Sony DCR-HC36 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on May 5, 2006 12:00 PM
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To achieve the look of 16:9 formatting, Sony has applied a letterbox digital effect on the top and bottom of the LCD screen. This digital cropping actually reduces the amount of vertical information of the 4:3 format while keeping the same horizontal resolution. The LCD screen for the DCR-HC36 (Review, Specs, $309) measures 2.5 inches diagonally and will also not be able to provide a widescreen viewing platform for users.
Scan Rates/24p (0.0)
The Sony DCR-HC36 shoots at the video industry standard frame rate of 30 frames per second. Variable frame rates are normally found on higher-end camcorders; consumers should not expect this option on point-and-shoot camcorders like the DCR-HC36.
Other Features (4.0)
Fader
Fade features for the Sony DCR-HC36, applied while recording, provide users with several minimal-effort options for giving video a more polished aesthetic. The fade options for the camcorder, located on the first page of the P-Menu, are fader, black fader, monotone, and mosaic fader for both fade-in and fade-out capabilities. In addition, three fade-in only options allow overlap, wipe, and dot fader. When shooting with a fade-in, a four or five second delay freezes the screen on full black, white, or mosaic without transitioning. Once the fade is complete, the fader option turns off: users will need to re-enter and set the fade-out, even if it is the same effect that used for the fade-in.
Electronic Image Stabilization
The Sony DCR-HC36 has a 20x optical zoom; while this isn’t the 32x optical zoom lens found with the JVC GR-D350 (Review, Specs, $214.95), the DCR-HC36 is going to display camera shake when shooting at higher optical zoom levels. An optical stabilization system, which won’t compromise image quality, is the best option for correcting hand shake and camera movement. Unfortunately the Sony DCR-HC36 comes with the inferior electronic stabilization system, although it’s certainly better than nothing.
Digital Effects/Picture Effects
Located in two separate sub-menus of the P-menu structure, the digital and picture effects settings provide users with a handful of in-camcorder digital effects. The digital effects options for the Sony DCR-HC36 include Cinema effect, Delay motion, Still, Flash, Luminance Key, Trail, Slow Shutter, and Old Movie. All of the options, excluding cinema effect and old movie modes, provide users with an adjustable scale to tailor the effects parameters further before shooting.
In addition to the digital effects options listed above, there are six picture effects options that can be applied to still images in both record and playback modes. The effects options for still images provide users with negative art, sepia, black and white, solarize, pastel, and mosaic.
Super NightShot Plus Infrared System
While problematic due to poor image quality and an entire loss of accurate color reproduction, the Infrared system provides sixteen times the illumination of the HC26 (Review, Specs, $299.99)’s Sony NightShot Plus system, which is known for its green tint.. The Super NightShot Plus Infrared System option is listed in the overall menu structure; users can enter that structure by pressing the menu button on the first page of the P-menu system.
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