SONY DCR-HC96 MiniDV Handycam

Dieseldoug · #1 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006, 09:57 AM

Just wanted some opinions on the SONY DCR-HC96 MiniDV Handycam.

Mihai · #2 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006, 12:28 PM

What exactly are you interested in? Opinions or user reviews?

Dieseldoug · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006, 03:17 PM

I'm just looking for a moderately priced camcorder with firewire capabilities that allows me to do some home video editing. I am on a budget of about $600-800.

Mihai · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006, 04:46 PM

I suggest you take a look at some lower-end 3CCD cameras from Panasonic, too.

Dieseldoug · #5 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006, 08:36 PM

I actually decided on the Panasonic DV-GS500.

Mihai · #6 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006, 08:42 PM

Could you explain for the rest of the readers what made you change your mind in favor of the Pana?

Dieseldoug · #7 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 12:10 AM

Well one of the main reasons was firewire capabilities along with the three chip technology. I wanted the ease of editing via firewire without the hassle of using a mini-dvd.

The one thing I need to decide on is a video capture card that allows firewire connection. Any suggestions?

Mihai · #8 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 07:41 AM

Don't worry about Firewire ports. They are all born the same. It's just digital transfer. So if you already have Firewire on your motherboard, it will work fine. If not, it shouldn't cost you more than $ 20 to get a Firewire extension.

Dieseldoug · #9 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 10:24 AM

Thanks you've been a great help! I apologize for this moving way off topic for this area.

Other than that I have an AMD AthlonXP 2400 processor, an MSI K7N2 Delta 2 motherboard MS-6570E, 1 GB RAM, I have dual HD (120 GB / 40 GB), Sound Blaster Audigy 2, and a Sony DVD DRU-53a burner, the only thing I need to get is a good video card. Having spent a ton of money on the camcorder and software for editing I really don't have the extra cash to dump into a video card.

How important is the video card? I always thought real high end video cards mattered if you were doing a lot of gaming not video editing.

I was told that a pci firewire adaptor would be a better way to go than using the onboard card. Is there any truth in that?

Mihai · #10 (**permalink**) 07-04-2006, 04:47 PM

Both your observations are correct. The video card is not important in video editing, for most apps any 128 MB card will do. And yes, allegedly it's better to use a Firewire adaptor instead of the onboard ports because of resource handling. I use a PCI card anyway because it has both digital and analog connections.