5 comments about Samsung SC-D963 1.1MP MiniDV Camcorder with 26x Optical Zoom.

1. I have been playing with this camera for about a month now, and it is great. The only problem I have noted is you can hear noise on the built in mic, but turning on the wind noise dampener or using an external mic eliminates it completely. The battery life leaves much to be desired at only about 45 minutes on a full charge, which is not enough to even use up a full tape. And the digital zoom becomes too shaky and pixelated (even on a tripod) to use past about 150x... Other than those minor things, it is a great camera for the price, and I would definitely recommend it to any starting out video enthusiasts.



2. I just got this camcorder for an exchange- my old camcorder was another samsung scd5000, and I waited 5 (five, unbelievable, months) for the camcorder to be exchanged.I have called customer relations for 100 times, they said they are going to fix it, exchange it, repair it, then did nothing in the end. I had to call them another 100 times, in the end executive customer relations, a superb invention of the management I suppose, which is responsible for everything, but is supervised by noone. Cut it short, they agreed for an exchange.
   Then I got this one, scd963. I opened the box, nice, clean. Turned on the recorder mode, fine, recording; then the playback mode. A blue screen, not recording anything, not showing anything. The memory records, but not the tape. Well, should I be surprised?
   In a word, Samsung is my worst experience in the United States, in terms of customer service, and quality of products. This new camcorder, is totally plastic, and now giving it another thought, I would be surprised if it worked. But simply, Samsung does not work.
   Right now, my wife is on the phone with the executive customer services, for forty minutes, all they said was send it to us, we will repair it.



3. Just a word of caution to anyone who buys Samsung products - If you do have a problem with the product at a later date - you will have a very difficult time getting any support or customer service from Samsung. Their customer relations department exists solely to confuse and frustrate and lie to the Samsung consumer. Beware!



4. I bought this online and it is my first camcorder. at first sight, i was excited. it is small, handy, looks good and easy to use. and the price $250 is good for the 1.1 MP which means you can also take photoes that are clear enough for most purposes. But after using for several times, i am not satisfied with the quality of the video. The problem is that the time of focusing takes too long, for about 1 or 2 second, which means whenever the object move, or the camcorder move, there will be seconds that the video become blurred. This is unacceptable flaw for capturing moving objects especially when the object is small and close to you. I think this may be the common flaw for Samsung camcorder. i go to circuit city and try other brands. at least Panasonic is much better than this one. so my suggestion for the first time buyer of MiniDV camcorder is: go to some local electronic stores and compare the quality of different brand before you made decision buying online. overall, consider the price, i can only say it is just ok. Maybe i have to spend more time learning the tricks how to capture a more clear video using this one.



5. I bought mine last June. But at that time there was no any review anywhere. The camcorder was proved to be a piece of junk. The zooming function faile about 2 months after I bought it. The sounds in videos I recorded are fragmented. Both the video and pictures have very bad quality. In addition, the battery is becoming bad too. I sent it to the service center last month, with $45 payment for labor. Not recommended at all!

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV11 Digital Camcorder with Builtin Digital Still Mode.

1. The Sony DCR-TRV11 is Sony's least expensive MiniDV camcorder. There are cheaper Digital 8 camcorders, but MiniDV allows you to hold more video and is more compact (although MiniDV tapes are somewhat more expensive).

   MiniDV

   MiniDV tapes can be used in the LP mode for increased capacity without compromising the picture quality - since the data is stored in the digital format. You should be careful with the tape loading mechanism though - it is quite fragile and you can accidentally bend something if you press it in the wrong place.

   PICTURE

   This MiniDV camcorder offers the resolution of up to 500 lines (other digital video sources like DVD players and DBS offer similar resolution), higher color bandwidth (Sony claims three times higher than VHS) and virtually no video noise.

   The picture is very sharp and clear. You have 10x optical/120x digital zoom, the camera also uses Carl Zeiss lens for better picture quality, special coating reduces glare and increases contrast. Since the recording is digital, the quality will not decrease over time.

   The camcorder has an ADC (analog-digital converter) that converts an analog signal you pass through the analog input, so you can either record it on the MiniDV tape in digital format (for archiving purposes) or send it through the IEEE-1394 (i.Link) initerface to your computer or another device.

   SOUND

   TRV11 uses the Digital Audio Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) - similar to CD recording technology, with 12-Bit or 16-Bit modes. This allows for a dynamic range of more than 96dB, since audio is stored separately you can use Audio Dubbing that allows you to add a stereo track of music or narration. The sound quality does not deteriorate over time and there is no "background" noise introduced by the medium itself, as happens in analog world.

   CONTROL INTERFACES

   There is an L (LANC) Editing Interface that provides standardized connection for synchronized operation of camcorder, VCR, and edit controller. TRV11 also has an I.Link® Digital Interface (FireWire, IEEE1394), which is a two-way input/output that carries digital audio, digital video and control signals to compatible digital VCRs, edit controllers and computers.

   The TRV11 also has the Super Laser Link® Wireless Transmitter, which uses infrared light to make a wireless connection from the camcorder to your television up to 26 feet away. The transmitter is built-in, so you can buy a receiver and connect your camcorder wirelessly. The IFT-R20 IR receiver is optional.

   Memory Stick

   You can use the TRV11 as a digital still camera at 640x480 resolution (enough for emailing), the images are stored on a supplied 4Mb Memory Stick. You can use the supplied PictureGear Lite 4.1 software to transfer images to your PC (using the supplied serial cable), edit and store/catalog them.

   FEATURES

   The camcorder features a 680,000-pixel HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCD (the high resolution increases the picture quality) with low noise design. It has 7 modes AE, manual focus and manual exposure in addition to automatic ones.

   Manual focus is controlled by the ring, which also looks cool. You can switch between manual and automatic focus using a switch on the left side of the camcorder (by LCD), it also has a position for "infinity" focus.

   The camcorder has a 3.5" 184,000-pixel LCD in addition to the color viewfinder. The 2x playback zoom allows you to zoom in during the playback. You can also shoot in total darkness with Sony's Super NightShot™, which enables you to shoot subjects up to 10 feet away. The system uses a built-in infrared light; the optional IR light can extend the range to up to 100 feet.

   The Super SteadyShot system can be employed for image stabilization There is also a built-in speaker (you can control the volume) and camcorder comes with a remote control and an intelligent accessory shoe (which accepts accessories ranging from lights, IR lights and photo printers to microphones that "zoom" with the camcorder).

   The camcorder has 8 picture effects (6 digital effects), 7 A/V fader modes, 16:9 and LP mode recording.

   The digital and picture effects can be used independently (some of them can be combined). The cool A/V fader modes I like include "dot" and "bounce". You can also manually adjust (if you want, otherwise it's automatic) shutter speed and exposure.

   VCR

   The VCR mode allows you to see your material. When you switch to it, the VCR buttons appear on the upper black panel, backlit by the amber light (they are invisible in other modes). In "camera" mode you can use "Edit Search" to look through the material to find the insertion point, or use "End Search" button, located under the LCD to find the end of your last recording.

   POWER SOURCE

   The power source for the camcorder is an InfoLithium® battery, which has large capacity and no "memory effect", that "old" Ni-Cd batteries used to have. The best feature: you can always see the approximate remaining power: AccuPower™ meter shows you the remaining battery time in minutes on the camcorder's LCD or viewfinder - this estimate is very accurate.

   The Stamina® Power Management that power consumption and extends battery life when camera is not in use - you can shoot for up to 11.5 hours with an optional battery.

   The backlit LCD on the outer side of the 2.5" color LCD shows the remaining battery power in minutes while charging and tape counter when operating VCR.




2. I bought my Sony DCR-TRV11e in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. My intention was to learn and play with the gadget, and later on continue with editorial features on my computer. So far my learning and playing have been FUN!

   Next step was to utilize the digital features, including editorial tasks like removing bad shots and make a library out of live photoscenes on my computer. I bought a Pinnacle Studio DV according to recommendations. Unfortunately the program worked fine, camera was found via Firewire, but communication with the camera was not possible. Reason:? Camera found, but speed not adequate. Needed: 4000 pixels pr sec. Possible: 3.400 pixels pr. sec.

   My computer is a Fujitsu Siemens P4, 1.4 mhz with 512 Mb RAM running on MS Win 2000 and would hardly have a problem to accomodate the need for speed. Consequently I am stucked with a GOOD camera, but no more FUN! I have asked Sony for support, but they don't seem to waste time on customer feedback. Therefore the rating of a good camera is low.




3. A little pricey but this camera is loaded with features. You can send wireless video directly to your television or monitor using the laser link. Many other features make this a gadget persons dream come true. An all around great camcorder.



4. I had this camera for 2 years and had constant trouble with the door mechanism for the tape. It opens from the bottom and the tape pops up! Many times it got stuck and finally it would not open. $400.00 to fix it. SONY SERVICE IS TERRIBLE, we are now forced to buy another camera as it's not worth fixing for $400!



5. i bought this camera by mistake around 3 years ago, in NY city for 1300$ plus aditional battery, lents, etc.... While the first year, the camera show and exeptional preformance, latter i had some few problems, it all started with the Cassette Jaming and latter on the camera wont record due to some problem with the reading/recording mechanism... final solutions was 400$ best buy fix witch i compleatly refuse.... today this camera is worth 400$ on ebay...
   
   During my good experience, this camera travel around the world, not to metion Israel,the Desert, Las Vegas,Egipt,France,Caribean,etc... during travel time!! the behavior is great! even is a 120-240v included so no worrys...
   
   Effects and Editing is easy and very profetional, i have some awards won by this camera!,...
   
   but now is time to get a little pro with HD Cameras!!!

5 comments about Canon ZR70MC MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, 22x Optical Zoom, Digital Still Mode, MMC Slot, Image Stabilization and Wide Angle Attachment.

1. As a lot of people mentioned, this product has several good features and drawbacks. The most attractive feature is 22x optical zoom. Video quality is not bad. However, it performs poorly when the light is low. I used it for three years and took a lot of videos. Frankly, I didn't use it with too much care. I was lucky that it didn't die for 3 years.
   
   Then, my LCD went black when I was during a very happy journey last week. My camcorder was bought in China and had a different model name: MV650i, but it is exactlly the same as zr70mc here in US. Hopefully I can also repair it for free here.



2. Canon will repair no questions asked.
   It take 2 weeks total.
   That is great support.
   Talk to anyone else about a 2-3 year old product.
   The funny thing is the part giving the problems is Sony.
   
   I love the camera. It will be around 10 years after the repairs.



3. I presume people had problems with this product (ZR70MC).I guess most of them are CCD related.I owned ZR70MC since 2004 and I noticied CCD problem recently (Camcorder LCD went blank even when lens cap is removed) and one year warranty on product had already expired.Canon customer service was efficient and they repaired it free of cost (they even provided shipping label).When I received camcorder I noticied that record button is not working. Canon customer service or repair center again came to my rescue and they repaired it free of cost (they even provided shipping label).
   I rate their customer service as best.But as some one noted earleir this camcorder doesn't perform well in low light conditions.



4. I've had this camcorder for about 2 years now and have used it for everything from backyard footage to filming corporate events. My kit included the wide angle lens attachment, a standard life battery, software CD and an 8 MB SD card. It performs great. It has great sound through the regular microphone. I even recorded a fireworks display and the fireworks did not overdrive the sound. You could still hear nearby voices even while the fireworks were going off. It has a hot shoe for connecting accessories. Although I always intended to add a microphone to the hot shoe, I never did get around to it. I think the standard mic is sifficient for my needs.
   
   When I recorded for corporate events, I ran the soundboard right into the A/V on the camera using a standard RCA to Headphone jack. This was a handy feature since we were in a warehouse environment and the sound system mixed all the audio. I could film from a long distance and still patch in the audio to make it sound great. The recorded video turned out really superb and my customers were quite pleased. I used the included Studio 8 to edit the video and record onto the DVD.
   
   The still camera is around a megapixel. Not great as far as quality unless you're shooting in good outdoor light. Dark lighting definitely looks grainy on the stills, even with the night shot mode enabled.
   
   The camera model, along with some other Canon DV cameras are affected by a recall. It will freak you out when you don't see any video on your viewfinder or LCD. It just goes black. In short, the cable that connects the CCD (which digitizes the video) gets disconnected. Canon will repair the defect (they will also pay shipping both ways) regardless of warranty status. The process was easy and did not take very long.



5. As others have mentioned, this camera, along with a slew of others from Canon have a CCD problem relating to heat. I just experienced this problem and called Canon per their website.
   
   I made the mistake of referring to the "product recall" to which I was endlessly chastised by the customer service rep because it is really a "product advisory." (I originally bought the camera for over $700, now I'm being treated like trash because I used the wrong words... nice.)
   
   In returning the camera for service, I was told not to use the original packaging and that I should bubble wrap it and place nothing around it in a large box. (so it can fly around inside) They pay for UPS shipping, which she said takes 7-10 days.
   
   Once they receive it, they will determine if heat caused the problem or if the CCD is broken. If it's broken, then I have to pay. Considering that they want it to be flung around inside a large box during shipping, I can see where this is going.
   
   I would not recommend this camera for this problem alone and would not recommend Canon products at all due to their customer service anymore.

5 comments about Samsung SCD107 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom.

1. I bought this camera about six months ago (June 04) for $429.00 and have used it extensively both outdoors and indoors.
   I looked at many cameras in the $450 price range with similar features. The one thing that stood out on this camera was the 3.5" LCD display. It was so much easier to frame a scene with this than with the 2.5" display on competing models that I decided to buy the Samsung.
   I found it easy and comfortable to use; the electronic stablisation works very well; the battery life is fine for recording a single 60min tape. Playing back recordings on the LCD screen is a pleasure. The image looks great and the sound is clearly audible on the builtin speaker. I was initially very happy with my purchase.
   Imagine my disappointment then, when I got home and played back the recording on my TV - it was no better than my old analog Canon ES50. At first, I was sure I had hooked it up incorrectly. But alas no: I was correctly using the s-video connection.
   Not willing to lose faith, I then hooked it up to my PC using a 4-to-6 pin firewire cable (purchased separately). Well, the picure looked fine in a small window but soon as I went full screen it was pretty grainy and pixalated. It's not even VGA quality.
   My number one reason for buying a DV camera was to get a sharper picture than with my analog camcorder. I'm afraid I made the wrong choice and, despite some nice features, I cannot recommend this camera because of the disappointing picture quality. Incidentally, I notice that the specifications page in the manual says nothing about lines of resolution and the size of the CCD (according to camcorderinfo.com it is 1/6").



2. if you went onto [...] and looked this camcorder up it says that it is one of the worst camcorders ever, well i am never looking on that website again because it is all lies. i got this cam for christmas and i really like it, i think it is one of the best camcorders that u can buy, it has cool features, nice zoom, a 3.5 lcd screen (really good), it is a small camcorder, and it has night pix (night vision). many other reviews complain about the color not turning out, well, you can adjust the color so it matches, duh!, you may be thinking "oh this is just a kids review, dont listen to it" but trust me i have been getting information on this camcorder for a year and know what im talking about. if you are planning on getting a good camcorder for a good price, try this one.



3. I'm not sure how people are giving this camera 4 and 5 star reviews but I was sadly disappointed with it.
   
   The only reasons I'm giving it the two stars are: 1. The screen size and 2. The price.
   
   I own a Samsung TV and DVD player and have found them both to be excellent values for the money so I decided to ignore the negative reviews that I had seen and pick it up anyway.
   
   The picture looks great on the LCD screen assuming that you're at a good angle to view it but as soon as you put it on a tv or pc you will see the lack of image quality. The manual was poorly written especially in regard to transferring video via the Firewire/IEEE 1394 connection. The software it came with doesn't suppport the Firewire though it doesn't mention this at all in the camera manual. Also the camera's driver isn't verified for Windows XP. When I hooked it up via the USB the camera was dropped from the device list after about a minute due to driver.
   
   After much hassle I returned it to the retailer that I bought it from who was nice enough to waive their 15% restock fee specific to camcorders and similar items so that I may purchase a Sony DCR-HC30 which I am much happier with. The store mananger explained to me that they had complaints from at least 5 other people with the same problem.
   
   Some other things to note:
   The SC-D107 has one of the biggest screens out there but also one of the smallest viewing angles.
   It has one of the largest optical zooms for the price, which isn't much good if the recording quality is low.
   Lastly, it has one of the largest digital zooms out there(900x), again useless because anything past about 100x is so grainy that you can't tell what you're looking at (you'll note that Sony doesn't make a camera with greater than 120x digital.)
   
   Try to avoid this one if you can afford something better.



4. The Samsung SCD107 offers average-to-good video quality in a flexible, feature-laden package. If you are looking at camcorders south of $400, read on. Good engineering and rational design tradeoffs make this more than the sum of what came out of the parts bin.
   
   PICTURE QUALITY
   You can find better video quality (especially by paying a couple of hundred dollars more), but most people will find the picture satisfactory. If your research thus far has taken you deeply into the world of pixels, scan lines, VGA vs. XGA, and CCD numbers, this won't get on your short list on picture quality alone. That said, the camera works particularly well in low-light situations, and there is a "NITE PIX" feature for very low-light applications.
   
   The "Digital Image Stabilizer" feature doesn't do much - if you have shaky hands, you should try a tripod (usually not a bad idea anyway). There is no manual focus, though you probably won't miss this because the auto-focus works so well. The 20X zoom is plenty, and the 900X digital zoom is overkill - the limiting factor is resolution, so don't expect to see footprints on the moon.
   
   SCREEN
   The first thing comparison shoppers notice is that the 3.5-inch color TFT LCD screen is bigger than most in this price range. This helps you frame a shot, gauge picture quality, and review just-taken film, all advantages over tiny screens. It is bright, clear, and rotates through 270 degrees (not 210 as stated in the supplemental info above). The color LCD viewfinder reproduces on-screen info and is a useful way to conserve battery power in the field.
   
   EASE OF USE
   Using the camera for the first time is fairly straightforward, even for the non-technical. The most commonly used controls are top-mounted (zoom, camera shutter control, NITE PIX feature on/off, slow shutter), where you would expect them. Other controls are located thumb-side or flush behind the LCD screen.
   
   Getting more than the basics from the camera requires a steeper learning curve, as you must navigate through acronym-rich menus and sub-menus. Even if you pride yourself on NEVER reading instruction manuals, a word to the wise: Pick up the manual. Open it. Read it. If you don't, you will miss some non-obvious functions and features you're paying for. This may seem worse than, say, stopping to ask for directions while driving, but tough it out.
   
   BATTERY
   The lithium ion battery pack included gives you 90 minutes of continuous recording time with the fold-out LCD screen, or 120 minutes using the viewfinder. It takes two hours to charge. You might want a second one of these, or even the upgrade battery (SB-LS220), which goes 190 minutes with screen, 250 minutes with viewfinder, and takes 3 and a half hours to charge. A red LED on the camera blinks to let you know how charging is progressing (e.g. one blink/second means less than 50% charged; three blinks/second = 75%-90% charged), which is a nice touch.
   
   RECORDING MEDIA
   There are two ways to record moving pictures: Onto Mini DV tapes (60 or 90 minutes on a DVM60), or onto a memory card (SD/MMC or Memory Stick/Memory Stick PRO). Using the memory card in this way has huge limitations; you are better off just using the tapes and saving the memory card for still pictures.
   
   STILL PICTURES
   You can use the SCD107 in still camera mode for casual snapshots, but it is not a replacement for a multi-megapixel digital camera. The 512MB SD ("Secure Digital") card I bought separately holds 2,997 stills in "super fine" mode and a truly absurd 9,000 in low-rez "normal" mode. Stick with super fine.
   
   AUDIO RECORDING
   Audio recording quality is excellent through the built-in top-mounted stereo condenser microphone. Many built-in microphones pick up mechanical noise from the tape mechanism, but I didn't notice any, even in quiet settings. Use the money you might spend on an accessory microphone and get a tripod or a memory card instead.
   
   MISC
   The remote control is useful, but much more directional than a typical TV remote. It won't work unless you aim it right at the camera - maybe it just likes to be seen in your group photos.
   
   CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
   If you need the sharpest picture available, you should probably spend $200 more. There are necessarily tradeoffs at this price range. However, if you just want a well-rounded, feature-filled camera that is a pleasure to use, by all means consider the SCD107.



5. There was a great review written up above that listed everything you really need to know (the first one that had a series of titles and then review). But I belive they gave too many stars and was too positive about this cam.
   
   This is not a very user-friendly camcorder. The MANUAL MUST be read over and over. It has so many steps to just do one action that by the time you have re-read the manual and adjusted the camcorder the shot is over with. Quality of pics and such was very poor once sent to the computer. The large screen wasn't much good in lighted scenes. I was forced to use the small lense to see what I was recording.
   
   I do not recommend this camcorder unless you are not picky about quality and have a photographic memory to remember how to work the camcorder.

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV70 MiniDV 2MP Camcorder with 2.5"LCD, Memory Stick, and Networking Capability.

1. I have had this Camera for over a year now and found it to be reliable and its pictures of high quality. The Steady shot is rock solid and only jitters when you attempt >20 Zoom. The 120 zoom is grainy so I hardly use it. The memory stick for mpeg and still photos is very handy. The 2 megapixel resolution on the still photos is sufficient for computer display and small photo prints. It makes it convenient not to have to carry a second digital photo camera. I have not tried the Firewire link yet but the USB for memory stick operations works well.

   Overall I am happy with the camera and recommend it for purchase.




2. I did a lot of research before purchasing this camera a year ago. But I've used it A LOT since then and figured I would write a review.

   I did comparison tests with this camera vs. Sony's other lower end camcorders. The color and resolution on this one if FAR superior and worth the extra money. I also compared it to the Canon GL2, a 3-CCD camera. The 3-CCD camera was far better in low light and color, but comes with a much heaftier price tag.

   The good things about this camera have been mentioned by others. And while it may not fit in your palm exactly, it is really not very big. It looks good, and all the features are easy to find. Overall good design.

   There are three things about this camcorder I don't like, but here's what I recommend to solve them:

   The lens always looks like you can't zoom out enough. I'm sure there's a technical term for this, but even when you're zoomed out all the way it looks like your subject is too close. As soon as I realized this, I purchased a Sony wide angle lens, which made all the difference. Especially if you're indoors, you want to take in as much of the environment as possible. It does add size to the camera, and means you can't use the flash for still pictures without removing it. But it gives the camera a nice professional look and feel.

   The second problem with this camera I've read about with other Sony camcorders: the "whirring" noise of the motor as it is taping. When I first got the camera I didn't notice it, but as time went on the whirr got worse. Also, there's a "hiss" that you get with any camcorder. I solved this by getting a Sony external microphone to attach to the "boot". ECM-MS5908C. It's a stereo microphone, and it's far enough from the motor that you hardly hear it, and also drowns out the hiss. I also got a shotgun mic, but that isn't stereo, so I wouldn't recommend it unless shooting subjects far away.

   The other issue is unsolvable, and that's the "slider" zoom in. Instead of moving front to back with two fingers to zoom in, you slide left to right with one finger. It's hard to use, and over-sensitive. I do not understand why Sony sticks with that technology on their consumer models, but not with their 3-CCD professional models.

   Overall, a great camera. I do not use the still camera function very often, so I can't comment on that. I use Final Cut Express for the Macintosh to edit, and everything works smoothly with this camera. (Also, if you plan to do any editting, you get a HIGH recommendation from me for Apple computers. Each Apple computer comes with iMovie, a free program that is SO EASY to use to edit video.)

   You're obviously reading this because you want to know if this camera is right for you. Here's what I say: if you want better picture quality than other home videos you've seen, and are willing to pay for it, this camera is ideal. I highly recommend the wide angle lens and external stereo microphone, which help you make better videos but also add size to the machine. If you want to spend more to get an amazing, broadcast-quality picture, there's a big leap in cost for a 3-CCD camera. But the Sony DCRTRV70 is right in the middle, and is really a good choice.




3. Spend a lot, get a lot more. Although it was a tough choice to spend the money when I purchased my TRV70, I have no regrets. My camera is DA BEST!. After I figured out the Still Picture recording is best taken when not recording video simultaneously, I never looked back. There are so many features to mention but I don't use. The key things to consider:
   - Bigger lens, means better image
   - Good size CCD is a treasure; otherwise 3 CCD is next option
   - Manual focus override; in photography, this is VERY important
   - Backlight control; it's a great override in low light conditions like opening up your camera aperature
   - Manual disable of on-board flash; continue taking pictures when flash is not allowed
   - Touch screen LCD is sweet, don't listen to button fanatics
   - Steady Shot works.... when camera is light, more chances of jarring movements, so here its really important.
   - Memory stick convenience ... buy larger capacity, more over time.
   - Battery Status; Info-lithium means no guessing game. By several small batteries, charge them, and carry them a-l-a Rambo.
   - Don't install Imagemixer software. Instead, use Sony's Screenblast Movie Studio 3.0. You'll be happier.
   - Don't skimp on footage. Take lots of footage. It's easier to edit, than to say... I don't have enough!

   It's unfortunate, Sony is discontinuing the product in 2004. It's a great product! I'm ready to buy a second one so I can get the same footage from another vantage point. Silly, two people using different cameras. :-)




4. This is my fourth camcorder, and first digital camcorder. I bought it to record my child's soccer games to make a DVD to send to college coaches. It recorded steady sharp video in all lighting conditions, including heavy overcast, light fog, and night games under stadium lights. I also bought the remote controll tripod, which makes it much easier to start/stop recording and adjust the zoom (the remote control zoom buttons have the correct sensitivity, as opposed to the camera zoom control as noted in a review below). The only problem I had that caused the loss of a few minutes of video was that the camcorder started displaying "Cleaning Tape". I packed the tape (fast forward to the end and rewound) and recorded over the bad section. I now pack the tape again whenever I insert a new one in the camcorder



5. I searched and searched for the best quality camcorder for the best price. If you find a good deal on it, this is it. Great quality, easy to use, great manual controls, as well as an easy to use touch screen (I was unsure about the touch screen for a while until I bought it, and it's really not too bad if you don't mind having to deal with using the stylus instead of just pushing a button). It is bigger than the newer camcorders, but that can be a good thing - more stability, less shaking. One thing about it that I searched for but rarely found in other camcorders is that you can input from a tv or vcr (with the proper outputs) to record tv and old vhs onto dv tape, then you can use a firewire (or usb) to put it onto your computer and burn it onto dvd. It is kind of a hassle to do, and it takes forever if you use the highest quality on your computer, but it's worth it to preserve your old tapes. So here's all the good things this camera has:
   
   intelligent shoe
   manual focus ring
   manual exposure (touch screen)
   widescreen recording
   12 and 16 bit sound recording (sounds great, but may need an external mic for more professional audio)
   AV in (one mini input, need to find a cord like that)
   mic in (mini)
   headphones out(mini)
   touch sensitive zoom (great for slow zooming)
   lots of settings for different lighting
   backlight control
   nighttime shooting (green, but great distance and detail)
   cool effects
   great quality video

5 comments about Canon Elura 80 MiniDV Camcorder w/18x Optical Zoom.

1. This is my first digital camcorder and so far so good. I'm very happy with it. Easy mode is great for beginners like my husband and kids. I love the auto mode where I have control of special effects etc..... I highly recommend and the price is pretty good.



2. It was a great little camera until it broke. On it's forth tape, about midway through it beeped with an error and then wouldn't eject the tape. Luckily we still had 2 months left in the warranty. Warranty repair was fast!
   
   It was fixed and returned stating "Replaced capstan motor assy, fuse. Cleaned and adjusted tape path and torqued".
   
   I researched the net after it happened and found it's a pretty common problem with canon camcorders. Not sure why I didn't find that info before I bought it with as much research as I did then. From what I've read, the cost to repair this problem once it's out of warranty is around two hundred.
   
   It's still a great camera, but breaking after less than 4 hours is pretty sad. It also didn't have a rough life, we were using it to film our first child. We would take it out of it's case, film for awhile and it went right back in it's case, never left the house.



3. Great camera, easy to operate and very compact as well as reliable.



4. Consumer Reports recommends the Elura 80. It's a good camera at a great price. It's small, easy to use, light, and functional. It's inexpensive and overall a great buy.
   
   If you plan to transfer content to a computer for editing, however, you should know that you need a FireWire cable that does not come with the camera. That little fact isn't really documented anywhere obvious, so I spent quite a few minutes trying (unsuccessfully) to get the content transferred via USB cable. So, buy one. And Canon, start including one!



5. I owned this camera for a short time. When it was working, it was a nice camcorder that took nice video and was pretty simple to use. However, after a few tapes, the tape started to eject no matter what I did and always displayed an error message "Remove the Cassette". I did some research online and was amazed to find how many people have experienced the same problem. The camera now no longer works because it will not accept any tapes. As soon as you try to put them in, it ejects them out with this error message. It sounds like Canon is not exactly easy to deal with on this issue and the problem is chronic and affects alot of MiniDV camcorders in it's line. This was my 2nd defective Canon DV camcorder in the last 2 years. I think I am staying away from Canon in the future - very bad experiences and the quality is very poor.

5 comments about Samsung SCD103 MiniDV Digital Camcorder.

1. Just like "wiseconsumers" experience, we had our camcorder for about 3 months when "PROTECTION!" started flashing across the screen. The first thing I did was check the cassette to be sure that the protection switch wasn't flipped and it was not. Then I checked every option under "menu" to see if there was some setting. Still thinking it was just human error, I started to check the manual and the web for anything I could find. Well, I found that I wasn't the only one who had a mysterious case of the "PROTECTIONS!" I haven't called samsung yet, it's too late tonight but after reading "wiseconsumers" post, I'm ready for a dogfight. At least he didn't have to pay for his . . . .



2. This is an awful camcorder. While under warranty the camcorder was repaired. The warranty had ended and I am having nothing but problems again.
   
   
3. My camera also quit working just outside of the warranty period. I am not able to play back ANYTHING other than a blue screen with the date via USB, component cables, nor the lcd screen.
   
   I use this thing a couple of times every few months, and then, only for a few minutes. I am disappointed. While the cost of these items have dropped over the years, it makes it cost prohibitive to repair. I would rather spend another $100 and get a new camcorder. It won't be a Samsung, I can tell you that.



4. The buttons are in weird places, the controls are hard to get to, the control to turn the camera on is hard for anyone with nails to use, the look through lens always shows white no matter how you try to get it to work so you always need to use the digital viewfinder, the tape recording is grainy, the camera refuses to let you use the anti-shake feature even when you're in camera mode, you can't use anything related to Memory Stick Duo or Pro EVEN IF you can find and get an adapter (which limits you to the original "Memory Stick" 256MB cards ~ 30 min. if you can find them because they are pretty much obsolete), the memory stick formatting feature doesn't work, the software doesn't work with the tape in the camera when you try to access it from a computer, common video editing software will not detect the tape inside of the camera, sound is hard to pick up because the microphone is on the top of the camera, the USB streaming feature results in jumpy/grainy video that is not recognized by sites like myspace or utube, and it loses battery life quickly.
   
   My advice: Buy something else that you can actually hook up to a computer. Who honestly uses tapes if they want to make home movies to burn to a CD or DVD? WAY more frustration and money than it is worth.



5. I am extremely displeased with the life of this product. I shot about 20 hours of footage with it and it no longer works. Don't buy this camcorder.

5 comments about Canon Elura 60 MiniDV Camcorder w/14x Optical Zoom.

1. Add me to the list of customers who have been burned by Canon camcorders...and for me this is the second time around and with a completely different camera.
   I owned an expensive Elura 2MC and liked the camera a lot - until it began eating tapes. I took care of this camcorder, live in a dry climate (i.e., have no condensation issues), and used the camera as intended so was surprised and angry that it failed. Unfortunately the tape-eating problem surfaced just before a trip so instead of having the camera serviced I shelved the Elura 2MC and bought a new Elura 60 - a downgrade at something less than half the cost of the Elura 2MC. My reason, though, for sticking with Canon was I was a fan of Canon optics and I assumed the failure was either a random event or a problem isolated to the Elura 2MC.
   Needless to say I nearly blew a gasket last night when my Elura 60 refused to accept tapes (I tried several). The problem, thankfully, does not appear to be the same I had with the Elura 2MC but the camera is not functional and in my view it is completely unacceptable that expensive camcorders from a top tier company like Canon should have these failures. I will likely send this one in for the dreaded repair but I intend to buy a new Sony and donate the Canon when I get it back.
   I gave Canon the benefit of the doubt but will not go back to the well a third time.



2. Had this camera for 3 years. It has always had problems, and the thing just keeps getting worse. Had numerous problems including the 'eject tape' warning, no tape detected, viewfinder has gone out, buttons stop working, photo camera doesn't work, zoom malfunctions and randomly starts zooming in or out, and now something is seriously wrong with the digital chip, as I can't play back the tapes.
   All these problems with 1 camera. Wow. What a piece of junk. Seriously, avoid this camera at all costs.



3. Our Elura 60 also has the "Remove the Cassette" problem that other reviewers have posted. Search for this error code and you'll find thousands of pages of frusterated Canon owners and no fix to be found.



4. I have owned it for 3 years and 4 months. Within the first two months, we had to return it for service because it didn't have any picture. I was told the whole lense assembly needed to be replaced. Now it has an eject tape error and the tape won't eject. It makes grinding noises. It has been well cared for. People who give it good reviews haven't owned it very long



5. Buyer Beware! Do not buy this or any Canon item! The remove the cassette error is for real! If you search the internet under "canon remove the cassette" you will find many, many people with the same complaint! Do not buy this camera! The backing by Canon is atrocious. They will do nothing, but offer to fix at your expense. Mine was fixed and ended up doing the same thing again, as well as the mind of its own zooming issues. You will read all these same things on many reviews/ratings postings around the web. Lemon product and Canon does nothing about it. I will not buy another Canon product and you should not either! I don't care how good their next one is. They didn't back this camcorder or do anything about the NUMEROUS complaints by people!

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 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