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Whistle Stopper - Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV 3.3MP Digital Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Includes Handycam Station)
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List Price: $899.99
Our Price:
Your Save: $ 899.99 ( 100% )
Availability:
Manufacturer: Sony
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Electronics
Brand: Sony
Display Size: 2.7
EAN: 0027242688636
Feature: 1/3-inch CCD imager with with 3.3-megapixel resolution
Floppy Disk Drive Description: None
Is Autographed: 0
Is Memorabilia: 0
Label: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony
Maximum Focal Length: 51
Minimum Focal Length: 5.1
Model: DCR-HC96
Optical Zoom: 10
Publisher: Sony
Studio: Sony
Warranty: 1 year warranty
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Features
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1/3-inch CCD imager with with 3.3-megapixel resolution
MiniDV recording format offers up to 530 lines of horizontal resolution
10x optical zoom with Super SteadyShot picture-stabilization system
2.7-inch high-resolution touch-panel SwivelScreen LCD display rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles
Super NightShot Plus Infrared System captures natural-looking video in low light
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Crystal Clear Video!
Comment: I purchased this camera eight months ago. Since then, I've recorded more than 30 hours of video. The HC-96 has performed superbly in some incredibly demanding environments. The touch screen is very easy to operate (although sometimes I use the tip of a retracted pen to make sure I hit what I intend to). Additionally, the programmable "P-Menu" ensures the features/options you use most are right at your fingertips. The transition from video recording to photo taking is extremely simple and fast. I recently took the camera to a wedding and was very pleased with the speed of the transition back and forth, not to mention the fact that I didn't have to reach for a still camera every time a photo opportunity presented itself. A 3 megapixel image won't win you any awards, but it's plenty clear for an 8x10 photo.
Picture Quality- Simply amazing. When people see the detail, color, and contrast that my little Sony is able to recreate, they are always impressed that such a little device is able to produce such incredibly crisp, detailed video. As long as your lighting is right, your videos will look like they were professionally shot. Example: While on a trip to Rome last fall I shot a facade at one of the many basilicas. Initially, I was focused on the outer columns and scupltures, which were in direct sunlight. But I also wanted to shoot the mosaics that were set well back from the front of the facade and in such dark shadow that I could barely make them out with my naked eye, three stories below. I simply zoomed in on the mosaics and as the white marble walls left the field of view, the camera adjusted the white balance so quickly that the mosaics were immediately crystal clear. The description hardly does the performance justice.
Ease of Use- Fantastic. The buttons fall under your fingers, it's lightweight, it's very durable (I've dropped mine, spilled Sprite on it, and done a hundred other things the manual doesn't recommend) and it's small enough to be inconspicuous.
MiniDV Media- I wouldn't trade my tapes for a harddrive or DVDs. The ease with which I am able to view, download and edit my video is awesome. Plus, each tape holds about 9G of video, for only $2.50. The firewire interface works very well (buy a 4-4 and a 4-6 firewire cable, because not all computers take a 6). Rewinding and playback do use a fair amount of battery, but most of the time I'm viewing I can have it plugged in.
Battery Life- The included battery leaves something to be desired. Buy the bigger ActiForce extended life battery. It's definitely worth having. I can have the camera on and recording for more than three hours at a stretch.
Other Features I've used:
Smooth Interval Recording- Produces fantastic time-lapse shots. Works beautifully. Allows you to choose from 1-120 seconds per frame.
Night Shot & Super Night Shot- Great for low-light shooting within about 100 feet.
Spot Focus- Works very well when you need to manually direct the focal point. Very good for off-center shots.
Steadyshot- The HC-96's electro-optical stabilization is amazing. The camera not only steadies out the bumps, it helps smooth out your panning, as well, so the resulting video is very smooth and a pleasure to watch even when zoomed in very tight on distant objects. I've taken it to the lake to film wakeboarding and waterskiing and the picture is incredibly steady- shot from my hand without any kind of external stabilizing equipment.
Remote Control- Works very well. Must have a clear line of sight to the front of the camera.
Variable Speed Playback- Allows for frame-by-frame viewing and editting. A must-have feature. The controls for variable speed playback are extremely easy to use.
End Search- Will automatically cue the tape to the last frame of the last shot you took and seamlessly transition it to the next shot you record. It's extremely convenient.
Summary- I'm so happy I purchased this camera. It has all of the features I want and produces video that is every bit as clear as that of much larger, heavier, more expensive cameras. More to the point- it produces video that is so clear I'm amazed every time I watch it. It's hard to believe that such a little device could turn out such a professional looking product. Add to that the convenience of taking still shots to a Memory Stick Pro Duo media card with a quick USB interface and I can't really say much more. It's a great piece of gear and it's held up for eight months. I would recommend this camera to anyone.
Customer Rating:
Summary: DCR-HC96
Comment: Nice sharp video much better then the Hi 8 that I had and much better then the hard drive models. Nice cam if you can find it but dont pay over 400 for it.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Beware
Comment: I've had this camera for 6 months. 4 of those months have been spent fighting with Sony to service it.
Stay far, far, far away.
Customer Rating:
Summary: great, but could be better...
Comment: Overall, this maybe be the best non-professional camcorder I've personally ever seen, maybe disconsidering only the gs-500, but I was still amazed by the picture quality, and specially, by the vivid and strong colors that the camera providaded, which everybody told me I should expect the opposite... But it's not a perfect camcorder, far from that. The Handycam station, though a conceptually great idea, is incredibly irritating to use, not only because of the fact that it doesn't effectively lock at the camcorder, leaving it open for many outcoming risky situations, but also because it makes impossible to hold the camera over a tripod and connected to some source at the same time. Also is important to say that, despite the fact that the Touchscreen provides possibly many more ressources of menu in the camera, it is also very uncomfortable to be greasing the lcd screen with the finger all the time and to make contorcionism in some situations to be able to reach the menu.
Except for those facts, and an extra compleinment about the few-button remote control which makes it pratically unuseful, it's a grat piece of recording machine and I would recomend it to anyone willing to have the best movie-like experience!
Bruno S.,
Brazil.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Really enjoy the camcorder
Comment: I bought this product to replace an aging JVC miniDV recorder and am absolutely thrilled. We used it to record a focus group sitting around a table in dim light (using the sony bluetooth microphone) and had excellent results both visually and audio-wise.
We also recorded our greyhounds doing their chasing after things thing and the camera had no trouble keeping up with them.
Much improvement over the old JVC.
Can't wait to use it for some upcoming seminars and some utube stuff.
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Editorial Reviews:
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Box Contents: DCR-HC96, AC-L25 Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger, NP-FP50 InfoLithium(R) Rechargeable Battery, DCRA-C152 Handycam(R) Station, RMT-831 Remote Commander(R) remote control, Stereo A/V Cable, USB Cable, CD-ROM with USB Driver
The Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV HandyCam Camcorder combines brilliant stills with spectacular video. Enjoy sharper photos and exceptional video, thanks to the 3.3 MegaPixel CCD imager. The wide-screen (16:9) 2.7" Touch Panel LCD lets you see more in greater detail, while the 10x optical and 120x digital zoom gives you clear, up-close shots from far away. One Touch wide angle shooting lets you switch easily between 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios, and Super SteadyShot(R) keeps your photos shake-free. Progressive Shutter Mode Focal Distance - 5.1 - 51mm; 370mm Telemacro Aperture - f1.8 - 2.9 Shutter Speeds - Auto, 1/2-1/4000 sec. (AE Mode) Filter Diameter - 30mm Full Range Auto and Manual Focus Progressive Shutter Mode Analog/Digital conversion with pass-through USB and i.LINK(R) ports S-Video output (optional) Accepts Memory Stick(R) PRO up to 2GB; does not support high-speed transfer Recording Media - MiniDV Operating Systems - Windows Me, 2000 Pro, XP Home and Pro Battery - InfoLithium(R) with AccuPower(TM) Meter System Dimensions - 2-7/8 x 3-5/8 x 4-3/4 (72 x 91 x 120 mm) Weight - 1 lb, 2 oz. (525 g) with tape & battery
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