Groundbreaking camcorder, breakthrough technology offsets omitted but necessary accessories The Sony HDR-HC1 is a groundbreaking camcorder that brings the ability to record high definition video down to the level of consumers, albeit high end ones at current prices. It's not perfect, especially with the additional outlay this requires for Sony's omissions in battery life and editing, but it's one of those rare gadgets that actually lives up to the hype. Given the breakthrough it represents it deserves 5 stars.
Size and features are the first thing you notice. At 1.5 lbs...
[Sony HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder (HDR-HC1) review by D. Parvin "dparv" can be read at Amazon.com] | | Amazon.com Rating: 10.0  |
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| Reviewed by: | D. Parvin "dparv" | | Review Date: | 08/11/2005 | | User Location: | Boston, MA USA | | Review From: | User Review |  |  |
98% (157 of 160) Users Found This Review Helpful |
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Amazing I have had mine for over three weeks now and am very impressed. The simple ability to capture true 1080i video is amazing. I finally have home video I can play on my HDTV and not cringe at the poor resolution.
The 3MP camera is also quite good. It doesn't replace a normal digital camera, but I found the shots to be decent. The nice thing is being able to shoot pictures in widescreen mode and play them back on your HDTV. It is the best way to view photos that I have seen.
[Sony HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder (HDR-HC1) review can be read at Amazon.com] | | Amazon.com Rating: 10.0 |
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| Reviewed by: | | | Review Date: | 08/19/2005 | | User Location: | | | Review From: | User Review | | | |
96% (30 of 31) Users Found This Review Helpful |
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The future of video with consequences. I shoot those little movies that help me to focus the ideas and settings of my books (available on Amazon). I also produce marketing and training videos for my software business. For that I switched to HD a year ago and bought that Sony HDR-FX1, which is an excellent camera. HD format is always 16x9 and uses higher resolutions up to 1920 pixels. There are many formats and 24, 25 and 30 frames per second in interlaced and progressive recording. Be aware of that.
I just bought a HC1 ...
[Sony HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder (HDR-HC1) review by Max J. Pucher can be read at Amazon.com] | | Amazon.com Rating: 10.0 |
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| Reviewed by: | Max J. Pucher | | Review Date: | 02/23/2006 | | User Location: | Zug, Switzerland | | Review From: | User Review | | | |
94% (33 of 35) Users Found This Review Helpful |
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Amazing Camcorder I bought this camera and here is my assessment so far:
PROS:
1. Small. I would very happy with the size when I opened the box as I was worried that a HDV camera and quality lens would make for a large camera. No, it's no a tiny camera, but comparable to most mid-priced bodies in the market. But unlike the mid-market cameras, the HC1 is a HDV power house.
2. Image quality is breath taking. If you are a new parent or just want your images to stand the test of time, ...
[Sony HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder (HDR-HC1) review by noby29504 can be read at Amazon.com] | | Amazon.com Rating: 8.0 |
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| Reviewed by: | noby29504 | | Review Date: | 08/05/2005 | | User Location: | Dallas, Texas | | Review From: | User Review | | | |
93% (106 of 113) Users Found This Review Helpful |
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low light quality bad Always wanted to get HDTV footage so I had bought the Sony FX1 before this and I had to return it as it was too heavy and too big for normal everyday usage. Dont get me wrong I loved the camera but the FX1 attracts attention whenever you shoot with it.(and my wife found it too heavy :) ) So I was glad to see the Sony HC1 which was lighter and smaller. I just got it yesterday and I shot the same footage as I did with the FX1 and compared the two videos. I have to tell you that the extra $1300-150...
[Sony HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder (HDR-HC1) review can be read at Amazon.com] | | Amazon.com Rating: 6.0 |
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| Reviewed by: | | | Review Date: | 11/29/2005 | | User Location: | | | Review From: | User Review | | | |
87% (28 of 32) Users Found This Review Helpful |
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One of the best camcorders ever made. The Sony HC1 has received not only excellent user reviews but very high ratings at professional reviewing sites. Camcorderinfo rates this camcorder as one the highest overall quality and video quality. The HC1 has won the coveted Editor's choice awards at BOTH PC Magazine and Sound & Vision Magazine. And has received the 2006 PC World innovations award.
Owner reviews report that the HC1 has video quality very close to the larger and heavier Sony FX1 in good lighting. The FX1 also ...
[Sony HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder (HDR-HC1) review by Film Reviewer can be read at Amazon.com] | | Amazon.com Rating: 10.0 |
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| Reviewed by: | Film Reviewer | | Review Date: | 03/14/2006 | | User Location: | Philadelphia, PA | | Review From: | User Review | | | |
87% (14 of 16) Users Found This Review Helpful |
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Stunning video, but maybe not suitable for the average consumer For me, this camcorder is off the charts. If Amazon would allow it, I'd give the Sony ten stars.
For others, though, I imagine is might present some challenges.
I bought this camcorder three days ago, despite being a bit skeptical because of the low-light issues mentioned by some other posters. I also wondered if this might be a product that's arrived before it's time, given that it's currently impossible to store HD video on DVD.
There are some other annoy...
[Sony HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder (HDR-HC1) review by Gadget Fan can be read at Amazon.com] | | Amazon.com Rating: 10.0 |
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| Reviewed by: | Gadget Fan | | Review Date: | 01/01/2006 | | User Location: | London, England | | Review From: | User Review | | | |
86% (13 of 15) Users Found This Review Helpful |
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First shot in a revolution To be completely honest, I think the whole HDTV thing is a bit over-hyped, mainly because there's so little HD stuff to watch right now. All DVDs are still NTSC definition, and the two HD camps in Japan are still dueling it out to see whose format will win (HD DVD vs. Blue-Ray). So-called HD channels on DirecTV and your (un)friendly local digital cable tend to show old craps nobody really wants to watch, and not everybody is into watching sports -- even there, nothing is as spectacular as your...
[Sony HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder (HDR-HC1) review by Gadgester can be read at Amazon.com] | | Amazon.com Rating: 10.0 |
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| Reviewed by: | Gadgester | | Review Date: | 08/11/2005 | | User Location: | New York | | Review From: | User Review | | | |
63% (46 of 72) Users Found This Review Helpful |
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underwhelmed for the price I bought the HDR-HC1E the first weekend it was on sale as i wanted to update my old camcorder and thought this HD model woud be terrific. I was really excited to get it. However after a few months I'm quite disappointed with the performace for the $. Seriously consider the Panasonics (at a third less for the top line model) IMHO.
The picture is grainy and the low light level performance terrible. And i find with a 5 yo kid so many occasions are indoors...ballet concert, kindergarten parade...
[Sony HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder (HDR-HC1) review by S. G. Kennedy can be read at Amazon.com] | | Amazon.com Rating: 4.0 |
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| Reviewed by: | S. G. Kennedy | | Review Date: | 01/05/2006 | | User Location: | sydney australia | | Review From: | User Review | | | |
60% (17 of 28) Users Found This Review Helpful |
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Great Camera... Be *very* careful with it... Bought this camera and have been very impressed with the quality of the features as other have identified. The lack of the 3CCD isn't really that bad, except you do notice it in some low light situations, otherwise, the HD image it produces in normal light is top notch for a non-professional level camera.
However, one big gripe... In the first weekend of use the camera was knocked a bit -- not enough to really even come close to damaging the lenses, but the housing in the front se...
[Sony HDV 1080i Handycam Camcorder (HDR-HC1) review by zort01 can be read at Amazon.com] | | Amazon.com Rating: 4.0 |
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| Reviewed by: | zort01 | | Review Date: | 04/25/2006 | | User Location: | Phoenix, AZ | | Review From: | User Review | | | |
60% (15 of 25) Users Found This Review Helpful |