Customer Reviews

Hitachi DVD Camcorder with 2.5" LCD and Digital Still Capability (DZMV230AR)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I spent a lot of time researching camcorders before finally deciding on the Hitachi 230A. I purchased it to record my childrens band performance at halftime and to share the recording with the band director for teaching purposes. It worked great..I recorded the performance, put it in my lap top and was able to replay it instantly for everyone. It was quite a hit, until I got home and tried to download it to my computer to make copies. It seems the salesman, in his zest to sell me the camera, neglected to sell me the correct interface kit. This camcorder comes with 2 different interface software kits. One is for still images only and is relatively easy to find. The other kit (DZ-WINPC3) is a scare commodity. At this time you can only order it directly from Hitachi at the cost of $179.00 plus shipping and handling. AND it's on back order for 2-3weeks. This kit is not even carried by Circuit City, the major supplier of this camcorder. I love the camcorder for it's eaze of use and the digital picture quality but I spent my first weekend with this product on the phone trying to figure out why I couldn't download my video into my computer. I at least got to transpose it onto VHS but the manuel supplied leaves much to be desired when it comes to explanations. It tells you the correct way to plug it in to your VCR but neglects to note that you have to set your TV and VCR to a different input mode in order for it to work. I guess that you're supposed to know that already. Would I buy this camcorder again...only if I had all the correct software in my hand as I walked out of the store. Also, the customer service department at Hitachi is wonderful. I'm sure that they recognize my voice by now.

We got this camera as a Christmas present. For simple movies and communicating with the family, it serves well. There are some design errors that Hitachi will need to fix before I recommend it, though.

First, the DVD disk noise is audible during playback. It is a high-pitched whine in the background. It is not overwhelming or too distracting, but people interested in making amateur films or top notch home video should find a less noisy camera.

Second, the camera does not come with a separate battery charger. You have to put the dead battery into the camera and then use the camera as the charger. This means you can't film on one battery while recharging the other. So, you either charge them all ahead of time, or you hope that you catch all your footage in one go.

Finally, the editing software for this camera is not yet available in the US (as of Dec. 2002). The editing options built into the camera are pretty limited. There are three fade options: fade to white (not black), vertical wipe, and fade to b/w. The interface would be fine for a road trip, but splicing long sequences together is a real pain. The fade features also require additional dead air, or else they cut into the sound portion of the tape. This may be my inexperience, but it bugged me for a while.

Overall, I found the camera very intuitive and easy to use, and I wouldn't give it up for a different gift. Still, there are probably some tape or other DVD-based models out there that are more polished in
their design.

I purchased this camcorder and brought it home, only to return it to the store the next morning. The dvd's do not play in most dvd players as the description claims. It is too fragile a camera. The list of "dont's" in the instruction manual is two pages long. You can't use it in temperatures less than 32 degrees or in temperatures greater than 104. You can't get dust in the camera at all. The dvd ram's cost 25.00. If the disc is ever scratched, goodbye precious memory that was captured on film. It makes more sense to me to tape on 8mm and convert to a dvd. This way you have two copies of the video and the dvd that you converted to will play in your dvd player. The cost for this is 25.00 for a full size dvd that is 2 hours long.

I do not own this camcorder, but I have used a friends. The camcorder may have a long list of don'ts but what other camcorder can you record directly to a DVD? The DVD Rams may be expensive, but so does every blank DVD. The ability to edit video directly on the camcorder is only offerd here and on the sony MD video camcorder. Also the DVD's hold 2 hours. Thats alot. MiniDV holds 60 minutes, and Digital8 holds 60 minutes, and 90 in EP mode. Also the fact that it can Re-Use DVDs, no fast fowarding or rewinding, not quality degrade. Also, the DVD's scrathc just like other DVD's. I can take some scratches, but no gashes, just like a normal DVD. The zoom is responsive and the LCD screen has impressive resolution. The battery life is very good considering its burning a DVD. Also it is SMALL. Its not a huge camcorder, its like a small Digital8 or a large MiniDV. This is cutting edge technology here. DVD burners are just starting to appear on computers, and they are [hundreds of dollars] a pop. It has S-Video outputs and some computer port. Not sure on what it does, but I imagine it lets you put video to your computer. The comcorder is not super durable, but is not fragile. The camcorder will not break under 32* weather but wont record well, because the DVD burner has trouble writing to the DVD, so I wouldn't recomend useing it in cold weather. Also, must camcorders wont record when its over 90* outside. Especialy analog ones. Heat is also very bad for ANY lcd screen. It is a first generation DVD camcorder, infact the only one you can get. Its not perfect, but if you want a DVD camcorder, its very nice.

Feels good in my hand, telephoto works great, going
thru the menus is a breeze. Being able to pop out the
dvd, and put it in My dvd player or computer makes this
camera a must buy.

I own a previous model Hitachi DVDCam. I have had several of my DVD's become corrupt and unreadable after I had recorded (and viewed) several videos on them. I called Hitachi and after a LONG phone call was basically told that I had bad luck and they were sorry. It is a porblem with the DVD itself and they do not stand behind the DVD's (because they are from a different manufacturer). My only option is to contact a data recovery service to get back my hours of lost video. Looks like that will cost me about $200-400 for two discs.
I understand that they do not make the DVD's, but their cameras use them. If I can record my videos on to them, I should be able to see those videos again. The only way to use their DVDCams are to record onto DVD's! Save your money and frustration and don't risk losing your precious family memories!

I bought a Hitachi DZ-MV230A DVD Camcorder from Future Shop, Surry, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on 28th Sept., 2003. My computer OS WIN XP (Home Edition) does not detect the Camcorder, nor the recorded DVDs are detected by the DVD ROM installed with the Computer. So, I cannot download anything from the Camcorder. The Camcorder is thus useless to me though I like its picture quality and shape. No software was supplied along with the gazette and it was written on the manual that it would work with WIN XP. I wish, the manufacturer gives weightage to this letter and send me the solution.