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Is there a more cost effective mini dv camera than the Sony Handycam DCR-HC96?
I'm considering buying a Sony Handycam DCR-HC96, which would cost somewhere from $400-450. Are there any higher-quality mini dv cameras out there in the same price range? Also, I'd prefer the ability to shoot in 16:9 and in progressive mode
The Sony DCR-HC96 is a great standard definition, miniDV tape based, camcorder - in the mid range of consumer cams, it does have a small-ish lens and imaging chip like camcorders in the same price range but it has two things no other camcorder in that range has...
AV-in. Most folks use this for recording gaming off consoles - you can also use it with a helmet cam.
LANC port. This is a wired remote. It is not included in the box, but Sony has a compatible control. This lets you start and stop recording and zoom in/out without holding the camera. So it you are skiing or snow boarding, the camera goes in a back pack or fanny pack (electronics don't like cold) and the LANC is in your hand so you can start/stop recording video - and the helmet cam is mounted to your helmet...
They have no been made for a few years, so what you are buying is most likely either used or refurbished. That is not bad - but if used, be sure everything works. Either way, download the manual from Sony.com
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=DCRHC96
See page 12 for a complete list of items included inthe box when the camcorder was new. Be sure the docking station is included or you won't be able to transfer video.
As a miniDV tape based camcorder, your computer MUST have a firewire port because you will connect the camcorder's DV port to it with a firewire cable. USB will not work. USB-to-firewire cable/adapter/converter things will not work.
Firewire, DV, i.LINK and IEEE1394 are all the same thing.
I am fairly certain the DCR-HC96 adheres to NTSC video standards - and shoots in 4:3 or 16:9 standard definition, DV format, 480i, 30 fps (actually, 29.97, but wikipedia does a better job explaining it) video.
Oh - and it has a built-in infrared emitter for zero-light, "Nightshot", monochrome video capture.
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