SONY DCR-HC40E MiniDV PAL Handycam(R) Camcorder

by Sony

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00020VXB8
• Item model number: DCRHC40E
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,756 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 21, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The DCR-HC40 (PAL format) MiniDV Handycam gives you all the features you'd expect from a Sony camcorder in an ultra-compact design that's as beautiful as the images it captures. It features a 1.0 Megapixel Advanced HAD imaging chip and a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens which combine to capture video with incredible detail and clarity, making every video picture perfect. It also includes a huge 2.5" hybrid SwivelScreen touch panel LCD display with a 3D menu system, Super NightShot Plus infrared recording, USB streaming, and digital still image capturing on MemoryStick DUO media. Only Sony could pack so many features in a camcorder so small.

Special Note: This camcorder was made for use outside the U.S. (it uses the PAL video format), and it is not covered by any U.S. warranty. It requires a PAL format monitor for playback.

The MiniDV Format offers more precise image detail and color accuracy than previously possible with analog camcorders. The superior quality of digital video results from:

• Higher Resolution -- up to 530 lines of horizontal resolution, on select models for sharper picture detail.
• Component Color Sampling -- preserves three times more color information than analog VHS and S-VHS video, for brighter and truer colors.
• Time Base Correction -- stabilizes the picture, eliminating video jitters.
• Error Correction -- fills in missing video data, providing seamless, professional-looking video.

Features of the DCR-HC40 include:

• 1.0 Megapixel (Gross) Advanced HAD CCD Imager 1/5" Advanced HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 690K (effective) pixels provides excellent detail and clarity, with exceptional video performance (up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution). Realize great looking digital still images utilizing 1000K (effective) pixels. The Megapixel technology enhances your digital videos and digital still photography performance.

• 10X Optical/120X Digital Zoom
  The optical zoom helps to bring the action up close from far away. In addition, the digital zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.

• 2.5" Hybrid SwivelScreen LCD Display (123K Pixels): Provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The 123K pixel LCD display makes images sharp and detailed during playback or when monitoring recording. The Hybrid Reflective-Transmissive LCD Screen provides accurate viewing in sunlight or bright light, virtually eliminating the wash-out common with traditional LCD Screens.

• Progressive Shutter: Mechanical shutter system that provides Progressive Scan performance while utilizing an interlace scanning system. Digital still images will be sharp and clear with excellent definition.

• Analog To Digital Conversion with Pass-Through: Convert and/or record any analog NTSC video source to digital video via the analog inputs. Analog NTSC video can also be passed through the digital Handycam camcorder directly into a PC via the i.LINK interface in real-time for easy PC editing of your analog footage.

• InfoLithium Battery with AccuPower Meter System: Charge the battery at any time because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony's rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening "memory effect." Sony's exclusive AccuPower meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes in the viewfinder or the LCD screen.

• Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization System: An advanced version of Sony's SteadyShot system that controls an even higher range of shake and vibration frequencies, to achieve an even higher level of smoothness without degradation of video like some other image stabilization systems.

• 12-Bit/16-Bit PCM Digital Stereo: 16-Bit offers the same outstanding sound quality as compact disc. 12-Bit recording enables you to add an additional audio track with compatible audio dubbing equipment or i.LINK interface compatible computers.

What's in the box:
DCRHC40 MiniDV Digital Handycam, AC-L25 Power Adaptor/ In Camera Charger, NP-FP50 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery, RMT-831 Wireless Remote Commander Remote Control, USB Cable, MSG-M8A Memory Stick Duo Media, MSAC-M2 Memory Stick Duo Adapter, CR2025 Battery, Multi A/V Cable, LCD Cleaning Cloth, CD-ROM w/Driver (Picture Package Software v1.0 for Sony).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Painfully dissappointed, August 20, 2004

By 

Happy Paddler (Thailand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SONY DCR-HC40E MiniDV PAL Handycam(R) Camcorder (Electronics)

I bought this camera partly because it was a Sony. I've never had as much trouble with an electronic device in my entire life. Within a week of purchase, it simply stopped working. No functions worked. It spent a month in the repair shop. I was told that the main switch was the problem and that they had replaced it. I got it back and the same problem happened. I sent it back... yet another month without a camera.

I thought that perhaps moisture was the problem. I purchased the expensive Sports Housing. I went on a seven-day mountain climbing trip and the camera worked for only the first two days. I was planning on taking it back to the dealer, but wouldn't you know it, it started working again.

I can't stress how dissappointed I am with this camera. It does take good footage when it finally decides to work. I've missed my daughter's university graduation, my nephew's highschool graduation and six days of a wonderful mountain climbing trip in Southern Thailand.

I don't recommend buying this camera. The only reason I gave it two stars is because it does produce good footage when it works.

Sony support doesn't seem to care about my problem as they've given me no helpful advice or made any recommendations. My camera is only three months old. I'll never buy another Sony product for as long as I live.