Customer Reviews
Expected More - But found a fix for a problem on the Internet
I have not owned a video camera for a while, so in getting the Sony DCR-HC21 I thought that everything would be an improvement over what I had previously. Unfortunately the picture quality is not as good as my old VHS monster. A disappointment. The size is excellent, however. Just so you know there is a tradeoff.
I was disappointed that the software which comes with the camera is woefully inadequate for transferring digital movies from the camera to your computer where you can edit them. [Don't even contemplate using the USB transfer as this will give very poor results.] This seems like such a basic thing that people would want to do with digital media, I find it amazing that the software just doesn't do it. [Easy Media Creator does not do it either.] However there is very simple freeware program which you can download at: http://windv.mourek.cz/ which makes digital transfer easy.
Sony DCR-HC21 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder
Positives: Everything about the camera is great per techinal descriptions and specifications.
Negative: No wide angle lens to capture birthday parties or Christmas events. The zoom is so good, you can't stand back far enough to capture the event without panning.
Even stands up to constant warehouse use!
We ordered several of these camcorders to use in our warehouse facility. We needed something compact, durable, and that would provide clear resolution even when recording product moving at a high speed. We have been pleasantly surprised with how well these camcorders have worked. These recorders have been running up to 16 hours a day, five days a week. If it can withstand the kind of abuse it is getting in a warehouse, it can withstand any home use. A great value.
