Product Description

Sony DCRSR45 30GB Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder and Accessory Outfit - Sony ASONDCRSR45K1

Product Details

• Brand: Sony
• Model: ASONDCRSR45K1
• Dimensions: 12.00 pounds

Features

• Sony DCR-SR45 30GB Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom
• High Capacity Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery Pack - 512 Megabyte Pro-Duo Memory Card
• Well Padded Camcorder Case w/pockets and Strap
• Full Size 52-Inch Tripod w/Case
• Deluxe Cleaning and Care Kit - Package of LCD Screen Protectors

Customer Reviews

A Good Buy on a Sophisticated, Compact Camcorder


I bought the internal hard-drive digital Sony SR45 model after being impressed by a friend's similar model that was based on an internal mini-CD. Having moderate experience with analog video tape camcorders as a resource for creating DVD movies on desktop PCs, I was attracted to the SR45 internal hard disk model. A 512-MB Memory Stick Pro Duo RAM card is included, but I don't plan to use it. The numerous reviews and opinions found by Internet search engines were instrumental in choosing this make and model camcorder.

The Sony DCR-45/46/65/85 series design is very compact, quite sophisticated, and mostly user friendly. There are a few major shortcomings, namely there is no optical sight. So most controls are on the 2.4x1.3 inch LCD touch screen having a resolution of 560x220 pixels, and that is where you see images and mostly control the camcorder (except in bright sunlight). There are a few crucial button controls, especially the EASY button that makes default settings appropriate for most situations. Many other controls are buried in the visual touch screen menu hierarchy, such as the fade in/out control.

Documentation is complete: A printed 35-page Handycam Operating Guide is included and the 107-page PDF Handycam Handbook on the included CD is for use with the Adobe Reader software. You will need a backup battery, because the smaller included one lasts only about 90 minutes. My Amazon order was for the Sony DCR-SR45 30GB Hard Drive Handycam Camcorder + Accessory Kit, which included a larger spare battery, tripod (for the 40:1 zoom feature), case, and care kit. Amazon prices for the Ace Photo Digital supplier were very competitive.

The MPEG2 files created in the internal hard disk of the SR45 are easily accessed by both Windows and Apple computers like any other external hard disk having a USB connection. These files can be used directly on some video editing software such as the Windows ShowBiz. The free MPEG Streamclip application from Squared5.com converts the MPEG2 format to many others (e.g. .dv) and exports the result for use in Apple iMovie software. The CD also contains the Picture Motion Browser Media software, which I do not plan to use. Incidentally, it won't work without the Handycam being connected, and the same is true even to register the Handycam with Sony. This brings to mind the paranoia suggested by the Sony's rootkit software worm hassle in 2005.

In summary, I am quite impressed by the Sony Handycam, but it's many features require a considerable learning effort. I recommend the Sony SR45 model for its price and performance, but the prospective buyer needs to consider their expectations.