Sony DCR-HC38 Camcorder Reviewby Michael PerlmanPublished on Jun 25, 2007 8:11 AM
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Audio (4.0)
Like most camcorders in this price range, the DCR-HC38 (Specs, $279) does not come equipped with a mic or headphone jack. You’re stuck with the built-in stereo microphone, which will give you mediocre sound quality. The DCR-HC38 records PCM audio in either 12-bit (32 kHz stereo 1, stereo 2) or 16-bit (48 kHz, stereo). Recording in 12-bit audio mode enables the camcorder for dubbing. The audio dubbing feature is accessed in the playback menu. Here you can do your own version of Mystery Science Theater 3000 by monitoring recorded footage and laying down voiceovers and sound effects in the second audio channel. Dubbing can only be executed with 12-bit audio recorded in SP quality. You can even mix the levels of recorded audio to balance the original sound and the dubbed sound by accessing the audio mix feature in the function menu.
Playback (3.25)
As outlined in the menu section, the DCR-HC38 does not offer the most logical navigation system. Luckily, playing back footage is not a gargantuan task. Simply shift the mode dial once to the right from camera mode and you’ll find the blue play/edit screen. A row of controls sit at the bottom: stop, rewind, play/pause, fast forward, and function. This is as MiniDV as it gets, folks. A guide button is located half way up the left side of the screen.
Playback menu
When you press the function button this time, you’ll see an entirely different set of offerings—same tabbed structure, though. Page 1 consists of menu, volume, end search, display guide, stop, rewind, play, and fast forward. The VCR controls remain on the bottom of each page so you can have a live preview of your menu selections. Page 2 lists data code, beep setting, and clock setting. Page 3 is where the playback action happens: variable speed play (lets you playback footage in fast and slow motion), audio dubbing control, record control, and LCD brightness. All in all, the playback menu buttons are bigger and laid out in a far more logical way when compared to the camera function menu.
Connectivity (3.0)
Three ports are located in the back of the DCR-HC38, underneath and to the right of the battery: Firewire, DC in, and A/V out. The port covers are made of a flimsy rubberized plastic compound and are exceedingly difficult to snap back into place. They did withstand a fairly rigorous tug session, however. The LCD cavity is home to the USB jack, which is used for streaming pictures displayed on the screen of the DCR-HC38 onto a computer. The benefit of MiniDV is its compatibility with pretty much any major NLE on the market, thanks to its Firewire terminal.
The Firewire, DC power, and AV ports are located on the back.
Not pictured is the USB port in the LCD cavity.