Hitachi Reviews

I bought a Hitachi DZ-MV230A DVD Camcorder from Future Shop, Surry, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on 28th Sept., 2003. My computer OS WIN XP (Home Edition) does not detect the Camcorder, nor the recorded DVDs are detected by the DVD ROM installed with the Computer. So, I cannot download anything from the Camcorder. The Camcorder is thus useless to me though I like its picture quality and shape. No software was supplied along with the gazette and it was written on the manual that it would work with WIN XP. I wish, the manufacturer gives weightage to this letter and send me the solution.

We got this camera as a Christmas present. For simple movies and communicating with the family, it serves well. There are some design errors that Hitachi will need to fix before I recommend it, though.

First, the DVD disk noise is audible during playback. It is a high-pitched whine in the background. It is not overwhelming or too distracting, but people interested in making amateur films or top notch home video should find a less noisy camera.

Second, the camera does not come with a separate battery charger. You have to put the dead battery into the camera and then use the camera as the charger. This means you can't film on one battery while recharging the other. So, you either charge them all ahead of time, or you hope that you catch all your footage in one go.

Finally, the editing software for this camera is not yet available in the US (as of Dec. 2002). The editing options built into the camera are pretty limited. There are three fade options: fade to white (not black), vertical wipe, and fade to b/w. The interface would be fine for a road trip, but splicing long sequences together is a real pain. The fade features also require additional dead air, or else they cut into the sound portion of the tape. This may be my inexperience, but it bugged me for a while.

Overall, I found the camera very intuitive and easy to use, and I wouldn't give it up for a different gift. Still, there are probably some tape or other DVD-based models out there that are more polished in
their design.

I spent a lot of time researching camcorders before finally deciding on the Hitachi 230A. I purchased it to record my childrens band performance at halftime and to share the recording with the band director for teaching purposes. It worked great..I recorded the performance, put it in my lap top and was able to replay it instantly for everyone. It was quite a hit, until I got home and tried to download it to my computer to make copies. It seems the salesman, in his zest to sell me the camera, neglected to sell me the correct interface kit. This camcorder comes with 2 different interface software kits. One is for still images only and is relatively easy to find. The other kit (DZ-WINPC3) is a scare commodity. At this time you can only order it directly from Hitachi at the cost of $179.00 plus shipping and handling. AND it's on back order for 2-3weeks. This kit is not even carried by Circuit City, the major supplier of this camcorder. I love the camcorder for it's eaze of use and the digital picture quality but I spent my first weekend with this product on the phone trying to figure out why I couldn't download my video into my computer. I at least got to transpose it onto VHS but the manuel supplied leaves much to be desired when it comes to explanations. It tells you the correct way to plug it in to your VCR but neglects to note that you have to set your TV and VCR to a different input mode in order for it to work. I guess that you're supposed to know that already. Would I buy this camcorder again...only if I had all the correct software in my hand as I walked out of the store. Also, the customer service department at Hitachi is wonderful. I'm sure that they recognize my voice by now.

PROS: Timely Hitachi support response to all 4 of my emails. CONS: Impossible to edit/transfer w/ leading software, Limited edit/media transfer with bundled Ulead Movie Factory SE. OPINION: Buy for top quality recording of 30 min. DVD-R/DVD-RAM with playback limited to use of camera cabled to PC or TV. If you want to do anything more, the software is not available to help you without 3rd party program to convert .vob files to MPEG2 (which most software programs can import).

SPECIFICS: No easy way to do burn to VCD. After 3 weeks of patience, 4 bundled software programs, 5 downloaded demo versions, and 3 purchased programs I have 2 poor quality VCDs and one AVI upload. All leading software (Pinnacle, Ulead Movie 2, DVD Movie Factory, Power DVD, Instant Write, Video Explosion) requires a Firewire connection to "capture" directly from the camcorder. Hitachi does not make a Firewire cable to the camera- only a "PC Kit" wire connection via USB. Hitachi support said the ONLY software capable of grecognizingh the camera is the bundled Ulead Movie Factory SE (not the full featured, powerful version). The output is VERY poor. Final results on 3 different files had dropped frames, loss of audio in some frames, and loss of quality (fuzziness). The process was time consuming. First, connect & transfer the files via USB. The process of powering, accessing the disc, safe connection to PC, and reading the files took about 5 minutes (another 5 to reverse the process using "safe disabling of hardware feature"). Then was 40 minutes to transfer a 30 min side onto my Dell Pentium 4. I then launched the bundled program and imported the file (another 20-30 minutes depending on file size.) Once I was interrupted and used the save command. A mistake. None of my efforts were saved. I had to start over with importing the file (20 more minutes) and reconstructing the product. The software default is DVD (not VCD) and it cannot be changed. Once I forgot to manually select this on the first screen and I had to start my project again from the beginning. The SE version comes with NO user manual and no help screen in the program. I am headed back to return everything and await the next generation with smooth software capture interface.

I'm currently own this particular model. I truly enjoy using my DVD cam and find it very appealing, but I'm overly regret ever buying the particular brand name. My main criticism comes from not being able to located Hitachi PC kit for this particular model and it has prevented me from making my own DVD videos. Therefore, for the money spends on the particular brand it's a total lost--Thanks Hitacti for your excellent! Overall, If you're not interested in using your PC to make DVD home movies, then perhaps it's right for you.

Just a note for people who buy this camera. Takes great images and easy to use however if you plan on importing your video to your PC, you won't be able to edit it with any normal video software. The ONLY program that currently is able to edit the .VRO files that this uses is ULEAD personal edition. This adds... to the price of the camera.

I can't understand how they can call this Hi-8 without a stereo output. Even if the picture is a good as Hi-8, sound is important too! The S-video connector is not compatable with the connector on my capture card. I'm sending mine back!

This unit is barely featured enough to call it a hi8 camcorder. I remember when Hitachi was considered a high end manufacturer but this tells me they want to waller with the Samsungs, Daewoo and other low-end quality companies. The best low dollar hi8 comes from Canon with many features. Hitachi needs to step up to where they were and let the others be.