Hi,
This is regarding new HITACHI DVD Camcorder model DZMV380A
Priced at abt 1000US$ I feel its a good deal...

I would like to find out a couple of things..

1) Battery - Is it rechagebale??? If yes how long does it take and how long does it run...
2) Does it have any region code or NTSC/PAL standards???
3) Is it possible to attach zoom lens over the existing lens to increase the zoom (lets say some thing similar to SLR's)
4) Memory cards, compatibility???...Would it work with Sandisc SD cards...

Any responces would be of gr8 help...
Thanks
Subhash

That must be a Japan only model? My Google search only turned up 2 hits on that model number, both in Japanese on ZD Net Japan? So if you can read Japanese then give that a try.

Videomaker in their April 2003 issue just published a good review on the Hitachi DZMV230A.

1. All camcorder batteries that I have seen are rechargeable. Usually the one that comes with the camcorder will run about 30 minutes. Larger sizes are usually available for purchase as an accessory.

2. Burned DVDs don't have region codes. They are all region free. If that model is for the Japan market, it must be NTSC?

3. I doubt that you can attach a zoom lens on top of a zoom lens. You could probably attach a 2X focal length extender to it but I doubt that it would be worth the effort.

4. the 230A model reviewed in Videomaker didn't mention any kind of memory stick or memory card so I assume you can only write stills to a DVD-RAM disc?

Most DVD camcorders don't use the standard 5" DVD. It might be hard and expensive to find these tiny 3" DVD blanks that these camcorders use?

It just seems to me that these DVD camcorders are more trouble than they are worth as they exist today. Maybe in a few years but they are not for me right now.

Dave

Thank you Dave,

I agree with you that the product is about a couple of years ahead of the existing proucts but thats waht innovation is all going to be about...

I just got my hands onto one just an hour ago, The only one thing I did not like about it was the view finder( but that did not turn me away from taking a shot)...

I got a gr8 deal at the local circuit city and the whole package including most of the following accessories and carrying case for about $1150.

Battery is rechageable and one with the camcorder give about 1hr max so I went on for a spare battery $90,

The Format was NTSC,
A blank DVD RAM disc 28GB costs about $25 and a blank DVD-R costs $10...so it woldnt be bad...although I agree with your opinion that it might be hard to find these 3" discs...

The 380A has an option for memory card...so that gives me freedom to store stills in it and print them out...

I felt 10X optical was too less...and so wanted to get better zoom lens and a wide angle would not be a bad option either...

I now have the task to evaluate how it performs and also the compatibility with DVD players. Cant wait till I start fooling around with that...

Interesting....well if you got it at Circuit City then it must be available in the USA. It must be so new that there isn't anything published on the net yet? This might be just the ticket for you.

You must be missing a decimal point in that 28GB figure? But even 2.8GB sounds large for a 3" disk? DVD-RAM disks are not going to play in any DVD player, as far as I know. The review article on the 230A said that the DVD-R that it produced would only play in 5 out of the 15 DVD players that Circuit City had on display about 3 months ago. So be prepared for failure in a lot of todays DVD players.

I am not a big fan of add-on lenses but maybe this is something that would work for you? But try the 10X that you have for a while before spending money on an add-on lens.

Keep us informed on how you like it. You might be the 1st one here that has actually used a camcorder that records directly to a DVD-R. Good Luck!

Dave

Thanks Dave,I will keep you advice in mind...
You can locate this product in the HITACHI website, its launched this month so it pretty new...

I got this link in responce to a query i posted from the HITACHI team just some time ago.Seems to justify your opinion but will have to wait till I burn disc and then play...

http://www.hitachi.com/tv/discover/press/pdf/010903_dvdcam.pdf

In any case my intention was to use this Camcorder with my PC and I need to upgrade my PC CD drive...
So I guess I can purchase one which is compatible with this...

so the next query/search would be which internal/external DVD drive should I get...

But first I need to get to home to open the pack give the batteries a charge and fool around...

Hi,

I picked up a MiniDV camcorder from ComputerCity and I was so disappointed that I returned it. However, it seems that the HITACHI DVD CAM DZMV380A could be a viable solution for me. I read your postings on CamcorderInfo with great interest. I'm really interested about your findings as I'm considering the same purchase from CircuitCity.

Here are a few questions if you have a bit of time:

1. What do you think about the recording quality when playing to your VCR? to you computer?

2. Do you have to purchase special DVD-R from Hitachi or any DVD-R brand will do?

3. Assuming that you have purchased a DVD-RAM, were you able to upload the data to your computer? I believe that the package includes a software package when purchasing the unit. What do you think about the software package? Does it provide any editing capabilities or just upload capabilities?

4. Assuming that you have purchased a DVD-R, were you able to play the DVD-R directly on the DVD drive on your computer?

5. Once the data is uploaded from the Camcorder, couldn't you just record the data to the DVD-RW of your computer and create your own DVDs? I know that they would be a fraction of the cost of the DVD(s) (DVD-R and DVD-RAM)that you purchased with the camcorder.

6. After more testing, did you find the 10X zoom to be acceptable in most situation?

7. After your initial testing, could you share the pros/cons of the HITACHI DVD CAM DZMV380A?

Unless you need your movies to play in someone else's player, I would recommend the following:

1. An external DVD-RAM with USB 2.0 from panasonic or someone like that. It should also include DVD-R, but I wouldn't pay extra money for DVD+-RW etc. You can record faster and more times on DVD-RAM and you'll save yourself money in the long run.
2. Buy a DVD-RAM with HDD set top DVD recorder for your TV. These are huge in japan now, but I really haven't seen them much in north america myself.