Sony DCR-HC38 MiniDV Handycam Camcorder - DCRHC38

Powerful capture and versatile use make the DCR-HC38 MiniDV Handycam® the ideal camcorder for any occasion. No matter where you are, the 40x optical/2000x digital zoom always lets you be right in the middle of the action. Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® Lens and Super SteadyShot® built-in image stabilization make every frame perfect. And the 2.5”2 touch panel LCD monitor makes sure you see it all, no matter what environment you’re in. For dimly lit areas, the NightShot® Plus feature keeps your video bright and clear as day.

1/6” Advanced HAD™ CCD Imager, 680K Pixels Gross
1/6” Advanced HAD™ (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 340K (effective) pixels provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution) and still image performance.

MiniDV Recording
The DCR-HC38 offers up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution, 3X the color bandwidth and a significantly higher signal/noise ratio, to provide spectacular video performance.

40X Optical/2000X Digital Zoom
The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition the digital zoom interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.

Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® Lens
Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation, and perfect renditions of subtle tones.

Super SteadyShot® Picture Stabilization System
The picture stabilization system uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera “shake” without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems.

2.5” Touch Panel SwivelScreen™ LCD Display2 (123K Pixels)
The touch panel screen provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The high resolution 123K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback.

USB Streaming1
Stay connected to family and friends by broadcasting live video with audio over the internet using the USB interface. You can even playback your favorite recorded scene on the camcorder's tape. It's like having your own video conferencing system.

i.LINK® DV Interface2
The i.LINK DV interface provides a digital high-speed, bi-directional interface which enables audio/video communication between two compatible devices. This connection allows for pure digital transfer between devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, such as camcorders, digital VTRs, capture cards and PCs.

InfoLithium® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System
Charge the battery at anytime because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony's rechargeable lithium ion batteries are not subject to a life shortening “memory effect”. The exclusive AccuPower™ meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.

NightShot® Plus Infrared System
With NightShot Plus Infrared System you can capture natural looking video, even when shooting in low light. Record subjects up to 10 feet away using the built-in infrared system, but without the overall monochrome color common with earlier low-light recording systems.

Manual Focus
With manual focus, you can manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows you to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder's auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment.

On Screen Zoom and Record Controls
For additional control of the camcorder, the DCR-HC38 features zoom and record buttons on the frame of the LCD screen. This allows the user more flexibility when holding the camcorder, especially in overhead or low angle shots.

Stamina® Battery Power Management System
Using the optional NP-FH1000 InfoLithium® battery, the DCR-HC38 can continuously record for up to 14 hours (viewfinder) or up to 12 hours (LCD) on a single full charge, providing extra long battery life1.

Scene Selection Modes
Scene Selection modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from beach, candle, fireworks, landscape, portrait, sports lesson, spotlight, and sunrise & sunset.

Picture Effects
Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Picture Effect modes. Effects available in camera mode: mosaic and pastel. The effects available in playback mode: monotone, negative art, sepia and solarize.

Easy Handycam Button
Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people, so with a press of the Easy Handycam button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are “locked out” leaving only the buttons essential for recording operational.

Additional Features:

• Fader Effects
  
• Battery Information
  
• Picture Motion Browser Software
  
• Multi-Language Menu

Package Content:

• Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger (ACL200)
  
• InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery (NPFP30)
  
• Stereo A/V Cable
  
• Application Software
  
• Enjoy Handycam DVD

Specifications:

• General
  
  • Imaging Device: 1/6" CCD
    
  • Pixel Gross: 680K
    
  • Recording Media: MiniDV Cassette
    
  • Recording and Playback Times: SP: 60 min., LP: 90 min.
    
  • Video Actual: 340K Pixels
    
  • Still Actual: 340K Pixels
    
• Convenience
  
  • USB Streaming: Yes
    
  • SteadyShot® Image Stabilization: Yes (Super; Electronic)
    
  • White Balance: Auto, Indoor, One-push, Outdoor
    
  • Still Image Mode(s): JPEG
    
  • Minimum Illumination: 5 Lux (0 Lux with NightShot® Plus Infrared System)
    
  • Low Light Capability: NightShot® Plus system
    
• Convenience Features
  
  • Easy Operation: Yes
    
  • Fader Effects: Black, Monotone, Mosaic, White
    
  • Multiple Language Display: Yes
    
  • Titling: Yes (must use cassette with memory)
    
  • Movie Mode(s): MPEG
    
  • Scene Mode(s): Beach, Candle, Landscape, Portrait, Sports Lesson, Snow, Spotlight, Sunrise & Sunset and Twilight
    
  • Picture Effect(s): Monotone, Mosaic, Negative Art, Pastel, Sepia, Solarization
    
• Inputs and Outputs
  
  • Analog Audio/Video Output(s): Yes (Multi A/V)
    
  • Digital Audio/Video Input(s): Yes (via i.LINK®)
    
  • Digital Audio/Video Output(s): Yes (via i.LINK®)
    
  • USB Port(s): Yes (1.1 compliant)
    
  • i.LINK® Interface: Yes
    
  • S-Video Output(s): Yes (optional accessory)
    
• Hardware
  
  • LCD: 2.5" (123K Pixels) SwivelScreen™ LCD Display
    
  • Lens Type: Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar®
    
  • Viewfinder: Color (123K Pixels)
    
  • Microphone: Yes (Built-in; Stereo)
    
• Optics/Lens
  
  • 35mm Equivalent: 36-1440mm (4:3 Camera Mode) 39-1560mm (16:9 Camera Mode)
    
  • Aperture: f1.8 - 4.1
    
  • Exposure: Touch Panel (24 steps)
    
  • Filter Diameter: 30mm
    
  • Focal Distance: 1.9 - 76mm
    
  • Focus: Full Range Auto, Manual (Touch Panel)
    
  • Shutter Speed: Auto, 1/60 - 1/4000 (Scene Selection Mode)
    
  • Optical Zoom: 40X
    
  • Digital Zoom: 2000X
    
• Power
  
  • Power Consumption: 1.8W/2.1W (VF/LCD)
    
  • Battery Type: InfoLithium® with AccuPower™ Meter System (NP-FH30)
    
  • Power Requirements: 7.2V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor)
    
• Software
  
  • Operating System Compatibility: Microsoft®
    
  • Windows® 2000 Professional, XP Home, XP Professional
    
  • Supplied Software: Picture Motion Browser ver. 2.0
    
• Video
  
  • Video Recording System: 2 Rotary Heads, Helical Scanning System
    
  • Video Signal System: NTSC color, EIA standards

Approximate Dimensions:

• Width: 2 1/2"
• Height: 3 3/8"
• Depth: 4 5/8"

Approximate Weight:

• Unit(with Tape and Battery): 15 oz
• Shipping: 2 lbs