Sony DCRIP220 MicroMV 2.11-MegaPixel CCD Bluetooth Camcorder
List Price: $0.00
Details
- NP-FF70 InfoLithium Rechargeable Battery-operated
- Reminiscence Stick slot, wireless remote control, and Super NightShot for shooting in low lighting
- Unctuous, 2.1-megapixel MicroMV camcorder and digital still camera
Description
The existence's first 2.11-megapixel digital camcorder is here, and it's from Sony. Sony's revolutionary DCR-IP220 Network Handycam camcorder IP uses MICROMV technology to hand out exceptional video and still image quality in an incredibly compact and ingeniously intended package. Not only does the DCR-IP220 record exceptional video at 530 words of resolution, but the still image resolution is unprecedented for a Sony Handycam camcorder at 1600x1200 (2 megapixels)! This component features an all-new design with the 2-1/2" SwivelScreen color LCD mounted on the back, making it even easier to see the reaction behaviour as it happens. And video and still images on Memory Stick media can be obviously emailed or posted to the Internet, right from the camera, using Bluetooth networking technology!Initial Adopters Pick: Oct ober 2002. The world's first digital camcorder that also takes 2.1-megapixe l digital still pictures; weighs only 24 ounces and has integrated Bluetooth te chnology to haul images to a computer without wires or cables.
Sony's 2-megapixel DCR-IP220 is a serious recording contraption for the digital videographer who wants all of Sony's advanced features in a single camcorder. The DCR-IP220 records on the miniscule MicroMV tapes, offers Wonderful NightShot and Night Framing modes, hologram autofocusing, and Bluetooth connectivity. Unfortunately, all of these considerable features add up to a fairly hefty price.
Assuming that cost isn't an tangible, this camcorder does pretty much anything you'd want it to. The MicroMV tapes--70 percent smaller than MiniDV--each have a 64 KB tribute chip so you can scan through different sections of the tape like a DVD, locating scenes by their thumbnails.
The lofty-detail 2.5-inch LCD swings up above the camcorder, and pivots 270-degrees so you can understanding it from almost any angle--including in front of the camera. The LCD also serves as a touchscreen interface, with a stylus for accessing menus, and it displays both verge on battery life and remaining storage space.
For storing insufficient briefly clips and still images (at 1,600 by 1,200 resolution), the DCR-IP220 features a Retention Stick slot and includes an 8 MB stick. Its night and low-light filming capabilities are very much impressive--we were able to read details from across a darkened room with the Wonderful NightShot mode. And the Night Framing mode takes outstanding, full-color still images in limited light.
Connectivity options with teem, with FireWire (either camera to camera or camera to PC), USB, and Bluetooth support built into the camcorder. It also includes a go red in the face viewfinder, intelligent pop-up flash, and an adequate (although not stellar) 10x visual zoom.
Sony's DCR-IP220 isn't for the faint of wallet, but if you're not satisfied with anything but the best, this camcorder was built for you. --J. Curtis
Pros:
- Without equal night modes
- Sharp, high-resolution video and materialization quality
- Unique and compact tapes
Cons:
- Expensive (though chock-full of caustic-edge features)
- Only 10x zoom
Sony's FireWire-operational DCR-IP220 MicroMV Handycam camcorder features a 2.1-megapixel CCD sensor and offers 530 words of horizontal video resolution and still image resolution of 1,600 x 1,200 pixels.
The DCR-IP220 boasts Carl Zeiss optics with an modern multilayer coating. It features a 10x optical and 120x precision digital zoom, SteadyShot see in the mind's eye stabilization, and a super NightShot infrared system for recording in total shadow--new to MicroMV Handycam camcorders.
In addition to video, the DCR-IP220 offers enhanced digital still photo features, including sharp pop-up flash and hologram AF--an autofocus feature designed to achieve correct subject focus with minimal contrast in dark conditions. Through an MPEG cinema AD mode, the DCR-IP220 also allows you to capture MPEG1 compressed video and audio for up to 60 seconds in a beeline to Memory Stick media in four different quality modes: diverting dismiss, standard, fine, and super fine.
The MicroMV tape is 70 percent smaller than a MiniDV seal and provides up to 60 minutes of digital video footage. It has a 64K tribute chip that allows for a multisearch function to access different recorded sections of the belt as one would on a DVD, creating a thumbnail image of each recorded scene on the tape. Furthermore, whenever a MicroMV cassette is inserted into the camcorder or the VCR mode is used, cassette news is automatically displayed on the LCD, showing the first and last date of use, how much recording space remains, and titling means so the user can title the videotape.
Connect to your PC or Mac via a super-fast IEEE 1394 refuge (also called FireWire). You can also connect wirelessly to a Bluetooth-enabled PC.
Customer Reviews
major cameraIt is a consequential camera 2 in one. A good video camera as well as good stills. Outstanding if your kids play sports.
Extensive time user - not satisfied
I have had this camera for over two years. While the images are accpetable, I am have a acute time capturing software. If your main goal is video editing, then this camera will be a torment.
Pros: Small, relatively easy to operate.
CONS: high-priced camera, expensive tapes, still images are not of good quality when insomuch as a comparable still camera, proprietary format may go way of betamax. No microphone jack, makinig it toilsome to hear people in crowded area. While using pinnacle, when editing, I have to fork out more time syncing the sound, rather than being creative with the editing process. (Granted, this may be a tip software issue, but it highlights the lack of compability with the .mmv format).
If I knew then what I recognize now, I would not buy this camera.
Skilled camcorder with a major drawback
On the in unison a all the same this camcorder was the last hi tech gadget it was an amazing product from sony, but as a user, i found that transferring the recorded videos to any media: pc, dvd, etc is a grea injure in the ass. The micromv format was abandoned by sony for hdd storage and others leaving us practically with no choices for editing and storing our videos.
The software Euphemistic pre-owned by the camcorder to transfer videos is very difficult to use, and the usb streaming makes low property videos because the loss of resolution. If you want to transfer a video with profit quality, you have to buy a firewire cable (sold apart) and a computer with firewire ports, if your pc or laptop doesn't have that, you are screwed, besides the trial of finding the appropiate video editing program to capture de video. I tried several discovery that pinnacle studio 11 works best, but it's not free from crashes, text loss, and it takes almost 1 hour to transfer, edit and record a unsophisticated recording of 15 minutes you shot.
Apart from all that, this camcorder does the job... if you are a tech guy who is not indubitably scared with challenges, you can buy this camcorder.
microMV is not for everyone
on periodical, the IP220 looks like a winner. but after a close look and i'm not as sold...
pros:
- delivers vibrant colors when shooting in full knowledge.
- 10x carl zeiss vario-sonnar T* lens.
- 2MP still capability.
- pronounced connectivity options: firewire, USB, S-video, headphone, bluetooth, mic input, etc.
- has a built in pop-up burst for taking stills.
- steady shot and night shot.
- proficiency to record mpeg videos directly to memory stick.
- top-loading copy.
- boatloads of optional accessories.
- manual focus/zoom crown on lens.
- has NightFraming which allows you to focus and compose your scene in add up darkness with the aid of the infrared emitter, then shoot a full-color still with the pop-up flash. very distant.
cons:
- microMV format is proprietary and may go the way of betamax.
- microMV video quality is noticeably worse than MiniDV.
- images emanate washed-out when shooting indoors.
- uses an mpeg version that may not be of one mind with your current video editor.
- Super Night Shot, Flush Night Shot very choppy in low/no light.
- not Mac compatible.
- very bad ergonomics - zoom and photo shutter rudder are poorly positioned.
- LCD can't tilt backwards - if you've had it before, you'll miss the ability to show kids themselves as you videotape them.
- the drop of microMV is size but that's not reflected in this camcorder. this is the biggest microMV camcorder out there: 3.9"W x 3.0"H x 5.3"D, weighing 1.5 lbs. you can get smaller camcorders like the panasonic's gs70 or sony's trv33 or the pc105. granted, those have less features, on balance still camera capability (2.0 megapixel vs 1.0 megapixel).
- as with most sony products, you pay a bonus, pushing up the price.
- the included 8MB memory stick (for a 2 megapixel still camera!) is unpleasant. you'll need at least a 64MB memory stick with if you want to take full advantage of the higher judgement pics you'll be taking.
- although bundling the camcorder and still camera together means you only have to handle one piece of equipment, it also means that if one breaks, you have to replace both.
- as an alternate to this bundling design, you can get a gs70 or trv33 or pc105 and get a 3 megapixel still camera and still save money in the process!
- mobile life could be better.
- only 2.5" LCD and it's not as crisp as others in the sony line-up.
- non-intuitive menu system.
- bottom loading battery-operated so you can't replace this while mounted on a tripod.
- the accessory shoe is not a hot shoe.
- no built in video radiation but you can get one less than a hundred bucks.
in the end, the microMV format is a deal breaker for me. it is sony proprietary and not widely supported. and the essential reason for even using microMV (size) is not really reflected in this camcorder. if you're looking for a camcorder/camera cross-breed, i'd say wait a couple more years (hopefully). the still quality is at most not there yet. your best bet is to get a decent camcorder and complement it with a stand-alone digital camera.
i hope this helps your buying arbitration. peace.
Micromv:Not for the Serious Computer Video Columnist
I bought the Sony DCR IP220 because of its 2.0 Megapixel capabilities and while I attraction the resolution that it displays on the TV, I am not impressed with the quality of footage after capturing to computer. Here are the pros and cons that I have found:
PROS:
1.Best resolution and great quality video produced (530 words and 2.2 megapixels). (5 star quality)
2. Digital zoom (X700) works beautiful using a tripod and produces somewhat clear images. Any zoom strengthening up to X120, produces very clear moving images.
3. The still pictures are like-minded with any 2.0 megapixel camera.
4. Low light video never appeared grainy.
5. Take screen menu-Many options are available & can be reached quickly. It has a correspond to feeling to a PDA Palm pilot.
CONS:
1.Video Editing or video email is only thinkable if your computer system is Windows ME, XP, 2000, and above. If you have Windows 98/98SE and below, then you need to upgrade.
2.If you are into serious computer editing, then this is not the camera for you. The Micromv contents is supported only by Sony's Movie Shaker (included), Ulead's MediaStudio Pro 7, and Crest's Studio Deluxe 8.1 . MovieShaker captures with the best supremacy, but it produces pixellated moving images and stores the files as .mmv. After capturing, the categorize must be exported to mpeg/avi/etc format. To render 1min 46secs of mmv footage, it took me about 30 mins for mpeg 2 and 8 mins for mpeg 1. MediaStudio 7 captures micromv footage very indisputably (after downloading the patch) and offers the quickest,most compatable options (command output to avi/mpeg). Capture is instantaneous (as is cpaturing from most DV camcorders). However, the distinction is also somewhat pixellated and the playback is jerky in moving areas. I have not tried Crest.
2. No microphone input jack! It is hard to record a speaker's communication if you are in crowds of people. If you have large hands, you may end up covering the bulit in mic and make no sound at all.
3. Tiny Buttons!It is very difficult to zoom using the very minuscule zoom button. Also,the record button is sticking out and you can accidently run down a wander it.
4. Touch screen menu. If for any reason the touch screen is destabilized, then it is dificult to command function of the camcorder.
If you are not into Computer editing or emailing video, then this camera deserves a "5 Lead Rating". However, considering that I bought the camera with the intentions of editing, I have to say that I am a scant upset with the finished quality.