Hi, after dropping my Sony DCRPC100 over the Xmas period my insurance company have agreed to replace the camera.

They have agreed to replace the DCRPC100 with a DCRHC96. Having not beein into whats good and whats not in the DV world sinc i bought my DCR a few years ago I have a few question and wonder if anyone could advise me?

1. I this camera a good replacement spec wise, it looks to be?
2. Is it worth sticking with Mini-DV or should I go for a newer format (insurer
is happy to do this btw)?
3. I can add some money to upgrade if its worth is so is there anything
better iether the same format or another?

Massive thanks in advance, gutted my DCR is broken as though it was an amazing camera but would like to get an equally as good camera.

No one with any advice

[redsox_mark]

My thoughts:

1. The HC96 is a more than fair replacement. You’ve got a good insurance company.
2. In terms of format, if you want to stay with standard definition Mini-DV is still the best option (in my opinion). However you might want to consider high definition (HDV).

I know your feeling of being gutted… I recently lost my DCR-PC9 (a similar machine to yours). I used it as an “opportunity” to make the jump to HDV (I got the HDR-HC1). The HC1 is being discontinued, but the HC3 is just coming out. What you get with HDV is:

- If you have a HD display now, significantly better picture.
- Even if you don’t (and convert to SD), the picture is excellent, better than most SD cams.
- The HDV cams are all “backward compatible” with DV; so if you want you can shoot HD now and convert to DV in the camera.

Mark

Thanks for that Mark , I would really like the HC3 due to now having an HD LCD tv but due to funds I think i'll be going for the HC96 (bl00dy ongoing home improvements). It would cost me another £400+ to upgrade to the HC3.

I think the HC96 is the best option for a sd mini-dv camera and like its docking port too. I have a nightshot light that used to connect to my PC100 via the hotshoe. Would this be useable onthe HC96?

[redsox_mark]

For your light –the HC96 (like the HC3, and HC1) have the Sony propriatary “AIS” shoe, not the standard accessory shoe like you had on your PC100. So your old light won’t work in the shoe. You’d need to either buy a AIS one, or buy a bracket you can attach to the tripod mount (like this)
http://www.keene.co.uk/cgi-bin/codesearch.pl?6831

This is a general issue with all the new Sony consumer camcorders… eventually I think there will be AIS to standard shoe converters available, but they are not currently (there are a few people making “homemade” ones).

Mark