Another Home Run by Sony.
Written: Dec 16 '02 (Updated Apr 22 '03)
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Pros: Small size, good lens, 0 Lux rating, Bluetooth connectivity, crystal clear LCD, Memorystick slot.
Cons: The AC charger cannot charge a second battery. Only 8MB Memorystick included, expensive
The Bottom Line: This camcorder has more features than anyone would ever use. There are cheaper models available that would satisfy the average weekend video warrior. But not the true geek at heart.
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| aashok's Full Review: Sony Handycam DCR-PC120BT Mini DV Digital Camcorde... |
My Buying Decision.
I currently own a DCR-PC7, which after 4 years, is finally starting to get senile. The picture sometimes shows distorted patches. It gets a temporary fix with a dry head cleaner, as per instruction manual. After looking at some competing products by Canon, I decided on the Sony DCR-PC120BT for mainly two reasons.
1)Past good experience with Sony products.
2)Bluetooth connectivity.
The Layout.
This can be daunting to somebody who has never used one of these little camcorders. Even with my experience with the older PC7, on occasion I had to look up the instruction manual. Standard functions are quite simple. Looking at the back toward the viewfinder is the main 4-position swivel switch. It can be set to VCR-OFF-CAMERA-MEMORY modes. In its center is the Record ON/OFF button. Menus can be brought up my pressing the menu button and navigation is made easy with the 5-position control button. Almost all functions can be accessed thru the on-screen display. The Mini DV cassette loads and ejects from the bottom of the camcorder. On top is the auto flash, stereo microphone and a hot shoe. More detailed instructions can be downloaded here: ftp://ftp.ita.sel.sony.com/ccpg/dvimag/manuals/camcorders/DCRPC115.pdf
My favorite functions.
1.55 Mega pixel digital camera.
Although this will never be a substitute for my Canon S230, it has enough resolution to make sharp 5x7 prints. It is perfect when quantity of pictures is more desirable than quality. Sony was very thoughtful in providing a slot for removable Memorystick media and an auto pop up flash.
Bluetooth connectivity.
This is a technology that I am slowly getting addicted to. Through my T68i cell phone, I can e-mail pictures and browse web pages, directly on my camcorder. I admit, that sounds a bit geeky, but it works and works well. I have not been able to get my HBH-30 headset to work with the camcorder, as yet. (If you love to play with gadgets, there is definitely a little geek in ya) It comes with a Bluetooth modem card and adapter, that can be setup with a dial-up ISP.
i.LINK interface.
This is Sony speak for firewire or IEEE1394 connection. This is a must have item on all digital camcorders. I use it to transfer video to my PC in AVI format, convert it to DVD format, edit scenes, create chapters, and then record to a DVD burner. I am using Pinnacle Systems Edition DV 500 for this. The camcorder also has a USB cable included. For more information on video editing, read my review on Studio ver 8.
http://www.epinions.com/content_86043758212
Stamina Infolithium Battery System.
Every other electronics manufacturer should try to emulate this system. It is the best power/battery management and monitoring system ever created for small electronics. I wish I had this in my Canon S230. It tells you exactly how many minutes of use are remaining and when battery may be running low.
NightShot & Super NightShot.
This nifty feature is what gives the camcorder a 0 Lux rating. Under normal conditions, the camcorder is rated at 7 Lux. But in dark situations, the camcorder emits a beam of infrared light from just under the lens. In pitch-black conditions, the Super Nightshot delivers a picture more than 16 times brighter than regular Nightshot. This is similar technology to military night vision goggles. (Remember Buffalo Bill in Silence of the lambs? “It puts the lotion in the basket”)
What more could I ask for.
3 CCDs would be nice. But can Sony squeeze them into such a tiny package? That’s the challenge for Sony.
A larger capacity Memorystick included? (With over 200% profit margins on accessories, I don’t think so)
A charger that will allow for a backup battery to be charged, while using another battery in the camcorder. Sony sells a Portable AC Charger (BC-VM50) for $60. This should have been included instead of the ACL-10.
The Bottom Line.
This camcorder has more features than anyone would ever use. It will keep videophiles occupied pushing buttons for a long time. There are cheaper models available that would satisfy the average weekend video warrior. But not the true geek at heart.
Product Specifications.
• Imaging Device: 1.4", 1550k Gross Pixels HAD CCD
• Video Actual: 970K Pixels
• Still Actual: 1390k Pixels
• F: 1.8-2.2mm
• Lens Type: Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar
• Optical Zoom: 10X
• Digital Zoom: 120X
• f (Focal Distance): 4.2-42mm
• f (35mm Conversion): 48-480mm (camera mode) 40-400mm (memory mode)
• Filter Diameter: 37mm
• Focusing: Full Range Auto/Manual Ring
• Minimum Illumination: 7 Lux (0 Lux with NightShot Infrared System)
• Shutter Speeds: 1/4-1/4000 (in AE mode)
• Intelligent Flash Mode: Auto, auto red-eye reduction, forced flash, and no flash
• Viewfinder: Precision Color (180k Pixels)
• Accessory Shoe: Intelligent
• Intelligent Accessory Shoe Portable Printer Compatible: N/A
• Video Input/Output: Special Mini A/V, S-Video
• Audio Input/Output: Special Mini A/V
• i.LINK DV Interface (IEEE1394): Yes, bi-directional / 4 pin
• Headphone Jack: Stereo Mini
• Control L (LANC) Terminal: Stereo mini-minijack
• Mic Input: Stereo Mini (plug-in power)
• White Balance: Auto/Indoor/Outdoor/Hold
• Exposure: Auto/Manual Dial (24 steps)
• Power Consumption: (VF/LCD/VF LCD) 3.8W/4.4W/4.7W
• OS Compatibility: Microsoft Windows 98, 98SE, 2000, Me, XP, NT4.0; Macintosh 7.6.1-9.0
• Dimensions (WHD): 2 3 .8 " x 4 7 .8 " x 4 7 .8 " (60 x 122 x 122mm)
• Weight: 1 lb 4 oz (590g)
Supplied Accessories.
BTA-NW1 Bluetooth Adapter, RMT-811 Wireless Remote Commander Remote, AC-L10 Power Adapter, NP-FM50 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery, 2 AA Batteries, USB Cable, Lens Hood, 8MB Memory Stick Media, A/V Cable, Lens Cap, CD-Rom Software MGI PhotoSuite v8.1/MGI VideoWave III (Microsoft Windows), MGI PhotoSuite SE v1.1 (Macintosh)
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Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1245.00
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