Sony SPK-HCD Waterproof Sports Pack for underwater use with DCR-SR220, 45, 55, 65 Camcorders Camcorder Reviews

Sony SPK-HCD Waterproof Sports Pack for underwater use with DCR-SR220, 45, 55, 65 Camcorders

Sony SPK-HCD Waterproof Sports Pack 2008-08-19

Cool, affortable item. You can record and protect your camera in very difficult environment. I was using it for a week in the ocean and the beach. It did its job.
Only 2 problems:
It's hard to see the picture on a camera's display during sunny days,
The case is not too well design to see the picture through front viewer, witch your camcorder may not even have.
I strongly recommend it!

Keeps it dry but problems! 2008-08-13

I used the Sony SPK-HCD Waterproof Sports Pack with my older camcorder Sony DCR-TRV33, which is not listed as compatible. I was still able to use it except that I had to start the camera with its remote control pointing to the LCD monitor before going into the water. I was not able to use the controls on the Sports Pack, but that was not a problem for me since I had to do a beach shoot that was not deeper than 4 - 5'.

The good and the bad:
The Sony SPK-HCD certainly keeps the camera dry, bone dry; however, it is almost impossible to see what you're filming in the bright sun of South Florida. I couldn't see what I was filming underwater either, perhaps because at 4' deep, the reflection of the sun still filtered through. Other problems with the glass: The glass area is so big in comparison to the lens of a camcorder that even if you point the camera to your subject, you might get a portion of it, especially if you are close. The glass is also very prone to get smudged or have huge drops suspend themselves on it, making that part of the footage useless. Luckily, I would check the footage often and would re-shoot certain scenes over. This, of course, took up much more of my time and that of my talent. It was very frustrating.

The images and sound are very good, though.

Recommendations:
I would recommend not using the Sports Pack outside of the water in bright sunlight in order to see what you are shooting and have more control of its outcome.

Perhaps it is possible to see what you are shooting if you are diving much deeper, as in scuba diving.

High Quality But Missing One Important Ingredient 2008-08-09

This is a product that meets most expectations. Quality components, advanced controls, etc. It was highly protective of my video camera both in and out of the water. Controls were easy to use. The electronic interface was easier to use than the manual controls on advanced still and video camera underwater housings. The recommended depth is somewhat shallow, and I will admit to taking it a bit deeper than advised without problems. One minor complaint: The supports for the mirror apparatus were difficult to keep in place while filming. One major complaint: The unit is not weighted to be neutrally buoyant. I required 6-8 additional pounds of weight to take the camera in this housing to depth.

Sony SPK-HCD The only one Camcorder Water Housing 2008-06-26

Well, SPK-HCD is the replacement for all The Waterproof Sports Pack for underwater, is the ONLY ONE SONY have available to purchase, so do not search for any of all the other "Camcorder Water Housing", if you do, this message is what you will find in THE SONY STORE: "This product is no longer available for purchase".

The good new is the price, the bad one its only Depth up to 17 feet.

I love this thing! 2008-06-24

The Sony SPK-HCD makes time at the beach and or pool more fun. The ability to take underwater pics while snorkling has been awesome, also the piece of mind it gives you becuase the case so well protects my camcorder from the elements.

The only reason I dont give it a full 5 star rating is because of Sony's effert to make it universal for so many camcorders it is a little big. I have the DCR-SR300 and there is enough room inside to store another point and shoot and your wallet. Which I guess can be a plus too. Also I wish it were rated for a deeper depth than 17 feet.

Exactly what I was looking for, A+ 2008-06-21

This is perfect for recording under or near water. I bought it for boat trips and poolside events. It will definitely keep the recorder dry and the unit can be added to and removed from the plastic casing in only a few seconds. It is obviously heavier than the camera alone, but this was expected. The thing I liked best was that the casing itself has mic's built in, so whether in or out of the water you stll get great sound. This gets an A+ in my book. (p.s. although the description does not say it is compatible with the HDR-SR6, SR7, etc. it is. All of the attachments are included specifically for these other models. The instructions and users manual even state they are compatible, so I do not know why they were not listed in the first place).

Well worth the money! 2008-04-21

The Sony SPK-HCD is a great product. It is very easy to use. It offers great audio and video.

The underwater sounds are amazing. Just be careful there is no windscreen on the microphone, so in windy situations the audio can saturate.

Works with HDR-SR7 & 8 and many other camcorders 2008-03-24

SPK-HCD is the replacement of SPK-HCC because in the meantime Sony manufactured HDR-SR 10,11 and 12 that have different dimensions than HDR-SR7 and 8, thus a new underwater housing was required for these new camcorders.

However, the dimension differences in between the old and new camcorders of Sony does not necessarily mean that the underwater housings also must have different dimensions. In other words, the fact that HDR-SR 10,11 and 12's dimensions are different than HDR-SR 7 and 8's does not necessarily mean that SPK-HCD's dimensions has to be different than SPK-HCC and that HDR-SR 7 and 8 would not fit to SPK-HCD. Indeed when you check from Sony's website the weight and dimensions of SPK-HCC and SPK-HCD, you would see that they are exactly the same.

So there comes two questions in mind: 1) If the dimensions are the same, then why did Sony manufacture a new underwater housing for its new line of camcorders? 2) Would HDR-SR7 & 8 securely fit to this new underwater housing?

As to the first question, although I have never seen SPK-HCC, considering the fact that the dimensions are the very same with SPK-HCD and that the LCD size of the newer camcorders are considerably larger than the old ones, I reach the conclusion that Sony manufactured this new underwater housing in order to accommodate the bigger LCD of the newer camcorders; not in order to accommodate their overall dimensions. Thus I assume the only difference between SPK-HCD and HCC is the bigger reflective mirror so as to accommodate the bigger LCD of the newer camcorders.

As to the second question, although it is not indicated on amazon.com, on sony.com and nor on the box/package of the item that SPK-HCD is compatible with HDR-SR7 & 8, it is indicated in other sony official websites, such as Sony UK's website, that it is compatible. Furthermore the manual came within the package indicates HDR-SR7 & 8 as compatible models and one of the 5 or 6 mounting bases came within the box that you use to secure into the housing is specifically designed for HDR-SR7 and 8.

So in this case which one would be better? Having a SPK-HCC and SPK-HCD? IMHO, the latter would be better as it has a bigger reflective mirror which may better assist you to see while recording underwater.

Please note unlike many Sony merchandise like camcorders and cameras, the box of this item came unsealed. I mean, it did not come with a broken seal. It came without a seal at all. In order to confirm that the item I received was brand new, I called a Sony Style store and requested from an associate to make a physical check as to whether they sell this item in a sealed box or not. He confirmed that it comes without a seal at all.

I had made my purchase from amazon.com and after the assurance of the Sony Style sales associate I am now ensured that I received a brand new, never opened/used product. Your case may have its own circumstances, I just want to let you know that the item comes with a unsealed box.

By the way, thus far I did not have opportunity to test the underwater housing but I gave 5 stars nevertheless, because; 1) most of the previous customer reviews I saw of SPK-HCA HCB and HCC praises the respective product 2) SPK-HCD I received is quite a solid housing. You can easily see that. Unless you do something really contrary to the instructions, there is no way there would be any water leak. 3) when I read the manual&instructions I realized that Sony sells the essential parts used in this housing such as O ring, anti-fogging solution etc.

In conclusion, SPK-HCD is compatible with way more camcorders indicated on amazon.com, on Sony.com and on the package/box of the item, and according to the customer reviews I read so far of the previous Sony camcorders' underwater housings and as far as my own experience with the item (though I have not tested it yet underwater) and considering the fact that the original essential accessories/parts of this item are available from Sony, this is a must-buy item for Sony camcorder owners who would like to do some underwater shooting. PS. You can use it in adverse weather conditions as well. Just note that the instructions advises not to use it under 0 degree Celsius/ 32 Fahrenheit or else there may be leaks.