Sony DCR-HC36 Camcorder Review

by David Kender
Published on May 5, 2006 12:00 PM

 
Intro Performance
Format
 Tour
Auto/Manual Controls Still Features
Handling and Use Audio/Playback/Connectivity
Other Features Comparisons/Conclusion
Specs/Ratings
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Compression (8.0)
The Sony DCR-HC36 uses 6.35 mm MiniDV tape, and will thus employ the industry standard 25 Mbps during recording. This low level of compression is what still sets the MiniDV format apart from DVD camcorders and other media options, which employ a much higher compression level and thus produce a lower video quality.

Media (8.0)
A proprietary Memory Stick Duo Pro card stores still images for the Sony DCR-HC36. Its slot is located on the left side of the camcorder, in the cavity formed by the LCD screen. . The maximum still image resolution for the Sony DCR-HC36 is 2016 x 1512. Duo Pro cards currently have a maximum recording capacity of 2 GB, and consumers can expect to pay anywhere from $39.99 to $199.99 on Sony’s website, depending on card size. The Sony DCR-HC36 does not come with any included memory card or internal memory option.

When shooting video footage, the Sony DCR-HC36 will record to 6.35mm MiniDV tape. Although not included with the camcorder, this medium is easily available for under $5 per sixty minute tape. It is also possible to record video clips to memory card, although the reduced image qualities of either 320 x 240 or 160 x 112 will be disappointing when compared to standard MiniDV video.

Editing (8.0)
The HC36 ships with Picture Package 1.5.1, a basic editing suite that allows you to capture video, back-up video to CDs and DVDs, and produce rudimentary DVDs.

In a world of ever-expanding video formats, MiniDV is still the easiest to import and edit in any video editing software. While DVD and HDD formats can go much faster than MiniDV’s realtime capture, MiniDV has been around longer, so even older software can usually handle it.



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