5 comments about Samsung SC-HMX10 8GB Flash Memory High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (SDHC compatible).

1. i used it on my trip to hawaii and it is gorgeous with all the functions- yet to pull out the videos and check them on HDTV, but i am sure it'll look good.
   
   pros: light weight, handy, swiveling palm-rest, double record buttons, lens shutter for additional protection from light and moisture etc., smooth cloth pouch with purse-strings to keep the camera, docking station with full functionality so that i don't have to open the side-screen to find the AV/HDMI jacks, intuitive menu suitable for both novice and pro, with reasonable functionality which satisfies both crowds.
   
   cons (my remedies in brackets): no infrared light sensor/emitter, less powerful LED headlight (no complaints, but would be nice to have them!), short lasting batteries (just bought 2 more with charger for 25 bucks from ebay - compare with single battery costing 45 bucks on amazon!), 8 gb internal memory (good enough for a few days, but i bought 16 gb hdsc from newegg for 25 bucks.. the camera supports upto 32 gb hdsc!), 10x zoom (good enough, but if you want get 2x zoom lens adapter - i actually got 0.4x wide angle adapter to cover the landscapes and to cover more people without going to far away), no lens filters (bought 30mm UV and polarizer lens for dirt cheap from ebay), no camera cover (bought one from amazon - i suggest buy a big one, so that you can fit the AV cables, chargers, additional battery etc)
   
   all in all, i am very happy with this refurbished product and looking forward to its long lasting functionality!



2. I bought this camera because I thought the direct usb connection would save me time instead of having to play it back old school style, The compression used is some kind of modified outer space mp4 file.
   
   "Oh mp4! I know mp4."
   
   No. You don't know this one.
   I don't think anyone does.
   So don't expect any of your favorite editing programs to work with this unless you plan on importing it the old school analog way...
   Which if you do, there goes all that quality high definition you paid for. There goes your good audio you paid for too.
   
   
   So whats the point? I'm left with a 999 dollar analog camera. I've been waiting two years for "technology" to catch up with this mp4 file and it hasn't happened.
   
   All in all, I've been duped by Samsung.
   Don't let them fool you too.
   
   PS. It does terrible in low light.



3. I have had this camera for a few months, it is fairly easy to use. My only complaint is how difficult it is to transfer videos to the computer it should be an easy step but it is not. Apparently once you want to burn it you will need to burn it on a blue ray disc player so that it can be played on a blue ray player.
   
   The picture quality is great for the price. I bought it for my wedding in June and we were pleased with the video. I just wish that it came with better software explaining how to transfer the video it is quite a task, and can be very frustrating!!!!!! It took our friend who is an engineer to be able to figure out how to transfer the video to the computer and burn a disc. That disc can only be played on a computer!
   
   My husband seems to think that the technology that is available so far is not ready to support these high def cameras. We also feel that it could have a better spot light for when being used at night!
   
   The editing software is horrible. I give the camera 4 stars the software get 1 star!



4. This is a great little camcorder for family-type stuff. I was torn between getting a standard-definition camcorder or biting the bullet and go hi-def..I'm so glad I went hi-def. The picture difference is stunning, and the 720p resolution is more than adequate for large screen tv's, although I am mostly watching on my PC. You will need a fairly newer computer and a newer video card or you will get a lot of stuttering and slow-motion video during playback. One drawback is the photos taken with this cam are barely OK. It is not a replacement for even a cheap camera.
   
   For the price this is just a great toy for recording family activities and events. I didn't want to spend more than $300, and I am very satisfied with the quality of this camera
   
   Pros:
   * 720P 60FPS resolution: videos look great and are smaller and easier to work with than 1080P resolution, you can store more files on the built-in card, takes up less hard drive or DVD space when you offload the files.
   * very easy to operate
   * competitive price
   
   Cons:
   * poor photos
   * need a newer computer to view the footage smoothly
   * indoor or low-light is grainy, but this is true for all consumer-level camcorders. Just turn on more lights if you can. Outdoor recording is fantastic.
   * have to use genuine Samsung batteries, 3rd-party batteries will not work. Current price $50.00
   * cannot charge battery outside of camera, makes it hard to keep spares charged up.



5. I bought the Samsung SC-HMX-10 a year ago for filming the family during those special occasions.
   
   Since that time, here's what I've learned as an owner of that camera:
   
   
   PROS:
   
   Size and look - The camera is small and looks sleek. It has a side-strap that is good for medium and small hands.
   
   720p - This is a pro and a con. The pro is that it's not standard def. The con is it's not 1080p. The smaller 720p makes it easier to work with in the computer in terms of file size.
   
   Touchscreen - I like the touchscreen and it seems intuitive and well made. It's seems big in relation to the rest of the camera.
   
   HDMI Out - This can be hooked directly to your HDTV via an HDMI port.
   
   Quality - The video quality looks great in most lighting. Low light situations invite video grain.
   
   Memory - This camera has 8GB of internal memory and an expansion slot for more. I love the fact I can pull the card out and put into my computer. Too easy.
   
   
   CONS:
   
   Lens Add-Ons - The lens threads seem cheap but not any more than most cameras. I put a UV filter and a wide-angle adapter on the front and started getting vignetting on the corners. It appears that it can only handle one filter/adapter at a time.
   
   AVCHD - AVCHD is a form of MP4 compression that isn't widely supported... still. Adobe CS3 does not natively support it. This has been a sticking point on a lot of other user reviews.
   
   Playback Without the Camera - Your playback choices consist of directly connecting to your TV, play on your computer or burn to a Blu-Ray disc which then necessitates a Blu-Ray Player and Burner. I don't have a Blu-Ray player just yet let alone a Blu-Ray burner. I can watch on my computer no problem, but the average Joe probably wants to be able to watch these videos from a burned disc. Consider that a hidden cost of owning HD cameras.
   
   Computer Horsepower - Again, sort of another hidden cost is the fact that HD video requires more horsepower out of your computer when editing and playback. Older computers will playback the video choppy.
   
   On-Board Light - The on-board light is weak. It won't impress you.
   
   
   A note about price and other things
   
   I've seen this camera go for $400-$999. I have no idea why there is such elasticity to the pricing of this camera. Do yourself a favor and shop around if you really want this camera. The stills are decent quality but I don't feel they are good enough for anything other than Facebook. Extra batteries are in short supply. I've had trouble finding anyone who stocks them.
   
   
   Final Thoughts
   
   Given the chance to go back in time, I would have waited awhile to buy an HD camera. HD requires supporting equipment like Blu-Ray devices and newer computers. The camera is nice and if you can get it cheap enough, it is a great entry-level HD camera.
   
   Full Review Posted at: [...]

5 comments about Samsung SC-MX10 Flash Memory Camcorder with 34x Optical Zoom (Silver).

1. This is a great camera it has suitable video quality and it has a phenomenal zoom length for its price. But there is one flaw in the software aspect for mac users it is very important that you read this part, the video is compressed into a divx format (or avi) which isn't primarily compatible with the mac platform unless you convert the video a couple of times this process only makes the video quality a little bit less that it is already. the 2 free softwares that i have to use are, for the avi. to mov. conversion i use a program called "DivX Doctor" and for the mov. to mp4 conversion i use a program called MPEG Streamclip. If you wish to convert the video straight from avi. to mp4 i suggest a program called 3ivX (which isn't free). For its price it is a good deal for upcoming filmers and family events. GOOD LUCK SHOPPING!



2. I don't have a lot of complaint with the physical aspects of the camera (the size is nice, the controls work well) or with the mid-range quality of the picture (it's a cheap camera so I wasn't expecting crystal-clear video all the time). However, the power issues are really disappointing. The especially frustrating part is, I've used it so little, by the time I discovered the severity of the issue, I'm completely out of the warranty period. The first signs of trouble were a blinking charge light instead of solid. The camcorder wouldn't turn on at all after that. I got a replacement battery from ebay and the blinking disappeared and it seemed to be charging properly. A quick test seemed to verify it was working. However, I went to shoot some video and within 10 minutes of recorded time, the camera was dead as a doornail. Clearly to me, the camcorder is defective, but I've been unable to get any help with it since I'm outside of the warranty period. If anyone has a possible solution, let me know. With the widespread power failures of these models, however, I can't recommend any Samsung product from this line.



3. I bought this video camera for my 12 year old neice. She had no problems understanding how to use it. The battery life lasts a while, though I would imagine if you were planning on using the camera constantly (over three hours) you may want to purchase a second one. It did pretty well in the just regular house lighting which is why I bought. I bought it reburbished and they forgot to put in the memory card so I bought one for about $15 at Target. Great Camera for the money



4. If your reading this now Ill assume like me, you are getting a used one fairly cheap. I would say your better off to spend alittle more and look at some newer models.
   
   The picture quality is not very good, even in 480p and super fine mode. At max settings, the bit rate is about 4300, enough for what should be a nice picture but it looks like it could have been recorded at under 1000 by the quality. If you watched the video you might think it was shot on a small digital camera, not a video camera. On sharp edges (like a railing on a deck) have lots of jagged little triangles, on softer or curvy objects its not noticeable. The background is not very sharp and lacks detail. The file format used is not a standard MP4, even a somewhat professional editing program (sony vegas pro 9) will not open the files (it only get the sound) with out some having to copy or convert (and loose more quality) the files. Also, unlike most real video cameras, the sound quality is poor (22k 4bit). It lies when it says it has 16x9 mode. The manual states it records in 4x3 regardless if it is set to 16x9 or not, it just stretches the 4x3 image 16x9 mode, you can do that yourself to any camera if you just wanted a stretched image.
   
   If you just want something small that would fit in a coat pocked to record clips to email or put on youtube, then this is what this camera was made for. One good thing is the large battery that lasts for several hours. On the downside, it takes a special battery so you have to get a spare battery or charger if you plan on using it for a long time. If you want something to record important videos on then you should pass on this one.



5. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3ODRUQBDFW1DZ The camera itself works well, the battery is great over 2 hours worth of battery. As you can tell by the uploaded video the video is very distorted and not that great of quality. If I had it to do all over again I would have spent more money on a better model and one that I know will work great and has great focus. This video will show the lines and distortion you will have in all of your video. I have yet to figure out how to fix it and it seems it isnt possible. MY SUGGESTION IF YOU NEED A CAMERA AND DONT HAVE ALOT OF MONEY WANT SOMETHING OK! QUALITY HERE IT IS. HOWEVER IF YOU WANT SOMETHING WITH GREAT QUALITY DONT BUY THIS CAMERA.

5 comments about Samsung SCD353 MiniDV Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom.

1. My SCD353 worked OK in first 6 months or so ( less than 10 hrs recoding). Then the picture quality become more and more blurry. I purchased a cleaning tape trying to fix it but no use.



2. I bought the SC-D353 in 2006 with budget in mind, since recent graduates like my wife and I have lots of debt and not much in the way of spending money. This camcorder was essentially the least expensive video option I found at the time that did have an external mic input.
   
   For the price, the camera does the things I am looking for. I'm looking for acceptable, not great, video definition, and it does deliver reasonable video quality when there is adequate lighting. It falls short when dealing with low light, or when a single subject is lit but the rest of the frame is dark. The lens system and autofocus are not well-integrated; once one zooms more than about 2/3rds of the way to the long end of telephoto, the autofocus hunts for several seconds before regaining focus. I suspect that the lens design is not a zoom lens, but rather a hyperfocal lens. A zoom lens retains the same focus through the range, but a hyperfocal lens changes focus distance as focal length changes. At least, that would explain why the autofocus hunts if a fast zoom occurs.
   
   About the audio... the built-in microphone is reasonably sensitive, but, and it is a large but, the camcorder self-noise while using the tape drive is excessive and simply renders the built-in mic unusable. I don't have Memory Stick memory cards, so I don't know whether that problem goes away when recording to the card. It is a good thing that this camcorder has an external mic input, because it badly needs it. I've used small dynamic stereo mics up through a Sennheiser shotgun mic with this camcorder, and as long as one either puts enough distance between the camcorder and mic, or has a mic with a good rejection of local noise, it does OK for audio, though its automatic level control tends to run a bit hot.
   
   The other reviews are correct that the provided battery delivers just about an hour of operation if one only uses the viewfinder, a chunk less if one uses the LCD screen. This limits the utility of the camcorder, since, as the other reviews also point out, the camcorder itself is the only provided charging solution, and the camcorder must be switched off in order to charge the battery. One can operate the camcorder via the provided adapter, though, so some use indoors near an electrical outlet would not be impossible, but who wants a power cable dragging along with them while taping video?
   
   The menu system provides a number of features, most of which I'm too occupied to use in the field. It also does not store settings, so every time you remove power, leave time to set up your favorites again. The one feature that needs a button, the Digital Image Stabilization, only provides that button with several other automation choices. The "EasyQ" button does turn on DIS, but it also turns on autofocus and a couple of other "amateur" features. If you want DIS and, for instance, manual focus, you have to go through the menu to do it. I've never made use of the "digital effects" settings. If I need effects, I can apply them later in Vegas.
   
   Here's what I've done with my unit to make it more useful for me. First, I invested in a third-party Li-ion 2250mAh battery and external charger, which cost me about $20 plus shipping. I can use both batteries, but I've found little need for the original, since the new battery lasts for well over two hours, even mostly running with the LCD screen active. It does, unfortunately, interfere mechanically with getting one's eye up close to the viewfinder, but I can use it with the viewfinder pulled back as one does to access the diopter adjustment and the LCD screen is generally more useful for monitoring anyway. Second, I bought a 30mm to 52mm step-up adapter. This, also unfortunately, could not be installed with the camcorder in mint condition. There is a raised ridge of decorative plastic on the front that comes up to just under the lens, preventing the flange of the adapter from resting perpendicular to the lens. My solution: use a Dremel-style motor tool to take off the 2mm or so of plastic so that I can actually screw in the adapter. I took care not to go deep, and there is still a point where it looks like I've opened a small hole to the interior. I'm not so much worried about what may get in afterward, but rather whether I was generating any plastic bits that fell in. Forget about a warranty if you do this, too. What the 52mm adapter gets me is the ability to use the high-quality accessory lenses that we bought for our Canon S2 IS camera, specifically the 0.66x Raynox wide-angle lens. (I used to have a Century 0.8x, but that weighed a couple of times what the camcorder and the new heavier battery do.) With the wide-angle accessory lens, I can get a much better view at the wide end with no vignetting, and the zoom works fine without excessive AF hunting when zooming even out to the extreme telephoto end. Third, I bought a HTDZ HT-320A microphone, a "uni-directional electret condenser" mic. I'm used to cheap audio equipment sucking badly, but the HT-320A made for a pleasant surprise. Its self-noise is actually not too bad on the unit I got; though not in the Sennheiser shotgun mic class, it also costs about a tenth of what the low-end Sennheiser costs. It is certainly an adequate microphone to pair with the SC-D353 camcorder. Between these accessories, I'm much happier with the camcorder than with it as it came out of the box. I plan to deploy this, minus the wide-angle accessory lens, on a bracket over my Nikon DSLR this summer at dog agility trials, where people often want video of their dog's performance as well as still photos.
   
   Bottom-line: If you are on a budget and only need recognizable video, not great quality video, this unit can do the job. It's certainly a contender for putting together YouTube video compositions. One should also plan to use an external microphone. I'd recommend the purchase of a higher-capacity battery and external charger. If you want to expand your view with good quality accessory lenses, you may need to perform surgery on the camcorder case.



3. Bought this camcorder at Best Buy a year ago. I made the purchase based on a long standing faith in Samsung products. The image quality was terrible. There is no light, so it is very hard to keep a focus unless you are outside in bright daylight. Sound quality was okay. But after one year of very light use, the LCD display quit working. I'll never buy another Samsung camera. I called Samsung they charge $160.00 to fix it. Brand new one is $200.00. It happened with a lot of people. BAD BAD BAD.



4. I bought this camcorder about 18months ago and it has always been inferior to my previous Canon camcorder (which unfortunately wasn't digital - hence the change)The display is poor, and totally useless in the dark, and dusk. Great for bright sunny days, but otherwise awful. I have just got it out again after 6 months left in a drawer (holiday time again!) and the LCD display doesn't work. Even if you look through the veiwfinder instead, there is no display. As camcorders are so cheap now, it will be better to replace than repair. Although I have loved Samsung products in the past I will now NEVER buy another camcorder. They are truly inferior and provide nothing but disappointment. Buy something else...you have been warned!!!



5. Thank you Amazon and vendor SuzF. I had used my Samsung Digital Video Camcorder for five years with great success. The video, sound quality, and 20 x zoom worked wonderfully. This Samsung video cam is very easy to operate, takes crystal clear videos and still photos, and is reliable and durable. It disappeared from our house and I was unable to watch the many Digital Video Cassette recordings of our vacations to Tybee Island, GA. Unfortunately, I learned Samsung no long makes this model cassette recorders; everything is DVD or memory card. I was unable to find one on the Samsung website. BUT, I was able to find a Samsung Camcorder exactly like I was looking for on Amazon.com from vendor SuzF. It was everything Sue described. The camcorder was indeed LIKE NEW and it came with all the accessories, including cables and carrying case. I would give SuzF an A + rating. Thanks Amazon for connecting me with what I was searching for. Ron Murphy, Jamestown, NY

No comments about Samsung SB-L160 Rechargeable Video Battery for Hi8 Camcorders.

5 comments about Samsung SCD23 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5 LCD.

1. Yes, I am another victim of The black screen of death. I used my camcorder only 1 1/2years and my screen went black but I am also able to view recorded tapes. Samsung will only offer a refurbished camcorder for $150.00 cost to me. NO THANKS!!



2. If you plan to buy this camcorder then please know before hand that you are taking a risk. You might get a broken one or not. That is the risk you are taking. When I first purchased this camcorder 3 years ago, I only used it for 1 week and already it broke. The screen was all distorted and was making weird noises. I took it back to bestbuy and they exchanged it for a new one. I have now had this one for 3 years and have had no problems. I love this camcorder. At this point I would not buy a new camcorder because I love this one too much. I have read all of the buyers comments on amazon and yes it is true that this camcorder is cheaply made and is does break but like I said, you are taking a risk if you buy it. It might be broken or it might work fine for 3 years or more like mine. But remember, mine broke too after using it for 1 week but my exchange one has worked for 3 years and counting. So, I guess I wouldnt recommend this camcorder because who wants to buy a camcorder and have to take a risk and wonder if it will be broken when they receive it.



3. Although Samsung makes extraordinary LCD products, their camcorder line is bottom of the barrel. This is my 2nd Samsung camcorder, and it is also the 2nd time I've been ripped off. My last one (I forget the model) and this one both stopped recording video about a month or two after the warranty expired. Since neither Samsung or Best Buy (where I bought them) care about this decidedly negative customer experience (and apparently seem to think that 1 year of usage is about par for the course) I have decided to no longer buy their products (including their splendid monitors). Companies that consistently screw their customers do not deserve to remain in business. I hope someday Best Buy and Samsung go bankrupt. Buy a Canon, and buy it online. You'll be happy and you'll save money.



4. I bought this camera several years ago. It worked fine for a year or so, then stopped working. It would only record audio and I could not use the viewfinder or screen. Since it was an inexpensive unit, I determined that it was a goner. I stashed it in the basement. Three years later, I was cleaning the basement and I found it. Still dead. I did some research and found that there was a class action lawsuit regarding this camera.
   
   Give Samsung a call and they will either repair your existing unit, or send you a refurbished SC-D382 at no charge.
   Call them at: 888-685-1349



5. I purchased this camcorder for a college course from this site factory sealed, from a third party. It did not work. I am not sure if the seller purchased this item knowing it did not work with the intent to make a quick buck. After failing my class for the first 2 weeks because the camera is defective. I had to go with a more reliable name brand. THERE IS A REASON SAMSUNG NO LONGER MANUFACTURES THIS ITEM. My camera was purchased in 2003 and was out-of-warranty by the time I got it. I feel taken by the seller, who probably knew the item was defective or got it at an extremely low price for resale. Who knows if I will ever get my money back. Lesson learned, if it's not sold at Best Buy it's really not a best buy, and too good to be true.

5 comments about Samsung SC-D372 MiniDV Camcorder with 34x Optical Zoom.

1. I bought this camera thinking it was a great valu for the price, but when you record anything (interior and exterior) you are recording all the motor noise from the camera's mechanical system.
   
   I try to reduce the noise by editing, with pinnacle, and that work if nobody is speaking.
   
   The image quality is good, the camera look great and is tiny, you can carry it very easy.
   
   I don't recommend this camcorder, spend a few bucks more and get another brand



2. This is an awsome little camcorder, shoots great picture, has good options, and has a great zoom, i would have given it 5 stars, but mine broke after 2 weeks, but i sent it in to get repaired, and they already shipped it back
   
   so Life Is Good



3. I bought for for my b/f X-Mas 08...He loves it! He says its easy to use and fits right in his hand



4. A longtime Samsung supporter, I had high hopes and was hopeful that for $300 (at the time) this would be my light use, family event camcorder for the next 5-7 years. NO CHANCE. this camera stopped working suddenly and without warning after only 3 months and perhaps 3 total hours of use (how convenient that Samsung's warranty expires at exactly 3/months!) After contacting Customer Service, I was informed that I could send the camera to their service center in New Jersey where it would be repaired and returned for the flat fee of $161.15. Two downsides for me are (1) The camera is now $190 (+/-) brand new, and, (2) The warranty on repairs is only for a whopping 30 days. New plan, grab some small screwdrivers and start tinkering, meanwhile I'm here to pick up a new Sony, Cannon, or Panasonic and strongly advise anyone reading this review or considering this camera to quickly DO THE SAME!



5. Lots of settings. Poor video quality. I did side by side comparison of video clips of the same scene. My Canon Powershot A570 digital camera takes much better video clips than this Camcorder. Keep looking.

5 comments about Samsung DC164 DVD Camcorder with 33x Optical Zoom.

1. I can't believe a company is allowed to sell such a piece of junk. Samsung should face a lawsuit for misleading buyers. This product does not fulfill the "implied warranty of merchantability". I'd rate this product zero if it was an option.
   
   I've only been able to use DVD-Rs. Most do not finalize (disc error). (And, yes, the camcorder has already been sent back to Samsung once for "repair"....not as if that helped). The ones that do finalize always end up with clips that have errors (when I try to load the video to my computer for editing).
   
   Luckily, I've been able to recover much of the corrupted clips using IsoBuster (DVD data recovery software). Still, the image quality of this camcorder is pathetic. I've used it for several months...but no more. I'm sick of spending all my time trying to recover corrupted video files...and then watching video that is of lower quality than analog VHS.
   
   I went out and bought a Sony DCR DVD405. No more messing around with any brands other than Sony or Canon.
   
   ...anyone want a Samsung SCDC 164 for really cheap?



2. DON'T BUY THIS CAMCORDER THE BATTERY ONLY LASTS FOR 20-25 MINUTES WHEN FULLY CHARGED. SOMETIMES YOU FEEL EMBRASSED.



3. I received this product as a gift. While the camera itself was free, I had to buy a case, back-up batteries (after having read the negative reviews), mini DVDs, and a memory card, so it was far from free in the end. Here's my experience so far:
   
   Pros:
   --Lightweight, easy to hold
   --Pretty
   
   Cons:
   --The battery problem is true and cannot be fixed from my experience. I bought a Samsung SB-LSM80 Equivalent Lithium Ion Battery TWO-PACK (Replaces SB-LS80 SB-LSM160--For Camcorder SC Series D263 D363 D365 D6040 D963 DVD DC164 DC) and a Memorex Mini DVD+RW 10 Pack. Even while fully charged, the battery indicator showed half-charge, for both the original battery and the new spare batteries I bought. After using the camera for about 5-10 minutes, it goes into a 1/4 charge mode. While it only takes about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes to fully charge from a 5-10 minute use, the battery indicator still only measures 1/2 charged. Very annoying.
   --The DVD+RW discs do not allow for 'finalization' which worries me.
   
   I haven't decided yet what to do--whether to deal with the product flaws or throw in the towel and buy my own digital camera



4. I used this camera successfully for one week and one day, upon which time it suddenly stopped being able to read any disc. After several hours of troubleshooting myself and engaging level 2 technical support, it was deemed in need of repair and now I must send it off to NJ.
   
   Consequently, I cannot give the product anything but the lowest rating as something 30+ days old and used only a week should not fail like this.



5. It seems as though there are mixed reviews about this DVD camcorder. Either they loved it or they hated it. From my experience, I thought this camcorder was great. The quality of the video & sound is excellent for this camera. Of course, the video quality is alot better when shooting outside, and you would have to do some tinkering with the settings for indoor filming.
   
   I've used it to capture some home videos and converted them to AVI or WMV format just be inserting the Mini-DVD+RW into my PC. You can just copy/paste directly to your Hard Drive without having to use a capture program that would take the whole length of the video to copy to your PC. I also owned a Canon MiniDV camcorder, and the only way to transfer those videos was using a capture program. This DVD camcorder definitely blows that Canon MiniDV out the water.
   
   So, if you're looking for a DVD camcorder you have plenty of choices out there. But I have owned many Samsung products over the years (HDTV, phone, etc.) and I've always had a great experience with them and never had a problem with any of them. I'm actually selling mine or cheap because I just bought a new HIGH-DEF camcorder. Those are pretty expensive though, so I had to work some extra overtime to pay for it.

5 comments about Samsung SCD103 MiniDV Digital Camcorder.

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. This was a gift for a friend. She was very pleased. It was just what she wanted.



4. If you have the problem of not being able to record other than audio, (bad CCD chip) Samsung will repair or replace this camera for free. Call Samsung with your serial number and they will e-mail you a UPS shipping label and RMA number for UPS. This is the result of a class action suite settlement. I hope this helps someone as it did I.
   Mark



5. I Had one of these, and after a year or so the LCD display when black, FOREVER. They want $180 to repair it when the FLEA MARKET sells better ones for half the price. Oh and the image quality was a couple of decades behind, PIXELLATION BELONGS IN THE 80's!!!!

5 comments about Samsung SC-D363 MiniDV Camcorder with 30x Optical Zoom.

1. This camcorder is unreliable. I purchased one locally (not from Amazon.com), and it failed after I had recorded less than one and a half tapes. Unfortunately, by that time it was out of warranty, so I am stuck with it although it is now useless. Checking online, I discovered that other owners have experienced the same problem. (The camcorder will not record or play tapes because the "eject" signal appears even with new tapes.) After this experience, I would avoid all Samsung products.



2. had this camcorder for 2 years now only used it at xmas and birthdays and now it keeps flashing on the screen to eject the tape. it's a mechanical problem and is going to cost almost as much as the camera costed to get fixed



3. This camera does not come with the ability to download onto a computer with XP or later versions, it sucks!! Spend your money elsewhere!



4. Don't waste your money on this piece of hooptie camera. We haven't even filled up enough space for one blank cassette before it started humming really loud and the battery would go dead (even after fully charging it). I took it to the local electronic store and they tell me the battery and the drums have gone bad already. Here's the kicker..there estimate to fix it was $298.00!!! The recorder was only $200.00 to begin with. Spend a little more and get good quality. You get what you pay for I guess.



5. I wouldn't buy it again, but, it does work with firewire with windows 7. I just made a video of a talent show and the sound is really good. The picture quality is not the best, but not bad either for the price. It does have a lot of features. All in all it is not a bad camera.

5 comments about Samsung SC-DC173U DVD Camcorder with 34x Optical Zoom.

1. My wife bought this for me last year for Christmas - not sure why I didn't really want another video cam. But anyway, after having the camera for about 12 months now, I've shot about 12 minutes of video. Why only 12 minutes? Because every time I've used it, it's locked up on me to the point that I have to take the battery out to get it to shut off. The last time I looked at this camera I was showing somebody how it would lock up and needed the battery taken out. I took the battery out, it went off I turned the knob to the off position and reinserted the battery. I put the camera down assuming it was off and it should have been. 15 minutes or so went by and I accidentally touched it and it was smoking hot IN THE OFF POSITION. It could have easily started a fire where it was sitting on the bed. But other than the fact that it could burn your family in their sleep, the camera's actually really awful. Poor poor picture quality, just read some of the "professional" reviews on that. I have yet to find one redeeming feature about it. I'm probably going to ship it back to Samsung and let it burn down their house. Do not, I repeat, do not buy this. I have always been a strong supporter of Samsung products, but this may have changed all that.



2. Don't buy this camera, even though it is cheap, its a waste of money all together. Its frustrating how when you are trying to record family memories and it keeps telling you errors. It worked well for the first year we owned it but now its just collecting dust on the shelf. I don't even know how many DVDs we have wasted. And on top of that you can't watch whatever you did record. Waste of time and money!



3. My husband gave this camera to me for my 29th birthday, just in time to record my sons baptism, which we had done at our church when he was only 8 days old. The film is completely black - you can hear the baptism but can't see it. This camera takes EXTREMELY poor videos - can not handle low lighting at all, which HELLO makes it useless to me.



4. I'm going to make this short and sweet. This camera is OK. It works, and in good lighting can make a decent quality picture; however, more times than not, the pic quality is horrible, and the battery life wont last the length of a 20 min DVD. The record to a SD card is even worse. my wifes digi camera takes better video than this camera, and the still pic feature is worthless.
   
   To sum it up, I would stay away from this camcorder.



5. Ive never owned a camcorder before I purchased this one so I was excited when I had bought it right before my baby shower in '07. I thought that I would be able to record my baby shower and the birth of my son with no problem. Back then I was a little upset over the price, $250 approx. But i had thought that since it was a dvd camcorder that must be a good price since every other one I had seen was more expensive. Anyway I recorded my baby shower without a problem. The video was fine. The battery life was ok. Then all the problems started after that day. I would record and the video would start to blur. The camcorder would start to shake when trying to read the disk. Then the battery life was becoming very horrible. It would start to die within a half an hour. It especially made me mad when I went to look back at the video from the birth of my son and there were parts missing because the battery would die and the person that was recording could not record everything because the battery was dieing. I am just going to probably give this one to my sister and buy a much better one. Its just my opinion, but I would not advise anyone to buy this camcorder.
   Oh before I go, there were a few things that did not piss me off about it. The picture was not always bad and my dvds were not always unreadable.