Sony Webbie HD MHS-PM1 Camcorder Review

Playback & Connectivity Summary
• Playback is fairly simple, but too many options are controlled with the navigation joystick. • Camcorder has a DC-input, but doesn't come with a power cable. • Battery must be removed from camcorder to charge • A/V and Component-out ports are Sony's proprietary design.
	Handling & Use	(Page 10 of 17)	Audio & Other Features

Playback (3.25)

To access video playback mode on the MHS-PM1, you press the small "play" button on the back of the camcorder. This brings you to a screen that displays all your clips and photos in a thumbnail arrangement. Navigating through this footage is pretty simple, you just use the joystick on the back of the camcorder. The problem is, too many controls are manipulated by this puny joystick. Pushing it up changes the display, pushing it down alters volume, and you can fast forward and rewind by pressing the stick to the left and right. Far too many times, when playing back video clips, we found ourselves adjusting volume when we really wanted to fast forward or changing the display when all we wanted to do was advance to the next clip. It is a clumsy system, but it's about what you would expect from such a compact camcorder.

The playback menu

Deleting clips is also strange on the MHS-PM1. You have to press the trash/size option button on the right side of the camcorder when you want to get rid of a video. We don't like having the delete button combined with any other button, as it makes you worry each time you press it that you may accidentally be deleting something when all you really wanted to do was change the size of your video.

There are a few more options when you press the menu button during playback, including slideshow, rotate (for still photos), divide, protect, and direct to printer. The PM1 also has a 5x digital zoom for still photos during playback. The upload to web button, which is on the back of the camcorder next to the joystick is used during playback to tag photos and clips for upload. Tagged media will automatically be recognized when you connect the MHS-PM1 to a computer and the software will setup those clips for upload.

Connectivity (1.25)

The MHS-PM1 has your basic connectivity options—Sony's proprietary A/V and component-outputs, a USB port, a Memory Stick slot—but it also has a strange DC-input port that is barely explained in the PM1's manual. The DC-input is right next to the A/V and USB ports on the left side of the camcorder. Strangely, the PM1 doesn't ship with a DC cable, so in order to use the DC-input you'll have to by a separate accessory. This is where things get even weirder. Sony doesn't list any compatible cables for the MHS-PM1's DC-input. Does this mean the cable doesn't exist? Maybe, but we're thinking it is likely Sony just forgot to post it. The camcorder is probably compatible with the AC-LS5K power adapter—a cable that is used in Sony's digital camcorder line.

Ports from left to right: USB, A/V-out, DC-input (cable not included)

The fact that the camcorder doesn't come with a DC power cable raises a number of issues as well. The only way to charge the PM1's battery is to remove it from the camcorder, connect it to the wall-plug charger, and wait for it to charge. This means you have to wait a couple hours before you can access footage on the camcorder if you have a dead battery. The Sony MHS-CM1 avoided this problem by shipping with a DC power cable, and the Flip UltraHD solves this issue by including its USB arm that charges the camcorder whenever it is connected to a computer. The Kodak Zx1 has a similar problem, but it works with regular AA batteries, so if you're in a pinch you can always load it up with new ones or steal a few batteries from your TV remote. Unfortunately, there is no way around this issue on the MHS-PM1... unless you find out what power adapter is compatible with the camcorder and buy one from Sony.

The battery compartment and memory card slot

The MHS-PM1's battery compartment is located at the bottom of the camcorder and the Memory Stick slot is just above it. We found the card slot a bit confusing to load as its orientation seemed backwards. There is a puny diagram on the compartment's flip-out door that explains the loading process, but it is hard to decipher. The bottom port cover that covers the battery compartment feels solid and strong, although its spring-loaded mechanism feels like it could break off. The MHS-PM1 does not have an HDMI port, which is a disappointing omission.