Product Description DCR-IP5, the world's smallest handycam, features a revolutionary ultra-compact recording media. Also known as the "Network Handycam IP (Image Portal)", the basic concept for using "IP" is to stand for the new generation, MPEG-2 recording format and PC/network friendly format, which is different from the conventional video camera concept. The DCR-IP5 makes use of an innovative new storage medium to achieve its minute proportions. The MICROMV cassette is barely as large as a postage stamp, with a size that's 70% smaller than a MiniDV cassette.In the search for a new format, Sony selected MPEG-2 compression due to the already widely accepted popularity of DVD players and software. MPEG-2 provides faithful compression of high-quality image data, encouraging the miniaturization of the recording media. Coupled with optical coating technology, Carl Zeiss lenses promise better contrast, color saturation and image brilliance. Only the world's best optical block complements Sony's advanced digital imaging know-how. It reaps this synergy to deliver unsurpassed video and still image quality. The camcorder's sensitive horizontal and vertical motion vector sensors pick up the unwanted jittering caused by an unsteady hand. These shakes are then compensated by the Super SteadyShot system, eliminating unwanted blurs, giving you smoother, more enjoyable video. The DCR-IP5 also has a Multi Picture Search feature.
Amazon.com Product Description Featuring a compact, vertically aligned body to go along with its potent 10x optical zoom, the DCR-IP5 is the first of two camcorders featuring the unique new recording format MicroMV, which records using the same format used to encode DVDs: MPEG-2.
Lens and CCD The two central components of any video camera (or digital still camera) are its lens and CCD (the image sensor). This Sony model builds around a 10x optical zoom, which is paired with Super SteadyShot image stabilization to cut down on the shakes and jitters common to most amateur video footage. The CCD sports a pixel count of 680,000 pixels--great for video--that translates the image into around 500 lines of resolution.
Size The size of the DCR-IP5 is actually one of the features that Sony is really excited about, and it's easy to understand why. The device is extraordinarily small; it's somewhere on the order of a half-inch to an inch smaller in its dimensions than comparable models. That's quite a hefty reduction, making the IP5 small enough to fit in a pocket. Because of the small size of the camcorder, its 2.5-inch LCD becomes comparatively larger than it would otherwise be.
Cables and Connectors Despite the small size of the IP5, there are a number of audio and video inputs and outputs, making it a very flexible and capable machine. Most intriguingly, besides S-video, there are also composite video in/outputs--composite video provides the highest level of quality in home theater setups. For audio, stereo in/outputs are included. Of course, in any digital camcorder, you should expect to find an IEEE 1394 port, also known as FireWire or iLink, which the IP5 provides.
Included with the DCR-IP5 are a wireless remote, an AC-L20 power adapter, NP-FF50 InfoLithium battery, two AA batteries, iLink Cable (four-pin to four-pin), AV cable, lens cap, wrist strap, and a software CD-ROM (software is Windows only).
Avoid MicroMV at all costs.August 10, 2007 Unless you are already tied to the MicroMV format, you absolutely want to avoid it. MicroMV is highly compressed and very difficult to work with.
While the build and quality of the DCRIP5 is fine, you should very carefully consider whether you want to purchase a product and a format that have been discontinued for two years.
Great DV camcorderOctober 8, 2004 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I read the reviews and the software that comes with the camera isn't the best. i bought pinnacle 8 dowloaded the latest patches and it works great. I searched on google and found three programs that support micromv. I plugged the camcorder into my firewire card and transferred my vacation video to my pc. From their I edited my movie and made a DVD. it couldn't be any easier. Sony just released a new micromv camcorder. I don't know that noob was saying they discontinued micromv. Some people just don't have the brains for technology or computers. It funny how it's 90% user error that are most of the problems.
What a WASTE of Money!April 7, 2004 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Bought it last year! Nice and small, but even Pinnacle Studio 8 can't handle the compression. No voice, can't burn to DVD, blah, blah, blah. You name it I had a problem with it! And now, come to find out, Sony has stopped production AND will no longer pursue MicroMV. They are moving back to MiniDV! ARGH! Pinnacle won't support their product any longer with this compatibility issue and Sony abandons it.
I bought the Canon Elura 50! Great with stills and video. Inexpensive, only 1 ounce heavier and about the same size!
As my wife called it...... I bought Beta instead of VHS! Never be an early adopter.
Mark
If you want to burn DVDs with your video, avoid this.February 9, 2004 5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have bought a lot of Sony products over the years so when I was in the market for a camcorder I foolishly just picked this up without researching it. After recording four tapes of my one year old I tried making a DVD and after 20-30 hours and using 3 programs, including Sony's Movieshaker (constant crashes) I have still been unsuccessful. I have just ordered a well reviewed Panasonic camera in DV. MicroMV is a terrible product with zero support from Sony. I won't be buying Sony again.
Please sign petition requesting Sony support MicroMV on MacNovember 9, 2003 2 out of 5 found this review helpful
5 stars when they support Macs
Please sign the petition http://www.petitiononline.com/osxmicmv/ requesting that Sony support MicroMV camcorders on Mac OS X.
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