Anyone still using the Sony HDR-HC1E?

[DJ Dave]

I am still a proud owner - I was wondering if anyone on here still has their's. It's not the sort of thing you can keep upgrading as it becomes expensive and I think £1100 is enough to shell out on a camcorder all be it High Def!

Yes the new ones are smaller but I wouldn't swap mine for anything.

[senu]

Absolutely .. still in active service.. and love it... Last of its breed

I do have an FX1 as well but for its size .. and cost ..the HC1 is great

Im told the colour and low light performance of the HC3/5/7 are better (Clear vid Cmos.. blah blah blah..) but I guess its a matter of degree

[redsox_mark]

Yes I am still a happy HC1 owner.

[DJ Dave]

Remember Andy Mack's "handbag" style case?

I think you also have it Mark?

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...V57173000_.jpg

I am going to buy it from him as I remember they made that particular case specifically for the HC1E. Can't believe I have gone all this time with no case, but I've been holding out for the aluminium one (LCHHCE.AE) they also make but it's very expensive (over £150) and it's quite heavy (2.8KG).

It's also quite hard to get hold of - none of my local Sony Centres appear to have it.

http://www.sonycentres.co.uk/product...352_393_45_414

Am I making an OK decision to buy the bag?

[senu]

I use a Panasonic bag which for a tenner from Comet ( clear out sale ) was a giveaway. Almost free infact
The HC1 fits in it nicely as well as extra battery, , AC power supply , a firewire cable and a few tapes new and used

My point is that unless it is a reasonable cost it doesn't always have to be a Sony..
I did originally want one for a SONY from my Local Sony Centre but I was put off by their prices, and attitude.(it was seriously poor)

I'm glad I didn't as they would have taken my money and still felt they were doing me a big favour.

I do have a case like the one you linked for the FX1 ( it is larger .. and less portable) but for the HC1 you have to weigh protection against portability.
If the case seems heavy. you will be demotivated to take it with you on a whim
There is also the issue of travelling, Security agents and metal cases to consider

[redsox_mark]

The HC1 handbag is fine - I use mine all the time. It is light and just big enough to hold the camcorder, a spare tape, and a spare battery.

[DJ Dave]

I have offered Andy £25 inc P&P, fair enough deal?

[chrishull3]

i find my hc-1 as good as my three chip fx-7 color wise.the only gain with the fx-7 is far more hands on control ,20x zoom etc.
but i do not think my next cam if i get one will be tape i think hdd and avchd will gradually take over.chris

[redsox_mark]

Originally Posted by DJ Dave

I have offered Andy £25 inc P&P, fair enough deal?

Seems fair to me.

[senu]

Originally Posted by chrishull3

.. i think hdd and avchd will gradually take over.chris

Time marches on and that would be progress

The image quality of AVCHD and convenience of recording to and easy transfer from HDD and Flash care are difficult to resist and a marketeers dream!

But only much better ( and easier) AVCHD editing, output and Camcorders in the HC1, FX7 and FX1 class would ensure that..
If AVCHD camcorders remains firmly "prosumer only" with little by way of videographer friendly features, it would ensure the persistence of tape as a viable format
Im of the opinion that Mpeg4 in general ( Divx and AVCHD) was not initially developed with editing and output in mind
Editing support is almost an afterthought, Playback is not kind to modest ly specified PCs and even then the industry is not at in a hurry to make BD and HD DVD domestic recordable formats "commonplace" because they are paranoid that the ability to record them will lead to BluRay disc and HDhDVD piracy

[chrishull3]

Originally Posted by senu

Time marches on and that would be progress

The image quality of AVCHD and convenience of recording to and easy transfer from HDD and Flash care are difficult to resist and a marketeers dream!

But only much better ( and easier) AVCHD editing, output and Camcorders in the HC1, FX7 and FX1 class would ensure that..
If AVCHD camcorders remains firmly "prosumer only" with little by way of videographer friendly features, it would ensure the persistence of tape as a viable format
Im of the opinion that Mpeg4 in general ( Divx and AVCHD) was not initially developed with editing and output in mind
Editing support is almost an afterthought, Playback is not kind to modest ly specified PCs and even then the industry is not at in a hurry to make BD and HD DVD domestic recordable formats "commonplace" because they are paranoid that the ability to record them will lead to BluRay disc and HDhDVD piracy

i agree at present if i were changing i would be hesitant to buy hdd or avchd
mainly becouse of the cons regarding editing and all of them are prosumer at
present.blue ray cams will soon be out but edting may be a problem there as well.but my first camera weighed a ton and was connnected to a portable recorder by cable so as times have moved i think they are bound to in the future.chris