From the Manufacturer Hitachi's new DZBX35A DVD Camcorder with 25x optical zoom provides media format versatility to support the most popular and widely available DVD formats, including DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, and DVD+RW discs as well as SD cards for digital stills. This industry leading format compatibility allows users to choose the DVD format which best suits their individual needs. Other user-friendly features include a One Touch finalization button for quick and easy access to this essential last step, and a sleep/restart battery saver function that puts the camcorder in hibernation to save battery power between recordings and enables users to begin recording within one second of activation to ensure no action is missed.
The DZBX35A also includes the new Video-to-Photo Frame Grab Tool, which allows users to pull a photo still from video and route to SD memory card. This prevents taking video without switching to "still mode" on and off and enables users to easily create the photo image of any desired scene after recording onto DVD. Additionally, the DZBX35A offers enhanced Super Digital Zoom, a large 2.7-inch 16:9 widescreen LCD, and a "Quick Mode" Menu System that features Hitachi Disc Navigation to instantly access desired scenes via thumbnail images without having to fast forward or rewind.
Superior imaging is made possible with the company's new CinemaRes Advanced Image Processing with "Oversampling" high resolution capture, an exclusive technology that uses the entire CCD to capture both video and still images before converting to DVD format, utilizing the camcorder's entire capacity to create a sharper, more detailed picture.
With 680K pixel resolution at 640 x 480 and a 25x optical/1200x super digital lens, the UltraVision DZBX35A is one more excellent model in Hitachi's DVD camcorder product line.
DZ-BX35A Highlights  |
| Hitachi DVD camcorders can record on and play back from a wide range of disc and memory formats. |
5 formats of compatibility Industry-leading compatibility assures that the right media can be found at any retail outlet. Choose from four choices of disc media: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, or choose SD memory cards for photos.
Hitachi Advanced Image Processing Delivering the most vivid and detailed picture through processing each individual incoming frame.
Photo Frame Grab Select and store individual video frames as photos without interrupting recording.
Widescreen video recording Record in a 16:9 aspect ratio that matches the true 16:9 widescreen format of HDTV's.
Widescreen 2.7-inch LCD Large display enables easy monitoring of picture during recording.
One-touch finalize button Easily finalize discs with a single button to be played immediately in DVD player.
Sleep/restart battery saver Efficiently conserve battery in standby mode then with a single button restart recording in less than a second.
Included with this Product DZ-BX35A DVD camcorder, 700ML 1-hour battery, AC adapter/charger, special S-video and composite A/V cable, shoulder strap, lens cap
More About Hitachi's DVD Camcorder Lineup* What is DVD-Camcorder? Hitachi has forever changed the direction of camcorder technology with the introduction of the DVD-Camcorder. This Emmy-winning innovation allows you to record home movies directly to DVD and play them back on your home DVD player. Explore the many options and performance features that Hitachi has pioneered with these remarkable products.
Hitachi innovation with five generations of refinement Five years of perfecting this breakthrough Hitachi technology delivers the most refined and fully-featured line of DVD-Camcorders available. Quick Start in only 7 seconds and capture high quality video directly to DVD for instant playback. Dramatically improved power efficiency and a more streamlined design means it's more flexible and easier to use. Hitachi DVD-Camcorders are designed to accept discs directly into the Camcorder for the most compact and durable design ever.
Enhanced connectivity Record from VHS or tape-based camcorders- then playback directly to TV, from DVD-R to DVD player.
DVD-RAM recording DVD-RAM is a rewritable format that allows for recording and re-recording of movies and still photos up to 100,000 times per disc. Data is written in a non-linear pattern, much like a computer hard disk. When recording, information is only written to blank areas of the disc, eliminating accidental erasure of previously recorded material. The DVD-RAM Disc Navigation system provides a wealth of in-camera editing, playlist options and still photo capability.
DVD-R recording DVD-R is a record-once format that has the highest compatibility for playback in home DVD players (requires in-camera finalizing of the disc before it can be played on DVD player). Data is recorded in a linear manner and users can directly access any previously recorded clip using the on-screen Disc Navigation feature.
DVD-RW recording DVD-R is a rewritable format that can be played back on most home DVD players (requires in-camera finalizing of the disc before it can be played on DVD player). A benefit to DVD-RW over DVD-R is that a disc can be unfinalized to record over if needed.
Camcorder-to-PC-and-back Hitachi HDTV tuner technology brings viewers a unique blend of convenience and performance. Conventional HDTV tuners require start-up time to scan for channels and require switching between antenna inputs when selecting analog or digital programming. Hitachi HDTV tuner technology delivers the picture instantly with seamless access to all available channels.
Disc navigation Direct digital access to DVD footage requires none of the rewinding or fast-forwarding necessary with tape formats. Each movie clip or still photo (DVD-RAM only) is presented as a thumbnail on the LCD panel. Simply cursor to the desired clip and select it for instant playback. With DVD-RAM discs, one can perform a host of in-camera editing features including fading, moving, dividing, deleting and combining of clips. Create up to 99 playlists for custom playback of movie clips.
MegaPixel CCD and lens The resolution of the MegaPixel CCD sensor found on select models far exceeds that required for high-quality video, enabling high-resolution, 1280 x 960 pixel photos. Precision-grade optics of the aspherical lens reduces aberrations and distortions that may occur at the perimeter of lens surfaces in less advanced systems.
Magic LSI Our proprietary Magic LSI combines an enhanced MPEG-2 encoder/decoder (CODEC), the Interface Processor, and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) into a single, compact LSI (Large Scale Integration) chip. This integrated design improves resolution and efficiency, reduces power consumption and minimizes space required on the circuit board.
Constant & Variable Bit Rate recording Bit rate is the measurement of how much digital information can be streamed over time. Higher bit rates move more data per second. The process the MPEG-2 format uses for compressing video requires a higher bit rate for rapid motion sequences. Static scenes need a much lower bit rate. Variable Bit Rate (VBR) recording dynamically varies the bit rates relative to video content. This process optimizes compression, resulting in higher picture quality and reduced file sizes.
8cm DVD drive The Hitachi DVD Camcorder features the world's first ultra-compact 8cm DVD-RAM/DVD-R drive. The advanced double-speed drive and single-beam laser provide extremely smooth real-time recording and playback of data. Rugged construction and robust error-correction circuits ensure precise operation even under demanding operating conditions.
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Not all Hitachi DVD Camcorders feature all DVD cam technologies listed in this section. Please refer to product Specification Sheet for complete details.
My brother asked me to help him pick the best camcorder for under $400. After doing extensive research and seeing how time-consuming it is (not to mention the hassle it can be) I decided to post part of my "research" in hopes of avoiding others the trouble. About DVD-based camcorders: -Tend to be the most expensive. -Most use small 8cm DVDs that record 30 minutes only. Mini-DVs can record 60 and even 90. -DVDs are not re-recordable, Mini-DVs are. -DVDs are cheaper than Mini-DV tapes though. -Can get DVD-Ram which are re-recordable but these are not common, so many players and computer drives are incompatible. -Can get DVD-RW which are also re-recordable but the cameras that support those are the most expensive. A DVD-RW is more expensive than a normal DVD (but it is totally worth it). Some incompatibility issues exist but to a much lesser degree. -DVD cameras record using video compression therefore the quality is not necessarily good, results vary according to the camera you choose but in general video compression causes decrease of image quality. Mini-DV is arguably better. A DVD-based camera allows you to view your DVD directly on a player, whereas with Mini-DV you have to connect the camera to a TV or through something else like a VCR and use IT for playback which causes wear on the mechanism. Editing is a hassle with both formats and unless you are still using VCRs, you are gonna have to use your computer, special software, Firewire cables, etc. As far as features goes, you gotta look for what you will be needing, many cameras come with a lot of stuff that one ends up never using, so don't get suckered by does. But what I will provide here is some general info about the main brands that you are probably gonna be looking at: Canon: tend to have noisy playback because the microphone picks up the sound made by the camera's mechanism as it records. Otherwise they have very good reviews. Sony: this is overpriced crap. Look around at Sony product reviews and for most you'll find at least one person saying something like "I am surprised at how bad Sony's quality has gotten..." then look at the dates on those reviews and you'll see that this is not a random occurrence, it has been going on for years and yet people still believe that this is a good brand. Negatives: a) Quality-wise, all but one of the current Mini-DV models have terrible reviews. b) They use touch-screen technology for the controls which might sound cool to have and even might be cool to use, BUT fingers on an LCD screen are NOT a good idea. Positives: a) Have the Night-Shot technology which basically is infrared technology which allows you to record with absolutely no light. JVC: some models have had problems where the camera will show error messages and stop working for no apparent reasons. Do a basic google search for "JVC lens cap error" to find out more. Same noise problem as the Canon brand. Otherwise very good reviews all over. Hitachi: it's the only brand with DVD-based technology that's any good that's under $400. In fact I don't think there's any other DVD-based camera under $400 period. No other brands are worth it. Sharp made good cameras, but are not making any right now. Panasonics surprisingly suck. Here's what I lookd at specifically: DVD: Hitachi: DZ-BX35A: The previous model has good reviews, but only supports DVD-Ram. This newer model will have the same price, has way better specs and will support DVD-RW. Mini-DV: Sony DCR-HC36: just two reviews for this one, but they are both good. Has nightshot (the infrared thing), has a very good stabilization system. It's too expensive (not a very good value). All in all, the only reason why I would consider this is for the nightshot thing, the rest of the specs are on par with other less expensive cameras. It you do consider this one, then may I humbly suggest getting the Sony DCR-TRV280 which is a Digital8 format (whose main problem is that only Sony supports that format). Canon: The ZR line is very good. The older models are the ZR100, ZR200, ZR300 and ZR400. Out of those the best value would be the ZR400. The battery is long lasting, they have a good stabilization system, but the specs are a bit dated by now. Then there are the new models that just came out/will be coming out soon: ZR500, ZR600, ZR700. They are cheaper than the older models and the specs are much better, the problem with this ones is that there are no reviews yet. JVC: Same deal as with the Canons: there are two older models with good reviews: JVC GRD230 (very hard to find it nowadays) and JVC GRD270. Both however have very dated specs. Then there are the new models: JVC GRD350, JVC GRD370, JVC GRD395. Again, there is no info about the quality yet, and considering how JVC has had some serious quality issues in the past, it is wise to wait (or get an extended service plan). So why, you must wonder, did I write this review under this Hitachi product: simple, because this camera has to be the best value I've seen in a long while. If I had to buy a camera today, this is the one I would pick, as it has amazing features and specs at a tremendously accesible price. Many people are probably gonna end up in this page looking at it, so again I wanna save you the trouble I had to go through to make a choice. However, as good as it looks on paper, the real test comes from actual usage, so hopefully in a short amount of time we are gonna start looking at some actual working reviews for it (at which time I'll probably delete this one). My rating BTW is based on price\features (value).
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