Sony DCR HC1000 Camcorder Review

The Sony DCR HC1000 MiniDV Handycam camcorder provides outstanding digital video time after time. It features an amazingly compact design and a multi-angle grip that, when combined with Sony’s SteadyShot Image Stabilization system and 2.5" Hybrid SwivelScreen touch panel LCD display, makes videotaping a snap.

Other features include an 1152 x 864 resolution digital still image capture when you use Memory Stick Duo media, 12x optical zoom with up to 150x digital zoom, and Analog to Digital conversion with pass-through so you can easily convert your old analog video to digital. The DCR-HC1000 even records 4 channel surround sound audio when combined with the ECM-CQP1 microphone (available separately).

Sony DCR HC1000 - MiniDV FormatThe Mini DV format offers more precise image detail and color accuracy than previously possible with analog camcorders. The superior quality of digital video results from:

* Higher Resolution -- up to 530 lines of horizontal resolution, on select models for sharper picture detail.

* Component Color Sampling -- preserves three times more color information than analog VHS and S-VHS video, for brighter and truer colors.

* Time Base Correction -- stabilizes the picture, eliminating video jitters.

* Error Correction -- fills in missing video data, providing seamless, professional-looking video.

Sony DCR HC1000 - 2.5" Hybrid LCD Monitor

High resolution 211K pixel design helps provide excellent viewing and image playback clarity. The Hybrid system consists of a transmissive LCD combined with a reflective LCD. By turning off the LCD backlight, it will capture more ambient light virtually eliminating "wash-out." Images will be visible in the LCD even in the most challenging outdoor lighting conditions.

Sony DCR HC1000 Review - Professional Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens

Carl Zeiss T lens coatings are among some of the most advanced multi-layer coating systems in the world, resulting in even less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones.

Sony DCRHC1000 - Battery Information

Battery information is momentarily displayed without having to power on the camcorder. Quickly access the battery's status by pressing the Battery Info button. The Recording Time Available is displayed in minutes on either the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.

Sony DCR HC 1000 - i.LINK Digital Interface

Don't be content with life as it is. Improve your memories with digital video editing on a PC or digital VCR. Sony's i.LINK DV or MICROMV interface gives you true digital-to-digital editing, without the "generation loss" of analog editing. And the i.LINK interface is compatible with a range of Sony digital VCRs, Sony edit controllers, and Sony PCs with editing software.

Sony DCRHC 1000 - Manual Focus Ring

A manual focus ring provides precise and detailed control over the amount of zoom with just a turn of a ring, allowing for fast, intuitive framing.

Sony DCR HC1000 Review - USB Interface

Allows digital still images and MPEG1 movies, stored on Memory Stick Media, to be easily transferred to Microsoft Windows operating system compatible or Macintosh computers equipped with USB terminals. Simply plug in the supplied USB cable from your camera to the computer's USB port for fast access to your pictures.

Sony DCR HC1000 Review:

3-1/4.7" Advanced HAD CCD Imagers 1070K Pixels Gross

* 3-1/4.7" Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD imagers with 690K effective (video) pixels provides excellent detail and clarity with exceptional digital video performance. Realize unprecedented digital still images with 1000K (effective) pixels. The Megapixel technology enhances your digital videos (530 lines of horizontal resolution) and digital photography performance. 3 CCD

Using a 3 chip Advanced HAD CCD system and dichroic prism to separate color information, colors are extremely accurate, and color "bleeding" and "smearing" are greatly reduced.

* Sony DCR HC1000 - 12X Optical/150X Digital Zoom

The optical zoom helps to bring the action up close from far away. In addition, the digital zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.

* Sony DCR HC1000 - Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo Media

Capture digital still images at 1152 x 864 or 640 x 480 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo media for easy transfer to PC’s for emailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices.

* 4 Channel Audio Recording Capability

By using the optional 4 channel capable microphone (ECMCQP1) you have the ability to record in surround sound. By using the optional Click to DVD 2.0 software you can convert to 5.1 surround sound and burn your home videos to DVD.

* Super SteadyShot Optical Image Stabililization System

An advanced form of Sony’s SteadyShot Image Stabilization system that controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies, to achieve an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of video like some other image stabilization systems.

* Sony DCR HC1000 - Progressive Shutter

Mechanical shutter system that provides Progressive Scan performance while utilizing an interlace scanning system. Digital still images will be sharp and clear with excellent definition.

* Analog To Digital Conversion with Pass-Through

Convert and/or record any analog NTSC video source to digital video via the analog inputs. Analog NTSC video can also be passed through the digital Handycam camcorder directly into a PC via the i.LINK interface in real-time for easy PC editing of your analog footage.

* InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower Meter System

Charge the battery at any time because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries Sony’s rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "memory effect". Sony’s exclusive AccuPower meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in the viewfinder or the LCD screen.

* Expanded Focus Indicator

While using the manual focus ring, the camera automatically adjusts to 2X magnification, allowing for extremely accurate focus adjustment.

* Enhanced 16:9 Mode

By utilizing more area of the oversized CCD, a 16:9 image is created with a 14% wider angle field of view and 30% more pixels than a standard 4:3 image.

* Multi-Angle Grip

The hand grip swivels forward 90 degrees allowing the user to control the camcorder in different angles, allowing the hand to be ergonomically placed close to the controls.

* i.LINK2 DV Interface (IEEE1394)

A high speed bi-directional digital video/audio communication between two compatible devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, including camcorders, digital VTRs and PCs.

* 12-Bit/16-Bit PCM Digital Stereo

16-Bit offers the same outstanding sound quality as compact disc. 12-Bit recording enables you to add an additional audio track with compatible audio dubbing equipment or i.LINK* interface compatible computers.