5 comments about Sony DCR-DVD108 DVD Handycam Camcorder with 40x Optical Zoom.

1. The unit workered fine until the LCD screen failed. The camcorder was still under warranty for parts and labor. (90 days) I only got the run-around from Sony. They had me send it to the repair center at my cost to reair it. After numerous phone calls, they refused to fix it under warranty. They thought it was damaged by being dropped. All I did was turn it on and it failed without physical damage. That was their out and wanted to charge me $211 for labor. I will never buy from Sony again because of their lack of service and warranty.



2. This video camera is light-weight and small enought to tote around. It's easy to use and takes great video!



3. Initially, I loved this camera.
   
   Pros:
   EXCELLENT video quality. Absolutely stunning imagery.
   Great zoom-in for extreme close-ups.
   Long-lasting battery that charges quickly.
   LCD screen is good quality.
   
   BUT it died within a year of purchase, inconveniently AFTER the manufacturer's warranty expired. After the first ninety days, the camera stopped recording on DVD-RW (even the more expensive ones made specifically by Sony), bringing up an error message that said the disc was dirty or corrupted, even if the disc was brand-new out of package. A few months after that, it would not record on ANY type of disc and refused to even play back the ones that had already been recorded.
   
   Worst of all, because I did not purchase any extended warranty, Sony has a flat-rate repair policy that would be 211.00 specifically for this model, REGARDLESS OF WHATEVER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. It doesn't matter if they just had to blow air in around the lens, I would still have to pay nearly two-thirds of the purchase price to fix it.
   
   My advice:
   If you're adamant about buying a camcorder that records onto DVDs, regardless of which brand you decide on, purchase an extended warranty plan.
   If you don't really care what your camcorder stores your memories on, go for something that doesn't rely on laser capability which is more pricey to repair (or they'll pretend it is and jag up prices for it).



4. This was a gift for my boyfriend and he loves it. Its easy to use, the quality of the picture is great for the price, and its small enough to bring anywhere. FYI it does not come with any of the discs.



5. I have had it for over a year now and love the quality and ease of use. It produces great family videos!
   
   My only complaint is that it's hard to find compatible video editing/burning software. I finally found Sony Vegas Movie Studio 8 with Dvd Architect 4.5 This software is necessary to make great family dvds with this camera. Try the free download at sony before you buy.
   
   Would definately recommend!

5 comments about Panasonic Pro AG-DVX100B 3-CCD MiniDV Proline Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom.

1. It really doesn't need much review.. everyone would tell you is a great camera.
   I use for tv channel material as well as training videos, etc.
   Is the best you can get without spending $4000+



2. This is the camera you need to shoot videos, movies, commercials, shorts, weddings, sporting events, family gatherings, and just about everything else in between. I own several formats of movie cameras both video and film and have worked with just about every brand and type of Prosumer and normal grade camcorders around and this is by far the best thing since film. It can look any way you want it to, if you know what your doing, and have a few extra bucks for attachments and learning booklets and or dvd's. Nobody said making movies was easy, but its the greatest job a person could ever have or dream for. This camera records 16:9 similar to but less than HD quality but with a great film look. If you buy the panasonic anamorphic adapter it adds the ever so famous dof look that every movie has. Over all this is the best digital 24p film quality movie camera for under $5000.



3. this camera suprised me with how good it was, i knew it had been used in tv before, and in a few films, but i had no idea what i had gotten myself into. the image quality on this is beyond anything else. and the built in microphone does wonders. only flaw i have about it is the zoom. this camera comes with a 10x optical zoom. which is still nice, and i dont know how much more zoom i really need, but it would be nice to have 20x. but for the price you pay. you cant go wrong



4. I bought my first DVX100b around May-June 07, and my second this April of 08. Impressed enough to buy a second one.
   But really this camera is a well rounded DV camera. Its about as good as you can get with out going HD.
   The shots are solid as well as the quality of image. It does not take much to learn the controls, yet in no way is it consumer level technology. Between the white balance controls, the light gain levels, and the 3 filter settings this camera can adapt to a wide range of settings. The color and clarity of the image is brilliant but where the DVX100 really impressed me was in low light conditions. I am a wedding videographer and I was terrified of the reception because theres usually very little lighting and the footage looks black. The DVX100b can keep a good quality image while in very low lighted settings.
   The only problem I really had was when I first used it, it was difficult to keep a steady shot. Still with practice over time it becomes easy to hold and have a steady shot.
   Above all this camera is freindly for those who have never used a pro camera before, and customizable enough to fit even the best of professional videographers. I recommend this camera to any videographer out there, I especially recommend this camera for those that are beginning and need a camera that can hold you together until you get your style down.



5. I bought this camera on Amazon with $[...] Panasonic rebate. the item quality build is top notch. Look very professional.
   -Pro : Image quality is excelent with Leica lense, sound quality with XLR connector built in -48V , no external -48V needed, 24P is main buy of this camera, I used to have GS400 this is big upgrade for me, thanks for the DVXUSER.COM that offers a lot of information you can learn from that.
   -Con : personally I think not good for travel due to the weight of the camera if you have a strong arm then will be OK. Because during traveling you do not carry tripot and carry camera long time that make your arm get tired. I use the GS400 for travel.
   Conclusion : excellent image quality , quality of sound, decent zoom, only minor problem is the weight factor for me.

5 comments about Canon ZR800 MiniDV Camcorder with 35x Optical Zoom.

1. I am satisfied with the camera. I only wish it came with a cable to hook up with my PC.



2. Canon ZR800 MiniDV Camcorder with 35x Optical ZoomThe camera is easy to use. The battery requires no separate charger which is very convenient. The image quality is excellent.



3. Canon ZR800 MiniDV Camcorder with 35x Optical Zoom I just purchased this camera and It is great. It is not at all like some reviews said. The cassette goes in and out smoothly, and it is quiet running. You do have to read the instruction booklet as it has vital information on how to set up and use this little camera. All and all it is worth the price.



4. If you don't want to spend much and also desire a good audio and video quality..then this would be a perfect buy. I read in the other reviews about the motor noise problem. It is true that you can hear motor noise during playback and recording of video. But, once you get used to the noise and notice the good quality of video recording, it should not be a big problem. Overall, a good camcorder for low budget.



5. This camcorder is excellent. It was everything that was advertised. I would highly recommed it to anyone.

5 comments about JVC GR-DA30US MiniDV Camcorder with 30x Optical Zoom.

1. I decided to get one and It is really to cool to work with. the sellers for me was the shooting modes and the sound being stereo 16 Bit As I am a musician . never had a problem with it.



2. This is a good little camera for the price. The picture quality is a little lacking compared to some of the more higher priced cameras, but with that said it is worth the cost. I have had this unit for about 2 months and I am happy with the camera. Great cheap camera to take on hiking or camping trips where you might worry about damaging a more exspensive camera. Good camera also for someone who may want a camera around for just occasional and dosen't want to tie up a alot in something that get's used 3 times a year.



3. My grandaughter saved all her babysitting money because
   she had wished for a camcorder for a long time. She
   found the fairest price shopping online at Amazon.
   She is extremely pleased with the product and I am happy
   to have been a help in getting her wish.
   Thanks again,
   Ann



4. I love this video camera. I really can't say anything more than that. It is great. It has a ton of features. So easy to operate. So light weight and compact. I love this video camera. Oh! I already said that. So it on another website, but it was refurbished, so I came to Amazon and it was only 20 dollars more new, so I bought. Can't complain.



5. I bought this camcorder bcuz I have relocated in Asia and wanted to be sure I could save some of the fabulous views here. I have enjoyed the ease of operation and the quality of the recordings. I'm very happy with my choice of this product.

5 comments about Canon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom.

1. I've used this camera for 6 years. Last year I started getting intermittant "Remove the Cassette" messages. I wish I had captured the outstanding three recorded tapes onto my PC then. Instead I recorded another 45 minutes. Now, the error message is solid, no matter which tape I use.
   
   My experience with Canon in the past has taught me not to waste the time or the money to bother having this repaired. (I spent about $700 having my previous Canon Camcorder repaired. It worked a few weeks and died again each time.)
   
   Having gone to the web to research this bug, I'm convinced fixing this one will be an expensive and time consuming exercise in futility. (6 weeks plus turn around! and Canon won't tell how much the average repair cost is. Check the web .. $500+ )
   
   Lesson learned. I'll be shopping a different manufacturer. Sony? JVC? Never again Canon.



2. Great camera , Great price. Bought this camera for my 16 year old son. He makes skateboard videos also tapes games for High School sporting events.
   After editing on his computer the finished product looks very professional!
   The camera is used daily and is very durable.No Complaints from him at all! Canon GL2 Mini DV 3 CCD Camcorder & 1GB Pro Opteka Accessory Kit



3. If you are looking into buy this camera....DON'T. get the Sony HDR-A1U High-Def camera it's 20x times better,newer,same price and High-Def.if you buy the GL2 you will get the "remove the cassette" warning after about a year of use!!!!!



4. I love the camera, however i've been having firewire problems with it since i got it.At first i thought it was my software-not,then the firewire itself-not.It is the port on the camera that is the problem. the conncection doesn't seem to complete the interface and it flashes 'dv in'and never stays connected,needless to say this is frustrating.I have to use another camera to upload footage into my editing program-is anyone else having this problem?



5. I bought 2 GL2s new 4 years ago and have used them extensively in weddings, stage productions, sports camps, live events, training, interviews, and in every way imaginable except underwater and for video thats inappropriate for all ages. I even take them on vacation!
   
   They have worked flawlessly in every instance. I can't say that the low light performance is stellar, but I have never had any sort of failure or lock-up. SO......why do some complain of cassette errors. I can't say for sure, but I suspect that it is because they fail to adhere to one simple tenent that professionals live by--ALWAYS USE THE SAME TAPE. NEVER SWITCH! The issue is that manufacturers use different methods or formulations of lubrications on tapes. Mixing brands can lead to all sorts of problems as the incompatible lubricants can form a paste that "gums up the works."
   
   Perhaps I have been lucky, but perhaps my diligence avoids problems other experience.
   
   It is a great camera. Do not be concerned about the tape transport--be concerned about the quality and brand of tapes you use, and you will enjoy many years of incredible video. Other thoughts:
   
   -While I have several wireless and shotgun mics for "business," I can recommend the Canon DM10 for casual work. The on-cam mics are not bad, but they are omni-directional. The DMS-10 provides a narrower field of sensitivity.
   
   -I also own the WD-58 wide-angle lens. It is sharp! No worries with fall-off. Just be sure to remove any filters you have on the camera first.
   
   -While there may be better deals out there, it is difficult to believe that anything works better than the ZR1000 Wired Remote Control. I love them!

3 comments about JVC GR-D850 MiniDV Camcorder with 35x Optical Zoom.

1. The sound and video quality is amazing! I am very impressed by the quality of the image and sound even at night. There is no blurring when panning around either, but at night its performance slightly suffers. Sometimes it takes a few seconds to focus correctly at night from switching from close to distant objects, but it is crystal clear. The sound is GREAT. Its easy to use, easy to hold.
   
   In order to place taped videos to the PC, you need a Fire Wire port on your computer, a 6pin to 4pin fire wire cable, and a lot of hard drive space. One hour is about 14 gigs when transfered 100% uncompressed. After editing and compression though the file size is very manageable.
   
   **For every minute you record it takes one minute to transfer to the PC**
   
   If I had payed 350 dollars for this, I would still be amazed. Its the steal of the year, so cheap yet so good...! I bought the camera, firewire cable, three Fuji Film MiniDV's with tax didnt break 300 dollars!
   
   This is the first camera I've ever owned.



2. I bought this one for my mom and dad. It seems just as easy to use as the one I purchased a few years back. It's lightweight and mom seems to understand how to use it after about ten minutes of showing her how to do things.
   
   The only thing I would not like is that it lacks a viewfinder (like on a film camera) -- all it has is the large LCD display. If you prefer a viewfinder, you may want to look at other camcorders.



3. The JVC GR-D850 MiniDV Camcorder is our 3rd JVC camcorder. It was purchased primarily for quick capture of family events and we didn't expect the final video to be as high a quality as our previous JVC GR-DV800U which cost almost 3 times as much. So, when we powered up the camcorder and took our first video we weren't too disappointed. That being said, this camcorder is small enough to tote around just about anywhere and comes in handy when hiking in the woods or around family gatherings. The final video produced isn't too bad although the color balance is just OK.
   
   For the price this is a good buy.

1 comments about Sony HVR-HD1000U MiniDV 1080i High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom.

1. For its price, this one gets close.
   This is my first entry level prosumer camera. I have just began writing, shooting, and producing indie films, this camera gets the job done and is just what the doctor ordered. I'm not going to stick to the specs. But what you get out of this camera is beauty, precision and quality for a reasonable price.

5 comments about Samsung SC-HMX20C 8GB High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom.

1. I don't have much time for this initial report, but let's set a few things straight:
   
   1/ I uses H.264 format with an MP4 wrapper.
   2/ When I look at it on my HD monitor I am astounded by the picture as compared with my XDCAM. It's not the same but I can intercut with it for a number of applications. AVHCD is too compressed. It seems everyone but Samsung has gone to AVHCD for the $1000 market.
   
   
   2/ The swivel grip works really well for running low to the ground.
   
   3/ It has an external mic jack.
   
   4/ It doesn't have a Lanc jack, like all the other non-HDV tape based options.
   
   5/ It works beautifully with my FCP 6.0 app, it's quicktime.
   
   Gotta go.
   
   Bill



2. I have been watching Mpeg-4 cameras to see if they could become usuable. So far, the stock AVCHD cameras have provided images that were so compressed all they were good for were shoot and display; editing the video was an utter pain. The artifacting made the contrast too hard, and the standard AVCHD file was decidedly unstandard with the streams unmuxed and the framerates inconsistent. Lotsa luck trying to get QuickTime compliant apps like Final Cut to deal with the video.
   
   The Samsung SC-HMX20 delivers something new: an H264 mpeg-4 file that is not so highly compressed (the 1080p files have a 14.85 mbit/sec bandwidth) and the mpeg wrapper file is fully QuickTime compliant so editing is not a problem. The images aren't perfect (there's still artifacting and banding where colors and contrasts converge), but its head and shoulders above any other AVCHD camera. The 1080p image is quite handsome, but sometimes doesn't handle fast motion so well. The camera claims to shoot in 1080i, but it doesn't work on the Mac so I haven't been able to check that. It would be terrific if the camera could shoot both 1080p (for resolution) AND 720p (for fast motion). I guess that's asking for too much at this price.



3. I had a chance to own both this Samsung SC-HMX20C and Canon HF100. Comparing to Canon HF100, this Samsung unit has:
   
   Pros:
   1. 8G internal memory.
   2. 8M pixels still picture recording
   
   Cons:
   1. No optical stabilization which is my biggest complain. It has a electronic stabilization which is totally useless.
   2. Hard/slow to focus compared to HF100
   3. Slow when switching between Camcorder/Camera/Watching mode.
   5. Slow when zoom in/out.
   6. Bucky.
   7. Pricy. $80 more than HF100.
   
   In my opinion, this camcorder needs big improvement.



4. Pros
   -the .mp4 files are OSX friendly and viewable instantly in QuickTime !
   - we had no problem getting these files into Final Cut Xpress 4 or iMovie '08
   - I was editing these files within minutes of popping the card out of the cam
   - Photos can be plucked out of the video streams at 8mp (4mp interpolated?)
   - the menu interface is clean ,intuitive, and performs well
   - the photos look great, even the ones you capture while viewing video playback
   - the TouchPoint focus can create cool effects
   - colors and automatic levels seem pretty accurate
   - quickly change recording to INTERNAL or SDHC or MMC
   - manual controls are simple sliders (WB, Exposure, Shutter)
   - 90 minute battery life from a small form battery
   - shoots in 4 resolutions : 1080p/30p , 1080i/60i, 480p/60p an 300fps SlowMotion
   - you can be in and out of these resolutions in seconds via QuickMenus
   - shooting this puppy is a breeze, we haven't even looked at the manual yet
   - nice Slideshow with music functions
   - TouchFocus allows you to focus on different objects in the foreground or background
   - it's a very small package and feels quite solid for it's size
   - QuickInfo button displays battery life / memory / resolution even powered off
   -clips can be split, deleted and combined IN CAMERA
   -the phot slideshow can be accompanied by music
   
   Cons
   - you MUST have the cradle (included) for charging / HDMI out
   - manual controls are very simple ...... will be too limiting for hardcore tweakers
   ........ that being said, the automatic levels are about as good as you'll want
   - no hot shoe
   - no built in light ... only pop-up flash
   - photos cannot be cropped or rotated in camera - no red-eye removal tool either
   - the focus drifted on me a few times
   - btw, the focus is a little SLOW
   - the TouchFocus was hit or miss in practice
   -the battery and SD/MMC slot are behind a trap door, probably not going to be an extended run battery
   
   there's alot to like about this camera
   the easy to use touchscreen does almost everything I need it to do under normal circumstances
   playback in QUICKTIME is smooth and free of some processing artifacts I noticed when using VLC (nightly) to view .mts files from Panasonics and Canon's ... and that comes in handy if you shot alot of clips and want to get to previewing them quickly and not waiting an hour for it to load into your editor
   
   
   I think I've narrowed it down to this camera and the Canon hf100. I went to the store and shot some clips with my memory card. I found the .mts file buried in a STREAM subfolder several layers deep.
   The Samsung has a folder called 100video, click on that and there's your files
   The Canon's menu is more advanced and offers more options, but it's also more complex
   but if you can live without advanced manual controls and a mini-hotshoe and want to work with a more friendly file, this Samsung SC_HMX20C is the camcorder to have
   
   this camcorder works well with a 2.2ghz Macbook with 4gb RAM running OSX Leopard



5. After returning a different camcorder because of disappointing video quality I researched a bit harder and ended up buying the HMX20.
   
   I am very happy with the Samsung- videos taken in decent light are gorgeous and sharp, well exposed, and with nice contrast. I haven't noticed compression artifacts or aliasing. Also, the ability to record progressive frames is important as I look at clips on a computer monitor, and don't really understand the point of recording interlaced images. On the downside, the electronic image stabilization doesn't appear to be that good, although I haven't been able to find a lab-test for this. This means hand-held shots at full zoom are pretty shaky, although handheld videos are fine when you are zoomed out. As the widest angle view is not really wide enough (this seems common for the current crop of camcorders) I will probably pick up a wideangle converter at some point.
   
   As other reviews have mentioned, this camera is extremely Mac friendly, and video clips can be played in Quicktime directly from the SD card. This is very convenient, especially since a number of common editing programs dont run on Macs. Look into MPEG Streamclip, a free mpeg converter which has been very helpful.
   
   A full battery charge has been giving me about an hour of normal recording (including zooming and a bit of clip viewing), which also seems to be about right to mostly fill up an 8gb memory card with HD footage.
   
   Overall I have been very pleased with this camera.

5 comments about RCA EZ201 Small Wonder 60 Minute Point-and-Shoot Camcorder (White).

1. It worked without major problems. Videos are adequate quality.
   
   Problem areas:
   
   It is difficult to see the screen in daylight outside, particularly on sunny days. My wife and I both took long videos of the ground thinking we had turned the thing to stand by. It would have helped to have it make different sounds when shooting video vs going to stand by. For all I know it does, I am half deaf.
   
   Adobe Elements 6 makes only a generic Thumbnail of each video. I don't know if that is a problem with Adobe or RCA?
   
   Overall I rate this little devise higher than the much talked about Flip which lacks the SD card slot. Sound is acceptable.
   
   Good luck with yours.



2. I love this thing! I am currently in Iraq and I use this to send videos of all kinds of stuff to my family. I love the integrated software and it is super easy to upgrade. Just download the file, plug in your cam, and double click the file.



3. This little camera delivered the goods on what it said it would do. It shoots great vhs quality movies in long play mode,and near dvd quality in HQ mode. The memory manager is very simple but does the job very well. You can watch your movies on your tv,computer or the camcorder itself.All options proved to have a good picture. The memory cards are easy to use and access as long as you read the directions,the website also gives great support on it's support page. It does eat through those doulble A's,get some lithiums or rechargeble's,last alot longer that way. For about 100 bucks you get a heck of a camera with sd expansion capability,and the same picture quality of a flip. Get the Small wonder you won't be dissapointed!



4. This is a great little camera except for the trash software that comes with it, which has locked up any number of different computers. No, the video quality isn't the same as you get from an actual DV camcorder, but that's to be expected at the price. The only drawback is the software, which has locked up any number of different computers and operating systems. If they'd get a programmer with a clue, this would be a great product. As it is, it's complete garbage. Don't waste your money on this piece of trash.



5. This little movie camera was such a great deal. I use it whenever my son is in a performance. Granted, it's not professional quality but I can slip it into a small bag and film my son's performances. It's easy to shoot the movie and be able to watch what I'm recording without looking at the screen the whole time. You can upload the movie to any computer as the software is built into the camera, and it's very easy to upload the movie to youtube or other video sharing web site.

5 comments about Canon DC210 DVD Camcorder with 35x Optical Zoom.

1. The picture is good, but if you want to edit your movies, this is not for you



2. I found out that if I had the side screen open I could not finalize my disc. It took me a whole day to figure out that if you close the side screen, and look through the eye hole, the finalize option is activated and I am able to finalize my disc CD R.



3. I bought this camcorder on sort of a whim w/ my "stimulus check", at Office Depot, on clearance (brand new in a box) with a one year money back extended service plan for $141.00. I've had a Panasonic minidv camcorder w/ better features (usb, software, etc.), but found the editing of videos with the tape was laborious. The idea of editing more quickly was what drew me to the minidvd comcorder, and, once I found some conversion software (AVS) for about $40, it works fine. Ok picture, lightweight, wish it had a light, though. Yeah, a quick guide and better docs would be nice, but I got what I paid for, and plan on keeping it. I bought an 8mm videocamera back in the late 1980's for $1100. It had a much poorer picture, and was an absolute nightmare to edit with. So, considering inflation in the last 20 years, I think this camera is great! (But not for everyone)



4. I was surprised at just how compact the CANON DC210 was when I opened the box. It fits snugly in my palm (and I have pretty thick hands) and I was able to maneuver the controls very comfortably. I was worried about the positioning of the battery but that turned out to be a non-issue. I'd highly recommend this as a beginner to mid-level digital camcorder for anyone interested in digital videos.



5. Purchased this camcorder for an extended trip to Eastern Europe. Shame on me for not researching better. Found out too late that the files are in a difficult to use .VRO format. Being a mid level computer user & a low level video user, I have not been able to get the files to a point where I can email or post them on our blog. I have neither the time nor the interest to learn the specifics of the various digital formats. Plug & play, not fiddling with files like an old DOS program.
   
   Ordered the AVS software discussed, waiting for the registration key (another story). Hoping that will work, otherwise this camera will likely be left in Russia (in a dumpster). This is an important event for my family & I am furious that this camera is basically a mini DVD maker. My fault for sure, but it seems to be a fundamental task to produce a file that can be emailed or uploaded to a web site, it is 2008 correct?
   
   So far, the videos played in MS media player are honestly disappointing, grainy & weak color saturation.
   
   Caveat Emptor, buyer beware. Be sure this camera can do what you want it to.