Camcorder Tweaks

From the Manufacturer The HDR-HC3 is everything you’ve come to expect from the industry’s smallest and lightest camcorder as of February 1, 2006, plus a few extras. Instantly switch back and forth between HD and SD recording modes, capture 4.0-megapixel still images, and enjoy unprecedented detail and color reproduction with the ClearVid CMOS sensor.

The HC3’s 1/3″ ClearVid CMOS sensor provides stunning detail and clarity for both video and still images.

2.1-Megapixel (Gross) ClearVid CMOS Sensor

1/3″ ClearVid CMOS sensor provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (1080 lines of resolution in HD Mode or 530 lines of horizontal resolution in SD Mode) and still-image performance (4.0 megapixels). Unlike traditional CCD imagers, CMOS sensors require less power, providing better battery performance.

HDV Recording Format

From the innovators in camcorder technology, Sony’s HDR-HC3 camcorder is the industry’s smallest and lightest HDV1080i consumer-level camcorder and player (as of February 1, 2006). Now you can conveniently record all your memories in true high-definition video.

Switchable HDV/DV Format Recording

The HDR-HC3 is capable of recording and playing back both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video recorded on a standard MiniDV cassette.

Real-Time HD Codec Engine

Sony developed a Real Time MPEG Encode/Decode system with reduced energy consumption and compact size to fit inside a personal camcorder. This engine provides efficient MPEG2 compression, and recording and playback of clear HD images at the same bit rate of the DV format, so that High Definition video can be recorded on the same MiniDV cassettes as are used for SD recording.

10x Optical/80x Digital Zoom

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

A professional-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens reduces glare and flare and increases color saturation.

Professional-Quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* Lens

Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T* coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare.

A 2.7-inch vari-angle touch-panel LCD makes framing and filming a snap.

2.7-Inch Wide (16:9) Hybrid Touch Panel Clear Photo LCD plus Display (211K Pixels)

The 2.7-inch wide (16:9) LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with imporoved resolution. The 211K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback, and the widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.

Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo Media

Capture still images up to 2304 x 1728 resolution directly onto Memory Stick Duo Media for easy trasfer to PCs for e-mailing, printing, or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick devices.

Dual Record

While recording video in high definition, you have the ability to capture a 2.3-megapixel still image directly to Memory Stick Duo media.

Assignable Dial

Built into the lens body of the camera, the assignable dial can be used not only for focus or exposure, but may also be customized by the user to control Auto Exposure (AE) Shift, Exposure, Focus, and White Balance (WB) Shift. In playback mode it allows you to control the volume.

Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization System

Picture stabilization system that uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera “shake” without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems.

Cinematic Mode

Perfect for creating your own movie masterpieces, the HDR-HC3 Cinematic mode lends 24-frame film-like effect to your recordings.

i.LINK Interface (IEEE1394)

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

Tele Macro Function

Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocused so that the subject stands out.

Active Interface Shoe

Provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication to those accessories.

Built-In Intelligent Flash

For added clarity and detail when taking pictures in low-light situations, the built-in flash improves pictures and reduces shadows.

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When considering a camcorder purchase, there are several factors to take into consideration, Below are some suggestions for criteria you should examine before making a choice.

Low-light performance is the most sought-after feature one should look for. If you are shooting in the dark, at night, or in a low-light area, this particular feature will help you maintain the same video or image quality that you have always aimed for. Even room light can be considered as low light, although sellers often avoid it. So you must pay close attention to this feature before making the purchase.

Combos or integrated packages that offer both video and still photography options are not always advantageous, as one has to compromise one feature for the other, technically. It’s only in the high price-range camcorders that superior video and still-image quality is maintained. Megapixel values assigned to the model that range from three to five undoubtedly are a classic connotation for still images, but have less impact on video reception quality. So it is wise to make separate purchase for video and still photography.

Digital camcorders available in the market come with zooming facilities that brands advertise most. But in digital formats, zooming distorts the image quality, so it may not be taken as an impressive criterion for making the purchase. Similarly, some high-end camcorders have three CCD chips instead of one. These chips convert light into digital information. Though camcorders that offer three such chips are costlier than one-chip cams, the latter still are considered better performers. Buyers who belong to the professional genre also do not mind investing the extra more, as they hate to compensate for the output quality.

Before buying any model, the camcorder needs to be tested, and while still in the demonstration stage, you must understand that the facilities that the brand is promising run well on the cam, too. So you need to figure out all that you would do with the particular model and find answers to performance-related queries. And make sure to get the warranty.

Finally, to be an informed buyer, you must do a bit of research, understand all the camcorders available in the market, determine how you will benefit from each, and compare all of their prices.

Camcorders provides detailed information on Camcorders, Digital Camcorders, Camcorder Batteries, DVD Camcorders and more. Camcorders is affiliated with DVD Digital Camcorders.

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There are various formats of camcorders available in the market. The main ones are DV CAM, DV PRO and Mini DV. Out of these, DV CAM and DV PRO are in analogue formats while Mini DV is in digital format; it records video and sound on the tape digitally.

The Mini DV was made keeping in mind both the amateur and the serious enthusiast. Mini DV camcorders are hence the cheapest camcorders on the market.

What is however surprising is that it is also perhaps the best of the three formats, for a variety of reasons, the most important being that it is digital. What this means is that there is no noise introduced to the media. Additionally, since the recording is digital, the quality does not decrease over time. Also, copies of an original, keeping specified standards in mind, do no show a loss in quality like it does in analogue media. The digital format also shows a higher horizontal resolution than other consumer grade analogue camcorders.

Almost every format today, be it for sound, pictures or video, is digital. Thus having a digital format allows one the flexibility to convert, transfer, copy and store the media in a way that one wants. Hence, for most uses Mini DV camcorders are the cheapest and the best option.

There are many companies that make such cheap camcorders. Some companies that instantly come to mind are Sony, Panasonic and JVC. Sony was among the first to mass-market cheap camcorders; it still enjoys the lead position in the camcorder market today.

Among all the models of Sony Mini DV format, the Sony DCR-TRV17 is the cheapest. Sony also makes cheaper Digital 8 model of camcorders but Mini DV is the format that holds the most video. It is a compact and universal format.

While going in for a cheap camcorder, one needs to choose a format that is popular. From this point of view, it may be said that Mini DV has become an industry standard and is indisputably the most commonly used format for digital video. It is hence a good buy for anyone wanting a cheap camcorder.

Camcorders provides detailed information on Camcorders, Digital Camcorders, Camcorder Batteries, DVD Camcorders and more. Camcorders is affiliated with DVD Digital Camcorders.

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