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Sony Handycam DCR-HC14
by slender_toned
I have had this camcorder for quite a long time and it served me well but I haven't used it in ages! It's quite compact and very efficient to use. It works well and has some nice specifications. Made by Sony, it's very reliable and of great quality. It cost about £300 at the time but I got it as a present from a few people. It comes in a ... large blue Sony box with a good image of the camcorder and some of the features but it isn't full of information.
The camcorder is packaged well with adapters to charge the camcorder and also connect it to your computer for importing videos and editing them. You can also connect it to your television to view your videos on a big screen with the red, yellow and white cables. The camcorder isn't too heavy to hold but it isn't the lightest device. I'd recommend a bag to keep it safe in and to prevent it from getting scratched.
The camera has a chrome finish to it along with grey and silver parts to make it look ultra modern. The camera has a 10x optical zoom along with a 640x digital zoom. It has super steady shot technology meaning it captures movement very well to a great quality. It even has a nightshot function where you can film in the dark (with the classic green tinted view). On the left hand side of the camera are buttons to switch the screen's back light on and off as well as display the battery and other information. You can see how far through the tape you are as well as an image of the battery power.
On the left hand side, the screen flips out after simply pushing down the clip which says 'open'. Once opened out, you can turn the screen up and down slightly by tilting it to suit your view. You can even flip it fully all the way round and it'll automatically adjust the image so that the person being filmed can see what you are filming. This is ideal for blogs or filming yourself or others so they can see if they are in frame. On the inside of where the screen pops out is a reset button, where you can stick a pin in to reset settings.
The screen is actually a touch screen, which works really well. It is quite responsive to touch and you can access all the settings on there for videos. The main controls are on the back side where you view the camera from. There is a little wheel, which clicks into one of three positions at a time. The top is for ordinary filming, and you'll be able to press the red record button here, which clicks to give you some tactile feedback and it'll begin recording. The middle setting is actually the off location, where you should keep it when not using the camera! The bottom position is the place where you can view your video that you have recorded. You can rewind, fast forward and watch it through from here on the screen or even through the camera's cinematic scope.
There is a lithium ion battery on the back, which protrudes the device a bit. This isn't really the greatest of designs but means you can easily remove it using the little clip labelled 'BATT' to release it and pull it off. You can charge the battery with the included cable using the 'DC IN' port just above the record button and triple position wheel. The bottom of the camera isn't too interesting but has a sliding switch, which opens up the tape holder. Providing there is battery, once opened, the tape holder automatically raises out and flips open to reveal the tape. From here you can easily release it and stick in a new one. It's quite a good mechanism and works well. It's also very efficient as it's mostly automatic.
This camcorder is designed for right handed people with the hand strap on the right side. It's fitted very well and doesn't hang off too far. It will still fit all hands and can be adjusted with the strap. It has a very comfortable large pad to one side with a Sony logo on the outside. This helps to comfort your hand whilst holding it and also helps prevent drops! The pad is done up with Velcro and simply comes undone to adjust the strap length. When your hand is through, it fits very snugly and your fingers are positioned exactly with your index finger situated by the zoom and photo buttons and your middle and ring fingers seated comfortably on a well-positioned indent. It's very stable to hold and enables you to get a good video.
The zoom button works extremely well. It's very smooth and has a few levels of sensitivity as you can tell when zooming in and out. You have to be quite light-handed when using it through to prevent overly fast movements zooming in and out. A grey photo button is also situated towards the top, which can take a still shot to add to your video, which can certainly be quite useful. For example you may have reached a new destination on your holiday - a fine example may be a shot of the 'Welcome To The Fabulous Las Vegas' sign! From then onwards, you can film the wonders that extend beyond the border!
The camera has a cinematic eye piece, which you can view comfortably with one eye. It has a soft rubber-coated shell on it for comfort and displays a black and white image at the end. It looks simply amazing, just like you are sitting at the back of a cinema. Due to this, I sometimes prefer to film through here, and with the camera by your eye, you tend to keep it a lot stiller making sure you don't stab yourself in the eye! On the right hand side of the camera towards the top is a nightshoot button, which slides to OFF or ON. Below is a cover taken up with your nails to reveal many more connections for hooking your camera up to computers, TVs and whatever else.
It's an excellent camera and the quality is great. Whilst watching back videos on the camera, you can admire the stereo sound from the front of the camera, where left and right mini speakers sit. The screen gives a pretty high quality picture too with 800,000 pixels on the 2.5" screen. The lens is made by Carl Zeiss, which seems to be utilised in Sony camcorders and is of great quality. It has a lovely shiny silver surrounding to it. The battery can last with stamina for up to 12 hours if you keep the screen pressed in and use the eyepiece. This is quite excellent. It will charge fully in a matter of hours, but it seems to take a bit longer than it would to fully charge a mobile phone for example.
With USB streaming, you can send videos straight to your computer for editing and further work. Despite being a bit old at the moment, it's still a very capable and advanced camcorder. It's very efficient to use and has everything you need on it with a vast range of settings for focusing, exposure, volume, brightness and more. You can also set the date and time, which can be on your videos if you choose. Included with the camera within the box, you have:
- AC adapter
- Rechargeable battery pack
- A/V connecting cable (stereo)
- USB cable
- CD-ROM
- Cleaning cloth
The cleaning cloth is nice and soft and works well for the Carl Zeiss lens and screen too. The screen has a different surface to a touch screen phone for example, and thanks to this it doesn't seem to display fingerprints all over it. Overall it's an excellent camera and I'd certainly recommend it. I have not used it in a while but I think I may do again soon! It takes standard digital video cassettes, which it records on. Using the camera or with another device, you can play the videos from these discs or simply get them onto your computer using the other included accessories. It produces a great quality video, is a joy to use and very comfortable and well-designed with a nice look.
Thanks for reading!
:)
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Sony Handycam DCR-TRV270
by alyson29
As my ex-husband decided to remove a large amount of the electrical items from our home during our divorce six years ago, I found myself with absolutely nothing, particularly as they had all been taken without my agreement. One item that I missed the most was our camcorder, particularly as my grandparents were elderly and I wanted to be ... able to capture every special family moment.
I really did not know where to start with choosing a new camcorder when I started looking during the early part of 2006 and to be honest, I didn't even carry out any research, which on reflection was a little irresponsible for such an expensive purchase. However, the product that caught my eye was Sony Handycam, model number DCR-TRV270E, as shown in the photograph above. There were a few reasons why I chose this particular model; one of which is that Sony is a reputable company and a leader in camera equipment and my other reasons will be identified throughout this review.
I'm somewhat of a novice when it comes to camera equipment and I need something that is fairly straightforward and easy to use. This particular model seemed to tick that box for me and the fact that it is fairly lightweight and compact was a huge bonus. In comparison with my previous camcorder this is first class as its' approximate dimensions are 15 cm in depth, 10 cm in height and 8 ½ cm in width.
I can vividly recall that my previous model was not capable of professionally capturing far away images due to its' limited optical and digital zoom. Consequently, I required something more powerful, which is offered with this model with its' 20 x optical zoom and 990 x digital zoom.
My second husband and I enjoy visiting different places in England and Wales where I frequently capture images of boats and skiers on the waves of the sea and we love visiting zoos and safari parks so it was essential that the camera would provide me with a fairly powerful zoom. Whilst there are dozens of camcorders that offer a more powerful zoom than that offered by this model, I find this is more than sufficient for my personal needs. I would state that when the zoom is used to its' optimum capacity there is a tiny amount of camera shake, which can only be expected, so a good steady hand is required or the aid of a tripod.
The camcorder is considerably appealing to the eye with its' two tone colours of black and silver and what I favour, which was not a feature on my previous model, is its' 2½ cm LCD colour screen, which is situated on the left hand side. Whilst this is not a feature that can be generally used outdoors due to the fact that the sunlight prevents you from seeing the images, indoors it is perfect. Consequently, it is not necessary to hold the viewfinder to your eye as you can clearly see the images on your screen.
The screen is released by way of a small grey plastic "open" button, which is pushed forward and you are able to gently pull out the screen. The beauty of this screen is that as well as opening to a maximum of 90 degrees, it can also be rotated to a maximum of 180 degrees. Whilst I've never had the need for it to be rotated, it is a very handy feature.
The camcorder is extremely easy to hold where you slip your fingers inside the suede effect soft strap, which can be easily adjusted in order to meet your specific needs. I received a number of accessories with the camcorder, namely an AC adaptor, mains lead, USB cable, AV connecting cable, lithium battery operated remote control, shoulder strap and a lens cap, which is attached to the camcorder with a strong length of cord, so there's no fear of losing it.
To use the camcorder, you need to lift up the viewfinder, which is located on the left hand side and is easily moved by simply pushing up to the required position. The info lithium battery needs to be clicked into place at the rear of the camcorder and is easily removed by simultaneously pushing upwards on the battery and pressing the black button, which is situated above.
The camcorder operates with both standard 8mm and Hi8 video cassettes, which are loaded via its' underside and are easily removed by pushing the grey "open/eject" switch where you are required to gently slide the side of the camcorder until it clicks and the cassette will automatically rise.
At the rear of the camcorder you will find the majority of the operational buttons and to use you need to press the tiny green button until the selected mode appears in the viewfinder. The recording button on my previous model was located on the side of the product, which I found somewhat difficult, but the Sony Digicam has a large red press down button on its' reverse.
On the left hand side are your feature buttons, such as fader, back light and focus and on the upper right hand section is a switch, which can be manoeuvred either to the left or right, which will enable you to zoom in and out on your subject. I find these buttons extremely easy to operate and I tend to poise my left hand fingers over them when I'm filming to enable me to press them without the need to look and subsequently, ruin my recording. As with the majority of the newer model camcorders this model has a built in microphone, which is located on its' front, together with a reasonably bright light.
What I favour with this camcorder is that you can also take photographs by way of the small off-white coloured button, which is located on the upper section adjacent to the zoom switch. In my opinion, the photographs are superb and whilst not as high quality as those achieved with DSR cameras, this model's 540 pixels is more than sufficient for my needs.
Located on the camcorder's left hand side is the "display/battery info" button, which, when the LCD screen is opened, will provide you with details of the charge contained within your battery together with your remaining recording time. As you are no doubt aware, using the LCD screen shortens the available recording time due to the fact that this facility drains the battery life a little faster. Overall, I feel the battery life is acceptable and gives a fair amount of recording time.
This clever little camcorder will provide you with two remaining recording times; one for when using the screen and one for the viewfinder. On the underside of the camcorder are your ports for the supplied cables with the lower reverse side of this model being for your power supply.
As with all camcorders you are able to set the date and time and whilst this is not a feature I favour, you are able to "stamp" this information on your recordings. However, I would advise that if your camera has not been used for approximately three months, you will frequently find the date and time has been erased from the camera's memory and you will subsequently need to reset.
Whilst I have not filmed in the dark and don't really have any intentions of doing so, there is a handy feature named "nightshot" plus, where you will find a switch on the upper section of the camera, which will enable you to capture those precious images. I can vividly remember being advised at the time of purchase, that this is a useful feature for those parents who wish to film their baby who is fast asleep in a darkened room.
There are many other features on this camcorder, which in all honestly I will probably never use, as I really am not technically minded! For those of you who are really into photography, this clever little product will allow you to superimpose titles whilst you are recording.
The playback mode is extremely easy to operate by way of the green "on/off" switched, which I discussed earlier in this review. Unfortunately, I have a terrible habit of leaving the camcorder in the play mode after I've completed my filming and this is a feature I regularly use to enable me to delete and rewind to the correct filming position.
Whilst I cannot possibly discuss the multitude of features that this camcorder has to offer, in my opinion, this is a superb camcorder for the money and it has served me well in allowing me to capture my most precious memories. Connecting the camcorder to your television is extremely easy and you are able to use the small remote control to screen your wonderful memories. Of course, you are able to transfer your film to a DVD or video and the necessary leads and cables are provided.
Unfortunately, with new technology updating the second we make our purchases, this model is no longer available directly from Sony. However, I have checked on Amazon and would advise that you can purchase this model brand new for £169.95 plus £5.00 postage and packing. I feel somewhat nauseous after reading this, particularly as I paid in the region of £350 for mine. However, that's the ever-changing world of new technology, as no doubt, this model was superseded within months of it reaching the retailer's shelves!
As far as I am concerned, this is a fantastic little camera and worth every penny and consequently, it receives 5 out of 5 dooyoo stars from me.
I hope I have covered the important aspects of this camcorder, which I trust you have found useful. Thank you for reading.
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Sony Handycam DCR-HC23
by kingseany
How camcorders have changed in the last 20 years... I still remember my first trip to the Caribbean back in 1990, and my girlfriends father took his camcorder. This was a full sized VHS, rest on your shoulder job, and it all fit snugly into a rather large suitcase. A couple of years earlier I had experimented with the school camcorder on ... residential trip to Plymouth. This was an even larger affair with seperate battery and tape packs, which didn't seem to last very long until you had to recharge. Further back still, I remember one of my more well off cousins chasing me around with a huge piece of electronics. So with the rapid advances in technlogy, it's all changed, it's all got smaller, and the camcorder is now in most peoples financial reach.
In the past, we've mostly had JVC models, but this time - in preparation for a trip to Grenada in 2007, we opted for a Sony. When it first arrived I almost thought it was missing, but there it was...tiny little thing hiding in amongst the packaging and cables. It fits in the palm of your hand. This is a first for me. It takes tiny little "Mini-DV" tapes. The battery is tiny. The buttons are tiny. It's almost as if it was designed by a midget. Still even being so tiny, it's pretty easy to use - it doesn't feel that fiddly as you might expect. If you are a guy, this will slip into your pocket . might look like you have a bit of a bulge though. If you are a girl, it'll slide into your handbag amongst your makeup and other womanly junk. Physcially it is about 11x8x6 cm - yes small enough to lose. At 350g it's not going to cause you too much of a weight problem.
Despite it's smallness, it feels quite robust, still a lot of plastic but
I liked the flip out screen, (2.5 inches) it's the first time I have had one of these too - it's also a touchscreen which works pretty well, and reduces the number of buttons you need, as it's all done on the screen. The screen can be flipped right around so your video yourself or show other people what you are videoing. There's a traditional colour viewfinder as well for those who still use them - it only works when you have the touchscreen closed. Personally I don't know why we still need them on camcorders.
Picture quality is great, thanks to the Carl Zeiss lens - both on the screen and when you connect it up to a big screen. It will shoot and playback in normal or 16:9 widescreen.
Sound is good too, stereo of course. Most camcorders suffer from wind noise, and this one is no different. There's no socket for an external microphone either. You can listen to the sound via the built in speaker, however it's best to connect up to a proper TV, or transfer to your computer to get the best playback sound.
The zoom is great, at 20x optical and 640x digital. You have a choice of using either the touchscreen or the small zoom button.
The "Nightshot Plus" mode is useful and uses infrared technology, and no lights are needed - it works down to zero lux. We used this sucessfully when filming leatherback turtles on an almost pitch black beach, the results were pretty good.
Battery capacity is generally good. It uses L-ion technology. I actually purchased a longer life battery - cheap from ebay - which gives a good 4 hours from a full charge. The original one was less than 2 hours.
It does take stills, but I can't imagine many people wanting to use this feature - compared to a decent camera the pics will only be useful for web use.
Amongst the other features and options are manual focus, white balance, backlight compensation, effects such as B&W, sepia etc, image stabilization, different modes such as moonlight, beach and more..... I tend not to use much of these however.
It comes with Sony Picture Package, which allows you to transfer and edit your masterpieces on your computer, then burn to a DVD for playback on a standard DVD player. I'm hopeless when it comes to learning how to use these packages, so most of my tapes remain on tape unedited, so I cannot really comment on the software.
Like all electronics, after a year or so you'll find it hard to find the same model, but on the 2nd hand market it might become a bargain. It's never going to win prizes for the professional, but for general home movies you can't go wrong for a simple, compact and budget camcorder.
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