Sony DCR-HC40 Review:

The Sony DCR-HC40 MiniDV Handycam gives you all the features you’d expect from a Sony camcorder in an ultra-compact design that’s as beautiful as the images it captures. Sony DCR-HC40 features a 1.0 Megapixel Advanced HAD imaging chip and a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens which combine to capture video with incredible detail and clarity, making every video picture perfect. Sony DCR-HC40 also includes a huge 2.5″ hybrid SwivelScreen touch panel LCD display with a 3D menu system, Super NightShot Plus infrared recording, USB streaming, and digital still image capturing on MemoryStick DUO media. Only Sony could pack so many features in a camcorder so small.

The MiniDV Format offers more precise image detail and color accuracy than previously possible with analog camcorders. The superior quality of digital video results from:

• Higher Resolution — up to 530 lines of horizontal resolution, on select models for sharper picture detail.
• Component Color Sampling — preserves three times more color information than analog VHS and S-VHS video, for brighter and truer colors.
• Time Base Correction — stabilizes the picture, eliminating video jitters.
• Error Correction — fills in missing video data, providing seamless, professional-looking video.

Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating offering less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones.

Digital Still Memory Mode: Capture digital still images directly onto Memory Stick media for easy transfer to e-mail, printing, or sharing with compatible Memory Stick devices.

Super NightShot Plus Infrared System: An advanced version of Sony DCR-HC40’s NightShot Infrared system that allows users to record natural color images in low-light conditions, but without the blurring common with other lowlight recording systems.

MPEG Movie EX Mode: Unlike earlier MPEG1 Movies, MPEG Movie EX will allow you to record 320 x 240 resolution MPEG movies uninterrupted up to the capacity of the Memory Stick Duo Media. These movies are perfect for emailing to friends and family.

i.LINK DV: Sony DCR-HC40’s i.LINK DV (or MICROMV) interface gives you true digital-to-digital editing, without the “generation loss” of analog editing. And the i.LINK interface is compatible with a range of Sony digital VCRs, Sony edit controllers, and Sony PCs with editing software.

Sony DCR-HC40 Hightlights:

• 1.0 Megapixel (Gross) Advanced HAD CCD Imager 1/5″ Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 690K (effective) pixels provides excellent detail and clarity, with exceptional video performance (up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution). Realize great looking digital still images utilizing 1000K (effective) pixels. The Megapixel technology enhances your digital videos and digital still photography performance.
• Sony DCR-HC40 Build-in 10X Optical/120X Digital Zoom
  The optical zoom helps to bring the action up close from far away. In addition, the digital zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.
• 2.5″ Hybrid SwivelScreen LCD Display (123K Pixels): Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The 123K pixel LCD display makes images sharp and detailed during playback or when monitoring recording. The Hybrid Reflective-Transmissive LCD Screen provides accurate viewing in sunlight or bright light, virtually eliminating the wash-out common with traditional LCD Screens.
• Progressive Shutter: Mechanical shutter system that provides Progressive Scan performance while utilizing an interlace scanning system. Digital still images will be sharp and clear with excellent definition.
• Analog To Digital Conversion with Pass-Through: Convert and/or record any analog NTSC video source to digital video via the analog inputs. Analog NTSC video can also be passed through the digital Handycam camcorder directly into a PC via the i.LINK interface in real-time for easy PC editing of your analog footage.
• InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower Meter System: Charge the battery at any time because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony’s rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening “memory effect.” Sony’s exclusive AccuPower meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes in the viewfinder or the LCD screen.
• Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization System: An advanced version of Sony’s SteadyShot system that controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies, to achieve an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of video like some other image stabilization systems.
• 12-Bit/16-Bit PCM Digital Stereo: 16-Bit offers the same outstanding sound quality as compact disc. 12-Bit recording enables you to add an additional audio track with compatible audio dubbing equipment or i.LINK interface compatible computers.

I love the new design of the Sony DCR-HC40. The way it feels in my hand and the fact that it will fit in my pant pocket is a define advantage. The backlight on/off switch is useful when recording outside on sunny days. The record button on the side of the display is also an added advantage over the TRV33.

My only complaint about the Sony DCR-HC40 is that the eyepiece does not tilt up like the TRV33.

My favorite feature that’s not usually mentioned in reviews about the Sony DCR-HC40 & TRV33 is that you can use your camcorder to transfer old vhs tapes from the VCR to mini DV, or from VCR to camcorder to PC via firewire cable. I recommend Pinnacle Studio 9 to edit & capture video.

I would highly recommend this camcorder to anyone searching for a new camcorder. If you have a higher budget I would still suggest getting this camcorder & spending the extra money on accessories.

I was debating if I should sell my TRV33 and get the new Sony DCR-HC40, but opted not to only because I had received a lot of accessories I had for my TRV33 as a gift. I already have 3 batteries & battery charger, 2X zoom lens, 256 mb Memory Stick Pro, infrared light extender, light & flash. The only two accessories that are compatible with the Sony DCR-HC40 are the infrared light extender and light & flash. The next accessory I’m looking to get for my TRV33 which is also compatible with the Sony DCR-HC40 is a marine pack (SPK-HC) so I can bring my camcorder underwater.

—– By C. Viray

Sony DCR-HC40 Features

• Sleek, compact MiniDV camcorder and digital still camera with 1-megapixel CCD
• 10x optical zoom lens (digital zoom to 120x) with Super SteadyShot image stabilizer
• 2.5-inch rotating LCD and color viewfinder
• Low-light recording settings, Memory Stick Duo slot, and accessory shoe
• NP-FM50 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery

Sony DCR-HC40 Specifications

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