Sony HDR-CX405 Handycam Video Camera Camcorder Test & Review!

[@Ferra3904]

You are the Mr. Rogers of cameras!

[@dmtroche]

Your videos for this handycam are fantastic. I bought this camera years ago and loved it but was recently told I need a polorized lens to better capture my kids water polo games. Your easy and inexpensive mods just saved me from buying another video cam! Thank you. 😊

[@productreviewstv812]

Thank You. A circular polarizer is what I use. You rotate it to cut the glare off the water.

[@Theimperfecthomemaker]

Thanks for sharing I am impressed with the steady modes and how much of a difference it made

[@productreviewstv812]

Thanks for your participation in commenting! Today I will upload a quick video of tips, tricks & mods for this camera.

[@samuelhodges6471]

Thanks for sharing. I have two of the Sony CX 405s. I didn't know about the steady features. That is something I will use for now on. I like the feature where you can use the built in music menu selections to add music to your video or if you want custom music of your choice. You can adjust the music volume so it will not be too low or too loud. So, if you have talking on your video, you can adjust the music volume to play in the background by using the auto editing through your handycam. The white balance works great. Over all this is a very practical handycam. Outdoor photos work nicely. Photos are a little graniny in doors, (if light is too low, but with extra lighting it works nicely. Recording built in mic sound is really good. By adding an external mic can give you a cleaner record if the camera is too far away for the built in mic, as you saw in the video. I've use this handycam on many events and making video projects indoors and outdoors with very nice sound quality. I am most satisfied. I'm getting ready to buy a third Sony CX 405. The wind screen doesn't block too high level winds. But that can be fixed by placing an external recording device under your/or a subject's clothing to block out the wind. Like in the ocean shot of the guy surfing. The ocean was loud. If there were commentary about the surfer. An external mic (such as a cell phone,) under the clothing of the commentator pulls in the commentary and blocks the loud ocean and wind out. But maybe a video detailing the many functions and features that this Handycam has to offer may be made. (Something I may consider doing.)

[@productreviewstv812]

Thank you for commenting. I hope you'll subscribe to this channel.

[@jettschenker]

*I just got word from a Sony employee that the HDR-CX405 is now discontinued so you guys better get one before the prices go nuts.*

[@ToyoteroMundial]

Subscribed. Hope to see many more videos on your channel.

[@productreviewstv812]

Thank You.

[@robdebruin9485]

Good explanation! See some differences in the menu.. i noticed that my 405 has firmware 1.00 maby there is a update. Btw solder the mics away and place a jack result stunning sound. Left 3 screws over🤔but it works

[@productreviewstv812]

I'm not aware of a firmware update at the moment. Thanks for your comment.

[@samuelhodges6471]

Smart to modify your cam like that. You should teach that.

[@productreviewstv812]

If I receive a large amount of requests, I'll get another CX405 and perform the modifications in a video.

[@samuelhodges6471]

@@productreviewstv812 I sure hope you do get enough request. If you do get enough request to show how to put a hot shoe and thread to attach other lens cover onto the CX405. That would be great!

[@Dustycheese645]

I have one the same but it has a projector with it and i'm trying to find another of that but with the projector just incase if it breaks or something

[@beckinocks2662]

Thanks for the information and detail! How can I get the videos off the card, I did not format first- hope you can help.

[@productreviewstv812]

You can either buy an SD card reader and plug it into your computers USB port or plug in the USB connector in the hand grip of your handycam into your computer"s USB port and then open the handycam display screen to alert your computer that you are not ying to charge the camera battery but instead want to view / transfer files onto a folder on your computer. You can transfer files onto your phone with a card reader with the appropriate plug such as lightning or USB-C plug whichever your phone has. Or you can insert the SD card into your computers SD card slot...if your computer has a slot for a Micro SD card then pop it right in. If your computer has a slot for a standard size postage stamp size SD card then place your micro SD card into an micro to standard SD card adapter and then insert into your computer. I have now listed several ways to accomplish what you want to do.

[@raffymoonzombie]

Super detailed, thank you for your review!!

[@productreviewstv812]

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@mar85cos]

Can you make a video where show how you did those modifications?

[@schueweTV]

Great Vid! But how did you do all these modifications?

[@productreviewstv812]

I'll have to do a video on that when I'm not working my full-time job so much.

[@schueweTV]

@@productreviewstv812 Would be great if you could find the time to show us. Those modifications seem to be very useful to enhance the power of this great little cam.

[@solomonramsa]

Where do you bought the extra cap?

[@productreviewstv812]

You can but generic caps on amazon and ebay.

[@pinkieswear6611]

Excellent video. Thank you. I have questions about the memory card. 1) how many minutes of HIGH quality moving video can be stored on it? 2) does the camera allow for Date/Time stamping? This will be my home movie camera: family events, etc and I will want to see the date/time on screen when I share these movies with others. 3) can I re-record over the memory card? 4) does the camera come with a memory card? 5) in order to transfer the movies to my desktop iMac, do I need to install software on my desktop? Thanks again!

[@productreviewstv812]

How much time you can get from your memory card depends on the size of your memory card, how many gigabytes and yes, you can record over them.

[@pinkieswear6611]

@@productreviewstv812 Thanks

[@pinkieswear6611]

I bought the camera and set the date/time. How do I get it to appear on my recorded material?

[@Assiolomaglia]

So you are satisfied, I see. I'm looking for a new handycam, my old one has died. Do you think this one is suitable for knitting videos? P.S. Heron and squirrel are ones of my preferred animals :-)

[@productreviewstv812]

Yes it would be great. Just be sure to have enough light. If you are not in an area with plenty of light. My favorite light source is a softbox on a stand with a bright daylight color balanced LED bulb. You can get these bulb from Walmart cheap. This setup is not expensive and will provide very nice lighting.

[@Assiolomaglia]

@@productreviewstv812 Thank you! Yes, I have a light.

[@samuelhodges6471]

I have never tried to use my cell phone to record the audio. It sounds good. Do a video on how to do that. Or by using any other external recording device. I have a pretty good idea of how to do it. I have the app for recording on my phone. I think as you shoot start the phone recorder and record the desired sound. Then in editing drop the video and phone recording on the editing tracks. Take out the sound for the video by turning the volume off using the controls in the edit and turn the volume on the phone track up, using the controls in the editor, sync them. But still. You should make a video about it. A lot of people would like to know how to do that.

[@productreviewstv812]

This channel is r3eserved for reviewing products. It's easy to find instructional videos on the topis you want here on youtube.

[@PewDiePieFan]

just picked one of these up! The only problem is that i csnt seem to export the actual videos to my computer or iphone, can anyone help?

[@productreviewstv812]

for computer transfer there is a cable that comers with the camera or you can insert the microSD card in your computer.

[@outdoortechlab]

How to transfer to android phone?

[@samuelhodges6471]

At the end of the first portion of this video their is a message that tells you how to run the CX405 camcorder using an external power source such as an USB Battery to run the camcorder for a very long time. You can also use a "Power Bank" phone charger by connecting the power cable mounted on the side of the camcorder to the "Power Bank" using the supplied cables that come with the camcorder. I have recorded and continue to record and use this method to record 8hrs. with no problem. I just put the "Power Bank" in a little pouch or fannie pouch and hang it on the side of the tripod or if i am hand shooting I just put the fannie pouch on with the "Power Bank" in it or I will put the "Power Bank" in my front or rear pocket. You can get a good "Power Bank" for $20.00 at any store that carry them.

[@productreviewstv812]

You plug a USB extension cable into the USB cable that comes out of the hand grip and also enable USB power in the camera's menu.