Canon DC22 Camcorder Reviewby John NeelyPublished on Nov 29, 2006 12:00 PM
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Audio (4.0)
The audio on the Canon DC22 is something to consider very seriously when comparing this DVD camcorder to the competition. The Canon DC22 includes an built-in stereo microphone directly beneath the lens, but it has no way to connect an external mic. This is a fairly standard position for microphones, one which normally results in adequate recording quality that minimizes camcorder noise and handling faux pas which can occur with a top mounted audio unit. Unfortunately for the Canon DC22, these statements do not hold true. The stereo microphone on this camcorder picked up a nearly constant thrumming and chirruping noise as the DVD disc spun inside the compartment. In addition to this obtrusive racket, there was also the fairly constant noise of shifting mechanisms and other intolerable camera-spawned auditory interruptions that compromised recording quality to an absurd level. Although not helpful in overcoming the camcorder noise, a windscreen feature blocks lower frequencies via a high pass filter setting in the Camera Setup menu. A playback speaker is located on the cusp between the lens barrel and the cover for the DVD compartment.
VCR Mode (8.0)
DVD camcorders have become very popular on the consumer market for one simple reason: convenience. This popularity comes despite the fact that DVD camcorder video quality is generally poorer than video produced by tape-based camcorders. A DVD can be popped right out of a camcorder and into a home DVD player, and disc-based camcorders make clip browsing faster and easier via non-linear clip access. Video tapes can only be played linearly, which can make finding a specific clip time-consuming.
A screen shot from the DC22's playback mode
Playback mode on the Canon DC22 takes advantage of the random access nature of DVD media, and is engaged by sliding the Power switch down when the camcorder is powered on. When engaged, up to six thumbnails appear on the screen, with each thumbnail representing one of the clips on the disc. The clips can be navigated and played back using two interfaces. The first interface is the Multicontroller joystick. Pressing in any direction on the joystick jumps from one thumbnail to another, once the end of a page is reached, pressing again will jump to the next page of thumbnails. Pressing in on the center of the joystick plays the currently selected thumbnail, and pressing the joystick left or right while a clip is playing jumps to the previous or next clip on the disc in play mode.
The second playback interface is the set of VCR buttons that are arranged along the lower edge of the LCD frame. The VCR controls add the ability to jump from one page of thumbnails to the next by pressing the rewind and fast forward buttons, while the play/pause button plays the currently selected thumbnail. Pressing the rewind and fast-forward buttons while a clip is playing will rewind or fast-forward the clip. Pressing those buttons repeatedly cycles through 5x, 15x, and 25x speeds. Pressing the play/pause button during playback pauses a clip, and pressing the stop button returns to thumbnail view. These buttons certainly work, but they lend a cheap appearance to the camcorder.
The playback features available on the Canon DC22 are quite easy to use, and the only confusing aspect of the interface is that some controls are located on the VCR control strip below the LCD, and some on the joystick. A third playback option is the remote control, which features a full complement of playback buttons.
Ports (4.0)
The Canon DC22 is hardly replete with ports. At the extreme bottom front corner of the camcorder is the requisite DC-in power terminal. It’s an odd placement for a power port, but does keep the power cable out of the fray more successfully than a more centrally located terminal.
The other ports are located on the camcorder’s left side near the back edge. The MiniSD card slot and AV input/output terminal are both hidden behind a protective port cover that blends seamlessly into the body. The cover matches the matte silver surface of the DC22’s left side and fits snugly in place when closed. The cover is opened by pulling on a tab where it’s inside edge meets the edge of the LCD frame, and is easier to accomplish when the LCD screen is open. Inside the port compartment, the MiniSD slot sits vertically above the AV terminal. Interestingly, the DC22 is the only DVD camcorder in Canon line to offer analog input. Not even the top-of-the-line DC40 offers this option. Why Canon decided to give the DC22 the big upgrade is a mystery, but we’re not complaining.
The USB port is adjacent to the port compartment inside the LCD cavity. This is an ill-conceived placement because it both necessitates keeping the LCD open and blocks the screen when the USB port is in use. Many camcorders have adopted this design in an effort to save space, but we believe users are better served by ports on the exterior of a camcorder’s body.