Sony DCR-HC48 First Impressions Review

by John Neely
Published on Feb 1, 2007 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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Audio
The DCR-HC48 offers no audio options other than the onboard stereo microphone.  In order to use external mics, you’ll need to step-up to the HC96 (Review, Specs, $516), that is unchanged from 2006, which adds Sony’s proprietary AIS (Active Interface Shoe).  The AIS is a hot shoe, compatible with many Sony accessories including mics, video lights, and flashes.

Playback
Playing back tapes on the HC48 relies on – you guessed it – the touch screen interface.  Toggling the Power/Mode Dial a notch clockwise does engaging playback.  Each time the dial is pressed with the index finger, the camcorder cycles from one mode to the next.  Play/Edit mode brings up a familiar set of VCR buttons on the lower edge of the LCD screen:  Play/Pause, Stop, FF, and Rew, and they all work as you’d expect.  In Easy mode, the playback controls are enlarged to obscure even more of the image, as if Easy mode users lack the fine motor controls of non-Easy mode users…

A few options are only available during non-Easy mode playback, including variable speed playback and frame-by-frame advance.  Playback zoom is available in either Easy or non-Easy mode playback, and allows you to enlarge the image up to 5x with the zoom rocker, and then to pan around the image by touching the edges of the screen.

Connectivity
The DCR-HC48 includes a Handycam Station where you’ll find a the camcorder’s full complement of ports and terminals including AV Output, i.LINK (IEEE 1394 or FireWire), USB 1.1, and DC-In.  The DC-In and AV-out terminals are also found behind port covers on the back of the HC48 body.  The step-up HC96 adds a LANC jack for remote camcorder control, and an Active Interface Shoe, compatible with a large number of Sony accessories.  In addition to the connections listed above, Sony sells an optional S-Video output cable that plugs into the AV port.


The Handycam Station is a device that many users will appreciate.  You can keep the station connected to your PC, and “dock” the HC48 by simply placing it on the station.  Any port with an active connection is then instantly available.  The drawbacks to a docking station include portability (it’s another item to pack for your trip to the beach) and the fact that without the station, you won’t be able to transfer footage since neither the USB nor i.LINK terminals are found on the camcorder body.  We would prefer Sony to include all ports on both the Handycam Station and the body of the HC48 for maximum versatility.







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