5 comments about Canon ZR20 Digital Camcorder.

1. Since I've only had the camera for less than one week, this is just my first impression:

   I researched around and finally went with the ZR20 for the following reasons: Price, Compactness, and base features. The ZR20 has a great price after rebate if you shop around. It is very small (palm size for my hand), although it's not as small as the Elura. The size is very important to me up to a point. It has to be small enough so that I will end up using it instead of debating if it's too big to lug along because I wanted a camera for everyday videos-around the house and on trips. Between the ZR and other cameras in this base range, the ZR definitely wins. Other important features I wanted were analog video IN and hot shoe. The ZR has S-Video as well as composite video IN which means I can easily transfer my video from my 8mm and VHS tapes. It also has a hot shoe (which the smaller camera seems to lack) for a video light if needed. The closest competitor for me on the ZR decision was the Panasonic PV51, but it was just too big and did not have the analog video IN like the ZR.

   After I received the camera, I started to tape within 5 minutes. It was very easy to use and the firewire connection worked right off the bat. I was able to capture the videos to Premiere quite easily. Premiere even had the ZR10 controls build in-the ZR20 and ZR10 is virtually identical for this purpose. So far the camera is exactly what I had expected. There are a few issues that are worth mentioning. The tape transport mechanism (loading and removing tapes) seems to be very fragile. Loading an older DV tape that I had required a slight nudge to get the transport to load. This has happened twice in the beginning, but has not happened again. Canon specifically says in the manual to remove the tape when you are not using the camera. I am not sure if this is true for all DVs, but seems cumbersome. I left the tape in the camera for a couple of days and the next time I turned it on to shoot again, it gave me a HEAD CLEANING warning. I took the tape out and turn the camera off and back on, put the tape back in and started to shoot. The message did not appear again. I shot quite a bit of indoor footage in dim and average light. It was OK for what I expected-note, I shot in the automatic mode, not the programmed indoor mode. I don't really have any thing to compare with either. Assuming the tape transport is not going to be a continuous issue, I am very happy with the camera at this time. As for recommendations, I would recommend if you are looking for a base DV to play with. Look over the features and go to the local store to "handle" the models you are interested in. No matter what "great" features any camera has, if it's not comfortable to use, you will end up not using it. Since I have not had the camera long enough, I have no idea of it's quality, so can not recommend based on that.




2. The Canon ZR20 is a Digital MiniDV camcorder with a 2.5" LCD and a color viewfinder.

   Zoom And Image Stabilizer

   The camcorder has 10x optical zoom and 200x digital zoom. The image is not shaky at high magnification levels, since the camera is equipped with a digital stabilizer.

   Picture

   The camcorder records video and still pictures. The still pictures can be recorded on a MiniDV tape and one tape can hold around 700 still pictures. The picture quality (the CCD has 460,000 pixels) in the video mode is very good with low noise level.

   Sound

   The camcorder has a stereo microphone and a built-in speaker. The microphone input allows you connect an external microphone. You can select between 12- and 16-bit recording.

   Features

   The camcorder comes with a Li-Ion battery, A/V cable, S-Video cable, power adapter, battery, remote and a shoulder strap. There are several AE modes, including fully automatic "Easy Recording".

   But in addition to automatic settings (focus, white balance, etc.), you can manually adjust focus, white balance, shutter speed, exposure (AE Shift). The camcorder allows you apply faders and digital effects and has widescreen mode.

   It also features FireWire (i.Link, IEEE1394) jack, so you can connect it to another digital camcorder, MiniDV VCR or a computer for editing or making a copy. The remote control allows you search for still pictures on the tape using Data Code recorded during the shooting.

   The camcorder features both composite and an S-Video inputs/outs and LANC editing terminal. The timer allows to perform recordings at predefined time. There is a Low Light recording capability (low shutter speed and high exposure time).

   Remote

   Unlike entry-level digital camcorders from Panasonic, the wireless remote control is included here.

   Bottom Line

   The ZR20 is a nice camcorder with good feature set. But the menu system is unnecessary complicated and the Canon camcorders are not among the most reliable (unlike Panasonic ones).




3. Very small and compact, but well laid out so for as the user is concerned. Has both a color viewfinder and a 2.5" LED that extends out from the left side. To save battery power, you can only use one at a time however. Some of the settings are a bit confusing, but going through the manual (well written by the way) will quickly supply answers to any questions you may have.

   Low light capability is not as good as some others, but the camcorder works well in light ample to read by. By comparison with my Nikon FM (50mm F1.8), the Canon ZR-20 will do a good job
   down to what would be about 1/60 of a second on ISO 100. It will do a fairly decent job a couple of stops lower, but gets "grainy" at low light levels. Daylight however is excellent. I also found the still feature works well in daylight, but gets rather "grainy" in low light (like an old "GIF" at about 320x240). I'd guess in good light that stills work out to be about VGA level (640x480), which serves.

   This is not a digital camera, and if your major interest is in that direction, you'd be better off buying a regular digital camera. On the other hand the stills I've taken in daylight looked pretty good on a TV, and the recordings create images that are the equal of anything you can get off the air or from your local cable provider. This is using the video in and audio in jacks on a regular TV, as none of mine have the S-video feature. Which no doubt would be even better yet.

   Tape loading seems a bit slow, but I guess this is the way it is. Works OK, but my old VHS camcorder is a lot easier to load.

   Digital is definitely the way to go, and Canon optics seem to be
   pretty good. Lens is a F1.8-2.9 zoom with a range of 4mm to 40mm. I'd guess this works out to about 40mm to 400mm on a 35. The digital zoom can be set at two settings, one giving 40x and the other 200x. The 40x setting is very marginal, and the 200x is nothing but a waste of time. On the other hand the optical zoom is good, and you can shut off the digital zoom if you wish.

   If you're looking for a good small camcorder, this might be the one for you. It is small, but seems to be fairly well thought out except that the mike probably should have been mounted somewhere further away from the tape transport area...




4. I bought this camcorder to use for family and work purposes. It is very easy to use, and the picture quality is good. It was simple to connect to my tv for viewing. I haven't tried to connect it to my computer yet, but I will have to get a firewire adapter for my desktop first. No video editing program was included, so I will have to get one of those, too. Although basic, the ease of use and small size make this an ideal camcorder for my needs.



5. I would like to take this time and give my input about the Canon ZR 20 MiniDV. First off let me say that the size of this thing amazes me enabling me to fit it in my pants pocket (compared to my old vhs). There aren't that many high end features on this but for the basic everyday recording this is an excellent camera. Be aware that this DOES NOT have NIGHT VISION if you want it purchase the ZR-40 series. I purchased this at the [store] that sells mac computers. It cost me [money] and for [the same amount] at [a different store] i could have got the ZR-40 but they were out :(. Overall i really do like this camera not overpowered with features but does the job well (my first canon camera). From now on i'll stick with them in the future (Much better than JVC and SONY). Down the road I'll upgrade my pc to firewire for video editing, that looks pretty fun. But if yourlooking for a good quality camera with a GLASS lens not plastic like the others and something stylish and small than go with any of the Canon ZR Series (10,20,25mc,30mc,40,45mc,50,50mc)

   Hope this Helped in your camera buying experience!

5 comments about Sharp VLWD450U MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/2.5'' Viewfinder & Built-in Digital Still Mode.

1. People don't realize but this camera is one the best products in terms of value. It's nice size, light, and it let's you both input and out put composite and DV, so you can convert analog video to DV extremely easily. I even sometimes transfer DVD's to tapes so i can watch them on the road either on the large LCD screen or connecting it to the hotel TV.



2. too low quality

   From the beginning, the quality of the record is too low. I can't watch most of the time after recorded.




3. although this camcorder is a bit larger than most minidv camcorders now, it is not bulky and the recording quality is really nice. the zoom mic is really a bonus. I've been using it for almost three years without any problems. the only problem I had was "eject the tape" messages, after the dv tape gets stuck. Some shaking of the tape helps but not always. I assume this might be because of the tape rather than the camcorder.



4. All of the negative reviews of this product are true. It eats tapes, or makes them unusable at a certain point. I, too, was under warranty when this started to happen (after the first tape!). I had to send to to NY, and had to pay for the labor, which was half the price of the camera. When it finally came back, it did the same thing. I don't even know where to go with the lemon laws for this one.



5. I was extremely pleased with this camera when I first got it. It was a great bargain and I got a rebate, too! The features on it were amazing for the price and the video was quality was every bit as good as I expected, if not better. Then, after about a year of being exceedingly pleased with my purchase, my favorite toy started eating tapes. I get the famous EJECT CASSETTE message nearly every time I attempt to rewind now. About half of those times, the machine ends up messing up a part of the tape by getting it stuck in the mechanism. Then I have to carefully extract it myself and rewind manually. Even doing this causes some wear and tear on the tapes now because they just weren't made for winding and unwinding by hand and they sometimes end up getting stretched out a little too far in the process. If you've got the expendable cash and just need a full-featured camera to last you a little while, go for a Sharp. If you need something durable and want some actual bang for your buck, pay more for another brand. I'm waiting for the days when camcorders record onto hard drives... In the meantime, my next camcorder purchase for personal use will likely be a DVD-RAM model. Forget about tapes. But most of all, forget about Sharp.

4 comments about Sony DCMM1 Digital Camcorder with Builtin Digital Still Mode.

1. The resolution is excellent and there is absolutely no need to hook it up to a computer, as all of the editing can be done easily on the camera itself. You will need to link to the computer to download any stills taken. The instructions for connecting to a computer via ethernet were not easy, and keep in mind, a cross cable is needed. This mini-disks are a tad expensive and it can be a challenge in smaller cities and towns to locate them. These are not the mini-disks that are used on the home minidisk player.



2. I'm impressed of the design. I like the ideal of using disc instead of tape form. Waste no time for rewind/forward. Of course, the function r veri limited. Perhaps Sony should seriously re-evaluate the next disc cam in the near future. Hope that they launch 2nd generation mini-disc cam have IEEE or usb support, lower the price of the mini disc. Current disc data allow only 20mins of visual recording r really short. I am convince the disc can be compressed to higher grade. Depending on Ethernet port r not a veri ideal. Feature r great but concept r still veri conventional. Despite of this, this set has the x-factor. Great for taking lots of still pictures..



3. This is an excellent video camera, ahead of it's time in some aspects. However, it has some downsides.

   short recording time per disk
   disks available only in few online outlets
   no USB capability (has ethernet connection, but it's slow)
   uses "quicktime" output for video clips
   no "nightshot" capability
   unable to move files from one disk to another (I believe Sony offered a patch for this, but I was unable to find it)

   just to name a few

   here's some of the good sides of it...

   good resolution for video mode
   seemless and static free slow motion
   color viewfinder & large display screen
   touch screen interface with video editor
   ability to control each "track" as a file in moving it around in sequence
   S-video output
   compact size

   I'm believe at the time this camera was designed, it was outstanding, but today and a few years later, there have been some advancements in video cameras. I certainly hope Sony follows up this camera with another that records on disk or mini-disc, I'm not a fan of video tape. Though it is superior in capacity. Sony had the right idea on this, they just need to catch up with some better options on new models. I don't think people mind sacrificing a little bit on size as long as it has the options we want.




4. I received this camera as a gift last year in anticipation of the birth of our first child. It seemed cool enough. Native mpeg2 format, cool Java tools on-board, etc. Well, it's swell if you just want to jerk around with the camera, but there's no effective way to REMOVE video from the camera in digital format. The Amazon review talks of the ethernet connection. Yeeha. Guess what? No sound comes across with the ethernet connection. Additionally, the transfer rate is abysmal, even without the sound. So, you're left with the fabulous option of converting digital sound to analog and back to digital if you want to be able to get your video into a PC editor, or burn a DVD, or something crazy like that. Sony quickly discontinued this pile of crud and doesn't support it. There are currently no commerically available MD Data drives for your computer either. This thing is going on EBay asap. I, for one, will never purchase Sony again.

2 comments about Sony DCRPC3 Digital Camcorder.

1. This camcorder by Sony is awesome. The color and sharpness is unbelievable. This camcorder is very easy to get up and running. I highly recommend this product to amateurs as well as professionals. Recommendation: Strong Buy



2. I ordered this camera...I took it with me on my trip to Europe last summer and it was absolutely phenomenal. I filmed during the day and at night and all of my footage was great. I will say that i wished that I would have had another battery, but i managed to film each day (for 18 days) and it worked out well.

   You can review your footage by touching the screen lightly, it has a remote control, editing accessories and it weighs approximately a pound~! I walked all over Italy and it was really convenient to carry with me everywhere.

   I really think that this is a great camera and I highly recommend it if you're able to find it for a great price like i did.

5 comments about Canon Optura 600 4.3MP MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom.

1. I have used this camera only for a day or two. Picture quality is really good. The photo quality is great, almost as good as a stand alone digital camera.
   This camera is ideal for someone with small hand size. Otherwise please try it before you buy. The hand strap can be VERY uncomfortable. I have already felt it on the first day of use.
   Not a great feel to hold it. Other than that no major complaints so far.
   Please do not buy the SC 2000 case from Canon. That case is way too big for this tiny camera.



2. I purchased this video camera after looking at my old Sony Handycam (video 8!)CCD-F501 that looks like a cannon compared to this lil' pistol (awkward pun intended.) I finally decided that enough time had elapsed and it was time to get a decent camcorder. Around mid-December 2005 I was salivating at the recently released hard drive cameras but after some search found out that that was just the only innovation, the other features were just standard or less than par for the course, and for the kind of money they were asking? I would be darned if I went to my Paris trip w/o a decent camera. What sold me on the Optura was the combo video/camera features and all the technical stuff you can read above. I won't repeat them here.
   
   The Optura is surprisingly small and, as others have commented, if you have a hand shaped like a ham, this camera ain't for ya. I am 5'7", medium sized hand, the strap that wraps around the hand does not provide the best support when using the zoom. You can get used to it, but use both hands to steady the camera when zooming. Last week I went to J&R and bought a small tripod that when the legs are folded, it serves as a monopod, I intend to use it when I want to shoot without much camera shaking as I use the zoom.
   
   I haven't had the camera for too long, there's lots of features in this camera for the video and photo functions, you gotta read them fully to truly appreciate this jewel. At night, while taping around Notre Dame, I noticed light streaks emananting from every lampost in the neighborhood, and I was using the automatic setting, I gotta try a couple of other settings to get that right. At the Louvre, the guards now won't let you take pictures or tape inside the museum. Well, as long as you don't use the flash option for pictures, you can snap away unless they catch you. But at the Mona Lisa's new abode, man, those hounds are circling around making darn sure you are not taking pics or filming. Ha! Enter I & my Optura. Them Clouseaus never seen an Optura, I turned it on, partially obscured by my hand, held it close to my chest, they did not have a clue! If you want hundreds of feet (exaggerating . . .a bit) of mini-DV tape of La Gioconda, talk to me. That, right there, made it worth the $850 plus I paid for it. great picture, small package. And, of course, with a flick of a switch, presto, now you can take pictures! and not grainy, melting pics, no sir, great resolution pics if you want 8x10's of every darn pigeon from every piazza from here to Ulan Bator.
   
   I gave it a 4 outta 5 because of the awkward strap designed to steady one's hand. Must have been an afterthought.



3. I just got the Optura 600 yesterday and am shocked at how small it really is, I saw videos and photos online, but it doesn't do it justice till you see it in person. I am a big guy 6'3", it has taken a little getting use to compared to my old mini dv camera which was quite a bit bigger. I adjusted the hand strap and now it fits comfortable in my hand and I also feel like it is more stable than the other camera which has a traditional hold. I can operate all of the buttons that i need while shooting with 1 hand, but to change modes I must use my other hand, which is no big deal to me.
   
   I was mainly looking for a camcorder that took high quality video and high quality still photos and this camcorder delivers in both areas. I figured that the video was going to be great just from the reviews that I had read and it would be better than my old camcorder. I wasn't sure about the stills, I must say that I am thoroughly impressed that such a small device can do both functions so well. I also have a small canon elph 4.0 mega pixels that I have been extremely happy with. I would have to say the the stills taken with the Optura 600 are just as good if not better. I also love the fact that it is so easy and simple to switch between camcorder and digital camera mode, you just flip 1 switch and you are straight into high quality still mode.
   
   I really love the fact that it is such a small device, portability was another big deal to me. I wanted something that I could put in my cargo pocket and take with me to take video and photos of my kids when we are out. I can say that this will fit easily into my cargo pockets. I am so excited about being able to carry this camcorder with me just about anywhere and it not be a pain to carry. Anyone looking for a great hybrid camcorder this is without a doubt one of the best on the market if not the best. You won't be disappointed!!



4. I've been using a Canon Elura 2 for several years now, and have been amazed that it has taken so long to produce a better camcorder in the same small package. For a long time, the smallest camcorders have been bigger than the Elura 2. Finally, the Optura 600 is a worthwhile upgrade. Better video quality, better lens, better semi-pro features (exposure, etc.), full anamorphic 16:9, external mic input, and a great still camera mode.
   
   I've always liked the smallest camcorder available on the theory that if you don't have it with you, you can't take the videos. The Optura 600 is small, and really packs in the features.
   
   I did some extensive still photo comparisons with the Optura 600 still camera and my Canon Elph 500 (5 megapixels). Other than a slightly different color balance, it was nearly impossible to tell any significant difference. I also compared Super Fine vs. Fine mode, and actually thought the Fine mode had slightly better image quality. Just because the file size is bigger doesn't mean that the resultant photo is any better. I'd recommend you try the comparison yourself, but my choice is to keep it in Fine mode and not use the full SuperFine mode. This is a really great feature of the Optura 600 because you can really leave your digital still camera behind (which usually only have 3x or 4x optical zoom) and use the very nice 10x optical zoom.
   
   For anyone who has any intent of editing, miniDV tape is much better than miniDVD. The quality (and bitrate) is far better, and most editing software works much better with this format. And shoot your videos in 16:9. Even if you don't have a widescreen TV now, you will before you know it, and you'll appreciate the fact your videos are in the modern format. The Optura 600 uses the whole image sensor for 16:9, so you aren't losing any image quality.
   
   My main complaint is the lack of an external battery charger, but this seems to be the trend these days. It is amazing that they can fit the battery charging logic into the camcorder body, but I really like to have an external charger to charge one battery while I use a second. You can get one for under $30, but they really ought to give you one in the package.
   
   (All the comments about it being uncomfortable to hold seem to fail to take into account that this is a small camera. The hand hold design is the same as the old Elura 2 - you hold it at an angle with your thumb on the record button, and your index or middle finger on the zoom. Your ring and little finger wrap around the front. With the great new still camera mode, I find it better to use the middle finger for zoom and the index finger for the shutter release. But the design works as well as you could hope for in such a small camera. Left handed folks may have a bit more trouble, but that is true for most camcorders.)
   
   If you've been waiting to upgrade your camcorder, this is a good choice. You'll get great MiniDV quality (suitable for editing to high quality DVD) and a really great still camera in one package. The video will look good on HD widescreen TVs. Maybe in a few years high def camcorders will be small, cheap, and easy to edit and produce to HD-DVD, but for now, this is much more practical, and will give you very good quality video. And it is so small, you might actually take it with you.
   
   Update: I just took this camera on vacation, and I love it even more. I carried only this camera most of the time, and could take both video and photos as needed. While the still camera takes great pictures, it is a bit slow on startup and between picture cycle time. Also, there is a noticible lag between pushing the button and taking the photo, so it is critical to use the "push the button down half-way" feature to pre-focus. If you do this, then there is no delay. But it was just fantastic to have the 10x lens, and a great photo and video camera in one small unit.



5. I have owned this camera for a couple of weeks. I purchased it to videotape dance concerts, and I was ecstatic over the quality of the video I took at my university's recent annual concert. By manually adjusting the exposure, I was able to avoid the 'ghosting' that usually happens under the lights. I was worried about the low light capability, but the picture was stunning in a dark theater with stage lighting, even on darkly lit pieces. The widescreen capability made for a really beautiful shot of the stage. I also took some absolutely amazing stills from back stage, the quality of which are every bit as good if not better than what I could have taken on my Elph.
   
   I have owned several Canon cameras and I've always been pleased with the quality of the pictures I've taken with them. They are always easy to use and have lots of options to make photographs more interesting. This camcorder is no exception. I couldn't be happier.
   
   The lens cover is a downside, it would be better if it were retractable, but I think the camera is just too small to accommodate it. I would also suggest purchasing the separate battery charger. Without it you have to charge the battery on the camera. I also chose to purchase an extra battery and an upgraded memory card. Outside of the cover and the battery charger, this camera is everything I hoped it would be and more.

5 comments about Sony DCRVX2000 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Memory Stick & BuiltIn Digital Still Mode.

1. Another reviewer here with his facts mixed up about this cam's preformance , said the Blair Witch was shot with the VX1000(almost same ability as vx2000)and that it has edge bleeding problems. Blair Witch was shot with a Hi-8 camcorder (with some 16mm shots). Not with the Sony vx1000 or with any DV camera.

   Some claim the VX2000 is dated (like sales people and others inexperienced types). While that may be partially true
   for videographers, this is far from the truth for filmmakers. I own the newer Sony PDX10, the best widescreen resolution than any other cam under 10 grand. But the VX2000 is Fantastic for low-light shooting(2lux!)

   while the new trv950 and pdx10 have over 1 megapixel per chip (3 times more than the VX), VX2000's color performandce is virtually the same.

   The PDX10 and TRV950 are great for outdoor and well-lit shots. But neither come even close to the VX2000 for "low-light performance", which is the most important feature for moody, cinematography-style lighting. It get's down to VX's larger 1/3 chips.

   For serious indoor filmmaking and if you're set on using a 3ccd cam, then only consider a Canon XL1 or a VX2000 and nothing else. And forget the dvx100 in my opinion. It doesnt shoot widescreen at all. The DVX shoots in 24p for going out to film but with 25% less resolution than xl1 or vx2k because it does not pick up any extra pixels in widescreen mode.

   If you need an interchangeable lens unit, go with the XL1. But if not, you'll save $$$ with the vx2000. The VX2000 is still the best DV filmmaking prosumer machine out of the box.




2. I've had a Sony TRV-27 for about a year and a half now. It a good general purpose miniDV camera; however, low-light performance is not its forte (even with a video light). I shoot mostly home (family) video - much of it indoors and often after the sun goes down. By most accounts, the VX-2000 has very good low light capabilities; however, I was on the fence for quite some time because of the size and weight of the unit (roughly twice the size and weight of my TRV-27). After owning my VX-2000 for a couple of months now, I can only say I wish I'd bought one sooner. Yes it is heavier and bulkier than the TRV-27 but I don't find it unmanageable. As I generally try to keep video clips under 5 minutes, I have not had any problems. If I plan to shoot anything longer, I generally use a tripod anyway (same goes for the TRV-27). The picture quality is outstanding - even my wife who was VERY skeptical about this purchase was blown away when she saw some video taken indoors with very dim lighting. For the record, the VX-2000 also takes great video outdoors and in good lighting conditions. Overkill for home videos? Maybe - but it's tough to put a price on precious family memories. With the VX-2100 now available (which offers very, very little in the way of additional performance/capability), now might be the time to pickup a VX-2000 while you still can. Highly recommended.



3. i am a producer/camera operater and this is one of my favern cameras in the studio i would love to have one for my home. i felm sports, in studio tack shows movies and other things for tv brodcast it has great pixlization and i love it.



4. I know this camera is a favorite of most people out there, but I have used this camera and was not super impressed. It is a pretty damn good camera, don't get me wrong, and for the price, it is very competitive. Price aside, I would recommend either the Canon XL1 or the Panasonic DVX-100 over this camera. I have been on set with all three cameras many times and have found that the DVX has produced the most pleasing results and has the most amount of useful features for true cinematography.
   
   On the up side, this is the camera that has been used for some movies released that are a little lower budget. This camera has been around long enough now that it is beginning to become noticeably outdated, so unless the price is right, try something else.



5. I was an absolute novice when I was introduced to this camcorder at my job as Tech Teacher in a K-8 school. The last time I had filmed anything was with a super 8mm recorder back in the 70's!
   
   You know what I hear from my colleagues and parents? "Wow, those are great videos!" ""The quality is amazing." "I wish I could have my videos turn out like yours."
   
   Trust me, folks. It's not me. It's this camcorder. The quality of the image, the steadycam compensation for the less than steady hand, the prompts to turn on a light filter in glaring outdoor lighting environments, and the richness and depth of color, even (and especially) under low light conditions is nothing short of beautiful.
   
   I imagine that I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of what this camcorder can do. With my use of digital editing software, I probably won't use many of the camcorders built-in editing features like titling and fades/dissolves. I am resolved to try out it's time-lapse feature soon, however.
   
   The transfer to/from a computer via firewire is effortless with common video editing programs like Pinnacle Studio or Adobe Premiere. Having a second hard disk devoted solely to video editing and storage is recommended.
   
   The built-in mic is more than adequate for most situations, and the Intelligent Accessory Shoe allows other mics to be used. Be aware, though, that because this unit is "old" by the blurred time standard of modern technology, some newer Sony mics aren't compatible with this cams Intelligent Accessory Shoe.
   
   This camcorder is not mini or lightweight. It may not be for you if you want to travel lightly. I learned the hard way when I filmed about 40 mins of a basketball game without a tripod. I could barely use my arm the following day! Buy a tripod already!
   
   With that in mind, if you really want rich memories preserved during that 3 candle birthday party, or just about any ligting situation, you must have this camcorder.

5 comments about JVC GR-DVL300U Digital Camcorder.

1. Picture quality is good but the image stabilization is very bad. I purchased this camera a week ago and decided to return it and get Canon Optura Pi, since Optura Pi has the optical stabilizer.



2. This is my first camcorder, and I'm having a ball with it! It's so easy to use, and I love the snapshot feature that allows me to take a snapshot image in the midst of recording, and it even throws in a little shutter click sound for effect! Maybe I'm easy to please, as I have no prior camcorder experience, and therefore no preconceived notions as to performance. But the picture looks great, and the sound is decent. I'm basically just using this for family purposes, and it serves me well!



3. I've had this camcorder for about 3 years now and it's been a nice addition. The battery life is fair (roughly an hour), and the picture quality is above average. I say that because it doesn't pick up all the details on pictures that you'd get from say just a digital camera. I like how the flashlight in the front actually does a good job and doesn't light things to a minimal effect. Dark rooms light the heck up once you switch that sucker on. The digital screen shows everything perfectly (for its size that is) and you won't have any trouble making sure you're getting everything or not. The sound is pretty good as well. Even when talking close to the speaker on it, I rarely got fuzz or any other weird effects added to voices. There's also a snapshot feature which isn't excactly innovative, but nice if you'd rather take a quick picture instead of taping something for a few seconds. Keep in mind that when you tape something, even after you see the status change to "REC", a second or two might get cut out. With the snapshot though, you don't get the full image because of a white border around the image. So be careful there.
   
   What's keeping it from 5 stars are three things. One of which might be obvious and I just wasn't aware of it. The cable it came with isn't for use with my eMac. So I don't know if Mac users are just screwed here or what. But it'd be nice if I could find out where to get a cord for it if I can in fact use it with my computer. It was just fine with my PC when I still had it, and there were no problems. Another thing being the lack of a headphone jack. The last con about this product is the same thing everyone here keeps mentioning- the "head clean" message. Why this appears, I don't know. Everything can be taping just fine, and then all of a sudden, the message flashes on the screen. If this does happen, then you can forget about what it is you just taped, because it deletes it for some reason. I've lost a ton of priceless moments thanks to this. And sometimes when I put in a tape, it just won't do anything. Like when I pop in an older one to view something and go to the play mode and hit one of the buttons (play, rewind, fast forward, etc.), nothing happens. It'll just stay on the blue screen until I take the tape out over and over. It's very annoying. But this could be due to the fact that I've used the camera so much. I never got this problem the first 2 years I had it. And yes, I used those cleaning tapes, which worked at first. But now, nothing's helping out much. It's a game of chance half of the time. And now that I think about it, the buttons are delicate. Right now, the stop button is very fidgety, and I can't tell if I activated a button or not unless I watch the screeen. This is most likely due to the number of times the camera's been dropped. Yes, I see that saying that right there may result in the head cleaning messages, but everyone else on here seems to get that message regardless of if their camera(s) has taken a few bumps or not.
   
   In the end though, I liked this camera up until it gave me the stupid messages to clean it. Maybe it's just a production error with the first wave of cameras, maybe not. It's great for beginners though, and a good start to building a nice photo gallery. You can see the quality of some of the pictures at http://photos.yahoo.com/mujaheddin_nagi. Mostly being of myself and things in my home. As you can see, the quality is pretty good, but it could be a little sharper. I look forward to getting another JVC digital camcorder in the future. They're great products.



4. I purchased my JVC DSL300U new back in 2000. I bought the extended warranty for an extra chunk of change. I couldn't be more unhappy with the product and so I am leaving these commments. It is an expensive camera and it if would have worked some of the time over the last 5 years I would have been happy with it. The largest problem is that it flashes the message "HEAD CLEANING REQUIRED" "USE CLEANING CASSETTE". When this happens it does not work. Cleaning does not help. I have had it into the repair shop every time I tried to use it and it would work on average of 10 minutes to 30 minutes after I got it back. Often the authorized repair shop would say they could find nothing wrong or to try JVC tapes. I have only used JVC tapes in the camera. There is also the message E04 that tells you to remove and reinstall the battery. Lets be honest, removing and reinstalling the battery does absolutely nothing to fix the problem. I have taken very good care of it and it has NEVER been dropped. When I have actually thought is was recording and later looked at what I recorded birthday / holiday, I found out that it did not work correctly. Wide horizontal red and lines and no sound is not my idea of a good recording. Maybe you think I got a lemon. I did a web search on google with the following: JVC "head cleaning required" . I found out that all of the JVC mini DV cameras have the same problem and I am not alone. Do the search yourself before you buy any JVC video camera. Consumer reports November 2004, page 29 rates JVC mini DV as the worst in repairs and serious problems. It also rates JVC VHS-C as the worst for repairs and serious problems. You have been warned. Good luck!



5. I have this Camera from the year 2000 and work perfecly. Im very happy whith this. JVC is a great product.

5 comments about JVC Everio GZMC100 2MP 4 GB Microdrive Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom.

1. It has all the perfect features, but one down-site is Zoom noise. The noise appear when you recording at a quiet place and zoom in/out fast. I think the mic is too close to the lens motor.



2. I bought this camcorder at Bargain ultimate through Amazon. It was delivered to me as promised and I got everything as I expected. I realy like this camcorder. It's so convienent to carry and shoot.



3. I run trails. I need three features in a camcorder:
   
   1. Shockproof and weatherproof. I've trashed two Mini DV camcorders, sending each back to the factory twice for repairs. Tape drives can't handle bouncing in a backpack. Also they can't handle rain.
   
   2. Small and light.
   
   3. Good picture quality. Mostly I pull still photos out of the video. For running, as with most sports, shooting 30 frames per second instead of 1 or 2 frames per second with a still camera is the difference between getting the right shot or getting almost the right shot. As Mark Twain wrote, the difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. I'd rather have a 0.3-megapixel video still of the right shot than 8 megapixels of almost the right shot.
   
   When MPEG camcorders (which record onto memory cards, not tape) came out I looked at three: the Panasonic SV-AV100, the Samsung SC-X105L, and the JVC Everio GZ-MC100U. I ruled out the Samsung because it records only low-quality MPEG4, not the better quality MPEG2. The Panasonic is smaller and lighter (6 ounces) than the JVC (11 ounces), but the JVC can also shoot 2 megapixel still photos. The Panasonic has a 1/6" CCD and a smaller lens. The JVC has a 1/3" CCD and a somewhat bigger lens. I presumed that the JVC would have better picture quality than the Panasonic. (Panasonic recently announced the better-quality SDR-S100.)
   
   I've used the JVC for a month. In general it's pretty good. I have several video stills that are just the right moment. In one, a woman winks at a friend. In sports shots I captured the athletes at just the right times. The pictures are good enough to use for most anything. And the camcorder is small enough that I have no excuse not to bring it with me everywhere.
   
   On the downside, the video colors are always somewhat weak, even in daylight.
   In low light the colors desaturate to black and white. This is good because you can shoot video in quite low light. The 2-megapixel stills have better color but still look a bit "off." The lens is acceptable except for high-contrast subjects, such as branches against a bright sky, where it completely loses detail. No, this camcorder doesn't look as good as my big camcorder or my still camera, but it looks acceptable, and it's with me when the big camcorder and camera are left at home.
   
   The biggest problem in my pictures is slow shutter speed. If I use the 10x zoom handheld I get motion blur. Sports subjects are often moving so fast that they blur. The shutter speed isn't adjustable but my guess is that it's always shooting at 1/30 of a second, to give the CCD enough light.
   
   The JVC also works as a voice recorder. This feature works extremely well.
   
   Downloading the video to a Macintosh requires the free application "MPEG Streamclip" plus Apple's $30 MPEG2-Quicktime coder. Importing to iMovie becomes a 2-step process. No big deal.



4. Pros:
   Its really small. I mean small. It will fit in most medium size camera cases.
   
   The still pics are acceptable. I have a sony p41 4.1MP and it comes close. With the 10x zoom I dare say it's more usefull than no zoom and more than makes up for pixels.
   
   It is extremely simple to use and to figure out.
   
   The .mod files really are simple to use and transfer. I bought a card reader and can burn dvd straight from the microdrive. The dvd does not have to be 'rendered' unless you add effect or modify the files. This saves sooooo much time! There is some processing time in making the menu but way faster than time for time because it records in the actual format that ends up on the DVD.
   
   There is a shutter setting for low light condition that saves this camera from being useless in many indoor conditions. The draw back is slightly less accuracy in movement. Movement will blur past 1/30 shutter speed but its better than looking at black and 1/30 is actually a pretty darn good compromise between light and action.
   
   Microdrive/ compact flash and Secure digital formats are getting cheaper and cheaper so you can expect to achieve great recording times. There is an economy setting that does 5 hours on 4G, that's better than mpeg 4 at 30 fps! And the quality is only slightly worse than the highest setting!! I can't see needing more memory than 4GB.
   
   The 10x Zoom is good and is touch sensitive so you can zoom really slow or fast. I bought a .45 wide lens and a 2x zoom lens that will expand its capabilies. Both lenses were $50 on ebay. I got the Camera for $375 on ebay and there don't seem to be many around.
   
   In my opinion the 4GB microdrive is a way better medium than the mini DVD format because there are no recurring costs and the full size dvds that you end up burning are cheaper and you won't have one event spread out on three mini dvds. I'm also guessing that there is a much lower error rate on the flash memory than a spinning disk. It was tuff to pass on all the new mini dvd cams comming out but I'm really glad I did because of the 1hour limit. Of course with the 1 hour battery limit your still changing something out in the middle of taping. Still better than minidvd though.
   
   Cons:
   
   In medium light conditions the auto focus is kind of slow. It can 'hunt' or lose focus for up to a few seconds. Kind of lame but it doesn't happen all the time and it can be manually focused in challenging environments. I'm sure other cameras do a lot better than this in autofocus.
   
   Don't expect good low light results on automatic settings, you won't like it.
   
   There is definately a heat issue with this unit. I have not recorded long time periods but the manual says it shuts down if it gets too hot. I kept it on for an hour goofing around and heat was definately concerning. I think the source is the battery but as long is it stays on and records I'll forgive it.
   
   Battery life is not impressive. Youll get 50minutes to over an hour on a battery so if you want to fill the memory in one outing buy two extra batteries. The battery life is actually the average among camcorders but the draw back on this unit is you can't buy a buff aftermarket battery because of the size restraint. You have to expect some comprimise because of the size though.
   
   The screen size is also kind of small as far as camcorders go but I'm okay with that as I get no enjoyment out of even the biggest screens, I just want to get it to DVD and sit on the couch. I do wish you could close the screen and maybe save battey life while recording, but that turns the unit off. I put it on a small tripod and record a live performance so I don't need to monitor anything.
   
   While this unit is amazingly small and will most certainly make it to events that you might not want to look like a tourist at, it seems very dense. It's got some metal in there or something and I would be very scared to drop it unlike featherwieght digital cameras of the same size.
   
   If your a video quality freak you might not want to get into this camera. The colors while acceptable are dull and I'm sure the cheapest miniDV cam looks better though you might end up a library of miniDVs that require too much labor to get to DVD.
   
   Start up time is about 7 to 10 seconds from power off to record. That's really not that bad but not as good as many digital cameras, and if your johny on the spot looking to film the next rodney king video you might want to consider this.
   
   Conclusion:
   
   If size and convenience is what you want than this camera will fit the bill. If you want this to compete in low light and video quality with similiar priced miniDV camcorders, none of the mpeg2 cameras can come close in price/quality. I'm sure the technology has not matured yet so I wouldn't pay new full price for this, that would be crazy.
   
   Overall I'm blown away by this thing because it does the job of a digital camera and a camcorder to a very acceptable degree and I'm more concerned with size portability and convenience than impressing Speilburg with video quality so it's a match made in heaven for me. Again I would not pay pay full new price for this 'about to mature' technology but if you can find one in good condition for close to 400 or less your in for a great experience!



5. I've had this unit for about 2 weeks now, and I really like the convenience of its size and digital file transfer, but I'm very disappointed with its color performance. In less-than-ideal lighting conditions, the image is dark and the color is very washed out. With bright ambient lighting, it's acceptable, though not nearly as vivid as my old Sony Digital 8mm. I concur with most of the cons already mentioned here, including the slow boot-up time and mode switching between video, photo, and voice recorder.
   
   I've also had numerous instances when it has trouble locking focus on a subject. This is annoying, and from my experience so far, I don't feel that the manual focus options are easy enough to make an override effective in these cases.
   
   Battery life is short. With my limited use so far, I do not feel that it would last an entire hour under normal use. In three days, I got about three 10-minute sessions on a single charge. Sure, it may have lost a little charge over the course of a few days, but under the circumstances, I consider this very short battery life. However, I did notice that there are eBay sellers selling knock-off batteries and chargers for very attractive prices.
   
   The included software, though extremely basic, makes it easy to quickly create a DVD. Using the provided templates, you can make a DVD with a simple menu, chapters, photo slideshow, and transitions in just (10) minutes (not including recording time).
   
   Overall, I would have no MAJOR complaints with this cam if it weren't for the low light/color problem. I consider the other issues to be relatively minor. Personally, I wouldn't value this unit over $300, considering the quality of most cams out there these days. But, for the price I paid ($240 special at ABC Wharehouse), I may keep it just because its small size gives me no excuse for not taking a camcorder everywhere I go with my young son. Elusive memories captured in sub-par color are better than missed memories any day!

5 comments about Samsung SCL906 Hi8 Camcorder.

1. If you're just wanting a camcorder and don't want to spend alot of money, this camera is wonderful. The Samsung SCL906 is similar to its advanced counterparts only without the whistles and bells. It still has great features, like special effects (strobe, mirror, negative, etc), digital zoom, lcd screen, zoom, fade, all the goodies. The only problem I have is that it's hard to find a car adapter for it. I've looked all over the internet and all over the stores and can't find one. If you plan on taking a trip with this camera and want ALOT of video, it might just be wiser to purchase a second battery... or a third. :)



2. This Samsung is a very good camera for the price, but somewhat dated. Since there is no USB connection, you can not record DVD's of your images on a computer. Go ahead and get a Samsung Mini DV model and you'll be much more prepared for the future. By the way, these are made in China now rather than Korea.



3. I was very happy to get this camera, and it's a great camera for the price, easy to use, etc. I especially like the "easy" setting which allows you to just point and shoot without having to worry about fussing with settings. Also, the "snapshot" setting is really nice. Only problem I had was when I accidentally dropped it from a height of about 2 feet or so because I was carrying a bunch of other stuff in from the car. Since then, it is eating the tapes! Hopefully this is just a minor adjustment that the warranty will take care of. I wonder if all cameras are this fragile (I suspect they are). That's the only reason I don't give it a "5" rating. Still, I would recommend this camera to anyone who doesn't want to spend $6-900 on the new DVD cameras. Please note that the SCL907 model includes true still-picture function and a USB port and cable and software which allow easy copying of STILL pictures to your computer. The SCL906 doesn't have this, but you can transfer or view your movies from either model via the yellow "video out" cable connection (analog?). Since I already have a digital camera, copying still pictures doesn't matter to me anyway.



4. Let me tell you about the Camcorder. The truth about it. This camcorder is not worth your money. The battery allways dies so quick, and there is no way of this camcorder to be hooked up to the computer! Even if you where to purchase any extra parts. If you are looking for a camera to just hold and claim you have a camera, its a good product to get. But if you really want to use it more then once then i suggest not to get it.



5. I got this camera as a gift and was not really even expecting it for christmas. When I got that bad boy out and started filming I was amazed at the picture clarity. It has tons of settings that you can film with: 16:9 widescreen, B&W, etc... has a nice LCD screen and also comes with a viewfinder. I love to use the remote to generate shots that I can include my self in.
   Overall: I thinks it is a very nice camera and the price is exceptional.

5 comments about JVC GRD72 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/16x Optical Zoom.

1. This is a cute little perfect camera. Other than the fact that the CCD Base Assembly needed replacement after a few months (generating a LENS CAP ON error even though it's not in place), it has always been an excellent camera. As far as the CCD, just call the 800 number mentioned above, give them your serial number and other pertinent info and you're set. I live near the factory in Cypress and I had camera back in one week! That's service! And it was free!



2. I thought my JVC Digital Camera was handy, easy to use and worked pretty well for what it was... then one day at my daughter's ballet show, I turned it on (I made sure I charged it all night) and it wouldn't record. It kept saying that the lens cap was on. I am so frustrated and sad. I spent a good chunk of money on this item and don't know what happened... still don't have a way of recording my daughter's milestones....
   
   Don't buy it, if you have other options.



3. Junk. You will get a lens cap error in about a year or so, where it will tell you lens cap is on and you will not be able to record anymore.



4. camcorder works as expected, nothing too wonderful but is what I wanted. the still pics are a little fuzzy, but it the rest of the features are easy to use. I use it for track and field filming. I have many different kids use it with little trouble.



5. JVCs are great if you don't need any accessories or never need customer service. if you do you are in trouble. I bought a JVC video recorder last year and despite it being new it came without most of the accessories offered with it--things you'll probably need such as the cable to connect it to the TV and the one to connect it to the computer. I had to buy each of these for $40 each--they would not ship them, and also had to buy the software that was supposed to come with the camera. after all that, the leads broke and the camera started eating tape. the customer service was useless and I finally just threw it out. I had owned this JVC product for less than a year and will never buy another one.