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Features:
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Records video and still images
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16:9 recording mode for DVD-RAM, DVD-R, and DVD-RW formats
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2.7-inch LCD display; 25x optical, 1200x super digital lens
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Video-to-Photo Frame Grab Tool allows you to pull photo stills to an SD card
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CinemaRes uses entire CCD to capture both video and still images before converting to DVD format
Editorial Reviews:
Product Description Only proprietary 6th Generation Hitachi technology delivers unmatched performance and convenience to the home movie experience. The four formats of DVD recording and playback offers greater format flexibility than ever before. A 25x optical and 1200x digital zoom provide exceptional clarity while the Photo Frame Grab technology gives you the power to select individual video frames from your movie to capture and export as still images. The cinematic 16: 9 recording matches the widescreen format of HDTV's to deliver the most detailed cinematic performance and realistic picture. The ultimate home theater experience is achieved through the most refined and advanced DVD technology ever created.
A beginner's view: Having a great experience with this camcorder so farMarch 27, 2008 I purchased this Hitachi DZ-BX35A DVD Camcorder at a clearance price on the spur-of-the-moment one day prior to my departure to Egypt for a 2 week Holiday. The clearance price was $149 and I figured the worst case was that I'd get some video images from our trip and I'd learn a bit about camcorders and be better educated for a future purchase when the prices drop for the HD flash memory models. Despite the quick purchase decision, I did attempt a bit of background research on DVD camcorders and this Hitachi model in particular. Because we would not have access to a computer during our travels, the DVD models seemed a good bet as I could take along a supply of discs and do the transfers later on return home. On checking reviews of this model at some of the online camcorder sites I saw several reviewers who totally panned this model giving it very low ratings across all aspects of its performance. This almost disuaded me from buying but then I noticed one comment on one of the reviews noting that the reviewers were comparing this to $500-800 models. He noted that he was a beginner and was happy so far. The $149 price was too much to resist so I went back and bought the Hitachi and 6 DVD+RW discs the day prior to my departure. I could not find the highly rated Maxell disks and bought Sony instead. They have worked fine. They play on my computer DVD player as well as on my home theatre DVD player.
So with that prelude, how has it worked? I am totally satisfied so far (but recognize this is my first experiecne recording any kind of video). I suspect some of my quibbles are common to many camcorders - for example, the 100x zoom is great (even astonishing) but you have to learn to control the speed of the zoom and a tripod or some camera support is almost essential at the longer focal lengths. In the bright sun wearing sunglasses, I found the view finder virtually impossible to use; the LCD display was usable but very hard to see any detail. The focus seems to lag a bit sometimes while panning on objects at different distances. Battery life seemed adequate and the ability to run the camera in the hotel off the DC cord was helpful for reviewing the prior day's shooting, formatting disks, etc. The AC adapeter worked fine on either 110 or 220V. Again, speaking as a beginner with nothing else to compare it to the image quality seems fine for a 640x480 resolution and played on my 42" plasma with adequate resolution. Some of clips I shot seemed to be a bit off on the color rendition and some in the Egyptian desert sun were kind of wahsed out (but then again it was incredibly bright out there).
My only complaint at this point is with the power switch - its too easy to accidentally turn on or off. There is supposedly a lock button but on my model it does not seem to work. This is mainly worrisome regarding the time it take the camera to write the images just shot onto the disk.
Some minor stuff: the menus seem a bit awkward to use and the still photo option records only to an SD card at only 1.3 megapixzels but this is not unique to Hitachi models. Overall, I am delighted with this camera so far and have found a an excellent learning experience.
The little Hitachi digital video cameraAugust 10, 2007 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
During the summer of 2007 I checked with a good consumer magazine and saw this camera fairly well recommended. Then I visited this site and read more reviews. After purchasing the camera I have found the reviews I read were very accurate. It is easy to use, a nice size, has great zoom capability and I feel it is worth the price.
One observation I made was the same as what I remember from the review - that is that the microphone is very sensitive. I plan to keep that in mind and use it to our advantage when I video my son playing piano.
Another note is that the still pictures are not that good but since that is not what we bought the camera for that is of little importance.
It has an amazing zoom lens! The down side of that is when zoomed in on a subject it is very difficult to hold the camera steady. I've noted that the auto-focus is quite sensitive as well and changes the focus if any little thing comes into the picture. To that end I highly recommend using a tripod while videoing important things. If you don't have a tripod available then try to find a fence post, bench back, car hood, anything that is stable to rest the camera on.
I am looking forward to using the camera for videos for years to come!
Great video quality - a few important design flaws.July 2, 2007 3 out of 4 found this review helpful
We're very happy with the video quality of this camcorder. However, there are a couple of rather large design flaws: 1. There is no auto shut off when the camera is powered on but not in use. To make matters worse, the power button is easily turned on accidentally. Consequently, we very often excitedly reach for our recorder only to find that the battery is dead. This happens so much that we've taken to removing the battery when the camera isn't in use. 2. Ok - I can't be the only person who forgets to remove the lens cap. How hard would it be to prevent recording until the lens cap is removed? As it is, I've got quite a few minutes of "black cats at midnight" footage. 3. Power is required to eject the DVD. So, when your battery is dead because the poorly designed power button turned on an drained it, not only can you no longer record video, you can't even watch what you have already recorded!
Trouble, Trouble, Trouble...June 5, 2007 7 out of 10 found this review helpful
I bought this camera after doing some online research. The price was attractive for the features offered, and online reviews consistently mentioned the camcorder's superior picture quality. The first DV-R I recorded looked great, but a distracting hum became apparent halfway through the disc. I called Hitachi's customer service line, and they asked which brand of disc I used. When I mentioned Sony, I was told to try Maxell, the brand Hitachi recommends. I was also told the Sony disc might have been defective. I bought Maxell discs and went back to record again. This time, the hum was worse. It wasn't consistent, but intermittent. A second call to Hitachi was made. I was now told to bring it in for servicing, even though the camera was brand new. I complied. You guessed it. After getting the camera back from the authorized repair shop, the hum was still there. A third call to Hitachi was made. I was told to return the camera to the repair shop so they could correct the problem. The repair shop isn't exactly down the block, so bringing the camera back, and then picking it up again would have consumed time, expense, and aggravation. At this point, I had lost complete faith in both the camcorder, Hitachi's customer service, and their authorized repair shop. Please.... STEER CLEAR OF THIS CAMCORDER. Though picture quality is fine, you will be driven crazy by horrible noise on your recordings. Based on my experience with this awful camera and Hitachi's customer service, I will NEVER purchase one of their produicts again.
Please (I am asking nicely) Do not buy! Do not buy! Do not buy!May 5, 2007 4 out of 6 found this review helpful
Do not buy unless you want to waste time recording and then lose everything you record. I have lost my daughters birthday party, a trip to a fair and some other priceless moments, because of disc errors. Halfway through recording I get messages saying the disc is corrupt and needs to format. Meaning 'erase everything that I have filmed up to that point". This has happened multiple times. In fact i have yet to make it through the finalizing process on a single CD. The last straw was a trip to Thailand and cambodia. I carried the camera with me everywhere and filmed everything, again getting multiple error messages. When I did finally get through 1 entire CD of filming without getting an error, only to get home and lose everything. I tried to finalize the CD. It got to a minute left of finalizing and came up with a different error message but of course it wanted to format to solve the problem. The whole solution to any problem on this camera is to format. Again, this erases everything. I have wasted 30-40 hours of taping without a single bit of footage. I am back to mini dv. dont buy! Trust me the first time you lose a priceless moments you will be sick to your stomach.
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