camcorder. video is really dark and not worth taking in home(Even on bright day). I continue use old analog camcorder for family video.
Rating: 
Summary: my new best friend
Review: i picked up one of these 2 days after they hit the stores and i'm really happy with it. my intention was to buy an older floor model--i didn't realize these were even out yet-- but the second i picked this one up it blew the competition away. it's very intuitive, which is great for lazy people like me who can't be bothered to read manuals. when i bought it i was really worried about lighting indoors and motor noise which are often reported problem with so many video cameras. since i bought the camera to record acting monologues this could have been a deal breaker but all i need is an adequately lit room, i haven't heard any motor noise. it's also been a trooper at graduations and other more usual camcorder duties. if you buy one you're gonna get a lot of envious stares and more than a few questions so be prepared. i can't imagine there's a better deal unless something earth shattering has been released since february. i'm happy with the battery life, it feels solidly made. the only cons are that 1) the still photos aren't that great but they're good enough in a pinch and 2) the zoom is sensitive and takes some getting used to. i'd but another one in a second, it was worth every cent.
Rating: 
Summary: Like the Camera, but not SONY. Beware of Battery Drain
Review: I purchased the HC-40 about 4 months ago. It is a very nice compact camera, great quality pics/videos. However, I too have battery drain problems. Camera won't charge batteries, and the ones I charge in the optional charger I bought are dead within a day (when left in the camera and the camera is turned off). Sony refuses to acknowledge that they are aware of the problem and they say I have to pay $216 for labor since I am past the 3 month labor warranty. Again a nice camera, too bad it is made by a company who won't stand behind their product. Either buy the extended warranty, or sock away an extra $216 for repair, or just save yourself the headache and BUY ANOTHER CAMERA.
UPDATE. Sony has waived the $216 repair costs. Still you may wish to consider buying the extended warranty when your buy this camera.
Rating:
Summary: Great little camcorder but the software sucks
Review: I purchased the Sony DCRHC20 camcorder over the weekend and am very happy with it so far except for the bundled software. I consider myself a very tech oriented person and I got so frustrated trying to copy the video from tape to pc that I called Sony's tech support line. Surprisingly, the tech told me that there was no way to copy the video from the camera to the pc using their software without using the special effects tool. He had me use Windows Movie Maker to get the task done. It was an easy solution, but you would think that such a basic function would be built into the software. Another thing that I thought was odd, was the software didn't list my Sony DVD burner as a supported drive. Hmmmm. On the positive side, the ease of use and the small size really sold me. I also like the menu system on the touch LCD screen. For such a small camera with a low price, it has many nice features. It is a nice entry level digital camcorder.
Rating:
Summary: DCRHC20, A great camcorder, and a great value
Review: I received my Sony DCRHC20 Handycam a couple of days ago, and it is everything if not more than I expected. I needed a relatively inexpensive, compact, digital camcorder. The HC20 is one of the smallest Mini DV format camcorders to hit the market this year. It also comes with a price tag comperable to other Mini DV camcorders that are considerably larger at $499. Here are the pros and cons: Pros:
-Small size -Built in lens cap so you never again pick up the sound of the lens cap hitting the side of the camera. -Record Button on the LCD screen is a nice touch -Touch Screen LCD provides a sleeker, less cluttered look to the camcorder, and as a PDA user, I got used to the screen very very quickly. -Remote Control is great! I use it to review tape in playback mode. It could also be great for taking group shots at a family reunion or something where you want to be in the photo. -One thing I never saw online while shopping for camcorders is that this model comes with two really unique modes. One allows the camcorder to take time lapse video and the other takes 6 frames of video every time you press record allowing you to do stop motion animation (The type of animation used to do claymation like Gumby or Wallace and Grommit). Cons: -No anchors for a shoulder strap. If you want to carry it around a theme park or something you need a case. However this ins't a major problem due to it's small size. -It doesn't come with a firewire cable. This also isn't a major deal because you can just use the supplied USB. I have seen ALOT of reviewers say you have to have a firewire etc. YOU DO NOT NEED A FIREWIRE TO IMPORT TO A PC. YOU CAN DO IT WITH THE USB. I do not reccomend using the hideous software provided by Sony, but I hooked up the USB, installed the drivers and I was importing into Adobe Premiere within 10 minutes. As for a case to keep it all in. I bought a Lowepro EX 120 camcorder case, and it fits the camcorder, remote, 2 tapes, and charger unit perfectly. It could hold a spare battery too. Just in case anybody is looking for a good case for their purchace, it was about $20.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good Camera but HOPELESS software
Review: I so agree with "brucex", the person/s who designed this software should really be given life imprisonment...oh my god its just useless.
You cant copy raw video to PC but the picture package creates its own Video with its own effects and sounds...What Good is that...I just want my video as it is...For that the online HELP tells me you shud use a Third Party software..ahhhh But the Camcorder MINUS software is just great....Its very easy to understand and use...
The touchscreen feature is fabulous and light/sound clarity is wonderful.
This cute camcorder definitely deserves 5 but the BAD software takes point away.
I wish Sony could come up with easier and better software for HC-20 and replace our CDs.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good Camera but HOPELESS software
Review: I so agree with "brucex", the person/s who designed this software should really be given life imprisonment...oh my god its just useless.
You cant copy raw video to PC but the picture package creates its own Video with its own effects and sounds...What Good is that...I just want my video as it is...For that the online HELP tells me you shud use a Third Party software..ahhhh But the Camcorder MINUS software is just great....Its very easy to understand and use...
The touchscreen feature is fabulous and light/sound clarity is wonderful.
This cute camcorder definitely deserves 5 but the BAD software takes point away.
I wish Sony could come up with easier and better software for HC-20 and replace our CDs.
Rating:
Summary: Lovely little camcorder!
Review: I was looking at the new $899 upright sony camcorder (can't remember the part number) as it looked the smallest, however, on my visit to the store I found that this is much smaller. No need to worry about photos as that is quite frankly a complete waste of time as it just records movies (as you'd expect from a camcorder!) Luckily I am a Mac user and as such have a software program called iMovie. Using the Firewire cable (iLink) the camera performs exceptionally and I'm able to control the camera via the on screen interface. No need to concern myself with the windows software, which by all accounts is pretty bad. All in all for anyone interested in just a camcorder this is perfect. Great indoors and out.
Rating:
Summary: There is a serious battery drain problem with entire line!
Review: I've had my HC20 camcorder for a little over 6 months (just past the extended warranty from my Visa card! Darn it!). Just the other day, I noticed that my camera was dead even though I charged the battery completely just 2 days earlier. So I charged it again last night and it was fully charged and fine. This morning, I turn it on and it has only 8 minutes of recording time left! And I noticed the Camera lamplight is flashing green, which I never noticed before. I asked Sony about it and they don't know what I'm talking about. But from reading other discussion groups, it appears the flashing light is slowly draining my battery life. (See www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t107753.html)
Sony claims they have no record of this problem and suggests I pay the $216 to get it sent and "factory reset" by sending it their technicians. I was surprised they have never heard of this problem despite what I've read in forums about the HC40 and HC20 with this problem. How can they expect us to pay almost 50% of the price of the camera for a problem that seems to be inherent in their technology.
This is ridiculous. I have a Sony PDA and digital camera as well. But these will be my last Sony products I buy!
Rating:
Summary: Sony quality at its best
Review: In May I finally decided to replace my old Panasonic VHS camcorder, dating from the mid 80s. I had looked at the Canon, Panasonic, and Sony. The Sony was the most expensive of the entry level models, but I wound up buying it.
The lens, made by Carl Zeiss, is a professional quality lens. The pictures are much sharper and crisper than on the Panasonic or the Canon. I have friends who own both types and I know for a fact that the red is best on Sony's offering and subpar on the others. (This is also true of Sony TVs--when I was shopping for my 24" Sony TV it had better red than any Panasonic, RCA, JVC, Hitachi, or Zenith).
Battery life is good off the included 2 hour battery, but if you're serious about taping you should buy a second battery. The camera goes nicely on a tripod and is so small it fits in the pocket of a pair of khaki pants.
If you don't mind a black and white viewfinder (which is fine since the LCD screen is in color) buy this one. It uses MiniDV tapes, which are falling in price and offer very high quality output.
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