The camera records HD video images to mini DV tape using MPEG2 video compression technology.

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Sony's Mini DV Digital Handycam, for instance, is small enough to fit in the pocket of the average bomber jacket, and can be hooked right to a computer as soon as the movie is over.

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Like the HC1, the HC3 records up to 1080i onto standard mini-DV cassettes in HDV format, but it ups the ante with stills up to four megapixels (and even simultaneous widescreen 2.3 and 4:3 1.7 megapixel stills while shooting video), although it has a lower gross pixel count, no manual focus ring, and we've heard grumblings of a "noisier" picture.

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