Sony DCR-HC96 Camcorder Reviewby James MurrayPublished on Mar 10, 2006 2:15 PM
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Audio (4.0)
First off, there is no audio input. Sony has been lax on this front, and you won't find an audio jack on any of their MiniDV cams this year. The Sony DCR-HC96 offers a couple of audio options beyond the standard in-camera stereo microphone - but none are what we want. To access the sample bit rate, enter the P-menu, then the administrative menu, and then the Standard Set menu. Once these menus are navigated (no simple task due to the touch-screen interface) the user can finally choose the audio mode submenu. This menu allows users to switch between a 12-bit or 16-bit sample rate. The 12-bit mode records two stereo sounds while the 16-bit mode records one stereo sound in high quality. The camcorder has a stereo microphone positioned on its front face, and while tolerable, the audio can be greatly improved with the use of the included accessory hot shoe. Audio could be monitored with headphones through the A/V jack if needed through a series of adaptors if necessary, but there isn’t an exclusive headphone jack for this camcorder.
The hot shoe is located near the back of the camcorder, under a cover that is flimsily connected via two hinges which beg to be twisted. The hot shoe uses proprietary accessories sold only by Sony, a distinct downside to this otherwise great option for audio improvement. It limits the number of microphone types, designs, styles and quality significantly and will inevitably annoy more advanced users seeking specific control options.
There are two accessory microphones currently listed by Sony as being compatible with the DCR-HC96. One is a higher end electret condenser microphone with adjustable 90 or 120 degree pick-up patterns. The option for variable pickup pattern will provide a more finely tuned recording option for users. The second microphone option is a shotgun mic, a condenser mic with cardiod or super-cardiod pickup patterns that are relational to the zoom on the camcorder. While the relationship between the mic zoom and the camcorder zoom has obvious benefits, the prospect of hearing audio shifting distance over and over with zoom alterations is possibly retch-worthy.
In an interesting distinction between last year’s HC90 and this year’s HC96, it appears as though the HC96 has lost the Surround Sound abilities that were advertised with the previous model. That exclusion certainly makes the Active Interface Shoe more of an inconvenience considering the limited oeuvre of audio options provided by Sony.
To adjust playback volume, the P-menu is entered and the Volume submenu is selected. The menu for volume control is simple and displays + and – controls for volume levels. Users can manipulate audioo further by selecting the multi-sound option and selecting between stereo 1 and 2. “1” plays back main sound (or left channel), and “2” plays back sub sound (or right channel).
It is also possible to engage audio dubbing when viewing footage in playback mode that was recorded at a 12-bit sample rate without erasing original audio. This feature is located in the P-menu of the playback mode under Audio Dubbing Control. It is also possible to manipulate the balance. This menu is also located within the playback mode. This submenu displays a sliding scale from ST1 to ST2 to manipulate the original audio (ST1) with the new audio (ST2). This basic balance feature is certainly an appreciated option for users who posses more advanced interests but who don’t posses the editing software.
VCR Mode (9.0)
VCR mode is a straightforward touch screen interface that displays the standard controls along the bottom edge of the LCD. The controls displayed upon immediately entering this mode are stop, rewind, play/pause, fast forward and P-menu. These controls are comfortable in 16:9 format, but when the HC96 is switched into a 4:3 aspect ratio, they become too tightly spaced and too small for larger fingers.
Menu options in playback mode are variable speed playback, record control, volume, end search, digital effects, USB select and Burn DVD/VCD controls for altering, viewing and manipulating captured footage. With some digging the user will find audio dubbing, record movie to still and audio mix options amongst others, although these controls will take real work for most novice users to access.
Accessing still images is accomplished by pressing the memory control listed alongside the tape navigation controls in playback mode. The + and – are used for moving between images. The zoom control can be used for playback zoom and theoretically the touch screen can be used to move throughout the magnified image. It isn’t really all that easy, though; it moved slightly and stalled and caused aggravation after only two or three attempts. It is also possible to view images either as single frames or six thumbnails along with deleting and marking images for printing.
Ports (4.0)
There are four ports on the body of the Sony DCR-HC96. The first port cover is located on the right side of the camcorder to the front of the MiniDV tape compartment and protects the LANC and A/V-in/out ports. The DC in port is located on the back of the camcorder to the right of the battery pack, which means that users can switch effortlessly between wall and battery power without interrupting the shot. The MemoryStick Duo Pro port is on the left side of the camcorder in the LCD cavity; the closed LCD screen serves as a port cover to protect it.
Finally, there is a port on the base of the camcorder for the Handycam Station, a piece of easily lost plastic with essential ports located on its side: USB, DV-in/out, DC-in, and A/V-input/output. We love the fact that this is one of the few camcorders on the market to still offer analog input. While simplifying a complicated camcorder exterior is great for the beginning user, placing ports that are paramount to the functionality of the camcorder on a hunk of external plastic is absurd. The Handycam station is certainly not handy and was easily lost again and again as it got buried under the other equipment on my desk. Perhaps if the user tapes or glues this feature to a desktop or bolts it to their computer this decision could work, but as it stands now this station is more of a nuisance than anything and will inevitably need to be replaced at least once after getting lost. If Sony is sticking with the Handycam station idea, they should consider putting the same ports into the body and giving the user an option to skip the station altogether. There is more than enough room for two more ports under the port cover on the right side of the HC96.
There is also an Active Interface hot shoe located on the top of the camcorder body to connect video lights, flash or microphone. Unfortunately, there is no mic jack, and the Sony accessory shoe is proprietary, meaning that you must buy Sony products.
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