Hi guys, I need to replace my sony DCR HC85e as it was recently stolen. I used the camcorder for recording school productions, weddings and the like, as well as using it for my ghost hunting hobby.

Particular aspects I enjoyed about this camera included the picture quality and the ability to use the touch screen to pin point focus on a specific area. I also used the night shot function for my ghost hunting.

As I'm going to need to get a replacement and as this camcorder is no longer available on the market, I was wondering if anyone could help me to choose an appropriate replacement. Oh, and any replacement needs to allow me to edit the video on my pc using movie maker.

Cheers, Shogun

[redsox_mark]

The Infrared Night Shot (like the night vision used in the military) is pretty much only on Sony models.

For a direct replacement, the HC96 is/was a good match; but it is recently discontinued.... you may still be able to find one. Like your 85 it has a large sensor, DV and AV input, and the same T* lens.

Unfortunatly the current Sony miniDV range are all lower end models with smaller sensors which will be a step down from your HC85. You could consider a HDD model like the SR190, or a HDV model like the HC5 or HC7... depends on your budget. None of these have AV-in, not sure if you need that feature?

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

The Infrared Night Shot (like the night vision used in the military) is pretty much only on Sony models.

For a direct replacement, the HC96 is/was a good match; but it is recently discontinued.... you may still be able to find one. Like your 85 it has a large sensor, DV and AV input, and the same T* lens.

Unfortunatly the current Sony miniDV range are all lower end models with smaller sensors which will be a step down from your HC85. You could consider a HDD model like the SR190, or a HDV model like the HC5 or HC7... depends on your budget. None of these have AV-in, not sure if you need that feature?

The HC85e was very expensive when I bought it so I'm hoping the insurance will allow for a fairly large budget. I had suspected that the newer minidv models were not quite up the standard of my old camcorder. I have no idea how the HDD models work. Are they hard drive based? Would they let me edit video on my pc?

[redsox_mark]

HDV (not HDD!) models are tape based. They use the same miniDV tapes, and can shoot in either DV or HDV mode. You can also shoot in High Def and have the camcorder downconvert to DV for you.

You can edit HDV on your PC the same as how you edit DV, but you do need your editing software to support HDV. If you have an older version you may need to upgrade your software.

There are also High Def Models which use Hard Disc Drives, DVDs or memory cards, these use something called AVCHD, for which editing support is just becoming available.

Sony's HC3/HC5/HC7 have the night shot function, but not the expanded focus. Canon HV20 has expanded focus, but not the night shot. (These are all HDV models).

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

HDV (not HDD!) models are tape based. They use the same miniDV tapes, and can shoot in either DV or HDV mode. You can also shoot in High Def and have the camcorder downconvert to DV for you.

You can edit HDV on your PC the same as how you edit DV, but you do need your editing software to support HDV. If you have an older version you may need to upgrade your software.

There are also High Def Models which use Hard Disc Drives, DVDs or memory cards, these use something called AVCHD, for which editing support is just becoming available.

Sony's HC3/HC5/HC7 have the night shot function, but not the expanded focus. Canon HV20 has expanded focus, but not the night shot. (These are all HDV models).

Expanded focus?

[felix2]

Enhanced Focus (or Focus Assist) on the Canon HV20 (and the Sony HC1 but not HC3,5,7) allows you to magnify part of the image on the screen, as well as 'peaking' (to sharpen edges on the image on screen), to be able to set manual focus better / more easily.

The Camcorderinfo reviews talks about it here: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...l-Controls.htm

And I asked Mark about it briefly a couple of weeks back here: The Great HD shootout

[redsox_mark]

Felix2 is right... I was addressing your point
the ability to use the touch screen to pin point focus on a specific area but got confused... this feature is "Spot Focus" which the HC3, 5, and 7 all have.

"Expanded Focus" is a feature I have on the HC1, which allows you to zoom in to focus (without zooming the actual shot). The Canon HV20 also has this (called "Focus Assist").

From my experience with insurance companies and replacing a camcorder, what you paid for it doesn't matter, it is what a comparable replacement costs today. If the HC96 was still current that would be the obvious answer (web prices for that were around £400). As it doesn't, if they try and offer you something like a Sony HC47 you can argue this is not comparable, as it doesn't have as good a sensor/lens. I'd try to get them to use a HC3 or HC5 as replacement.

Just to say that I got the HC5. Thanks for the advice

[redsox_mark]

Great - have you had a chance to try it out yet? What do you think of it?

Not had chance to use it yet as I charged it up yesterday and today I should really be writing school reports (sucks to be a teacher). I'm hoping to play around with it tonight, but if you read my other thread, I'm not sure about a few things.