Comments on: Sony DCRHC52 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/ Online gadgets reviews, ratings and recommendations Tue, 21 Dec 2010 09:05:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Wife Pleaser http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/comment-page-1/#comment-1382 Wife Pleaser Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:26:41 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/#comment-1382 Sony Camcorder<br>Rating:5 out of 5 stars<br>Great simple product. Perfect for the grandparents or those wanting just to record quality video without all the bells and whistles. Sony Camcorder
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Great simple product. Perfect for the grandparents or those wanting just to record quality video without all the bells and whistles.

]]> By: Robin Bensinger http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/comment-page-1/#comment-1371 Robin Bensinger Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:59:42 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/#comment-1371 It works just fine<br>Rating:4 out of 5 stars<br>I've shot a home video and an instructional video on it, and I like what I see. Its easy mode makes focusing and lighting simple. It works just fine
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I’ve shot a home video and an instructional video on it, and I like what I see. Its easy mode makes focusing and lighting simple.

]]> By: tx_aggie_95 http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/comment-page-1/#comment-1370 tx_aggie_95 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:02:23 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/#comment-1370 Cannot transfer video to a PC<br>Rating:2 out of 5 stars<br>I own 4 different Sony camcorders. I bought this one because all of the others stopped having the ability to transfer video to a PC using the IEEE 1394 firewire (iLink) cable. Right outta the box, this one is not recognized by 3 different PCs, all having firewire ports, all having WinXP, tried with a variety of 4-pin to 6-pin cables. I'm done with SONY. The reason I kept purchasing SONY was to transfer SONY video. I used a Samsung camera to transfer video but the codecs caused choppy video. My camcorders are all $300 and below in cost. If you search the Internet forums you'll see that SONY has serious problems with their firewire ports. Another SONY for my useless collection. Cannot transfer video to a PC
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
I own 4 different Sony camcorders. I bought this one because all of the others stopped having the ability to transfer video to a PC using the IEEE 1394 firewire (iLink) cable. Right outta the box, this one is not recognized by 3 different PCs, all having firewire ports, all having WinXP, tried with a variety of 4-pin to 6-pin cables. I’m done with SONY. The reason I kept purchasing SONY was to transfer SONY video. I used a Samsung camera to transfer video but the codecs caused choppy video. My camcorders are all $300 and below in cost. If you search the Internet forums you’ll see that SONY has serious problems with their firewire ports. Another SONY for my useless collection.

]]> By: Terry Morris http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/comment-page-1/#comment-1374 Terry Morris Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:27:29 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/#comment-1374 Great little video camera.<br>Rating:5 out of 5 stars<br>The overall positive reviews on this mini-dvd camera are warranted. This is a great little camera for the money that produces some very good video. I have a Panasonic DVX100B, and I initially purchased this camera as a low cost video deck alternative, so I wouldn't wear out the motor on the DVX while downloading video footage into my computer...and this camera serves that purpose very well. But, I found that this camera is just a fun overall camera to have just to shoot video on the run without the need to set up a bunch of other equipment. <br /> <br />I highly recommend this camera. <br /> Great little video camera.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The overall positive reviews on this mini-dvd camera are warranted. This is a great little camera for the money that produces some very good video. I have a Panasonic DVX100B, and I initially purchased this camera as a low cost video deck alternative, so I wouldn’t wear out the motor on the DVX while downloading video footage into my computer…and this camera serves that purpose very well. But, I found that this camera is just a fun overall camera to have just to shoot video on the run without the need to set up a bunch of other equipment.

I highly recommend this camera.

]]> By: Pedro Cortes http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/comment-page-1/#comment-1377 Pedro Cortes Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:16:11 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/#comment-1377 Great little camera<br>Rating:5 out of 5 stars<br>Great bang for the buck.....you can't go wrong. Great clarity and I like recording directly to my hard drive via the firewire port,,,these way there is no need to waste time rendering to make your DVD copies. Great little camera
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Great bang for the buck…..you can’t go wrong. Great clarity and I like recording directly to my hard drive via the firewire port,,,these way there is no need to waste time rendering to make your DVD copies.

]]> By: ethep http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/comment-page-1/#comment-1379 ethep Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:53:12 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/#comment-1379 good camera but need extras<br>Rating:4 out of 5 stars<br>This is an excellent camera but you will need to buy an i-link or equivalent (mini firewire) cable if you want to edit video on your PC computer. Actually the manual does not indicate that connection to a computer is possible. The instructions in the manual indicate that with the optional cable you can import video from a VCR but references the next model up (HC54) if you need to export to a PC. <br /> <br />Once I purchased the cable I was able to capture video without problem. Windows computers have the appropriate drivers preinstalled. Just connect the cable set the camera to play/edit and select capture in your favorite editing program (this assumes your PC has a mini firewire port-not all do). <br /> <br />Although Mini DV cameras have older technology, they take better movies than SDHC (card) or harddrive camcorders because the pictures have far less compression. Also the format used .avi is much easier to edit than MPEG-4 which the other formats typically use. They do use more power so look for a "kit" deal that includes an extra battery. good camera but need extras
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This is an excellent camera but you will need to buy an i-link or equivalent (mini firewire) cable if you want to edit video on your PC computer. Actually the manual does not indicate that connection to a computer is possible. The instructions in the manual indicate that with the optional cable you can import video from a VCR but references the next model up (HC54) if you need to export to a PC.

Once I purchased the cable I was able to capture video without problem. Windows computers have the appropriate drivers preinstalled. Just connect the cable set the camera to play/edit and select capture in your favorite editing program (this assumes your PC has a mini firewire port-not all do).

Although Mini DV cameras have older technology, they take better movies than SDHC (card) or harddrive camcorders because the pictures have far less compression. Also the format used .avi is much easier to edit than MPEG-4 which the other formats typically use. They do use more power so look for a “kit” deal that includes an extra battery.

]]> By: Father of Two http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/comment-page-1/#comment-1376 Father of Two Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:44:55 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/#comment-1376 Decent Camera, But Horrible Color Saturation<br>Rating:2 out of 5 stars<br>I bought this product to replace one of the first Sony Digital8 Camcorders that ever went on the market (DCR-TRV510). I've had that camera for 9+ years and have loved it. I bought this camera because because the reviews were decent, the price was good, and I like Sony products. I've had the camera about two months now and I'm very disappointed with the color of the videos. They are very dark compared to what they should be. <br /> <br />My most recent project was filming a basketball game where I had four different Sony digital camcorders in use on the same court (I film a complete game once a year). The other three Sony camcorders (all older, different models) produced far better color than this one. The colors produced by this camera are, quite simply, terrible. The one caveat to that is outside on a bright, sunny day will produce a rich color saturation. Other than that, though, you're out of luck. <br /> <br />I originally thought it was maybe just my camera, but another reviewer also talks about bad color saturation in his review, so I guess it is product wide problem. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere. Decent Camera, But Horrible Color Saturation
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
I bought this product to replace one of the first Sony Digital8 Camcorders that ever went on the market (DCR-TRV510). I’ve had that camera for 9+ years and have loved it. I bought this camera because because the reviews were decent, the price was good, and I like Sony products. I’ve had the camera about two months now and I’m very disappointed with the color of the videos. They are very dark compared to what they should be.

My most recent project was filming a basketball game where I had four different Sony digital camcorders in use on the same court (I film a complete game once a year). The other three Sony camcorders (all older, different models) produced far better color than this one. The colors produced by this camera are, quite simply, terrible. The one caveat to that is outside on a bright, sunny day will produce a rich color saturation. Other than that, though, you’re out of luck.

I originally thought it was maybe just my camera, but another reviewer also talks about bad color saturation in his review, so I guess it is product wide problem. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

]]> By: Richard E. Hanson http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/comment-page-1/#comment-1373 Richard E. Hanson Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:10:45 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/#comment-1373 Reason for no Firewire cable<br>Rating:4 out of 5 stars<br>This is a great beginner camera, and has some higher level features at an entry level price. It has a great picture and fine sound. The major complaint made in the reviews I've read was that there was no firewire cable included. Of course Sony likes to sell their proprietary iLink which is their name for the ieee 1394 cable. The reason I believe it's not included, is because they don't know which cable to include. If you have a laptop with built in firewire, you will probably need a 4 pin-4pin, if you have a PCI card in your desktop, you will probably need a 4 pin-6pin. Then there is the question of length, 3', 4',6'.etc. Everyone's needs are different so it's best to order the cable separately. Cables run from 5.00 - $45.00 so a good online search is recommended. <br /> <br />Some fault the camera for not haveing a still capture, but most of the camcorders that do have them are such low quality poor resolution that they are worthless. I use a separate digital camera of my choice for that. <br /> <br />My disapointment with it is that is does not provide a bridge between analog devices and my computer. For the price, I can live with it and just buy a bridge. I do miss my old camcorder but it cost about $2,000 when I bought it and this little camera has most (but not all) of the features I used. <br /> <br />For computer editing, I was able to connect and capture and edit using Nero 7, U-Lead Visual Studio 8 and Windows movie maker. <br /> <br />I would recommend this to a friend. Reason for no Firewire cable
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This is a great beginner camera, and has some higher level features at an entry level price. It has a great picture and fine sound. The major complaint made in the reviews I’ve read was that there was no firewire cable included. Of course Sony likes to sell their proprietary iLink which is their name for the ieee 1394 cable. The reason I believe it’s not included, is because they don’t know which cable to include. If you have a laptop with built in firewire, you will probably need a 4 pin-4pin, if you have a PCI card in your desktop, you will probably need a 4 pin-6pin. Then there is the question of length, 3′, 4′,6′.etc. Everyone’s needs are different so it’s best to order the cable separately. Cables run from 5.00 – $45.00 so a good online search is recommended.

Some fault the camera for not haveing a still capture, but most of the camcorders that do have them are such low quality poor resolution that they are worthless. I use a separate digital camera of my choice for that.

My disapointment with it is that is does not provide a bridge between analog devices and my computer. For the price, I can live with it and just buy a bridge. I do miss my old camcorder but it cost about $2,000 when I bought it and this little camera has most (but not all) of the features I used.

For computer editing, I was able to connect and capture and edit using Nero 7, U-Lead Visual Studio 8 and Windows movie maker.

I would recommend this to a friend.

]]> By: J. THOMPSON http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/comment-page-1/#comment-1378 J. THOMPSON Sun, 31 Jan 2010 06:16:44 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/#comment-1378 Love it!!!!!!<br>Rating:5 out of 5 stars<br>I love this camera, the touch screen, the fit, the effects. This is a great camera especially for the price. Love it!!!!!!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I love this camera, the touch screen, the fit, the effects. This is a great camera especially for the price.

]]> By: BMF http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/comment-page-1/#comment-1368 BMF Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:47:51 +0000 http://onlineroundhouse.com/592/sony-dcrhc52-minidv-handycam-camcorder-with-40x-optical/#comment-1368 Good Basic Value But....<br>Rating:3 out of 5 stars<br>Good Camcorder for the Value, nothing compared to the features and quality of the 1600 dollar JVC I bought 8 years ago! <br /> <br />I got this Camera in order to transfer my old MiniDv tapes to PC and DVD. I hooked it up with 3 different NEW I Link Cables, 2 PC's with Vista 64 bit and one with Win XP laptop and to a DVD/VCR 1394 connection. Nothing worked! <br /> <br />Spent hours and days with Sony Tech Support that were clueless and woudl not admit that the Camera port was an issue. <br /> <br />Spent hours with teh very helpful HP support who thru diagnostics established it was the Camera port. <br /> <br />Sent the camera back and Amazon replaced it in Two days (Which was the Great service I have known Amazon for). Another good reason to buy directly from Amazon so that you don't have to send directly back to Amazon or Amzon's vendor. <br /> <br />I also ended up paying 29 USD to buy "Driver Robot" to get any and all possible Vista 64 bit. Luckily the newly Replaced exact same Camcorder worked. Extensive research on the net shows that Sony I-link connections are a major issue and practically is a Hit or Miss!. The Analog connections on the first camera did work. I need I-link in order to hook up and transfer old DV to my PC. <br /> <br />If I were you stay away from Sony if I-link connectins are the main reason you buy em for! There are others in this price range or cheaper that do not have these issues. Thanks! <br /> <br />May have given em 4 stars but for teh heartache I had with the I-Link, it being the main reason I bought a new MiniDv. Good Basic Value But….
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
Good Camcorder for the Value, nothing compared to the features and quality of the 1600 dollar JVC I bought 8 years ago!

I got this Camera in order to transfer my old MiniDv tapes to PC and DVD. I hooked it up with 3 different NEW I Link Cables, 2 PC’s with Vista 64 bit and one with Win XP laptop and to a DVD/VCR 1394 connection. Nothing worked!

Spent hours and days with Sony Tech Support that were clueless and woudl not admit that the Camera port was an issue.

Spent hours with teh very helpful HP support who thru diagnostics established it was the Camera port.

Sent the camera back and Amazon replaced it in Two days (Which was the Great service I have known Amazon for). Another good reason to buy directly from Amazon so that you don’t have to send directly back to Amazon or Amzon’s vendor.

I also ended up paying 29 USD to buy “Driver Robot” to get any and all possible Vista 64 bit. Luckily the newly Replaced exact same Camcorder worked. Extensive research on the net shows that Sony I-link connections are a major issue and practically is a Hit or Miss!. The Analog connections on the first camera did work. I need I-link in order to hook up and transfer old DV to my PC.

If I were you stay away from Sony if I-link connectins are the main reason you buy em for! There are others in this price range or cheaper that do not have these issues. Thanks!

May have given em 4 stars but for teh heartache I had with the I-Link, it being the main reason I bought a new MiniDv.

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