I got my HC1 right when it came out...worth it to upgrade to something else?

Overall I like my HC1. I came from a TRV-900, which while SD was an awesome unit. I loved it. I never ever had a complaint about it.

My HC1 shoots great video, but the super slow and frequently hunting autofocus drives me nuts. I'm just shooting family viudeo here. I have no interest in riding the focus ring. I'd understand if it freaked out in low light, but this thing is just weak in what I'd consider prety easy scenarios.

Are the newer HDV units better?

I think from what I've read the HV20 has amazingly fast and accurate AF...

I'm kinda looking around for upgrade from HC1 also. The more I look, the better I like the old camera.

Mine has no problem with AF except in lower light settings.

Putting it in manual shutter at "30" helps a bunch, with picture and with AF.

Have you tried that?

Jamie

I was also wondering if it was worth switching to a better camera now or later. Low light pictures were so noisy that it does not look like HD anymore, and I missed a true 24P mode. AF was overall good, except that sometimes, when the picture was completely out of focus, the AF could hesitate several seconds before figuring out it had to actually do something and not stay idle.

My HC1 decided for me and broke 1-2 months after the end of the warranty period. I opened it and the thin flat cable for LCD backlight and the touch-screen sensor that is folded every time the LCD is moved now has a loose contact :eek: . If I do not swivel the LCD in a particular angle, the backlight stays off and the touchscreen is useless. This infuriated me so I will buy from another maker.

The HV-30 by Canon seems to be great. I prefer HDV over HDD or flash because the bitrate is higher and the quality in tricky sequences better, and the medium is cheap. All what I read about that camcorder sounded promising and right.

I hope they put some care in not glueing their flat cables on metal parts with razor sharp edges, so the cable is still OK after you have opened and closed the LCD more than 200 times, and that their products are overall more reliable and long-lasting than Sony's.




I'm kinda looking around for upgrade from HC1 also. The more I look, the better I like the old camera.

Mine has no problem with AF except in lower light settings.

Putting it in manual shutter at "30" helps a bunch, with picture and with AF.

Have you tried that?

Jamie

I moved "up" to a Sony V1U. Great cam with a lot of flexibility. Very happy with it.

I'll darn sure hang on the HC1 though, it's still a fantastic camera. And, I just got a like new Ikelite housing dirt cheap for it. Can't wait to try it out in the springs here in FL, and the keys. Only pool tested so far.

Jamie