Sony DCR PC53 MiniDV Camcorder £252 [CLOSED]

pepperoni_2

Okay...I have tried this and downloaded to PC via Pinnacle studio...burnt a DVD and it's fine...no graininess...nice and clear.
The only odd thing I notice is that the lens seems to make the picture distort when not on zoom...difficult to explain but I would say the picture is better when the optical zoom is used...i.e. zoom in a bit to take a better shot.
I'm looking into this some more but have to get to work...all-in-all the picture quality is good...not as good as my sony VX2100 but then I can't get that in my pocket!!

PS LCD is clear as well.
PPS I'm keeping it.

manhattan

the only thing i can think that it could be is that the tapes were recorded on a canon mini dv. im going to try a recording on the sony,then transfer that to dvd ill try the supplied software as well instead of toast.

doesnt the lcd screen look a bit blocky/low quality to you?

pepperoni_2

The LCD looked good and clear...certainly as good as any LCD I've ever used.
My main concern was with the lens distortion ...similar to looking through the lens of a pair of glasses held infront of you and turning the glasses...the edges distort. Didn't seem to do this on zoom...very odd.Mind you I was waving it about a bit.
I used a Panasoniv mini dv tape...always use these and it was new...I find other tapes leave a residue on the cam heads. Had to try 2 firewire cables before I got one to download the footage. Will try again tomorrow as I'm off work...If needed I will return on the basis of the lens aberration...can go past the 7day limit then.

Tojo_Ralph

A couple of simple questions ... hopefully ...

What, other than the box of tricks, does someone need to record and rip stuff from camcorder to DVD? (apart from a PC, DVD burner and DVD-R, etc)

I just ask because I assume there is not even the one tape? ..... But I assume there is asuitable (possibly standard) USB cable?

And what of burning software? .... Reports say the included package is not the easiest to use. I have the full Nero package and plan to try that first?

Ta

Jenny_Wren_3

They cancelled my order today - boo hoo
Have to find another bargin - anyone know of one?

Tojo_Ralph

It cannot POSSIBLY be that bad..... Can it?

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-DCR-PC55-Camcorder-Review.htm

pre-reg

this is the response i recieved from them today

"Dear Mr xxx

Thanks for your email about the SONY MIN DV DCRPC50 (X60491).

Unfortunately, since placing your order, we have been unable to obtain any more supplies of the goods and so I have had to cancel your order. You have not been charged for this item.

Please accept my apologies for any disappointment or inconvenience this may cause you.

I hope that you are able to select a suitable alternative from the wide selection available on our website.

Ican confirm that I have now cancelled you account.

If I can be of any further help, please let me know.

Regards "

oh well...u win some...and lose some :-)

TERMIN8TOR

Any more user review anyone? TIA

Tojo_Ralph

OK.... I'll report what I can, based on charging, popping in a tape and recording 5 mins of footage on a bleak, and playing back via DV out on TV.

Camcorder is pretty compact, feels rather fragile though and the battery door and cassette doors "creak" when the camcorder is handled.

Screen is large, bright, clear, however I can see where the "grainy" comments come in. If the camera is held steady, the image is perfect, however as you pan, the hard lines of an object take on a slight rippled effect which no doubt has something to do with screen refresh or resolution or something similar. That said, it's an excellent screen and perfect for the job it has to do.

Filming outside I held the camera two handed and had no difficulty holding a steady (non shaky) image.

Zoom takes a little practice, fast as F, and a gentle touch is required.

Focus is excellent, zooming and panning.

Indoors, I thought it performed well, naturally prefering the well lit room to the staircase with only natural light, but performance was fine.

Playback on TV (28" wide flat) proved to be good, image was as per screen, i.e. well lit, and clear.

Indoors there was evidence of colour fading where not well lit, but that really was where not well lit.

And so to the one concern so far .

One test was to sit the camera on a table and zoom slowly in and out on a shelved cabinet. The image produced was non too clever, bright, sharp, in focus, but the vertical lines (ie door frame and shelf sides) on the right bellied out in the middle to the right, and the ones to the left, bellied out in the middle to the left.

Now I know this sort of distortion has a name, but someone else will have to tell me what it is.

I tried the TV on various settings andnaturally the "normal" tv aspect (not wide screen) was less distorted.

Now please note, I haven't set or changed anything and have only done exactly as detailed above so if anyone wants to suggest I try stuff, feel free.

Battery charged out of box in 1 hour and 20 mins, and having left the camcorder running it looks like I'll be getting a good 1-30mins out of it, which includes todays "testing".

I'll be doing a recharge later, and will report back.

So to "will I keep it"? ... For £230 ... Based on the story so far ... yes.

Now, it is worth noting that the yes is based on the fact that the camcorder will no doubt see as much service as my tablet DVD player ..... That only gets used to cycle the battery, but seemed like a good idea at the time

So if you actually WANT a point and shoot camcorder, I really don't think you can go wrong for £230 .

Yes there are some bad reviews, but they are not based on a sale price of £230 payable over 40 weeks.

Will report later.

Edit: I forgot to mention controls, namely the ones you are likely to use, on/off and zoom.

It's a two handed operation and as yet, I've yet to get comfy with it, but then again, it's been 5 minutes.

Oh yeah ..... The FRIKKIN zoom is !!!!!! about face .... up to zoom out, down to zoom in .... gggggrrrrr

Edit: I got another 7 or 8 mins out of the camcorder after the battery time had reached zero. 1 hr and 25mins to recharge.

pepperoni_2

Tojo_Ralph wrote:

Now I know this sort of distortion has a name, but someone else will have to tell me what it is.

I think it's a curvilinear lens distorsion...and mine does it as well....everything else you said I agree with. For the money and the compactness of size it's an okay cam.