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Sony DCR-IP5 MicroMV HandyCam

Sony DCR-IP5 MicroMV HandyCam

(0.68MP, 10x Opt, 120x Dig, 2.5'' LCD - MPN: DCRIP5)
Description: After having proposed the DIGITAL 8, Sony proposes a alternative to MiniDV-MICROMV camcorder. At the heart of this camcorder's enhanced functionality is the use of the sophisticated MPEG2 recording system. This system provides picture quali.... Read More

User Reviews

2 Star Review(4 Reviews)

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Date Reviewed:  08/07/2002
  • ZaboAA
  • from TX
  • Member Since:
    Aug 2002

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Strengths: Small size, battery life, picture quality, great functions. It's Sony.
Weaknesses: No software to edit except Movieshaker(included), controls a little small, low light mode useless, disc's a little pricey.
Summary: Overall very satisfied. The small size and great picture quality are huge. I find I take it more places because it is so small and compact. Pinnacle 8 will be released in the next few day's, it will support the microDv. Hopefully others will follow. Gee Whiz factor huge....

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Date Reviewed:  01/03/2005
  • EricVR4
  • from CA
  • Member Since:
    Jan 2005

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    Product Experience:
    18 Months
2 Star ReviewIt has taken me a while to warm up to this thing. ...
Strengths: So small you will likely use it more than others (Enough of a reason to buy for some people, maybe even me)
Weaknesses: video editing, expensive tapes (20 each I think), not so hot support
Summary: It has taken me a while to warm up to this thing. First I kept having to buy tapes because I couldn't figure out how to work with the editing software and just get the files on my computer in a reasonable format, Then when I had more patience I researched and researched some more and figured out how to do it, but then something broke in the camera not allowing the transfer. I must have been in a rare mood because I went through the warranty process and got it fixed (didn't see it for a month).

Once you get used to it, it is OK. I read somewhere that you can get "quicktime pro 5" and open and save the files into a different format from there, so you can use whatever editing program you like. Also Movieshaker is a fairly simple program. From there you can import the files into the program and save them in a few different formats. MPEG1 seems to be a decent choice.. and from there you can do what you like with it with other editing programs... or you can just use Movieshaker if you are an editing Newbie like me.

Overall the decision to buy should be because of the size.. a miniDV would have tons more support, be cheaper, and easier to use (at least at first).. but the MicroDV is really quite small.

PS. I wouldn't trust the bag checkers at the airports.. they say it won't effect camcorders.. but that's when my problem showed up, after going through an airport check.

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Date Reviewed:  02/08/2004
  • mstuver
  • from CA
  • Member Since:
    Jul 2003

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    Product Experience:
    10 Months
1 Star ReviewI have bought a lot of Sony products over the year ...
Strengths: Small size.
Weaknesses: MicroMV format is incompatible with almost all video editing programs.
Summary: I have bought a lot of Sony products over the years so when I was in the market for a camcorder I foolishly just picked this up without researching it. After recording four tapes of my one year old I tried making a DVD and after 20-30 hours and using 3 programs, including Sony's Movieshaker (constant crashes) I have still been unsuccessful. I have just ordered a well reviewed Panasonic camera in DV. MicroMV is a terrible product with zero support from Sony. I won't be buying Sony again.

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Date Reviewed:  07/08/2003
  • skim88
  • Member Since:
    Jul 2003

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    Product Experience:
    1 Years
1 Star Reviewit works great unless you want to import into your ...
Strengths: small size
Weaknesses: compatibility, glitchy on tape loading motor, blocky video when import, warranty
Summary: it works great unless you want to import into your computer.

there was no problem to import for 3,4 months but after that i got more and more blocky video.

i contacted sony but their warranty expired (1 year part / 90 day labor) and i have to pay around $250. i keep complained but sony just ignored.

i don't want to spend money on this. i'll buy a cheap canon dv with that money and some plus.

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