No comments about Sony HDR-UX20 4MP DVD Hybrid Plus High Definition Handycam Camcorder with 8GB Hard Drive Camorder & 15x Optical Zoom.

5 comments about Panasonic HDC-DX1 AVCHD 3CCD High Definition DVD Camcorder with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.

1. You really have to be in the Blue-Ray camp to enjoy this camera fully. If you have a Sony Play Station 3 you're set for playback and the future with Blue-Ray for High Definition movies. Otherwise you will need a Blue-Ray player for playback of the miniDVDs and any other regular DVDs you record to. Also, so far it's one of the last camcorders from Panasonic with 5.1 sound and High Definition recording, which is a big plus for sound. It's seems the newer camcorders are actually going backwards with 2 channel sound instead of 5.1. With Nero 8, which you'll have to buy separately, you can copy movies to your computer for editing and burning back on to a larger size regular recordable DVD, i.e., DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+-RW or DL disks (they don't have to be Blue-Ray recordable DVDs). The camcorder records Blue-Ray format to regular DVDs. You just have to remember that they still won't play back on a regular DVD player, you'll need a Blue-Ray player or a Play Station 3. There have been complaints about this, but you're recording High Definition video now, so why would you except to play it back on a lower quality DVD system? This camera is for the future. If you want a DVD recordable camcorder, there are cheaper, less capable models that that do that. But if you want High Definition recording, with 5.1 sound, then this is the camera to get. One other thing to remember, the recording process to a miniDVD whether it's with this camera or any other miniDVD camera is different than with tapes. The miniDVD will have to be finalized if you want to use it outside the camera on a DVD player (Blue-Ray or not). There is an extra step involved from tape recording. Some people just don't understand this and complain. The one thing about this camera is that you can only finalize using the A/C charger and not with the battery in the camera. This means you'll probably shoot video and finalize the disks at home, not outside where you are shooting. Other miniDVD camcorders may allow finalizing with battery power which may be more convenent to do, but I don't find not having this a drawback for this camera.



2. I purchase the HDC-DX1 about a month ago and have been very happy with the picture quality, the picture enhancement features, etc. I was disappointed to find out after my purchase that I needed special software to download the content to, and edit it on, my computer and probably need a Blue Ray DVD burner to be able to create edited disks. I haven't worked with the software yet, so be sure you understand the implications of buying a camera with a format that is not the standard format used by most digital cameras.



3. Love the camera, but with only 17 mins of high definition available on a dvdram disk, I wish it came with a hard drive, but excellent camera for the price.



4. i love this camera because with this i taking a really beautiful photos....beside the video is really crispy clear..and with the 70inches high definition samsung tv is espectacular....some body know if is posible get a still camera from panasonic with the same hd photos????



5. If your looking for a HD Camcorder stay away from the AVCHD. I went with straight recommendations and now I'm stuck with video I can't get on any of my computers. I still haven't got a straight answer on how to play the disk except by using the camera itself. I shot a whole vacations full of video only for the camera to keep telling me the disks can't be read. I went to the panasonic site and the link I needed was down. I would not have bought this format had I known what I know now...but it's your money. I'm probably selling it if anyone wants it cheap.

No comments about SVP HDDV-2600-Bk 12MP Max. Multi-Functional Camcorder with Rare 3.0 Inch Huge Flip LCD! (2GB High speed SD Card).

5 comments about Sony CCDTRV87 Hi8 Camcorder.

1. I purchased this video camera and it has performed excellent from the day I opened the box.

   The ease of use is great!

   I purchased a long life battery and can get up to 16 hours of recording or playback at a time.

   Would I buy this camera again ? The answer is YES!




2. I just got this camera in time for the holidays. It is so much fun. The "photo" feature is great. You can create a slide show on tape! The night vision is amazing. The infrared lighting lets you see anything in the dark. It has many special effects you can use to spice up the home movies. The standard battery charges quickly and lasts for about an hour, depending on use of the lcd viewer and light. The picture and sound quality are excellent. Overall, this video camera is an excellent value.



3. I have used this camera for about 100 hours now. I have used and figured out 99% of the special features.

   Pros: Many special effects such as: infrared, black and white, cartoon like effect, and a couple others. It also has 16:9 recording but distorts the picture when recording. It has an excellent playback speaker when watching videos you have already taken on the 2.5 " LCD screen. It also has about 5 digital effects such as slow shutter or flashing pictures. The photo option lets you create a slide show easily and allows you to use the fade features such as overlap really easily. The battery that came with the camera lasts me about 1.8 hours using the LCD screen and about 2 hours using the black and white viewfinder. This is a surprise, because I thought it would only last an hour with the LCD screen. This camera also lets you record TV just like a VCR which is a nice feature if you like to edit videos. I also like the feature that lets you put words on the screen as you record. The stereo sound recording on this camera is great. The LCD screen is also crystal clear and is easily big enough to see what your recording.

   Cons: Grainy picture in low light condition. However, if you use the light on the camera, it drastically improves the grainy picture. The zoom gets really pixely at anything zoomed in more than about 180 times. The camera is larger and heavier than the new digital ones. The manual focus can also be tough to work but it isn't too bad.

   This is an excellent camera. I would recommend it over the digital ones just because you get a lot more features for your money and the quality of the picture isn't all that different.




4. The TRV87 has 360x digital zoom. THe posted image shows a 330x zoom



5. This camcorder was introduced in 1999, which was in essence the "high water" mark year of the Sony analog camcorder line. Digital -- which had been introduced by Sony years earlier -- took over the "top of the line" position the following year, which led Sony to simultaneously begin "cheapening" the Hi8 analog machines (in an attempt to drive the "bells and whistles crowd" to the more profitable digital camcorders). This meant stereo sound disappeared from the Hi8s in 2000, as did flying erase heads, digital special effects and photo mode.

   Being the Hi8 line leader the previous year -- before that cheapening began -- the TRV87 is therefore Sony consumer analog video at its best, crammed with every feature Sony ever put into that format. It's all here -- the Hi8XR format (440 lines of vertical resolution, which in side to side comparison with DV's 500 lines is almost impossible to differentiate), LCD viewing, digital special effects, on-board lighting, Super Nightshot, photo mode, full titling, a wide range of pre-programmed exposure modes, Laserlink...it goes on and on. Yes, granted, the chassis is that classic "handful" TRV size, so this Sony isn't quite as cute and sexy as those teeny current DV palmcorders - but it provides video that is just as good, and costs a lot, lot less. This machine is destined to be a classic, in the same category as the infamous Sony TR101 (their first serious Hi8 machine from almost a decade earlier).

1 comments about Sony DCRTRV33 MiniDV 1megapixel Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Color Viewfinder & Memory Stick capabilities.

1. Sony DCRTRV33 MiniDV 1megapixel Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Color Viewfinder & Memory Stick capabilities
   
   I've owned this camera since June 2003, and I've run a lot of tape through it. Overall, the Sony DCR-TRV33 MiniDV is a pretty straight-forward camcorder to use, but I wouldn't give it more than a three star rating.
   
   On the Pro's list:
   
   The camera records nice clear images in natural, daytime lighting. It's light weight allows stable handheld shooting even for extended periods. The reversible, flip-out, 2.5" LCD color display is easy to see when shooting indoors or in subdued outdoor lighting. The touch screen controls are responsive and fairly easy to locate and use with practice. The mini-DV cassette is easy to load and remove, as is the memory stick and the battery pack. All of the controls are within easy reach, when the camera is held in the right hand. The LCD viewfinder allows for a good clear viewing image when the LCD panal is closed. The supplied NP-FM30 battery pack gives about 30 minutes of recording time when the LCD display is used, and about 50 minutes with the viewfinder. (I purchased the optional NP-QM71D extended battery pack, which runs continously for between about 165 minutes and 205 minutes.) The 219-page operational manual that comes with the camera is a great step-by-step, user-friendly guide.
   
   On the con's list:
   
   When shooting indoors in the evening, turn on all the light fixtures or expect a poor image quality recording. When shooting outdoors in bright sunlight, the operation buttons on the LCD are hard to see. The still images (snapshots) are very poor quality. The location of the combination Power-VCR-Camera-Memory selector makes it easy to unintentionally change from one setting to another when the tiny lock switch isn't in the lock position. Even when shooting in the wide-angle mode, it's difficult to get more than one person in the shot unless you're a fair distance from the action.
   
   Bottom line:
   
   Even with it's drawbacks I'd still recommend this little compact MiniDV recorder to the amateur to intermediate user.

3 comments about Vivitar DVR-530 5MP DV Camcorder.

1. I purchased this camcorder because it was very small, i never expected it to have such a great picture quailty, but it has turned out to be a great investment. I took it to Las Vegas and i have returned with very crisp beautiful pictures still and video. if you are not an professinal i would highly recommend it.



2. I just bought camera about a month ago and have used it during my wedding and honeymoon. This camera is Great if you want to take outside shots. It stores everything to a 2GB sd card which gives you about 1hr of record time. I bought 3 cards but only used 1 card for the whole honeymoon etc... and to off load it to a PC is so easy. I love it but my only complain is it's poor capturing in low light. Inside buildings with low light come out even darker than normal and u can forget about recording anything at night but for the price it's great.



3. Has a nice big bright LCD screen.
   Zoom occurs in eight rapid "click-stop" stages, not smoothly like more expensive camcorders.
   After pushing the "ON" button, this camcorder is ready to go in about four seconds.
   There's a threaded hole on the bottom for tripod placement.
   There's no lens cover included, and since the lens is almost flush with the body of the unit, there's no way to use one.
   Unit has a flat bottom, but with the LCD screen pivoted open, unit become "left-heavy" and will tip over.

5 comments about JVC GRD30 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5" LCD and 16x Optical Zoom.

1. I agree with the many other users who have experienced the "Condensation, Operation Paused" defect on their JVC GR-90DU. Despite numerous others reporting this problem, JVC says its not a recognized problem. I would disagree - it is a recognized problem, but its your problem, not theirs.
   
   If you are like me and didnt know to research JVC customer support before you bought, and now are stuck with a JVC Lemoncorder model GR-D90U that has this problem, I would encourage you to call the JVC customer support (non-support) phone number 1-800-858-6442 and report your glee at being one of the lucky. I would also encourage you to post your satisfaction on-line.
   
   Its especially nice that the local camera repair shop charged 90 dollars to take a shot at fixing it, only to have it go away after the repair shop's warranty period.
   
   Do Not Buy JVC camcorders!



2. My Model GR-D30U also has the "Condensation, Operation Paused" problem with less than about 50-75 hours of use. What a Lemon!
   
   I should have checked more closely before buying. Consumer Reports shows that JVC camcorders have a poor reliability rating.



3. There's nothing worse that getting a seemingly random computer message--on a desktop, a laptop, a digital camcorder or a tv--and quickly realizing that your Father's Day gift or Christmas present has instantly become a paper weight. Well, I take that back, there is something worse: doing a quick Google search on the words "condensation operation paused" and realizing that there are scores and scores of people out there who are cursing under their breath just like you.
   
   I have the JVC camcorder--it was a gift from my wife on the birth of my daughter. It worked fine for a year. Then one day I got the dreaded condensation message and that's all she wrote. And believe me, I live in a house so dry and devoid of condensation that I know the message is bogus. (We have forced air heat and anyone will tell you that some nights you wake up gasping for air and moisture!)
   
   
   Seeing how many people have posted messages regarding this is depressing. What's more depressing though is the universal response from JVC: this is not a known problem and there's no recall or warranty. perhaps the folks at JVC might want to Google their own products once in a while.
   
   DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA!!!
   
   Matt



4. I've had this camera for 3 years, it's been pretty lightly used. No problems whatsoever until today, when I got the dreaded "condensation error" message. After reading the doom and gloom in other reviews of this product, I was ready to throw it (and the $300 I paid for it) in the trash, until I saw the "fix" below for the condensation problem. IT WORKS! I had to do it a couple of times, but everything is working A-OK. If you get the error message, don't despair - just get out a couple of Q-Tips and you'll be back in business in 5 minutes! THANKS!!!!



5. Had the same problem after approximately four years with the camcorder locking up in a pause mode with "condensation, operation paused" flashing on the screen. It eventually came out of it but then it happened again and again. I tried to clean the sensor in the tape bay but this did not correct the problem. I think I'l just dump the damn thing and never buy from JVC again. It looks from all I read on the net that they don't even suggest a solution.
   
   Too bad for a brand like this

No comments about SVP HDDV-3001 12MP Max. 6-in-1 Multi-Functional Camcorder with Rare Huge Flip LCD! (SVP 4GB SDHC Memory Card & Tripod Included).

5 comments about Sony HDR-UX7 6MP AVCHD DVD High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom.

1. I love this camera - video quality stunning. I'm a non-techie so let me toss a question out to the crowd - the 6.1MP still photos this camera takes are average at best. My 6.1MP Nikon D50 takes much better photos. Specifically I'm talking about grain and what I would call pixelation. I've double checked the settings on the HDR-UX7 and have them all set to max resolution. What am I missing? Other than that tiny issue this camera is great!



2. I have only had the chance to use this camera once, during a fishing vacation. I spent some time reading the reviews on the camera and on the DVD player which has to be a Sony Blu-ray. The camera was formated for HD and results were a true 1080 when played back. You will have to spend the money to make the whole thing work right. Purchase the Blu-ray BDP-S1. The Sony package was amazing. I really like being able to go directly from the camera to the DVD player.



3. Not much to say here other than it's awesome! Until 1080p camcorders come out, this is the one to buy for ease of use and portability. Shipping was fast. I am completely satisfied with this product! Thanks Amazon & Sony for having/making an awesome camcorder!



4. I chose this camcorder because I don't do any video editing, and just wanted a high quality easy to use camcorder. The touch screen is great, doesn't smudge up much at all. I can't imagine why this is a problem for anyone unless you play with your own fecal matter and don't wash your hands. The camcorder stays charged for a long time. The picture quality is incredible. The night mode is amazing. The only thing to know. If you do the HD recording, you can only play in this camcorder, or a Sony brand blue ray disk player. Enjoy.



5. I owned a DCR DVD 305 previously and decided to take the next step.
   Glad I did. Nothing compares to AVCHD. Except maybe real film.
   This cam is prosumer. I cont care if it doesn't look like an FX-7.
   The selling points for me were:
   1. The assignable dial for manual control of shutter, exposure, focus, whatever you decide to assign to it. Having auto settings can be great but some shots require some tweaking and manual control is a must.
   2. 6.1 mega pixel still shot. The 305 had a lousy 1mega pixel still shot. Not worth a darn. The 6.1 quality is an option I can boat about. 6.1 mp may be a few years behind, but this is not a digital slr folks. It's a video cam. Often camcorder shot leave traces of interlacing and such that reveal the source of cam it was taken with. Not this one. It looks like a still right from an early digital slr. No interlacing.
   3. Mini DVD storage. It seems most the newer AVCHD cameras are going HDD. Hard drives crash. They are prone to incurable errors. If you have ever own a PC with windows XP, you know this. Lesson learned. My previous camera the Sony 305 was a mini DVD storage based cam. When it failed, I was able to recover the disc out of the cam and rip it from my DD drive on the PC. If this had been a HDD cam, I would have lost the footage forever.
   4. External mic option. I plan on using a lav mic for interview types of footage. This has the option for an external mic. Super.
   Besides the jump to HD, those were the main reasons I bought it. It has all the normal options you will find in a DVR. I used Sony's website to compare shop. Very helpful.
   Some things to think about when you go AVCHD.
   Editing software is still behind the ball. I managed to score a copy of Sony Vegas Pro 8 which totally supports the AVCHD format and the 5.1 surround audio. Nero 8 Ultimate supports it to but, Nero is limited if you want to get creative. Adobe products, so far are still just supporting HDV, not AVCHD. If you like editing, get a MAC or go with Vegas.
   The software bundle with the cam is necessary. I tried to bare bones the install and it would not recognize the cam as a valid drive. Take the hit on your start up and install it ALL.
   Some additional cool things about this camera are that fact that if the cam is on and running on AC power, then a screen saver that is also a tutorial on how to perform tasks runs. Not sure if it is standard but a nice hefty NP FH-70 battery comes with it. Thats about 120 mins of recording. Most Sony cams follow the same ergonomic design so no learning curve required. This cam is not light but also not dead weight. You know you are holding cause it just fills up the hand without rendering your digits feeling fat and uncoordinated. I thought this was the icing on the cake and decided to write this review.
   And NO I do not work for Sony, but let me tell you this, they have a very fair Customer Service Department.
   
   Dave T

2 comments about Vupoint DV-DA1-VP 5MP Multifunction Digital Video Camera.

1. first thing first. this SUPPORTS SD cards GREATER than 1 gig.
   for some reason the manual say that's the largest card it support.
   
   I tried a 2 and 4 gig card and they worked fine.
   
   I never had a camcorder before or any other devices like this so I can't really compare but I have a Cannon SD550 digital camera that takes video too
   
   PROS:
   - good feature sets for the price.. voice recorder, mp3 player, video player. webcam function
   - good sound on mp3 playback
   - nice small size for all that it can do.
   - video recording is pretty decent quality for the file size
   - can encode movies from a/v input with pretty good quality
   - can output a/v to tv
   - battery type are pretty common and can be had off ebay for $11
   - standard mini usb cable connection to PC
   - unit is detected as standard "mass storage" device so no driver is needed.
   - can be charged via USB so no need for bulky AC adaptor.
   - dvd resolution recording is a good filesize and good picture quality.
   at 720x480 it can record up to 2:45 hours on a 4 gig card.
   - has games in it.. if that's your thing.
   
   BAD:
   - Mp3 player function is not design well. some stupid details left out..
   1) you can't fast forward or rewind while in the middle of the a song playing
   2) while playing a mp3 song and you skip to the next song, it doesn't automatically play, you have to manually press play button for the song to play.
   - wish there's optical zoom but due to the way/form of the design I can understand it.
   - plastic casing.. metal casing would have been nicer but probably add to cost.
   - joystick is kinda hard to use to small and sentsitive. when trying to push it in you end up pushing it either U,D,L or R.
   - To use the voice recorder function u have to have the LCD screen and lens fliped out.. stupid. since this will make the unit awkard. why can't they let you record with the screen closed in it's compact form?
   - one touch quick record button would have been great.
   - Picture quality is not nearly as good as my Canon SD550 but that's not a good comparision base.
   - with picture mode you can't talk really close macro shots.
   
   
   
   
   Features I didn't try so I can't comment on yet:
   - how long the battery last, didn't mind as I got an extra higher capcacity battery off ebay for only $11 shipped.
   - webcam function.
   - Theres a movie mode. and a AVI folder it makes on the memory card. I tried putting mp4 files of the simpsons, family guy int the folder and the unit didn't play it... I think u have to install their software to reencode those video to a format it can understand..
   - video record quality is noticeably inferior to the video recording of my Canon SD550. BUT the file size alot smaller. (one minute of 640x480 video on the Canon SD550 takes about 130megs, while one minute on this thing is only 34 megs!) Quality is not that much worst but file size is alot smaller. the compromise is actually good so this is really a postitive thing.
   - physical placement/position of the lens, you tend to accidently have your finger over the lense till you get use to it.
   
   
   
   CONCLUSION:
   - the unit have some usability issues software wise and I hope future firmware updates will address it.
   - for the price and all the features of it, it's a pretty good buy.
   - picture quality is not as good as standalone camera but still decent quality. if u want high quality pcitures go with a digital camera instead.
   - good quality video recording at fair filesize.
   - standard parts and accessories, PC connectors and batteries
   - don't need to install the divers or anything from the CD.



2. Don't spend the money, even if it seems like a great bargain. It doesn't work. The video's are bad. The pics are always blurry. Trying to change the settings is very difficult because the "mouse" type button... like the nipple on the old IBM thinkpads... is very glitchy. Doesn't always do what you want it to. Never have I had a product that actually made it to the market and sold on shelves that performed so awefully.