Sony DCR-SR40 Camcorder Review

by David Kender
Published on Dec 11, 2006 11:00 AM

 
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 (2.5)
The audio features of the DCR-SR40 are slim. Audio is recorded in 2-channel stereo through a built-in microphone on the front of the body under the lens. Even the meagre offerings on the DCR-SR60 and SR80 – an accessory shoe and manual audio levels – are absent here. Built-in mics tend to not offer much in the way of quality, and this one is no different. The camcorder does benefit, however, from the whisper quiet operation of an HDD recording medium rather than the whir of a DVD or tape mechanism.

VCR Mode (9.25)
The VCR mode on the DCR-SR40 is a simple affair. When switched to playback mode, each clip appears as a thumbnail image. Simply touch the image to play the clip. Some of the best features of the HDD medium become apparent here. There is no need to rewind and fast forward to find a clip, as there is on tape, and there is virtually no load time, as there is with some DVD camcorders. All the VCR buttons appear as touch screen controls. The zoom toggle can digitally zoom in on clips from 1.1x – 5x.
 
Plain and simple, simple and plain – the creed of the SR40.
 
Ports (5.0)
The Sony DCR-SR40 includes a very basic selection of ports, with a AV-out and DC-in terminals on the camcorder body, and USB, AV-out and DC-in terminals on the Handycam Station. The step-up SR60 and SR80 add a remote jack to their Handycam Station, an analog input, and an Active Interface Shoe for connecting proprietary Sony accessories such as video lights and microphones. The addition of the analog input is a compelling reason to upgrade if you're thinking about a Sony HDD camcorder.
 
 
The AV and DC-in terminals are protected by a plastic port cover on the lower left side of the body. The port cover can be pulled open by tabs along its upper and lower edges, and it is attached to the camcorder by a thin plastic connector. Ports of this type are standard on most consumer camcorders but are prone to snapping off with rough treatment. In fact, many pros and avid videographers just rip the port covers off because they use them so frequently. The DCR-SR40 can convert analog footage to digital MPEG2 video stored on the HDD. Analog-to-digital conversion should not be confused with analog-to-digital pass-through, which converts an analog signal to digital on the fly. Analog-to-digital conversion is still handy for converting old Hi-8 or VHS videos to an archivable digital format.
 
None of Sony’s new HDD camcorders include a USB port on the body of the camcorder, so transferring footage digitally to a computer for editing or DVD burning requires use of the Handycam Station. This omission seems to be a curious choice on Sony’s part, and any money saved by not adding a USB port to the camcorder body must be negligible. It’s an unfortunate choice, because users of HDD camcorders have no choice but to move footage regularly from their camcorder to clear up more space. Requiring users to resort to the Handycam Station reduces the versatility of the SR40, which is not exactly handy.


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