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Sony camcorder

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by Shell, Jun 28, 2006.

  1. Shell

    Shell Awww, come and give me a big hug!

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    Remove all ads!
    (I hope this is in the right forum)

    Here's my problem. I have a Sony DCR-HC32E camcorder which takes not only video via tapes but still pictures via memory card. The problem is that the pictures are really bad quality, looking very grainy and dark. My mum's £50 digicam takes better quality photos and this camcorder cost over £500!
    I haven't been into the settings, is there something I can do to solve the problem?
     
    Shell, Jun 28, 2006
    #1
  2. Colthrun

    Colthrun Walk first in the forest and last in the bog Veteran

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    Some camcorders don't show still images correctly on their display. Do the photos still look grainy when you save them in your PC and see them there?

    EDIT: I checked on the Sony website, it appears that the still camera's max resolution is 640 x 480. If you are using a picture viewer in the PC that expands the image to fit a screen at a higher resolution, it will look pixelated no matter what. Regarding the lack of clarity, it could have to do with the absence of a flash when used indoors, or very quick shutter speed selected in the options.

    [ June 28, 2006, 17:20: Message edited by: Colthrun ]
     
    Colthrun, Jun 28, 2006
    #2
  3. Shell

    Shell Awww, come and give me a big hug!

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    Thanks COlthrun. :) So what do I do to fix it
     
    Shell, Jun 28, 2006
    #3
  4. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Buy a new camera. 640x480 isn't even 1 megapixel; it's only about one third of a megapixel. You're not going to get high quality pictures as far as grainyness out of that.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Jun 28, 2006
    #4

  5. Abdel - Bhaal Spawn Gems: 13/31
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    640x480 are only good for 3x5 inch prints. I believe sony makes a camera that takes 1.3MB for each picture. I don't use my Panasonic Camcorder for picture taking. That is what my Cannon G2 and A70 are for.
     
    Abdel - Bhaal Spawn, Jun 29, 2006
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  6. Colthrun

    Colthrun Walk first in the forest and last in the bog Veteran

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    What BTA and Abdel said.

    If you really want to use the still photo option, you may get a better image by adding more light when indoors (turn on the lights, take pictures in a room with bright walls), and try to take the picture not too close to the target. See if you have different "set" picture modes and play with them using the same target for each mode. Also, try not to use the zoom when taking a picture with a camcorder.

    For outdoors, see what the documentation says about shutter speed. It will probably be set on something like "automatic". Try to increase the opening time of the shutter to reduce the overall darkness of the image.
     
    Colthrun, Jun 29, 2006
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  7. Shell

    Shell Awww, come and give me a big hug!

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    Abdel - any idea of the model number?


    Thanks all :)


    Okay I've found This camcorder and This

    Being completely ignorant of specs, which one would take the better quality video and still pictures?

    [ July 02, 2006, 18:29: Message edited by: Shell ]
     
    Shell, Jun 30, 2006
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  8. Kitrax

    Kitrax Pantaloons are supposed to go where!?!?

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    Try this: Sony DCR DVD405
    It's about $550 ot $600 and offers 2 Mega pixels during video capture, and 3 mega pixels for still photos. :thumb:

    Read dmc's thread on his problems with Sony's camcorders first however...you might want to try another brand. :rolling:
     
    Kitrax, Jul 4, 2006
    #8
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