Sony MiniDV Handycam Camcorder - Silver Finish - DCR-HC46

Product Details

Sony MiniDV Handycam Camcorder, Model DCRHC46

Capture and transfer video images quickly and easily with Sony’s DCRHC46 MiniDV Handycam® Camcorder. Its professional quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens captures brilliant images with life-like color and tones while the Advanced HAD™ CCD imager provides stunning detail and clarity. The Progressive Shutter System supplies digital still images with excellent definition and sharpness. The DCRHC46 makes transferring data a cinch via the included Handycam® Station docking device. Now you can easily connect to television for viewing and to a USB-compatible¹ PC for editing and sharing digital images and video. Memory Stick Duo® media compatibility² makes it simple for you to take your images with you wherever you go.

Key Features:

• 1/5.5" Advanced HAD™ CCD imager with 1 Megapixel still image capabilities
• 12X optical zoom lens with 800X digital zoom
• Professional quality Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens
• 2.7" wide touch panel SwivelScreen™ LCD display¹
• Digital Still Memory mode with Memory Stick Duo™ media²

Features:

• 1.0 Megapixel (Gross) Advanced HAD™ CCD Imager
  1/5.5" Advanced HAD™ (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD with 690K (effective) pixels provides stunning detail and clarity with exceptional video (up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution) and still image performance. The Megapixel technology enhances your digital videos and digital still photography performance.
• MiniDV Recording
  Offers up to 520 lines of horizontal resolution, 3X the color bandwidth and a significantly higher signal/noise ratio, to provide spectacular video performance.
• 12X Optical/800X 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-Tessar® 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 2.7" Wide (16:9) Touch Panel SwivelScreen™ LCD Display¹ (123K Pixels)
  Provides excellent viewing clarity for both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Picture Package™ Software
  Easily organize still images and video, and turn them into stunning music videos using the supplied software.
• Digital Still Memory Mode with Memory Stick Duo™ Media²
  Capture still images at 640x480 resolution, directly onto Memory Stick Duo™ Media for easy transfer to PCs for e-mailing, printing or sharing with other compatible Memory Stick™ devices⁴.
• 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.
• 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.
• Stamina® Battery Power Management System
  Using the optional NP-FP90 InfoLithium® Battery, the DCR-HC46 can continuously record for up to 7 hours (Viewfinder) or up to 6 hours (LCD) on a single full charge⁶, providing extra long battery life.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 charged, in 10% increments and the recordable time left when using the LCD screen or in the viewfinder.
• 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.
• 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.
• Fader Effects
  Enhance your personal videos by adding professional looking fader effects. Choose from Black, Overlap, White and Wipe.
• One Touch Wide Angle Shooting
  Easily switch between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios for shooting, with just the touch of a button.
• On Screen Zoom and Record Controls
  For additional control of the camcorder, the DCR-HC46 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.

Specifications:

• Imaging Device: 1/5.5" CCD
• Pixel Gross: 1070K
• Recording Media: MiniDV Cassette, Memory Stick Duo™ Media, Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Media
• Recording and Playback Times: SP: 60min., LP: 90 min.
• Video Actual: 690K Pixels
• Still Actual: 1000K Pixels
• USB Streaming: Yes
• SteadyShot® Image Stabilization: Yes ( Super; Electronic)
• Accessory Shoe: N/A
• White Balance: Auto, Indoor, One-push, Outdoor
• Memory Stick PRO™ Media Compatibility: Tested to support up to 2GB⁷ media capacity; does not support high speed transfer function; does not support Access Control security function.
• Still Image Mode(s): JPEG
• Minimum Illumination: 7 Lux (0 Lux with Super NightShot® Plus Infrared System)
• Low Light Capability: Super NightShot® Plus
• LANC Terminal: N/A
• Analog Audio/Video Input(s): N/A
• 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: N/A
• S-Video Input(s): N/A
• 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-Tessar®
• Viewfinder: Color (123K Pixels)
• Docking Station: Yes (Handycam® Station)
• Microphone: Yes (Built-in)
• 35mm Equivalent: 46-628.5mm (16:9 Camera Mode), 48-576mm (4:3 Camera Mode), 43.6-523.2mm (16:9 Memory Mode), 40-480mm (4:3 Memory Mode)
• Aperture: f1.8-f2.5
• Exposure: Touch Panel (24 steps)
• Filter Diameter: 25mm
• Focal Distance: 3.0-36mm; 350mm (Telemacro)
• Focus: Full Range Auto, Manual (Touch Panel)
• Progressive Shutter Mode: Yes
• Shutter Speed: Auto, 1/4-1/4000 (AE Mode)
• Optical Zoom: 12X
• Digital Zoom: 800X
• Power Consumption: 2.4W/2.7W (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: N/A

Box Contents:

• MiniDV Handycam Camcorder
• Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger (ACL25)
• InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery (NPFP50)
• Handycam® Station (DRCA-C151)
• Remote Commander® Remote Control (RMT-831)
• Stereo AV Cable
• Lens Cap
• USB Cable
• CD-ROM with USB Driver
• (PicturePackage™ Software Ver. 1.5 for Sony)

Approximate Dimensions:

• Width: 2-5/8"
• Height: 3-1/8"
• Depth: 4-1/2"

Approximate Weight:

• Net: 15 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-HC46

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.

Reviews

Sony is the Best - Simple and Easy

By bingleguy from Stamford, CT on 01/18/2007.

Cons:	Cassette Noisy
Pros:	Durable, Great Features, Versatile, Simple Controls
Best Uses:	Travel, Special Events, Home

SONY has proved that they are Kings on the Camcorder section... I have most of my products on SONY like my mobile, my Portable DVD player and now SONY camcorder... I am proud of owing these :-) from the brand SONY !

Images shared by: bingleguy

Tags: None

Easy to use, powerful and worth it!!

By Arun from Minneapolis, MN on 01/2/2007.

Pros:	Great Picture Quality, Simple Controls, Great Features
Cons:	Siver finish
Best Uses:	Travel, Special Events, Home

Excellent product. Easy to use, quite powerful. Captures good quality movies.. I would like to see a non-shiny, non-silverish finish..

A realistic design for casual use.

By Bill from Little Rock, AR on 11/20/2006.

Pros:	Good quality viewfinder, Simple Controls, Great Features, Versatile
Best Uses:	Home, Travel

Sony does not include an i-Link cable in the box. For optimal transfers, you will probably want to get one.

Easy, small and great quality video

By Jeff the Mountain Dog from Reno, NV gateway to adventure! on 05/17/2006.

Best Uses:	Office, Travel, Sports action filming
Pros:	Versatile, Great Features, Simple Controls, Great w/ Adobe Premiere, Great Picture Quality, It's small, Works well in low light, Durable

I've used this camcorder for several months. I like the built in LCD screen controls. I've used it to even transfer video from my DVR onto Mini DV Tape and then into my computer via Adobe Premiere. It works perfectly. Recently I filmed some Grizzly Bears in Glacier National Park (from a good distance). The picture was surprising stable. I highly recommend this camera. For the dollar, I don't think it can be beat.

Photos

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Questions and Answers