Need help w/ Sony Handy Cam

my wife went last weekend and purchased a Sony DCR HC 30 mini dvc recorder. I wanted something to video and download to the computor to make my own videos. From reading thru the inst. you can shoot video with the tap and memory stick at the same time and use the memory stick to do this.
Can i accomplish making videos with this or should I take it back and get another model.........1 for dummies.....any input is helpful thanks

It appears that the "Sony DCR HC 30" is a miniDV so that's a good start!

You don't ever want to use the memory stick to record video because it will be compressed and poor quality (at least compared to the miniDV quality)

Recording to the memory stick is OK if you plan on only sending the video clip to the internet and really don't care about editing or showing it on TV.

I think the option you are talking about is that you can record stills to the memory stick while shooting video. This is a much better option than records to tape, because you don't end up with a 5 sec still shot on your miniDV tape.


p.s. nice profile pic!

We just bought that same camera and so far we like it alot! We just don't have the equipment to put the video straight to the PC yet (need firewire...usb doesn't work according to Sony. You can only do this montage-y type stuff with the usb). Anyway yeah what Kung Fu said...you more likely are going to want to take your stills on the memory stick and all your video on tape. I'm still figuring stuff out bout that camera but just let me know if you have questions....I can help ya with what I've figured out so far.

Gosh Hope I could have talked to you about the camera in Indy last week. We had fun. My wife bought this and I wanted to download or transfer some of the video to the computor to make my own videos. I'm still trying to get back to the store to find out more info. You said I need a firewire?? Also did you take any pics of the Boys division podium? We filmed but were so excited we didn't get any pics. Thanks