Customer Reviews

RCA CC9370 AutoShot Compact Digital Camcorder

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've really just started out with this camera, so my rating at the moment is based on the ease of use. It's incredibly easy to get up and running in no time at all. All the controls are easy to reach and understand, and the video quality is very good. The only problems I've had was the first time I attempted to hook it up to my computer through the FireWire. It took Windows ME a long time to "install" the camera, but once it did, it took next to nothing to download the video in Windows Moviemaker. I'll be exploring other software soon. I'll update this review when I'm more familiar with the camera, but for beginners like me, I think this is a great choice.

I recently purchased this camcorder for my wife, who will be taking it back to Canada when she visits her parents for a month. We've been trying it out, and have been extremely impressed by the ease of use, not to mention the excellent video/audio quality. The menu system is easy to get used to - however, if you're anything like me, you'll probably be fumbling with it to get to the effects you wish to use - it doesn't seem that there is any way to switch between them quickly. As well, the digital still (photoshot) function of this camcorder is wonderful - who needs a digital camera? (Okay, so that comment will probably get me into some hot water).

The only gripe about this camcorder is that it is next to impossible to find extra/replacement batteries - as the included battery only lasts for one hour (if that...), I decided to pick up an extended life battery - unfortunately, the RCA.... website did not have anything listed! However, I did find one site ...which does carry both the standard and extended life battery, although you pay a premium for both of them (I expect that this will change, as this camcorder is a great product).

Great zoom functions, too. I love it!

It is easy to pay a lot more for a comcorder but hard to see why you would want to. This little camcorder is light and compact, has controls that fall readily to hand, and has every feature I can imagine the general user wanting. The LCD viewfinder is bright and startlingly clear, and the image recorded is excellent -- light years beyond older VCR images.

It is best to read the instruction book carefully before getting started. A half-hour or so spent doing so will make everytihing else simplicity itself. One thing it took me a little while to figure out is that the important automatic features (focus, aperture, image stabilization) can all be made to work in the "Manual" mode, and the handy automatic use of random transitional effects between scenes (fade in - out, etc) works ONLY in the Manual mode.

Everything else is pretty intuitive. Have only had this item a month or so, so can't speak to reliabilty, but so far am more than pleased with this camcorder.

The Millennium battery model C9872 is a good substitute from JVC since they made the camera for RCA. It has worked well for me.

As stated in an earlier review, you will have virtually no luck finding batteries under the RCA listing. However this camera is able to use all batteries compatible with the JVC DVL500U. (I believe that this camera is actually built by them.)

Haven't had it long enough to make any detailed comments. So far so good. I have been succesful transferring files/videos via 1394 to a PC running Sonic Fusion Video Factory. However, I did not have success using Ulead Video Studio that wasa bundled with my 1394 I/O card. (I believe that this is a problem with the Ulead software, not the camera however.)

I bought this camera yesterday and everything with this camera is great. Considering price and feature. I haven't found anything I really don't like. I haven't tried to connect to my PC or anything but feel confident that it should go smoothly. My only complaint is finding a battery, like many other people. I final found a few sites but the best place is Radio Shack. Just ask for a 7.2v li-ion. They run around ...for a 3 hr battery. JVC batteries work as well.

I bought this camcorder a month ago, and the images it produces are spectacular. I read other owners' reviews, and bought the Pyro Digital Video firewire card and VideoStudio software, and hooked it up to my computer in minutes. It worked perfectly, and did a really good job on still images, which is important to me. The video came out great- looks really professional. I still can't find an extended life battery for this camcorder, I think it needs a JVC one, like other reviewers noted. Highly recommend this item!

Haven't had the camera too long but electronics change so fast that if I delay I run the risk of writing an review on an obsolete item. I've probably only run the camera for an hour or so but I haven't had a problem. The camera is easy to use and works great.

I've been able to download and upload video to a windows computer using the "actiontec" firewire card (which I don't think is sold here). The card works fine with this camera. When using the video editing/capture software you can completely control the camera from software and don't have to touch the camera. Its easy to get the impression from reading online comments that its rare to get a digital camera to play nicely with a computer. Well, here is one case where everything worked without a hitch. With an [$] piece of hardware and software and a huge hard drive (well, a few free GB is enough to get you started) you can get introduced to the world of digital video editing.

One strange thing I did notice about this camera was that in the manual it mentions that if the LCD screen is swiveled 180 degrees (pointing towards the subject) the viewfinder becomes active. This doesn't seem to be the case for my camera.

So far I have been unable to figure out how to extract the still images from the camera. Its easy to use this feature and I believe that it captures slightly higher resolution images in this mode but my DV software doesn't seem to support this feature. I would really like to use this to send quick snapshots over email (videos are still not very practical over email).

Overall, great sharp picture, decent microphone (no support for external microphone however), good exposure, auto-focus seems a little slow sometimes and in extreme cases (too close) fails.

Got this camera 3 weeks ago. The first moment I used it I realazied that some thing is wrong, I could hear the motors inside, the are loud and every the noise got recorded on the tape. Conntacted RCA and they refferd me to a repair center. After 2 days the repair center called me back saying that the camera is fixed. Picked the camera and gess what? same noise, nothing has been fixed. The guy said that they "cleaned" and the sound seems to be lower... what a joke. Since I wasn't happy they said that they will contact RCA and order parts, that will take 3 weeks. I can't return the camera since I purched it from uBid - another misstake...

I have done extensive research on camcorders prior to buying this one. I've just received this one in the mail today and have been testing it extensively. So far, I'm absolutely pleased. There are none of the problems other customers wrote about (whirring noises, etc.). And it has all the necessary features you would need for recreational (non-professional) use, and compares very favorably with, sometimes better than, much more expensive camcorders. (The only exception is that the 10x optical zoom is a little less than the typical 12x, 15x or 18x, but in my opinion is as good as anyone needs, unless you're trying to capture shots of wild elephants on safari) A fine point about the value you get from this purchase is that you get plenty of accessories with it. Other low-priced camcorders, such as the Panasonics, may be tempting because they have superior brand names for only around $100-$200 more, but keep in mind that some of them don't come with accessories that you'll probably want, like the 1394 cables, etc. This can add considerably to the total cost of outfitting your camcorder. Not including a whole lot of accessories is one way that manufacturers keep sticker prices down, so you shouldn't be fooled -- consider what's included as part of your purchasing decision. For this camera, you might have to buy a longer-life battery like a 2-hr one in additon to the 1 hr included battery. (You also would with most of the other models; most of their included batteries last about the same). One final caveat: I haven't tested the computer hook-ups and video download features at all, so my rating does not address this.