I already have a PD150, but I may be going to India on a business trip, and I don't want to lug that thing around. So I figured I'd get a small, cheap miniDV camcorder for trips, and I can also use it as a miniDV "deck" as well.

I'd like one that will play DVCam stuff that I record w/ the PD150 onto MiniDV tapes. My understanding is that all of the Sony miniDV camcorders can actually PLAY DVCam-formatted miniDV tapes (just not record). It's an undocumented feature (?)

So I thought I could kill 2 birds w/ 1 stone; I could get a cheap portable camcorder that I won't have a heart-attack if something happens to it, and I can use it as a playback deck at home (rather than my PD150).

So the one that I'm looking at right now is the DCR-HC26

It seems to be the cheapest miniDV one, and I can get it for under $200.

Another option is the DCR-HC36 for a little bit more. I haven't looked into the specs on them to see what the difference is other than many more pixels in the CCD imager (320 vs 640)

Any caveats?

Thanks!!!

Alex F

DVCAM playback is documented in all the owners manuals I've looked at. So if it doesn't say it will play DVCAM and you don't try it, I wouldn't believe that it will do so.

Send an e-mail to Sony or ask the seller before you buy.

If you want to spend a bit more, you might want to think about an HC90 - 1/3 inch chip and a primary colour filter. In good light you will get a pretty good picture. Also, it is not bad in low light for a single chip camera (5 lux).

Don't know about the playback of DVCAM tapes.

I am heading to India next month and will be leaving my VX2000 at home but will be taking the HC90.