Hitachi DZ-BD7HA Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Nov 7, 2007 2:15 AM 
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Audio (6.5)
Onboard audio options are severely lacking on the DZ-BD7HA (Review, Specs, $0.00), consisting of just a Mic Filter to reduce wind interference. The built-in stereo microphone is located on top of the camcorder, just above the lens. Though this placement is usually not conducive to most grips, the DZ-BD7HA is big enough that the hand will not interfere with the microphone. The DZ-BD7HA is equipped with a hot accessory shoe and mic input, but there is no headphone jack. At this price point, a headphone jack should be standard.
The Panasonic HDC-SX5 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $0.00) provides the most advanced audio control for a high-end DVD/Flash hybrid, including gain control, a zoom microphone, and a decibel level meter. At $700 more, the DZ-BD7HA is equipped with low to mid-grade audio options, with only a wind screen to its name. The hot shoe and mic input are nice touches, but is that the least Hitachi could do on a $1,600 camcorder?
Playback (4.0)
Like the DZ-BD7HA menu structure, the Playback screen is identical in HDD, Blu-ray, or SD/SDHC card mode (for still capture). Pressing the disc navigation button cues a screen filled with 12 icons representing individually recorded clips or stills. You can scroll through the icons via the joystick and select an option by pressing the center of the joystick. The Playback menu can be accessed by pressing the menu button. You’ll find the following options in HDD mode:
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HDD Playback |
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| Scene | Edit, Dubbing, Detail, Go To, Select |
| Date/Playlist Select | All Scenes, Date, Playlist |
| HDD Setting | Format HDD, Protect HDD, Capacity, Update Control Info., Full Format |
| Others | Repeat Play, Category |
In Blu-ray mode, the menu offers the following options:
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Blu-Ray Playback |
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| Scene | Edit, Dubbing, Detail, Go To, Select |
| Date/Playlist Select | All Scenes, Date, Playlist |
| HDD Setting | Format Disc, Protect Disc, Capacity, Update Control Info |
| Others | Repeat Play |
When a clip is selected, it fills up the screen and begins playing. Playback controls are governed by the joystick, which features labels on all four sides: up for rewind, down for fast forward, right for next clip, and left for previous clip. The center of the joystick controls play/pause and the zoom toggle adjusts the volume of the clip. While a clip is playing, you can press the menu button, which triggers a menu screen with the following options:
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Playback menu (during live preview) |
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| Go To | Top, End, Specify |
| Edit | Photo Capture |
Connectivity (7.0)
Almost all of the DZ-BD7HA’s ports are located on the left side of the camcorder, hidden within highly inconspicuous panels without labels. It was guesswork stumbling upon the component-out and AV-out terminals, which are tucked behind a clever, sleek-looking port cover. The cover can be flipped open via a small finger groove along the bottom of the camcorder, and simply dangles by a thin plastic strip when fully extended. The USB and HDMI terminals are slightly easier to locate, seeking refuge behind a large fan-shaped plastic enclosure embedded within the LCD cavity. A small finger groove sits along the right side, and the port cover flips outward from the bottom.
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The hidden ports on the left side |
The hot accessory shoe |
Hitachi gains style points, but not practicality points. Any camcorder that requires you to read the manual in order to locate any connection does not score well in the ease of use department. Furthermore, the DZ-BD7HA’s external power supply situation is far from preferable. Hitachi supplies the shooter with a thin battery-shaped DC adapter that fits in — you guessed it — the battery chamber. You cannot charge the battery while the camcorder is plugged into the external power source, and what happens if you’re in the middle of catching a robbery and the battery is on its last legs? You have to shut the camcorder off, insert the battery, and wait a significant amount of time for the big lumbering bear to spring into action. By that time, your incriminating evidence – and reward money – is long gone.
On the right side, a tiny gray strip is tucked behind the front hand strap grommet, housing the mic jack. It’s almost as if Hitachi doesn’t want its consumers to find any ports on the DZ-BD7HA. Lastly, the SD/SDHC card slot is located underneath the DZ-BD7HA, preventing the shooter from swapping cards while the camcorder is mounted to a tripod. If you actually plan on capturing stills with the DZ-BD7HA, you can only record them to a card — not the HDD or DVD.