Customer Reviews:
 ultra-portable but microMV is not for everyone September 20, 2003
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
the dcrip5 is for the early adopters among us. it has "wow" written all over it but make sure you're ready for the limitations of the microMV format.pros:
- small size, and lightweight: 1.88"W x 4.0"H x 3.13"L weighing 12 oz. this is the main selling point of this camcorder.
- 10x optical zoom.
- Super SteadyShot image stabilization - and sony's system works.
- delivers vibrant colors when shooting in daylight.
- connectivity options: firewire, S-video, composite. cons:
- microMV format is proprietary and may go the way of betamax.
- microMV video quality is noticeably worse than MiniDV.
- microMV also uses a different data-compression scheme than MiniDV, which means that it may be incompatible with your DV-editing software.
- no still photo capability.
- no video light.
- not Mac compatible.
- very bad ergonomics - a small camcorder will have small buttons and consolidated controls.
- as with most sony products, you pay a premium, pushing up the price.
- battery life could be better.
- only 2.5" LCD.
- non-intuitive menu system.
- no headphone or mic input jack.
- no accessory shoe. given the limitations of the microMV format, a smaller camcorder is the only reason to use it. and a tiny camcorder is what sony has delivered and that's why this is a four star product for me. but if you can stand a slightly bigger camcorder, check out other miniDV options. these are more affordable, better supported, and almost as portable. i hope this helps your buying decision. peace.
 VERY BAD SUPPORT August 12, 2003
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have problems with capturing the movies recorded witht this camera to a Sony VAIO. After waiting for ever, Movie Shaker 3.3 crashes and the movie is not captured. Sometimes it works but it is random. But the major problem is that since buying the camera in December 2002, I have been writing emails to Sony and receiving only promises of support but only autamated answers that are not helpfull at all. Also funny is that a couple of times I have received apologies from Sony via email apologizing for not having provided support, using as a justification that they were rebuilding their support site and asking me to send my request againg if I had not solved it by now. There I went and innocently I sent my request again. Have you heard anyting about it? Because I have not. Unless they make a decision to change and start supporting their products and customers, I strongly advice not to buy anyting Sony till this changes. I used to be their fan due to their quality products, but this seems to be true no more. Making money and saving money by shaving support costs seems to be their main driver. Gone are the days where quality was their driver or so it seems from my experience...
Fraguil circuit, broken twice in half year June 30, 2003
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought IP5 last year, and the digital output circuit has been broken twice. Each time costed me $... to fix. I also heard of other IP5 users having the same quality problems (on Pinnacle consumer board).
Compute problem solved awesome product March 25, 2003
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
As of March 2003 Sony has come to our rescue teaming up with pinacle to create "Sony EZEditor microMV". For only $ you get Studio 8 software, a fire wire card a 4-6 pin cable, a cd-r and a couple of tapes. Works with all pc software execept 98 first edition, second is ok. As ar as the camera you can rsearch all the features and read all the details. Note that it is soon discontinued to be replaced by the new ip55. I like the ip55 it is better, but much larger making the ip5 and ip7 still my choice because it is so freakin' small. Dont let the computer issue stop you now.
Worst product from Sony ever January 26, 2003
8 out of 12 found this review helpful
I already own three Sony Digital 8 and two Sony mini DV cameras. So why do I need a third format. It is a long story. I had read a lot of bad stuff about the new Sony MicroMV cameras before buying the camera, but I had to buy one anyway. Well, all the bad stuff is true, and even worst than one might believe given Sony's history of introducing fantastic new products. Aside from the fact that the cameras are way over priced and the video quality is only okay, the biggest problem is with MovieShaker, the only software that works with the MicroMV cameras. Sony says right on the outside of the box that they do not guarantee the software will work. Fortunately, I found a post by Atakan... that explains how to get MovieShaker to work with a minimum of hassle. Without this help, I would have wasted even more time. I transferred a 7-min clip to the computer in about 3 hr. However, the audio was all messed up. It was not properly synchronized with the video. All I did was capture the clip and then try to play it back with MovieShaker. I gave up and simply transferred the clip to one of my mini DV cameras using the S-video/audio cable. I was then able to pull the clip off the mini DV camera using standard video editting software. I have not seen such a poor product in a very long time. My recommendation is to buy a mini DV camera. It is much cheaper and works well. I am still shaking my head in disbelief that Sony would market such a poor product.
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