Hitachi DZMV100A DVD-RAM Digital Camcorder LOVE it, DON'T RECOMMEND IT!
Written: Aug 15 '01 (Updated May 13 '04)
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Pros: The Hitachi DZMV100A DVD-RAM Digital Camcorder Records on DVD-RAM disks. Takes still images too.
Cons: Hitachi DZMV100A DVD-RAM Digital Camcorder Technology is too new. Remember beta?
The Bottom Line: Great video, great audio, and decent still pictures, all recorded on DVD-RAM. Would tell a friend "why don't you wait a while until the technology matures?"
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| alexmd's Full Review: Hitachi DZ-MV100A DVD Camcorder |
Introduction
Epinions won't let me rate the Hitachi DZMV100A DVD-RAM Digital Camcorder highly but NOT recommend it to a friend! It's a great camera, but I don't recommend it!
I have been looking for a new video camera for the past two months. My old Yashica Hi-8 camera is starting to show signs of its long 10 years of use, and the technological advances in the meantime have resulted in better picture quality, more features, smaller size, and better battery life.
I present this review with the following caveat: I have NOT purchased the Hitachi DZMV100A DVD-RAM Digital Camcorder, but I have done extensive research and have even tried a floor-model overnight, indoors and out. Please interpret the "Opinion Details" required by Epinions within this context -- I do not want to give the impression that I have purchased this camera.
My Demands
Camcorder technology, and video technology in general, has come a long way since I last researched purchasing video equipment. As you can tell, I’m not a videophile. I have a 10 year old TV and a 10 year old camcorder, both of which have lasted well and continue to be adequate to my demands. Granted, when I purchased these items, I did a lot of research and purchased near the top of the consumer line with an eye to future needs.
My approach to this purchase is the same. Here are my thoughts:
(1) Go digital. Digital video is the present and the future of consumer video. If I am buying for the next seven years, it’s the only way to go.
(2) Don’t forget the past. Okay, digital is the wave of the future, but what about all my old analog tapes that may never be viewable again? For this reason, I want a camera with analog inputs so I can record my old tapes on the new format. Granted, I could send them off to a pro to do this, but why not recoup some of the cost of the new camera by doing it myself?
(3) Tape’s days may be numbered. I think the future of recording will lie in recordable disk media such as DVD-RAM. My reasons include the durability of disks, the benefit of instantaneous access, and the cross-platform utility (between your camera and your computer for digital editing).
(4) One for all. Why have two cameras for digital and still pictures? There’s no reason that a camera shouldn’t be able to do both. In fact, we already have (mostly) still cameras with limited video recording capability and (mostly) video cameras that can grab stills.
(5) Aspect ratio anyone? The old TV standard was 4:3, the wave of the future is the wide-screen, 16:9 format. TV stations will be broadcasting this format in a few years, so why shouldn’t I?
The Hitachi DZ-MV100 DVD Camcorder
Well, okay, the model I actually tested was the DZ-MV100A. This appears to be a newer model than the MV100, and is also available as the MV100ADO (which comes with a compatible internal DVD drive for your computer, and video editing software). It is also suspiciously similar to the Panasonic VDR-M10 (which I only messed with long enough to realize it’s exactly the same camera).
The features of this camera are best described by the manufacturer’s website at http://dvdcamstore.hitachi.com/kore/catalog/catalog.html . I won’t waste your time by repeating all of their information here. However, here is a concise summary of the features I consider important in this camera:
- uses an 8cm DVD-RAM disc
- records up to 120 minutes of MPEG (352x480) video or 2000 individual still images (1280 x 960) on one disc
- 12x optical zoom
- analog inputs
- color viewfinder and monitor
- connects to your computer via USB
My Impression (1): Look and Feel
My first impression was that it was a lot smaller than my old Yashica, measuring 7”x3”x4”, but felt heavier (about 2 pounds!). The controls are logically positioned where you’d expect them and are ALMOST too small. You access most of the cameras features through buttons and a gamepad-like joystick on the side, and a thumbwheel on the back of the camera. In addition, the unit comes with a full-sized remote so you can edit from the comfort of your favorite chair. The camera has a 3.5” color LCD monitor that can pivot to be seen from almost any conceivable angle. Connections for USB and S-video out are located on the front of the camera.
The camera is very solid and sturdy-appearing. There are no clumsy edges or knobs that look like they could break off easily. Still, if I were paying $2000 for this camera, I'd definitely want to get a well-padded case.
My Impression (2): DVD-RAM
The DVD-RAM disk is smaller than a standard 12cm disk and comes in a protective cassette. You can remove the cassette to place the disk into a compatible DVD-ROM drive. If you get the ADO model, you get a compatible internal DVD-ROM drive.
I LOVED the DVD-RAM idea. First, you can access any part of your movie or any still image instantly, no FF or REW necessary. Thumbnails help you organize and access the entire contents of your disk. GREAT idea. My concern with this format lies in the fact that it is so new. Will this leading-edge technology become bleeding edge? First, the DVD-RAM is an unusual (albeit standard) size. Second, only certain newer DVD-ROM players can read this standard (called DVD-RAM Book2.1). Third, if I am going to do editing on my computer, why didn’t Hitachi give me a DVD-RAM drive for my computer instead of a read-only drive?
My Impression (3): Video Quality
Based on the perspective of someone who is used to Hi-8 video, I can’t even begin to compare the quantum improvement of digital video. It’s just GREAT. Clear, crisp, and good color rendering (maybe a little too rich). Compared with other digital formats, I would say that this camera is on par. I had two things that concerned me about the image quality of this camera, though. First, you get strange blurry effects if you try to take video of fast moving objects (cars, for example). I was told by the (very knowledgeable) sales person that this was because this camera uses MPEG video compression, a process that saves space by identifying only that portion of the image that is moving. When too much of the image changes from frame to frame, you can get weird effects. Come to think of it, I have seen this on my digital cable too. The second concern was the camera’s poor performance in low light. When I went outside with the camera at night, the image looked very muddy.
Another important note is that the camera only captures video in the old 4:3 aspect ratio. I would think that a camera this advanced should already offer you a choice between wide-screen 16:9 and regular 4:3.
My Impression (4): Still Image Quality
I have a good Kodak digital still camera (also reviewed here). By comparison, I would have to say that the MV100A’s still quality is not what I would have expected. Since most still cameras are now taking great pictures at 1600x1200 resolution, I was surprised that Hitachi would limit itself to 1280x960. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised, but the still pictures from this cameral look more like grabbed stills from a video (with effects like “aliasing”, that flicker of color and shape around highly-contrasting parts of the image). The images don’t print out very well, and only look good if you shrink them down to around 400x600 on your monitor. On a positive note, you can save 2000 images per disk. Try to beat that with another camera.
My Impression (5): Audio Quality
Even with the tiny stereo mic on the camera, I thought audio quality was excellent. It does a good job of picking up sounds of interest within about an 8-foot range. Past that, you get a lot of ambient noise. The stereo is also digital, of course.
My Impression (6): Transferring and Editing Video
This category was the red flag for me, and the spoiler in my decision on this camera. Since Hitachi sells you a read-only drive for your computer, all the editing has to be done on the camera. While the camera has simple editing tools, if you’re into fancier things you’ll have no luck if you want to use the DVD-RAM format. Actually, it doesn’t matter anyway because I don’t think there are many consumer-oriented digital video editing packages out there yet. The best one that I can think of, Adobe Premiere, does not support the Hitachi format. Also, in polling the newsgroups, I was told by a pro video editor that MPEG is not great for editing because of the way it compresses things (explained above). I guess when you have two different scenes, you get a break in the continuity of the compression algorithm. I’m just reporting this, haven’t experienced this aspect first hand.
Overall Impression
I love this camera, but I won’t be buying it. First, although it has great video quality, I can’t make myself buy into the soon-to-be-obsolete 4:3 aspect ratio. In addition, although DVD-RAM is definitely the way to go, Hitachi only sees fit to sell you a read-only drive for your computer. Finally, the lack of computer-based editing capability is a serious concern. In a nutshell: it’s still too early to commit to this great technology (remember Beta?)
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 2000
Recommended for: Trendsetters - Hip and Stylish Gadgets
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Epinions.com ID:
alexmd
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Member: Alexander
Location: North Carolina, USA
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Medical Professional in NC, USA.
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