Sony DCR-HC46 Camcorder Review

by John Neely
Published on Jun 18, 2006 1:00 PM

 
Intro Performance
Format
 Tour
Auto/Manual Controls Still Features
Handling and Use Audio/Playback/Connectivity
Other Features Comparisons/Conclusion
Specs/Ratings


Compression (8.0)
The DCR-HC46 captures video in the standard DV compression at a data rate of 25Mbps. DV compression remains the best option for video quality amongst the myriad of media choices for the consumer. DVD, flash media like SD cards, and internal memory all compress video more heavily and use a lower bit rate (between 8.5 and 10Mbps). While this is not the only factor in video quality, it is a major factor.

Media (8.0)
The DCR-HC46 uses standard 6.35mm MiniDV cassette tapes, which can be located almost anywhere that sells blank media. In a world that is rapidly moving away from MiniDV in favor of DVD, MiniDV still offers a number of benefits. Cassettes are less fragile than DVD, and can better endure transport, shuffling from bag to bag, and dropping. They are generally cheaper, and most importantly, they capture video at a much higher quality (see the Compression section above). MiniDV also finds more universal compatibility with editing software, while DVD can more difficult to work with. That said, MiniDV must be captured in realtime to a computer for editing, while DVD and other MPEG2/MPEG4 video can be transferred at faster rates.

Editing (8.0)
Sony’s DRC-HC Series of camcorders ships with Picture Package 1.5.1, which enables video capture and editing, backup to DVD or CD, and basic DVD production. The software is easy to use but quite limited – and you’ll only be able to capture footage if you work on a PC. Luckily, new Macs ship with the iLife suite of applications, which offer far more robust editing capabilities. Likewise, Avid’s FreeDV, a freeware program that runs on PCs and Macs, offers much more than Picture Package. Working with MiniDV footage is easy because it’s a mature format and interfaces easily with just about any computer system.

The HC46 also enables very rudimentary in-camera audio dubbing over previously recorded video footage. The footage to be dubbed over must have been shot with 12 bit audio in order for this feature to work. The in-camera dub feature is accessed from the Play/Edit Menu and is easy to use. You simply shuttle through the tape to your starting point, press the on-screen Audio Dub button, and record the new audio using the on-board microphone. Dubbed audio is recorded to one of the two stereo sound tracks, and, after dubbing, the relative sound levels of each track can be adjusted in-camera. Audio work more advanced than simple dubbing requires the use of computer-based editing software.






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