Hitachi DVD Camcorder with 2.5" LCD and Digital Still Capability (DZMV230AR)

[Archived in $800 - $900, All Camcorders, All Digital Camcorders, Camcorders, Hitachi, Products]

Manufacturer: Hitachi
Price at amazon.com: $899.95
This item is not stocked or has been discontinued.

Product Description:

Capture a combination of digital videos and digital stills with this compact, lightweight DVD-R/DVD-RAM camcorder. The included DVD-R disc captures high-quality video in Ultra Fine, Fine, or Standard recording modes. Available DVD-RAM discs can store hundreds of digital stills as well as full-motion video! Transfer video clips and digital pictures to your computer using a USB cable and share them over the Internet with family and friends.

Average Customer Rating:

---

Comment: Problem with my Hitachi DZ-MV230A DVD Camcorder Rating:
I bought a Hitachi DZ-MV230A DVD Camcorder from Future Shop, Surry, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on 28th Sept., 2003. My computer OS WIN XP (Home Edition) does not detect the Camcorder, nor the recorded DVDs are detected by the DVD ROM installed with the Computer. So, I cannot download anything from the Camcorder. The Camcorder is thus useless to me though I like its picture quality and shape. No software was supplied along with the gazette and it was written on the manual that it would work with WIN XP. I wish, the manufacturer gives weightage to this letter and send me the solution.

---

Comment: Decent camera, needs some refinements Rating:
We got this camera as a Christmas present. For simple movies and communicating with the family, it serves well. There are some design errors that Hitachi will need to fix before I recommend it, though.

First, the DVD disk noise is audible during playback. It is a high-pitched whine in the background. It is not overwhelming or too distracting, but people interested in making amateur films or top notch home video should find a less noisy camera.

Second, the camera does not come with a separate battery charger. You have to put the dead battery into the camera and then use the camera as the charger. This means you can't film on one battery while recharging the other. So, you either charge them all ahead of time, or you hope that you catch all your footage in one go.

Finally, the editing software for this camera is not yet available in the US (as of Dec. 2002). The editing options built into the camera are pretty limited. There are three fade options: fade to white (not black), vertical wipe, and fade to b/w. The interface would be fine for a road trip, but splicing long sequences together is a real pain. The fade features also require additional dead air, or else they cut into the sound portion of the tape. This may be my inexperience, but it bugged me for a while.

Overall, I found the camera very intuitive and easy to use, and I wouldn't give it up for a different gift. Still, there are probably some tape or other DVD-based models out there that are more polished in
their design.

---

Comment: Easy to find camcorder, hard to find software Rating:
I spent a lot of time researching camcorders before finally deciding on the Hitachi 230A. I purchased it to record my childrens band performance at halftime and to share the recording with the band director for teaching purposes. It worked great..I recorded the performance, put it in my lap top and was able to replay it instantly for everyone. It was quite a hit, until I got home and tried to download it to my computer to make copies. It seems the salesman, in his zest to sell me the camera, neglected to sell me the correct interface kit. This camcorder comes with 2 different interface software kits. One is for still images only and is relatively easy to find. The other kit (DZ-WINPC3) is a scare commodity. At this time you can only order it directly from Hitachi at the cost of $179.00 plus shipping and handling. AND it's on back order for 2-3weeks. This kit is not even carried by Circuit City, the major supplier of this camcorder. I love the camcorder for it's eaze of use and the digital picture quality but I spent my first weekend with this product on the phone trying to figure out why I couldn't download my video into my computer. I at least got to transpose it onto VHS but the manuel supplied leaves much to be desired when it comes to explanations. It tells you the correct way to plug it in to your VCR but neglects to note that you have to set your TV and VCR to a different input mode in order for it to work. I guess that you're supposed to know that already. Would I buy this camcorder again...only if I had all the correct software in my hand as I walked out of the store. Also, the customer service department at Hitachi is wonderful. I'm sure that they recognize my voice by now.

Posted at October 11, 2003 01:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)