TECH SUPPORT: Sony and I - a Camcorder Conundrum

May 14, 2010 | This Just In

[This Just In]

I recently inherited a Sony DCR - HC40 Super Steady Shot Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar MiniDV camcorder. Now, if the make, model, letters, fancy schmancy whoever Mr. Zeiss and some Italian(?) dude is hasn't scared you off, I'm hoping you're at least familiar with the camcorder.

I've called Sony's mashing tech support techie guy, who, by the way, seemed as clueless as I was with all things concerning the Sony DCR - HC40 Super Steady Shot Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar MiniDV camcorder.

I've also visited the CNET forum in search of any information about this camcorder. The good folks at the forum provided more information than the Sony tech support trainee, but still not enough info.

So, I'm hoping my fellow Freepers will make my life far less complicated concerning this item I've inherited.

Our family has never owned a video camera. Never. Ever. I've operated a few, but not frequent enough to use camcorders comfortably on the first or second try.

When I was given this camcorder, the manual, memory stick, and tape was not included. So, I've been messing with the video camera in an effort to familiarize myself with it's features/functions.

Here are some of my questions:

Should I purchase the 512 megabit Memory Stick Duo? From what I've been told, memory sticks are obsolete. I would have preferred to use the memory stick because it seemed like a more practical option in order to transfer the video from the camcorder to my computer.

If I purchase and record onto the tape, how do I upload the video to my computer?

From what I've read, the Sony software is useless. Would anyone have any recommendations?

Should I bother with using this camcorder?

As always, I look forward to you input/advice.

TJI

[MississippiMan]

The Memory Stick is DEFINITELY an infinitely more convenient recording medium than tape. IOW, tape is FAR more obsolete. Use the Memory Stick. This also solves your second question, since you’ll have files on the Memory Stick to simply copy to your computer.

MM (in TX)

[This Just In]

Thanks, MM. Here’s my concern, though. The 512 MB is not cheap. Even if I bought the memory stick, the questions is; will I be able to upload the video? I would hate to invest time and money into this camcorder, and discover that I can’t even view the videos and edit home movies.

[diverteach]

I have a very similar camera.
Yes you’ll like the convenience of the memory stick assumimg your PC has a port that accepts it. Otherwise you can connect it to a USB port and it will appear as a removable drive. 512 mb is awfully small though. Video eats way more memory than still photos. Heck my phone has 8gb.

It’s late. PM me later with more specific questions.

[ResearchMonkey]

As an avid Sony-video owner, I own 5 of their HD-video cameras, I can offer some quick answers.

It’s miniDV, it will work for you being it’s not that outdated.
It connects it with fire-wire/video and USB/photo. You just pull it down with one of many programs (I think movie maker can pull it, dunno?!?)
If it can take a larger stick maybe go with a 1-2gig, they’re cheap these days.
Your Z-lense just tells you that it is generally going to give you a decent image.
The battery may be what ruins the whole deal for you, it may be worn out. (Sony batteries are far better than the other brands, also much more expensive)

Have fun with it. Really, what do you have to lose?

[This Just In]

“Really, what do you have to lose?”

Money and time.

So, will the camcorder take a 1 or 2 gig although it uses a 512MB? With your experience, on ave., what is the duration of my record time using the 512MB? And the 1 - 2gig?

What kind of software would you recommend? I use my ZoomBrowser upload photos/video from my camera.

I do appreciate the recommendations.

[ResearchMonkey]

“Money and time.”

Oh now! If you spend quality time with family and friends a camera is a great asset. Take an hour of video, pull-off the best 5-10 minutes and you have something you’ll cherish for ever.

A 2gig stick runs under under $20 bucks these days.

512megs shooting .MPEG you’ll get ~00:30min of DV quality.

Honestly I’m kind of out of date with some of the lower end software these day. Although I do remember using Windows MovieMaker to help my mother-in-law capture some tape a few years ago.

I began making home movie a decade ago, now we own a educational video production company. (Tea party events also)

[IncPen]

I don't know about this particular camera, but in general I think I can point you in the right direction. Here are some random thoughts:

- The specs and manual are here and here.

- The memory stick is for still photos only. The resolution is ok, not great. I've never been a big fan of camcorders for photos, but in a pinch it will do. The key is the Zeiss optics; don't discount them, optics generally can make an ok camera great

- Here's a PC magazine article on free editing resources for the PC

- I'm a mac guy, and if you're not I'll say I really wish you were. The mac has free movie software called iMovie that's really easy and really powerful. I created a produced a spot for a very famous singer years ago using only iMovie that she used all over the world. It's legitimate software, and it recognizes most video cameras automatically

- The camera has a FireWire output (aka. IEEE1394 or iLink). FireWire and USB duked it out many years ago; FireWire won the consumer and pro video and data transfer markets and is standard on the mac. I think all macs have Firewire built in. USB got everything else. USB's are standard on the mac too, for peripherals. The way I understand it, the USB requires a powersource at the connection for most data-intensive hookups; the advantage of firewire is the the power requirements at the cord are less and so the data transfer is faster (or something). SO, if you don't have a FireWire card for your PC you'll need to get one. They're not expensive; they can be internal or external. NOTE: there are 3 firewire standards. FireWire 400 is old-school and comparable to USB. You'll want to take your camera to the store when you buy the cable to make sure you get the right cable; note the speed of your computer's firewire connection so you get the right cable. Here's a . photo of a FW 400 connector. In that image, the part that connects to your camera (pretty much the standard connector for video) is on the right)

- You'll be shooting onto MiniDV tape, then hooking the camera to the computer. The editing software that you choose should recognize the camera and allow you to control it when it's in VCR (as opposed to recording mode). In the software, you'll specify an "in" point on the tape, and an "out" point, and then you'll tell the software to capture that video onto your hard drive. It transfers 'real time', so if you select your in point and your out point is an hour later in the tape, it takes an hour to capture - Once the video is in the computer, it works alot like a word processor; you can cut and paste the video, add titles and effects, play with the sound, etc. The sky is the limit. My professional advice is that a little bit of glitz goes a very long way; less is more - A couple of points on the tape: MiniDV tapes can be had online for about $3 each. They're cheap and reliable. That said, I only ever shoot on SONY tape. Don't be tempted by inexpensive tape-- you'll get a crease or dropout on your kid's piano recital and you'll curse. SONY tape, blue package, nothing else. Trust me.

- Practice holding the camera steady, or buy a tripod. There's a reason pros always use a tripod-- it makes the video 100% better - Private reply to me if you need more info or clarification

[This Just In]

“I began making home movie a decade ago, now we own a educational video production company.”

“(Tea party events also)” Bravo!

home movies projects are what we’re hoping to tackle if this camcorder works out.

I’ll be sure to read up on MovieMaker.

Less than $20 for 1-2gig stick?!!! Where do you buy your sticks? I just visited Kmart and about fell over when I looked at the prices for their 1- 2gig.

Our greatest challenge is financial. I don’t have the luxury to purchase the memory stick and software if I can’t view our videos.

I failed to mention an important detail. According to comments on CNET, your can’t download the videos to disc. Any comments concerning this issue?

[ResearchMonkey]

also, using a MS (mem-stick) you can get all kinds of units, even many printers, to access the MS.

I only have one camera that can’t have its flash memory read by my printer.

[This Just In]

A great help, IncPen.

Will private email more questions.

TJI

[MississippiMan]

As long as you have a Memory Stick reader, it’s a simple matter of copying the video files from the Memory Stick to the computer. As for cost, an 8GB stick at Amazon is $29.97.

MM (in TX)

[ResearchMonkey]

I’m a little short on time for a minute. I have to run to the store for the boss. So for a minute you can peek at a movie my kids made, they impromptu’d the script and filmed it themselves in our bedroom. My wife and I directed from bed and then I edited it for them.

“Schoochildren’

http://www.youtube.com/user/PitchforkPatriot#p/u/4/-huppIl2_yE

BRB in just a few minutes

[This Just In]

ResearchMonkey,

Unfortunately my Freep times is running low. I have to take trip tomorrow, so will be offline soon. I’m looking forward to viewing the video some time next week, and will be sure to check back on this thread.

Really appreciate everyone’s help.

[ResearchMonkey]

Roger that.

I’m a little tired too, it’s been one long run for over a month now with ~2 weeks left until we can take a rest.

I’ll actually read the links and see what your camera has.

I love shooting, I think its good for the soul.

[sauropod]

read

[truthfreedom]

Skip the memory stick. Better quality using the minidv tape.
You don’t “download” the video to your computer, you “capture” the video. If your computer doesn’t have a firewire in, you’re out of luck, unless you want to install a firewire card in your computer. They’re not that expensive. You use a firewire cable to connect the video camera and the computer. Those firewire cables aren’t that expensive. You can probably get the firewire card and the firewire cable for under $30 on Ebay. The video capture process is real time. If you have 30 minutes of footage, it will take 30 minutes to get it on to your computer.

[ataDude]

That was great and congrats on the family!