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General discussion

Video Quality problems from DCR-HC96

May 3, 2006 9:08AM PDT

I recently purchased a Sony DCR-HC96 mini DV camera. I am a bit perplexed by what is happening. When I hook the camera directly into the TV, the video is clear and looks awesome (although it is displayed in 4:3 on my TV instead of 16:9). However, when I download the video to the PC using the USB cable and the Sony software, is is very pixelated and generally poor quality. My question is this. Is it a software problem, or is it an interface problem? I know the camera takes excellent video as evidenced by the picture when connected directly to the TV. I am getting a firewire cable this evening, but I thought that it would only make the video download faster not higher quality. If it is just a crappy software problem, can someone recommend a reasonably priced alterante. Thanks for any suggestions.

Discussion is locked

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Addendum
May 3, 2006 9:12AM PDT

I meant to add that I also captured some footage with Roxio DVD creator and it seemed to be marginally better, but it captured in 640x480, so my video was not 16:9. Again any assistance is appreciated.

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Keep reading this forum. Hint? Firewire.
May 3, 2006 11:55AM PDT

Time after time this question comes up.

Hint? Use firewire next time.

Bob

PS. No, I don't know why they gave you an USB cable.

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Thanks
May 4, 2006 12:18PM PDT

Appreciate the help. Let me know if you can help with the software dilema( burning at 16:9.)Thanks again

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As to software...
May 6, 2006 11:45PM PDT

Go try the demos from ulead.com. Definitely try to look at Sony Vegas.

Bob

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Sony HC96
May 3, 2006 12:02PM PDT

The firewire connection will give you higher quality. When you capture by USB video is compressed so quality decreases. When you use firewire the video will not be compressed anymore and will look just as good as it does on your TV. Also since the video file is not compressed it will be pretty big, around 13GB for 1 hour of video. Also when you capture with firewire save the file as a Digital AVI or DV AVI for highest quality.
Now about the aspect ratio. The video is displayed the same way you recorded it. If you record something in 4:3 then it will not show in 16:9. There is a button on the camcorder that switches between the two formats.
Overall how do you like the camcorder? I was looking into buying that same model.

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Sony HC96
May 4, 2006 12:17PM PDT

You guys were right, the firewire cable fixed the quality thing. I understood about 4:3 vs 16:9, but even though I was recording in 16:9 the computer wanted to make it 4:3. Now with the firewire it actually transfers as 16:9. My only problem now is finding software that will transfer to DVD at 16:9. The one Sony provided doesn't.
To answer your question, the camera takes as good quality as I have seen from a consumer model non-hd camcorder. I did a lot of research and saw more positives about this camera than any in its price range. I would not hesitate to recommend it. The only negatives are that the touch screen is kind of tough to use for some things due to its size, and the battery life is not great, but it is passable and an extra battery will not break the bank. I have only had the camera for a few days, so it might have some faults that I have yet to find.

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Sony
May 6, 2006 10:10AM PDT

I have had the HC36 for nearly 3 months and have been very happy with it.

I haven't used it yet, but I downloaded a free copy of windv. It may be just what you wanted.

http://windv.mourek.cz/