I decided to switch from the Mini DV Camcorder to the DVD Camcorder primarily because I was unable to get a good quality print made by the best of professionals from the Mini DV onto a VCD. There was too much colour loss as well as the picture quality deteriorated while converting from the Mini DV to a VCD even by the best professionals. The DVD Camcorders allow you view exactly how you shot and the colour loss is hardly noticeable even when converted to another DVD-R.
The options that I looked at prior to buying the Hitachi were Sony and Panasonic. I chose Hitachi as they are the pioneers in DVD Camcorders and have till date come out with 5 models as compared to 3 models each of Sony and Panasonic besides Hitachi had the Best Features.
The Hitachi as well as the Panasonic Models use the DVD-RAM as a rewritable format compared to the Sony which uses the DVD-RW. What I understood was that the DVD-RAM allows for recording and re-recording of movies and still photos up to 100, 000 times per disc.
One can also record on DVD-R which is a record-once format that can be played back on most home DVD players but requires in-camera finalizing of the disc before it can be played on a DVD player.
Recording directly to the DVD format gives Instant access to any scene eliminates wasted time fast-forwarding and rewinding. This also prevents accidental erasure of previously-recorded material. Each movie clip or still photo is presented as a thumbnail on the LCD panel. Simply cursor to the desired clip and select it for instant playback.
One can edit instantly on the DVD Camcorder using the Disc Navigation System but only when you are using the DVD-RAM. When using the DVD-RAM discs, one can perform a host of in-camera editing features including fading, moving, dividing, deleting and combining of clips.
One can also convert video tapes and other media into DVDs by using the DVD Camcorder as a DVD Recorder.
Colours are very vivid and well distinguished. Using DVD-RAM is easy and so far without any writing/reading errors. The battery life corresponds to the specifications and goes well over 2 hours.
The only drawback that I find with the Hitachi DVD Camcorder is that the Battery comes in the way while using the Viewfinder.
Specifications
Format: 8cm DVD-RAM/DVD-R
RECORDING MEDIA: 8cm DVD-RAM/DVD-R (round holder type)
MAX RECORDING TIME/AMOUNT (DVD-RAM: Both Sides)
Moving XTRA: approx. 36 - 120 min FINE: approx. 60 min STD: approx. 120 min
Still Max. 1, 998
MAX. RECORDING TIME (DVD-R: Single Side)
Moving FINE: approx. 30min, STD: approx. 60min
1.23 Megapixel Still Picture
Sensor 1/3.8’’ Megapixel CCD
Lens F1.8-2.4 f=3.8 - 38mm
Zoom - 10x Optical / 240x Digital
LCD Monitor 2.5’’ Colour LCD
View Finder 0.33’’ Colour LCD
1 MegaPixel CCD
0.3 Lux Low Light Mode
6 Mode Auto Exposure (Auto/Sports/Portrait/Spot Light/Sand &Snow/Low Light)
Auto & Manual Focus & White Balance
Self Timer
Electronic Image Stabiliser
Quick Mode
SD/MMC Memory Card Slot
Audio Format: Stereo
Battery Life: 145 minutes of continuous recording
External Input Terminal
Hot Accessory Shoe
S-Video & Composite A/V Input
S-Video & Composite A/V Output
Connects to a computer via USB 2.0 HighSpeed Mode
Includes: Remote control, Lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, One DVD-RAM disc, One DVD-R disc, USB cable, S-Video & Composite A/V cable, Shoulder strap, 3 Changeable Lens caps and PC Software Kit (includes Installer/USB driver/UDF driver/DVD-Movie Album SE/My DVD)
Dimensions (WxHxD) 64x89x146mm