Sony MiniDV Handycam Camcorder - Silver Finish - DCR-HC96

Product Details

Sony MiniDV Handycam Camcorder, Model DCRHC96

Sony’s DCRHC96 MiniDV Handycam® camcorder stands out with high-end digital imaging features at an affordable price. Super NightShot® Plus infrared system enables you to capture natural looking video in low light conditions. The Super SteadyShot® picture stabilization system uses motion sensors to detect and correct camera “shake” for smoother video recording. Tele Macro Mode zooms in for close-up shots to bring out the subject in vivid imagery – making it stand out above the background. This fully-equipped camcorder comes with easy solutions to transfer images and video recording to your computer. USB Streaming allows you to broadcast live video to family and friends, and i.LINK®³ DV interface provides a connection from the camcorder to a variety of compatible devices.

Video Demonstrations:
(Click hyperlink text to view)

• 3D Asset

Key Features:

• 1/3" Advanced HAD™ (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 2050K (effective) pixels
• 2.7" Wide Touch Panel SwivelScreen™ LCD Display¹ (123K Pixels)
• 10X optical zoom lens with 120X digital zoom
• Professional quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* lens
• Digital Still Memory mode with Memory Stick Duo™ media²

Features:

• 3.3 Megapixel (Gross) Advanced HAD™ CCD Imager 1/3" Advanced HAD™ (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 2048K (effective) pixels provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (up to 530 lines of horizontal resolution) and still image performance. The Megapixel technology enhances your digital videos and digital still photography performance.
• 10X Optical/120X Digital Zoom
  The optical zoom helps to bring the action close up from far away. In addition the Digital Zoom Interpolation means that extreme digital zooming is clearer, with less distortion than previous types of digital zooms.
• Professional Quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T* Lens
  Carl Zeiss lenses have an advanced optical multi-layer coating that offers less glare and flare with increased contrast. This results in vivid image brilliance, true-to-life color saturation and perfect renditions of subtle tones. The additional T* coating on the lens further reduces unwanted glare and flare.
• 2.7" wide Touch Panel SwivelScreen™ LCD Display¹ (123K Pixels)
  The 2.7" Wide (16:9) LCD screen provides excellent viewing clarity with improved resolution. The high resolution 123K pixel LCD screen rotates up to 270 degrees for multiple viewing angles providing sharp, detailed images for monitoring or playback, and the widescreen format makes shooting in 16:9 mode and composing shots even easier.
• Analog To Digital Conversion with Pass-Through
  Convert and/or record any analog NTSC video source to digital video via the analog inputs. Analog NTSC video can also be passed through the digital Handycam Camcorder directly into a PC via the i.LINK® interface in real-time for easy PC editing of your analog footage.
• Active Interface Shoe
  Provides a location directly on the camcorder on which to add optional accessories while providing power and two-way communication to those accessories.
• Battery Information
  At the touch of a button, battery information is displayed on the LCD screen when charging and when the camcorder is turned off. The display will show how much the battery is charged6, in 10% increments and the recordable time left when using the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
• Digital Effects
  Get creative when recording or playing back your video with Sony’s Digital Effect Modes, Effects available in Camera mode: Still, Flash Motion, Luminance, Slow Shutter, Trail, Old Movie, Delayed Motion Effect and Cinematic Effect. Effects available in Playback mode: Still, Flash Motion, Luminance, Trail, Delayed Motion.
• Handycam® Station
  The supplied Handycam® Station provides quick and easy connections to a TV for viewing or to a PC for editing and sharing video. Just placing the camcorder on the Handycam® Station instantly makes the connections. No need to search for cables or wires when charging or playing back.
• Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo™ Media²
  Capture still images at 2016x1512 (3.0 Megapixels) resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo™ Media for easy transfer to PCs for emailing, printing or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick™ devices⁵.
• Easy Handycam® Button
  Using a camcorder can be intimidating for some people, so with a press of the Easy Handycam® button, most of the advanced features of the camcorder are “locked out” leaving only the buttons essential for recording operational.
• End Search
  Automatically advances the video tape to the last 5 seconds of the recorded scene. This prevents accidentally recording over previously recorded videos.
• Fader Effects
  Enhance your personal videos by adding professional looking fader effects. Choose from Black, Mosaic, White, Monotone and Stripe.
• i.LINK® DV Interface³
  A digital high-speed bi-directional interface which provides Audio/Video communication between two compatible devices. This connection allows for pure digital transfer between devices equipped with an IEEE1394 interface, such as camcorders, digital VTRs, capture cards and PCs.
• InfoLithium® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System⁵
  Charge the battery at anytime because unlike NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, Sony’s rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries are not subjected to a life shortening “memory effect”. Sony’s exclusive AccuPower™ meter displays the battery time remaining in minutes, in either the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.
• Manual Focus
  Allows the user to manually adjust the focus of the camcorder using the touch panel. Manual focusing also allows the user to control the focus in difficult situations where either the environment or the subject does not allow the camcorder’s auto focus to perform optimally, such as when shooting through a window or in a crowded environment.
• MiniDV Recording
  Offers up to 530 lines of horizontal resolution, 3X the color bandwidth and a significantly higher signal/noise ratio, to provide spectacular video performance.
• On Screen Zoom and Record Controls
  For additional control of the camcorder, the DCR-HC96 features Zoom and Record buttons on the frame of the LCD screen. This allows the user more flexibility when holding the camcorder, especially in overhead or low angle shots.
• One Touch Wide Angle Shooting
  Easily switch between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios for shooting, with just the touch of a button.
• Picture Effects
  Get creative when recording or playing back your videos with Sony’s Picture Effect Modes. Effects available in Camera mode: Pastel and Mosaic. Effects available in Playback mode: Negative Art, Sepia, Monotone and Solarize.
• Picture Package™ Software
  Easily organize still images and video, and turn them into stunning music videos using the supplied software.
• Program AE (Auto Exposure) Modes
  Program AE modes make recording easy even when filming in challenging situations. Choose from Portrait, Beach & Ski, Sports Lesson, Landscape, Spotlight or Sunset & Moon modes.
• Progressive Shutter System
  A mechanical shutter system that provides progressive scan performance while utilizing an interlaced scanning system. Digital still images will be sharp and clear with excellent definition.
• Stamina® Battery Power Management System
  Using the optional NP-FP90 InfoLithium® Battery, the DCR-HC96 can continuously record for up to 5 hours on a single full charge, providing extra long battery life.
• Super NightShot® Plus Infrared System
  With Sony’s Super NightShot® Infrared System you can capture natural looking video, even when shooting in low light. Record subjects up to 20 feet away using the built-in infrared system, but without the overall monochrome color common with earlier low-light recording systems.
• Super SteadyShot® Picture Stabilization System
  Picture stabilization system that uses motion sensors to detect and compensate for camera “shake” without compromising picture quality like some other digital stabilization systems.
• Tele Macro Function
  Useful for shooting close up shots, but without having the camcorder casting a shadow on the subject. Images shot in the Tele Macro Mode will have the subject properly focused with the background unfocussed so that the subject stands out.
• USB Streaming
  Stay connected to family and friends by broadcasting live video with audio over the internet using the USB interface. You can even playback your favorite recorded scene on the camcorder’s tape. It’s like having your own video conferencing system.

Specifications:

• Imaging Device: 1/3" CCD
• Pixel Gross: 3310K
• Recording Media: MiniDV Cassette, Memory Stick Duo™ Media, Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media
• Recording and Playback Times: SP: 60 min., LP: 90 min.
• Video Actual: 2057K Pixels
• Still Actual: 3048K Pixels
• USB Streaming: Yes
• SteadyShot® Image Stabilization: Yes ( Super; Electronic)
• Accessory Shoe: Active Interface Shoe
• White Balance: Auto, Indoor, One-push, Outdoor
• Memory Stick PRO™ Media Compatibility: Tested to support up to 2GB1 media capacity; does not support high speed transfer function; does not support Access Control security function.
• Still Image Mode(s): JPEG
• Minimum Illumination: 5 Lux (0 Lux with Super NightShot® Infrared System)
• Low Light Capability: Super NightShot®
• LANC Terminal: Yes (Stereo Mini)
• Analog Audio/Video Input(s): Yes (Multi A/V)
• Analog Audio/Video Output(s): Yes (Multi A/V)
• Digital Audio/Video Input(s): Yes (via i.LINK®)
• Digital Audio/Video Output(s): Yes (via i.LINK®)
• USB Port(s): Yes (1.1 compliant on Handycam Station)
• i.LINK® Interface: Yes (on Handycam® Station)
• Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output(s): N/A
• Headphone Jack: N/A
• Microphone Input: Yes (thru Active Interface Shoe)
• S-Video Input(s): Yes (optional accessory)
• S-Video Output(s): Yes (optional accessory)
• LCD: 2.7" (123K Pixels Wide 16:9 Touch Panel SwivelScreen™ LCD Display)
• Lens Type: Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar® T*
• Viewfinder: Color (123K Pixels)
• Docking Station: Yes (Handycam® Station)
• Microphone: Yes (Built-in)
• 35mm Equivalent: 42.8-495mm (16:9 Camera Mode), 45-450mm (4:3 Camera Mode), 40.6-406mm (16:9 Memory Mode), 37-370mm (4:3 Memory Mode)
• Aperture: f1.8-2.9
• Exposure: Touch Panel (24 steps)
• Filter Diameter: 30mm
• Focal Distance: 5.1-51mm; 370mm (Telemacro)
• Focus: Full Range Auto, Manual (Touch Panel)
• Progressive Shutter Mode: Yes
• Shutter Speed: Auto, 1/4-1/4000 (AE Mode)
• Optical Zoom: 10X
• Digital Zoom: 120X
• Power Consumption: 3.0W/3.4W (VF/LCD)
• Battery Type: InfoLithium® with AccuPower™ Meter System (NP-FP50)
• Power Requirements: 7.2V (battery pack); 8.4V (AC Adaptor)
• Limited Warranty: 1 Year Parts; 90 Days Labor
• Operating System Compatibility: Microsoft® Windows® ME, 2000 Professional, XP Home, XP Professional
• Supplied Software: Picture Package™ ver. 1.5
• Video Recording System: 2 Rotary Heads, Helical Scanning System
• Video Signal System: NTSC color, EIA standards
• Analog-to-Digital Converter: Yes (with Pass Through)

Box Contents:

• MiniDV Handycam Camcorder
• Power Adapter/ In-Camera Charger (ACL25)
• InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery (NPFP50)
• Handycam Station (DCRA-C152)
• Remote Commander® Remote Control (RMT-831)
• Stereo A/V Cable
• USB Cable
• CD-ROM with USB Driver (PicturePackage™ Software Ver. 1.5 for Sony)

Approximate Dimensions:

• Width: 2-7/8"
• Height: 3-5/8"
• Depth: 4-3/4"

Approximate Weight:

• Net: 1 lbs 2 oz with Tape and Battery
• Shipping: 6 lbs

Download Files (.pdf):

• Spec Sheet
• Operating Guide
• Camcorder Training Guide 2006
• Sony Camcorder Warranty

Warranty Information:

• Manufacturer Warranty (authorized online retailer):
  • 1 Year Parts / 90 Days Labor
• 4 Year Extended Service Warranty: Click here for details

Manufacturer's Model Number: DCR-HC96

Footnotes:

1. Viewable Screen Size - Viewable area measured diagonally.
2. Memory Stick® Media Storage Capacity - Available storage capacity of Memory Stick®, Memory Stick PRO™, Memory Stick Duo™ and Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media may vary. A portion of the memory is used for data management functions. Actual available memory is: 32MB=30MB, 64MB=61MB, 128MB=123MB, 256MB=220MB, 512MB=460MB, 1GB=940MB, 2GB=1.85GB, and 4GB=3.66GB
3. i.LINK® is a trademark of Sony used only to designate that a product contains an IEEE 1394 connector. All products with an i.LINK® connector may not communicate with each other.

4. Memory Stick® Media Backward Compatibility - Proper operation of Memory Stick® Media with all devices is not guaranteed.

5. AccuPower™ Meter System - Designed for use with compatible Sony InfoLithium® batteries.
6. Battery Life - Actual battery life may vary based on usage patterns.
7. Storage Capacity - Storage capacity may vary and a portion of the memory is used for data management functions.

Features and specifications subject to change without notice.

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