Sony HDR-HC3 Camcorder Review

by Robin Liss and David Kender
Published on Apr 17, 2006 8:00 AM

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


Audio (4.0)
Audio is very limited with the Sony HDR-HC3, as there is no micophone input jack. This is the biggest downgrade, in our opinion, from the HC1, and narrowly limits the consumer base. The HC3 instead features an "Active Interface" Sony proprietary hot-shoe that only accepts a handful of Sony brand microphones, which can only be purchased through Sony's online store. Furthemore, the only options available are a high-fidelity stereo microphone for $99.99 and a shotgun mic for $69.99. If there was a mic-in port that accepted XLR or mini-stereo, users would have a world of audio recording options available to them. As it stands these two microphones aren’t going to satisfy the true audiophile, and it's disappointing that, at $1500, Sony won't allow users to make their own, informed purchases.

In addition, it won’t be possible to use video lights or flash accessories if shooting with an external mic, since all three accessory options connect to this one singular shoe.

Other audio options for the Sony HDR-HC3 include selection of bit rate within the Standard Set menu. The HDR-HC3 allows selection of either 12 or 16 bit sampling rates: the 12 bit mode records two stereo sounds at a lower quality, while 16 bit records one at high quality. In HDV format, the camcorder will only record audio at 16 bit.

An audio mix feature also allows the user to monitor four-channel audio recordings produced by other products. When in this feature, the LCD shows a horizontal bar in the center of the screen with a sliding indicator for moving between ST1, the original sound, and ST2, the audio file which was overdubbed in playback. This is a nice little feature if shooting with multiple camcorder units, but the likelihood of it really being used with the HC3 is low.

 Adjusted audio balances will reset to the default setting if the power switch remains off for more than twelve hours. A volume control is also provided through the Standard Set menu structure which contains the audio mode and audio mix sub-menus. This is a simple +/- touch screen interface that allows for user control over audio levels. However, it's not possible to adjust the right and left channels independently. 

VCR Mode (9.0)
The VCR mode is entered by pivoting the power switch until the playback/edit display appears on the LCD screen. In VCR mode,  the standard Fast Forward, Rewind, Play/Pause, and Stop buttons are lined up on the bottom edge of the touch-screen. In the far bottom left corner of the LCD is a button that allows users to switch quickly between still and video modes, while a button in the lower right corner allows entrance into the P-menu structure. The controls in playback video mode are limited to playback speed, volume levels, display guide, data code, record control, burn DVD, select DV or HDV format, and PictBridge printing.

The Memory Stick Duo Pro playback screen is accessed, as mentioned previously, by pressing the button in the lower left corner of the LCD screen. Once open, the memory card playback options allow users to view images either singly, with up to 5x digital playback zoom, or in groups of 6. In the center of the right edge of the LCD screen is a trash-can insignia that can be easily pressed to discard viewed images as needed. The P-menu structure is identical in memory and tape modes.

Ports (9.0)
Ports for the Sony HDR-HC3 are prevalent and spread out all over the surface of the camcorder. The top features a frontally positioned “Active Interface” proprietary hot shoe that will allow users to connect Sony brand microphones, video lights, and external lights to enhance shooting capabilities. The biggest port and jack upgrade is the HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) connection. This allows you to actually watch HD footage on your HD-compatible TV. Remember, if you’re just hooking it up with component or RCA cables, that’s an analog signal. HDMI is backwards compatible with DVI connections. It was not available on the HC1.


There are loads of ports found on every side of the HC3.

On the left side of the camcorder, in the LCD cavity, are two ports, one for the Sony brand “Memory Stick Duo” memory card and one for USB connection to PC or PictBridge compliant printers. On the back of the camcorder, to the right of the battery pack, is a vertical port cover that, when opened, reveals a composite out, AV, out and DC in ports. This port cover is poorly designed, constantly gets in the way when opened and, with poor hinges, seems bound for accidental separation from the camcorder. Finally, on the right side of the camera, another vertical port cover forms the edge between the right and front sides of the camcorder. This port cover is easily opened from its back edge, although the hand strap tends to hamper access to ports located beneath it, at first. The ports on this side of the camcorder allow for connection LANC., HDV/DV FireWire, and the HDMI out.



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