Hitachi DZ-MV730A DVD Camcorder w/16x Optical Zoom

by Hitachi

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.9 x 5 inches ; 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00080XR2U
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,174 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 10, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Achieve an unparalleled home movie experience with advanced Hitachi DVD camcorder technology at a great value. Record true cinematic 16:9 widescreen for DVD-R, and use DVD-RAM for easy on-screen editing and scene selection without fast-forwarding or rewinding. The convenient Quick Start Recording reduces recording time from initial startup, while the Quick Mode Menu reduces the On-Screen Menu to just the most commonly used features. Transfer digital stills directly to a personal computer or printer with removable memory cards. Experience the advantage of Hitachi DVD Camcorder technology.

Product Highlights

• Digital and Optical Zoom: 16x Optical/240x Digital Zoom
• Quick Start Recording: 7 seconds from startup to first recording after disc initialization.
• Quick Mode Menu: The Quick Mode Menu condenses the On-Screen Menu to just the commonly used features.
• DVD Formats: Accepts DVD-R and DVD-RAM.

The wide-screen 16:9 format presents a larger field of view than the standard 4:3 format.

What Is a DVD Camcorder?
Hitachi has forever changed the direction of camcorder technology with the introduction of the DVD camcorder. This Emmy-winning innovation allows you to record home movies directly to DVD and play them back on your home DVD player. Explore the many options and performance features that Hitachi has pioneered with these remarkable products.

DVD-RAM Recording
DVD-RAM is a rewritable format that allows for recording and rerecording of movies and still photos up to 100,000 times per disc. Data is written in a nonlinear pattern, much like a computer hard disk. When recording, information is only written to blank areas of the disc, eliminating accidental erasure of previously recorded material. The DVD-RAM Disc Navigation system provides in-camera editing, playlist options, and still photo capability.

There are several ways to connect the Hitachi DZ-MV730 to your home theater and computer.

DVD-R Recording
DVD-R is a record-once format that can be played back on most home DVD players (requires in-camera finalizing of the disc before it can be played on DVD player). Data is recorded in a linear manner and users can directly access any previously recorded clip using the on-screen Disc Navigation feature.

Disc Navigation
Direct digital access to DVD footage requires none of the rewinding or fast-forwarding necessary with tape formats. Each movie clip or still photo (DVD-RAM only) is presented as a thumbnail on the LCD panel. Simply cursor to the desired clip and select it for instant playback. With DVD-RAM discs, you can perform a host of in-camera editing features including fading, moving, dividing, deleting, and combining clips. Create up to 99 playlists for custom playback of movie clips.

Product Description

* The Hitachi® DZBX35A DVD Camcorder has all the tools you need for simple digital video recording and still photography. * You will achieve an unparalleled home movie experience with theHitachi® DZBX35A DVD camcorder. * Record true cinematic 16:9 widescreen for DVD-R, and use DVD-RAM for easy on-screen editing and scene selection without fast-forwarding or rewinding. * The convenient Quick Start Recording reduces recording time from initial startup, while the Quick Mode Menu reduces the On-Screen Menu to just the most commonly used features. * Transfer digital stills directly to a personal computer or printer with removable memory cards. * The incredible 240x digital zoom gets you close to the action while you're filming. * With Digital Still Mode you can shoot digital photographs perfect for email on an MMC or SD card. * Playback is easy - simply finalize the disc and play it in compatible DVD players and computers. * Its 2.5" LCD delivers a clear picture of the action during recording and playback Record video in 16:9 for playback on widescreen TVs * Quick Start feature gets you going quickly and ensures easy operation * Experience the advantages of Hitachi DVD Camcorder technology. * Product Highlights: o Digital and Optical Zoom: 16x Optical/240x Digital Zoom o Quick Start Recording: 7 seconds from startup to first recording after disc initialization. o Quick Mode Menu: The Quick Mode Menu condenses the On-Screen Menu to just the commonly used features. o DVD Formats: Accepts DVD-R and DVD-RAM. * What Is a DVD Camcorder? o Hitachi has forever changed the direction of camcorder technology with the introduction of the DVD camcorder. This Emmy-winning innovation allows you to record home movies directly to DVD and play them back on your home DVD player.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

201 of 206 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars make sure you have a multi format DVD system if you use the RAM discs..., July 28, 2005

By 

S. Bell (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hitachi DZ-MV730A DVD Camcorder w/16x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

i have had this unit for over a month (summer 2005), took it on a trip to Vegas and even in very high ambient heat there, it has performed flawlessly. also used both mini DVD-R (best general choice for most people) but also used and recorded to the mini DVD-RAM discs which come in those nice protective case cartridges.

AN IMPORTANT ISSUE;
on the RAM disc issue.... my home PC system did not have a DVD which could read the RAM format, so... i bought an LG GSA 5163D external drive which is both very affordable, and very good. the mini DVD-RAM cartridges have a small spring clip on each side which, when pressed inwards, allows the disc to be removed and played or read in a normal DVD drawer inner (mini) table. i believe you have seen those small circular depressions in the inside DVD tray... the 8 cm ones.

('they' say that the predictable life of the RAM media is 100,000 cycles with the housing and only 1,000 cycles without it.)

the LG drive also comes with a bunch of software and cables, connects both USB and Firewire, and is totally quiet.
with that drive, i can use and reuse the DVD-RAM on this Hitachi camcorder. without it, again, i only suggest anyone using this camcorder try the mini DVD-R format which plays on most every deck i have tried them on lately.

the camcorder came with one 120 minute battery. i bought an extra long life battery which is a good idea as i take this thing everywhere.

the ability of this unit to handle delicate shades of color and smooth details is very rewarding. depending on the resolution i pick, one of these small discs can hold at least 60 minutes of video. taking videos in low light conditions works down to around 0.3 lux. by the way, i have a small vac brush and use it after every shoot outside, and this was especially true in sandy Las Vegas.

Amazons delivery service is superb by the way!

this camcorder was one of the least expensive ones i found, and seems to do everything my older Mini-DV does, and the DVD format takes a few steps out of the process.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to record home movies directly to dvd on a budget, March 3, 2006

By 

Matt "expert" (The Great lakes state Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi DZ-MV730A DVD Camcorder w/16x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

You are not going to get every option avaliable with this camera! But then again your not paying for for every option either! Just take the time to reaserch your needs and what your budget is. Personally I wanted to record family movies directly to DVD and convert my old HI8 and VHS video to dvd. This camera does this with no problem in fact really easy. If you want to edit on a computer which I also do with this camera as I did with my old HI8 you can purchase an external video input hub that connects through a usb port for around $30 but you can edit on the camera just the same. I compare the camera in terms of cars - Yes there are cadilacs but everyone can't afford to own one or don't feel the need to have the most expensive car on the lot (that will be outdated in a few years) A Buik is a nice ride to and is 10K less!

36 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars There is no "firewire " with this one, December 31, 2005

By 

Robert Waldron (Red Bank, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hitachi DZ-MV730A DVD Camcorder w/16x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Without purchasing another piece of hardware ,you cannot record to dvd via PC with this little number.All the other features are great but it's like traveling 500 ft and stopping short 1 foot from the destination .WTF!!!!
Amazon advertises the Monster cable as an "accessory". Really?
I have no idea why ,after spending the 39.99 for it and opening it like Ralphie from a Christmas story it may as well have been a bunny pajama suit.In hindsight I would have purchased the 780 not the 730,but it wasn't disclosed .