OT: Sony HDR-HC1

Spot|DSE wrote on 7/18/2005, 7:38 PM

We'll have several m2t's loaded when I hit ground in a day or so; for some reason I can't get them past the firewalls in my hotel.

Pixel-for-buck, this is a very impressive little camera. Not at all what I expected it to be. I was able to mount it on top of my Z1 and shoot identical frames for comparision. While it's definitely not the Z1, it's also not a cheap attempt to put HDV in the hands of the comsumer. Add a Beachtek to this camera, you've really got something!

Back to post

Comments

JohnnyRoy wrote on 9/5/2005, 2:13 PM

> What boggles my mind now is that Sony offers a HDV 1080i cam below $2k, why would anyone spend that type of cash on a GL2/VX2100 or other MiniDV cam?

Patrick, That’s exactly what they said at camcorderinfo.com if you followed the link I gave you in your other thread on which HD camera to buy. At the conclusion of the review they compare the Sony HC1 to the FX1, JVC GR-HD1, Canon GL2, Panasonic AG-DVC30, & Sony DCR-HC1000.

Of the Cannon GL2 they said:

...the GL2 is a standard definition camcorder while the HDR-HC1 is high definition. The low light performance is close, in fact almost too close to call a winner. The bottom line question here is this: do you want a three year old camcorder with more control, or a brand new high definition camcorder with slightly disabled manual control? For me, the choice is easy. The HDR-HC1 unquestionably wins.

IMHO it makes no sense to buy a new $2K-$3K camcorder today and settle for SD. At a minimum, you can shoot HD and downconvert to DV and still have a better quality picture than an SD camera of the same price range could give you.

~jr

richard-courtney wrote on 9/6/2005, 8:19 AM

Sorry to go out of the OT with an OT:

I have problems with hotel firewalls too (esp: wayport) and found this to help and is not too bad to to set up:

www.openvpn.net

it is free and will get you past but slows down the transmission a little.