5 comments about Sony DCR-VX2100 3CCD MiniDV Handycam Camcorder w/12x Optical Zoom.

1. Alright there is so much to say about a camera like this but I'm gonna make it short for sure.
   
   I've had mine for a couple of months now and I still haven't learned how to use all of its functions. But, in the case of this camera, its a good thing. The camera has sooo many functions its overwhelming at some moments. But slowly I'm picking them up.
   
   I just used this camera as one of two cameras used for a short film and it seriously came through. The footage it takes in the HD mode is insanely perfect. The zoom is smooth when using the zoom ring on the end of the camera. I'm told that its an issue that the lens' aren't fully interchangeable, but the 20x Zoom is plenty powerful for most needs.
   
   One of the best parts is the stabilizer. The shots come out like you are using a tripod. It works amazingly well. Even better than the stabilizers on any of my Cannon Lens' I use for my still cameras. Simply amazing.
   
   I invested in a nice tripod that has a smooth operation and the 12 hour battery. You must get this battery. I use my camera all day and its great to never worry about power running out. Its even more necessary if you're using a light source connected to camera power.
   
   Taking that footage and transferring it over to your software (I used Studio 11 By Pinnacle) is pretty straight forward. You have plenty of methods of transfer as well. I chose to use HDMI cables and it always works out perfectly.
   
   Would I buy it again if I had to do it all over again? I gotta say I probably would. The only really bad thing about the camera is.... what I paid for it. Wow, I definitely was feeling a little tight in the chest as I drove it home.



2. I bought this to replace my defunkt Canon GL2 (tape drive mechanism failure - check the web for tons of dissatisfied Canon customers). I still had a bunch of mini-DV tapes to capture into my PC and wasn't ready to step up to an HD camcorder, so this was the nearest I could come to the quality I had grown to expect from my Canon GL2.
   
   The quality of the video this camera takes is fabulous and it's very easy to use. If you had a previous edition Sony camcorder, you'd be able to use this without so much as a look at the owner's manual.
   
   The only complaint I have with the Sony is that the still pictures it is capable of taking (rapidly too I might add!), are just not in a high enough resolution to make them suitable for much beyond supplementing your video clips. Perhaps there's enough resolution there for a 4x6 print, but not much more. Too bad... It would have been nice to park my Nikon at home and have this be my work horse. Perhaps the HD camcorders improve upon this feature. In a couple of years, I'll check it out.
   
   As an aside, the GL2 wasn't the only Canon camcorder I've had that died. Given their miserable track record for longevity, I will NEVER buy another Canon product.
   
   
   And a caveat. Buy a Mini-DV VCR to do the post filming grunt work. The camera manufactures would have you believe that you can do fancy editing work on there units. Once a camera's drive mechanism fails, the repair costs are staggering. So shoot your video with the camera, then rewind, capture and/or edit your film with a Mini-DV deck.



3. This is my first 3 chip camera and probably my top choice for years to come. Great quality in video and audio.



4. I recently opened my own professional wedding videography business, and after doing a lot of research decided on buying a pair of these cameras. I have never been so happy with an investment as I have with these cameras. They have all the features you could want in a camera: auto or manual controls for things like zoom, focus, exposure, shutter speed, etc, GREAT low-light sensitivity, high-quality mic, ports to plug in an additional mic, smart accessory shoe for additional lights or mics, LCD or viewfinder display, light filters, lens hood - it's great. Some of my favorite features are the light filters and the manual focus ring. The light filter will tell you if there's too much light coming in the lens (washing your picture out) and will tell you which filter to turn on. The manual focus ring is located right beside the manual zoom ring, and allows you to change your field of focus on the fly - great for getting some artistic shots.
   
   Bottom line - it's worth the price. Get this camera!



5. I've had one of these for 4 years. It's received fairly heavy use over that time with NO problems. Great in low or limited light-use situations. With a little practice, the manual controls are easy to reach and work very well. I've checked out the HD upgrades to this camera, and they really don't compare - yet. I love how good the footage looks in low- or poorly lit situations. (Sometimes you can't set up in your lights, especially when the CEO of a corporation only has 5 minutes to spare for a shoot, and it HAS to be in his/her office. If you don't need an HD camera, this little guy will serve you well. Why only 4 stars? The mic input is an 1/8' plug (which isn't a horrible work-around is you use high-quality mics) The placement of this jack isn't too good, and I've pulled the mic cord out by accident a time or two. Keep your heads clean and always monitor your audio with headphones. I also recommend a hard-shell case. I hope Sony will make a HD camera as good as this one soon.

5 comments about Sony DCR-SR82 1MP 60GB Hard Disk Drive Handycam Camcorder with 25x Optical Zoom (Handycam Station Included).

1. Hi,
   This was my first cam and it is good. I expect better performance for the ZOOM and Night shut. But it is sufficient.
   
   1. You need a tripod for a good shut. Especially, if you are zooming, it shakes too much.
   2. It is good for night shut but could be better.
   3. Buy with accessories. I could not do it because of the first seller. They sucked. But be sure to get a good kit, tripod, battery, screen protector.
   4. I want to use for wedding, the battery was insufficient.
   5. I will buy most probably a cord for shuts without battery. About $25.
   6. The included kit was easy to use. You can easily install XP drivers and use the recorded videos. I did not used throughly but did not see any problem. Also, USB cable is standard one, which is a good thing.
   7. It's hard disk is perfect. I am very happy about the record medium :)
   8. It is hard to select from screen. Cant touch for the first time. I could not select what I want. Perhaps, I am too cautious about the cam when using.
   
   Have fun with it. As I said this was my first cam, so I could not compare with the others.



2. I bought the SR42 1st, Which is Lower Resolution and the WideScreen Features are Not as Good. So I upgraded to the SR82 (The SR62 is the Same as the 82 but only 30 Gig). The SR42 isn't bad, you get alot of features for the price, if you can live with less than perfect video quality.
   
   The Video on the SR42 was just slightly worse than my 10 Year Old Sony Tape HandyCam. I was using a 50" TV in my comparisons. So I got the sr82. The Video Resolution Upgrade is much better on the 62 and 82 models.
   
   The Other thing I notice is the sr42 did not handle the Widescreen the Same way. When I recorded with the sr82 the Picture filled my Widescreen TV whereas the sr42 did not since 4:3 put Black Bars on the Side and 16:9 had bars on the Top and Bottom. It seems as if the sr42 is 4:3 Native and the Widescreen Mode was 2.35 to 1 Aspect Ratio which I did not Like for Home Videos. The sr62 and sr82 are Native 16:9 Widescreen. They can Also do 4:3 as well.
   
   The ActiveShoe Interface allows for adding InfraRed or Microphone or Lighting Attachments.
   
   The Touch Screen is Nice and Works well. It Rotates 270 degrees. So you can Flip it 180 degrees one way and fold it back towards the camera for doing playback or when connecting to the Computer.
   
   I did notice that the Camera Defaults to SP Mode and Not HQ. So the Highest Resolution is not the default. Just a Heads up.
   
   The Battery gets you at least an hour of Recording. There are Larger Capacity Batteries Available.
   
   I use this Camera in 2 Difficult Recording Situations.
   1) Recording my Band. Usually from Far away. Music Really Loud. Varying Lighting Conditions (Stage Lights). It works well but you must use Manual Focus.
   2) Video Taping my Sons Hockey Team. Hockey Rinks are tough to get Still Pictures in as well. Subjects are moving Fast but Flash cannot be used due to the Glass along the boards. The Netting also plays havoc with Auto Focus. The Sony also worked well in this situation. I got good video using Auto, Snow and Sports Settings. I think the Auto may be the best except when the Metal Halide Lighting is too low in certain rinks it can cause varied brightness in the video.
   
   Overall a great Camera at the Price. Cameras $100 more are probably better. But you get what you pay for. Decide How much you want to Pay and get the Best Camera in that Range. This one Seemed to be the Best one in my Range. Plus I have always had good luck with Sony Products Lasting for 10+ years. Something I cannot say for just about every other brand I have tried. How much did I save when another camera was $50 cheaper but I have to replace it in 4 years...



3. I had the worst experience shopping for SR82 at butterflyphoto thru Amazon. I always loved shopping at Amazon but this has been my worst experience. First butterflyphoto put this product as on sale for 570$. I was really waiting for an offer as the last time i got this handycam was in christmas and for $500 thru Amazon. So I quickly hit the checkout and purchased it. I recieved a shipped mail (thru fedex) from butterfly after a few days and on the same day I received the mail that the request had been cancelled. I went in Amazon my stuff section to find my order but it clearly had dissapeared. Initially the money was withdrawn but then they had cancelled the payment.
   
   Now whats so worse when you got your money back you might think. The worst part was the item was shipped to my address and was cancelled half way thru and the only reason I can now find for this is that SR82 rates have increased twice fold.
   
   Why should they provide a sale if its a false one. If they did not have the product I can understand. But it waas shipped and cancelled and so much for customer satisfaction.
   
   This is my first review. Many good experiences do not provoke us to write about them but one bad one does.



4. I never review anything, but I felt I needed to make a review of this product. We purchased this camcorder just before Christmas. Normally Sony makes great electronic equipment, but this camera has been terrible from day one.
   
   For a long time I thought "Well, maybe it needs perfect lighting" or "Maybe the boys were moving to fast", but then I realized that our ancient camcorder - also a Sony - NEVER had a problem with these issues.
   
   This camera almost never focuses properly. It's off just enough that you rub your eyes thinking maybe its you, but its not. If you watch through the view finder, you can actually stand there and see the picture go in and out of focus - and I'm not even moving.
   
   I like the video to disk thing, but it's not worth much if you go to video you little boy's school play and get home to find everything is out of focus.
   
   It's up to you, but I for one would never spend anything on one of these cameras again.



5. This is my 3rd video camera and my first Sony and I absolutely love it! I have officially become a Sony Snob! It is worth every extra penny! I originally had a Panasonic then JVC and only wish I spent the extra money the first time for the Sony.
   
   I am extremely picky with picture quality and could not be happier! For a personal/nonprofessional camera this is the best! My camera has been on 2 vacations all over the place in low light and bright light, even on a boat and I had NO problems with focus or color.
   
   The touch screen is so easy to use and convenient. I love the setup and how easy it is to watch or delete a video.
   
   I was sceptical about the night vision but think it is just as good as a regular light (I had one on my other camera). The picture is slightly grainy with the night vision which is to be expected in low light but I hands down prefer to not have everyone I am filming squinting from the bright light in their eyes.
   
   I don't know what everyone is complaining about with charging the battery. I do not find this to be an issue- simply plug in the camera and the battery charges..... The battery seems to stay charged for 2-3 hours. I bought an extra one for $50 which works great.
   
   I was not sure if I should purchase this model after reading the reviews of the picture quality compared to an HD model. THIS IS NOT AN HD CAMERA! Based on this, the picture is AWESOME! I could not be happier! This is the best quality I have had in a video camera by far in all areas.
   I have not tried to take pictures since I have my own camera and don't think you can expect the best pictures from a video camera. This was not a factor for me.
   
   In my opinion, this is the BEST HDD video camera for the money and I will never buy another brand!

5 comments about Sony DCRTRV460 Digital8 Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom.

1. I have had this camcorder for at least 3 years. I received it as a gift. I love it. It's easy to use, takes great still photos as well as awesome video. I make many little home movies with this camera along with my computer. It's zooms in and out nicely, had night shot and the battery charges quickly and lasts a long time. I did require a special cable that didn't come with the camera though. But as a long time user of this camera I must say its worth the money. I know it was under $400.00.



2. I bought this camera in winter of 2004. It was a good camera for about a year and a half. This past summer I started getting the same "Video Heads are Dirty" message that everyone is getting. I've tried cleaning, but am still getting the message. Now it won't even recognize that there's a video cassette in it.
   
   Looks like I need to take it to be serviced, but I fear what the cost will be.



3. I've read some poor reviews on what's happened over time with other people's Handycams, but I must say that mine still works after 2 years, a few typhoons and several 'dropping' accidents. I'm just now beginning to find some of the neat features of this camcorder, too!
   The reason I purchased this camcorder was because of the colored infrared nightshot, which works great! You can take pictures in pitch darkness. Although I must say recently I've noticed problems with the handycam's playback feature. It keeps switching to Hi8 mode when the video isn't taken with the Hi8 feature (this makes the LCD screen turn blue so you can't see the playback). I'll most likely buy another Sony with the color enhanced nightshot, but I think I'll switch to the DVD or harddrive version.



4. Works well. Has fire wire and is Digital Quality. Would recommend this product.



5. I bought mine in late 2005, but didn't use it when I was overseas because the supplied software was TERRIBLE and I never could get it to work. I ended up using the video capture on my separate Digital camera. So, a year later, I fired it up this week and spent an entire day trying to play a video I recorded yesterday on my PC... being a digital video novice, here are the caveats you need to know after I spent all day on it, plus read all 43 review before this one:
   - I like the features of the camera, the zoom and fold out screen, but the pain is usability and working with the videos or pictures once you take them. If you just want to take taped videos, and watch them on a TV using the provided AV cable, it is ok, but NOT if you want to see or use the video on a PC and edit it. So read on...
   - You really need a second battery, which I ordered automatically, which added to the price. Some of the reviews here say you can use 3rd party batteries, but others say an embedded chip prevents using them. Mine was an expensive Sony battery.
   - There are no tapes in the box, so you have to buy some.
   - READ the simple manual first for each task you do... for instance if you try to plug in the USB cable to a pc first it screws up the drivers, and you have to go to troubleshooting sections to manual delete the drivers, then reload.
   - Sony uses a 4 wire firewire cable called "iWire" (they don't say firewire anywhere).. BUT THEY DON'T PROVIDE THE iWire CABLE. So the user wastes time trying to get provided USB cables to work and after two hours trying to install, reinstall and use the TERRIBLE Sony provided "Picture Package" software, or keep flipping through all the touchscreen menus to turn on "Burn DVD" which uses a CD-R (not DVD) and never find a way to transfer the video to the PC. I finally got the low budget USB Streaming player to work so I could see my video in a small screen on the PC, but there was no option to capture it to a file (stupid). Sony also provides an "AV" cable that has three composite rca jacks to plug into your vcr so you could play the video through that method, but I don't have a VCR anymore - I use a Comcast DVR which has the physical jacks, but they are disabled (a whole separate story about Comcast DVRs).
   - Using firewire - finally, I fired up my previously purchased Pinnacle Studio version nine, which apparently can't recognize the Sony USB connection, as it kept saying it was looking for a connection on ieee 1394 input, which is firewire (Sony refuses to say that common name). I finally figured out I needed firewire for best transfer to the PC (and so do some of the reviews), and ordered the 4 wire to 6wire Sony iWire cable by part number (read the Accessories catalog) because my PC does have the standard 6 wire Firewire jack on the back. Just after I ordered it, I found that Belkin had much lower priced cables of the same type on Amazon, or you can order used ones or generic ones. ALSO, I happen to have a Sony laptop, and it has a Sony design 4-wire firewire jack on it (not the standard 6-wire jack), so I ordered a Belkin 4-wire to 4-wire cable to connect my camcorder to the Sony laptop.
   - Sony doesn't provide any memory stick card at all so you can't use that storage feature until you buy one. Other reviews here say 64-128mb are fine for storing the 1mpx pictures it takes. 1-2 reviews say that you can't store movies on the memory stick, but I would confirm that - I haven't tried it.
   - Conclusion:
   - Get a second battery
   - Don't rely on the USB connection for anything except a streaming video to the Sony viewer, but you can't capture it. Go for firewire, which means you need the cable (see below) and a standard firewire port or Firewire card on your pc.
   - Get a 128mb memory stick to start (which means you also need a memory stick reader on the PC or laptop). The HandyCam pictures are only 1 megapixel, so I will rarely use it, but the memory stick is how you transfer the pictures to a PC (There might be a way with the USB line, but I don't want to waste anymore time on their software)
   - Order the 4 wire to 6 wire iWire or Firewire cable for playback and transfer, and if your computer doesn't have firewire, add a card with it. The Sony part number is VMC-IL4615 - but get the Belkin alternate or another supplier - Sony's price is $39.95 when Belkin's is 1/4 of that. (I ordered it, but haven't gotten it yet).
   - Expect to not be able to do ANY work on the PC editing your video with the USB cable or Sony's poor software. Instead, try using firewire and the free Microsoft Movie Maker that comes with XP. OR, expect to pay $100 or more for Pinnacle Studio, or ULead's Movie product, or Adobe's video maker products. Pinnacle has special high end audio visual cards with firewire you might look at. Or just make sure you have a good AV card with firewire and the right hardware specs to use the video editing software (i.e. ATI Radeon, etc.) . MY HP has the right specs, so I didn't need an additional card.
   - To process video files on the computer, you might need to add more memory - if the editing is slow, determine if more RAM will help.
   - The camera doesn't come with a bag, so you will need one.
   - The battery is charged by plugging the power brick into the camera and charging the battery in the camera. It is slow, and means you can't use the camera while charging, but I always have two batteries charged, so that is what you have to live with, or buy an external charger.
   - Misc - I bought an infrared filter and tripod also for the camera.
   - Cost - So even though you budgeted $400 or so for the camera, the true price with all the above is more like $600-700 to actually be usable.
   
   And now, my budding You Tube production might actually happen, once I get those cables...
   VJ

5 comments about Sony DCR-HC36 MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom.

1. Shortly after I purchased this camcorder (within hours), I returned it to Best Buy. I think my old Hi8 Sony camcorder had better picture quality then this one. It has good features, and I liked the sleek design, but in the end, the quality of the video is ultimately what I am looking for. The video it recorded was very pixelated and grainy. I have been told there is other options to make the picture better by a best buy customer service rep, but there is none. I had reservations about buying another Sony product, but everyone was telling me Sony leads the pack with their camcorders. Those folks were wrong. I bought the Canon Elura 100 and is much happier with that products video capabilities. I think my experience with this Sony product was the final nail in the coffin, I won't be buying anymore Sony products. My advice is, stay away from this unit. You will regret it, just read all the other customer feed back on CNET and you will understand.



2. We replaced an older JVC miniDV camcorder with this one. I'm impressed with the Carl Zeiss Lens it comes with. It is pretty small but I'm getting used to that. I'll get another Sony when I'm ready to upgrade this one but it won't be for awhile because this one is more than adequate for what we're using it for. (Family movies).



3. I just bought this because my panasonic minidv broke (tape insert would not open). I thought this would be cool, because of the built in night vision. However, this is a totally useless feature. It turns everything into black & white, and makes everyone's eyes look like big white dots like a deer staring into a headlight of the car. Certainly not a way you want to remember family events, which is what I purchased this for. If I can do it over again, I would buy something that has a light mounted on the front of the camera. This nightvision feature is useless. Overall, the camera records moview, so I guess it works fine.



4. The image quality is good (just as any DV camera). Connecting the cables directly to the camera with no need of any base or cradle is also very good. With USB connection you can use this camera also as webcam when at home, and you can even show recorded images on your tapes through as if it is a live image. The audio quality of the microfone rocks! (really really good) And it can also be used as USB microfone with the webcam.
   
   Perhaps, I got disappointed with some important features:
   - It does not have any led light that shows if the camera is recording of not (VERY BAD!).
   - It can not take shots if you are recording in widescreen mode.
   - If you don't want to mess up your battery, you have to take it off from the camera, because it does not detect that the battery is already charged. This is terrible when you are using the camera at home with the AC adapter: always remeber to remove the battery.
   - Night vision is badly placed, so when you attach an extenal lens, the light is covered. Also, when not using an external lens, it only works when very close to the subject.
   
   The last point i think is a general DV cams problem: don't waste your money with a 1GB or 512MB memory stick to store pictures. The picture quality is terrible, it's only 0.3 megapixel (640x480). An old 64MB memory stick is enough, unless you want to store videos on it, but why you'll want to do that if you have DV tapes???



5. I purchased the Sony DCR-HC36 last December(2006) and while the picture quality was just 'okay' for us, we were content for a year. Recently though when we try to capture the video on any one of our computers (via USB)the picture is broken-down into digital squares and unlegible as well as there is no sound. I downloaded fresh drivers and installed them but nothing worked. We have only used the camera a total of 25 times and it has never been dropped or banged around but it is putting garbage now and we can't seem to figure out why. The Sony site does NOT have a troubleshooting link to help figure this out and we refuse to put a dime into getting it repaiered since it really is not that good of a deal anyway. We do NOT recommend this camera to anyone. Do your research.

5 comments about Sony Cybershot DSCM1 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom & MPEG4 Video.

1. At first I was horribly disappointed with this camera. While the video was incredible, way too many of my stills were coming out blurry. I had upgraded from a 1.3 megapixel sony clunker, and was regretting it.
   
   But over the next while, as I experimented more with the settings, I realized the problem wasn't the camera, it was me. This camera takes wonderful stills once you learn how to use it.
   
   The settings I change from time to time are minor and take only a second or two, so it is easy to use on the spur of the moment.
   
   This is a truly versatile camera, and one of the best buys I've ever made!



2. I bought this since I wanted both videos and stills in one compact package. This camera does not disappoint. The videos are simply outstanding (in the best mode, of course). Get a tripod, and you can get amazing stills in some of the low-light settings too. I got some outstanding pictures of Washington by night.
   
   The one BIG complaint I have is that as an amateur photographer with limited time to go through manuals or understand photography, this camera dos not do great with automatic settings (others have complained about this here). Which means if you do some work for about 2 hours trying to understand what everything means, you could get outstanding pictures. But the far less capable canons that I have used do a better job with point and shoot than this one. If you know and enjoy tweaking the setting for stills, and like taking some amazing videos in an ultra-small pacakge, this is it.
   What I like most:
   You can directly watch movies from the camera on your TV with te included attachment (similar to most camcorders). And a 2 GB stick can take longer vidoes than a Mini DV. And occupies a lot less space.



3. I purchased this camera just a week ago. I also purchased the fuji v10 which I loved as well. Both nice point and shoot features, BUT....the fuji when zoomed up pixelated ALOT. This camera taken the same picture you can zoom up to see the color of the eyes and no pixelation..it truly is amazing. Settings definitely make a difference so over the week and 1000 shots with both cameras later playing with them, I am in love with this camera and returned the other. The battery life seems much better, the video is totally amazing. I did find a case at compusa that fit perfect for 5 bucks with a belt clip. I purchased a 2 gb card for it and am in love with it. My husband is cracking up, can't even put it down during dinner....taking pics of the food! You will have alot of fun with this. My friends are all ewwwwing and ahhhing at it.



4. Very nice camera with cool features and ease of use. the auto focus is a bit annoying but that's about it



5. The sony cybershot is fairly easy to use as camera's go. This was my first "real" camera and in no time i was taking "PRO" shots. The way it opens up is a real "grabber " for me. The screen rotates "360" for easy self portraits.

5 comments about Sony DCRDVD101 DVD Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom.

1. First of all, for you people with a short attention span - DO NOT GET THIS CAMERA !!! Now for everyone else, this camera has been one of the biggest thorns in my side in recent memory - it started pretty good - it is easy to take video and pictures the LCD screen is good the zoom is above average for the price and the on screen picture is good. But try to move on from there. The Image Mixer software must have been written by morons. It is convuluted time consuming and not compatible with anything (except perhaps a 1985 version of Super Mario Brothers) - Then came the issue of it writing over previously recorded video for no reason - And finally it decided that anytime you removed a disc and put it back in - it had to be reformated. I contacted Sony who politly told me to use a disc rescue service and have a Sony center check it out - I have been on many boards that talked about the same problems - I have never kicked myself so much over a piece of electronics - Avoid it at all costs



2. We have had one a few years now, our first video camera dvd. It was easy to setup, try out and plug into the tv or pop in the dvd and see what we took. We love the features it comes with and the editing part we didn't really have much trouble once we read the instructions. I'm sure if you mess around with it without reading the instructions it would be confusing. But once you know what your doing, your fine. We have used this at home as well as on numerous trips over the years. We had no problems or flaws with sony or the camcorder. Original batteries are still working fine and recharging. We have two batteries we carry with us as well as extra dvd's as they do fill up fast; but what a better way to store your memories!



3. we were given this $900 recorder right after the birth of our child so we got some great movies of him.At 6 months we got a format error on display screen and weren't able to discharge dvd.called sony troubleshooting and not very helpful staff read from a manual which didnt apply to our model, called 3 times each time told warranty ran out(3months) and to send it to them for $250 they would look at it.so now i have a camcorder that doesnt work and a company that doesnt stand behind its product



4. Unless have no need to edit. This is completely incompatable with non-sony software.
   
   It almost works with Adobe Premier Elements, but causes crashes. To use with an Apple, you have to convert the format to MPEG (MPEG4 works best) and the signal is horribly distorted in the process.
   
   The Pixela software is buggy, but works, but not well. If you think that because it is a USB device that it is easy to use, you are wrong. (as I was)
   
   Not to mention Sony's history of installing viruses on your computer without permission.



5. We also bought this product after our first child was born and loved it at first. Now, only four years later, the screen is shot; we've received numerous error messages over the life of the product; we have three DVDs that we were able to review once before finanlyzing and now the camera no longer recognizes them; and Sony informs us that we must have it shipped to them for repair at a cost of $250.00. Extremely dissapointed that our camera is now premanently disabled after only four years and our only remedy is to pay $250.00 to hope that they can fix it.

5 comments about Sony DCR-HC26 MiniDV Digital Handycam Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom.

1. I purchased this camera as a replacement for my aging Sony Handycam TRV37. The TRV37 was a great Hi-8 camera that served me well over several film projects. As it got older and I decided it was time to upgrade to MiniDV I found my way to the HC26.
   
   This little bundle of a digital camera has performed superbly and it's immensely modest price allowed me to immediately turn around and return to the guerrilla film making that I had been doing with my old Handycam.
   
   As a no-budget film maker it is important to get the most that you can out of every dollar spent and the HC26 really was worth every penny. The size of the camera is convenient for those wishing to remain unobtrusive during shooting. The optics capture a crisp and clean image that even looks good when blown up to projection size. I know this because I had a film, shot entirely on my HC26, that appeared in the Maine International Film Festival in July of 2007 and it looked great.
   
   For those looking to make movies on MiniDV but don't have the money to spend on the high-end MiniDV cameras the HC26 is worth the investment.



2. I am very disappointed with this camera. The image stabilizer does not work. I exchanged the first camera I bought for a second and was presented with the same problem. I tried the second camera for a while thinking I was at fault. Nope. The IS does not work. However, I am very pleased with the way I was treated by Amazon. I will now first look to them for any purchase.



3. I have no complaints. It is challenging to figure out a good software to use to put it on your computer. I have a DVD recorder and just transfer it directly from the camera to a DVD. Great camera though! I'd recommend it for a simple little video camera!



4. One year and one month after purchase, in other words one month after the warranty expired, the tape door stuck open. I've used it maybe 4-5 times and stored it gently and safely in its padded case out of harm's way. Then last week I pulled it out, ejected the tape, put in a new one, and clack...the door won't close and take in the tape. I did some searching on the net and found many, many people having this same problem with Sony devices. It's a shame because other than it catastrophically failing 30 days after the warranty expired, I really liked it. What's happened to Sony? Sad.



5. My video camera was working great but yesterday it started acting up and was not replaying video in a normal mode. The video was choppy and the sound came out in blips here and there, it is in a permanent state of slow fast-forward or so it seems.
   
   I have had this video camera for about 15 months and have been very happy with its easy and user-friendly approach. I look to Sony for quality, however I have been less than satisfied with their accoutability. I do not believe in extended warranties. I think they are a crock and if a product or company has to be backed up by an extended warranty they are not worth buying or supporting, or you had better just resolve to purchasing a "throw away" product.
   
   Having said that I have just recieved the news that my video camera is in need of sony service repair. My warranty is 75 days out of date, but even so when I was told that it was an internal malfunction with the camera I do not feel that I should be the "test-dummy" for Sony's longevity of the purchased product. I can buy a new one for $250.00 on Amazon or have it repaired for half that price, but then only recieve a 90 day warranty on the work. That does not pencil out financially for me and is essentially not worth the hassle when it can be replaced for a seemingly small amount.
   
   You get what you pay for, as the old adage goes. If you are looking for a product with longevity this is not it. Hence the title "Throw Away Purchase"

5 comments about Sony HDR-HC3 4MP High-Definition Handycam MiniDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom.

1. I happened to get a great deal on this camera at $500. It has more than been worth it for that price, but there are several shortcomings that keep it from being worthy of the premium price range at most retailers, and the interests of mid to pro level videographers.
   
   First of all in terms of manuel control, there is very little to be said. It is, for the most part, non-existent.
   
   You can set the small wheel to adjust the "exposure" and the focus, but that is about it, its also very easy to jiggle the frame when using the wheel.
   
   Apparentlly you can shut auto shutter off, but sadlly after doing so, you aren't given the ability to adjust the shutter speed.
   
   White ballance can be set manually, but you will need to go into the extensive menues to do so, and the camera resets to auto each time it is turned off.
   
   Low light situations are a problem for anyone that is going to be filming indoors whitout any extra lighting.
   
   My personal most inconvenient problem with the camera is its complete lack of inputs. For me its a real shame because i need to do a lot of signal captures from different sources, which means I can't bring along this cam for a good amount of work. Also audio is a pain because of this, At the moment I'm having to record to minidisk, and even though the quality is better, allways having to sync up in the edit is becoming a bit of a pain.
   
   
   Aside from all these things, this camera really does create wonderful images under the right conditions, and with its size, its incrediblly convenient if you want to get great shots without having to lug around a huge kit.



2. I must agree with an earlier reviewer, that this camcorder is not worth the asking price ..... especially now, since Mini DV seems to be a dying technology. Don't get me wrong; for what it is, the HC3 does a great job, with quality video and relatively easy operation. But the tape mechanism, as I've had to discover the hard way, is very delicate and it is getting harder to find people to service these machines ..... unless you want to send it directly to Sony and spend over $500. Ouch.
   
   What happened in my case was, at one point the camera prompted me to insert a cleaning cassette for dirty heads. Never do this. I got one, it became stuck, and caused damage to the camera's tape eject mechanism. It ended up in the repair shop for nearly three months because, as they informed me, it is getting harder to acquire parts for these cameras, despite their being only 1.5 years old! One of the reasons for this, I believe, is the popularity of the newer DVD and hard drive recorders that are replacing Mini DV camcorders. Though the downside of that is compatibility issues with standard editing software, at least for now .... that's the technology race for you.
   
   Anyway, I know this isn't really the best example of a product review. I was very happy with the little I was actually able to accomplish with this machine, but if you're going to spend this kind of money on a camcorder, I'd have to recommend one that captures to disc; it makes for better backup, and compared to the high maintenance of a tape transport-based unit, would definitely spare the user enormous expense and headaches on a device that will probably prove unreliable (not to mention obsolete) a year from now. Especially once the capture formats become compatible with non-linear editors.



3. I purchased my HC3 several weeks ago to film a family wedding. I didn't really intend on purchasing an HD camcorder, but I got a really good deal on a closeout and went for it.
   
   Having shot quite a bit of VHS and 8mm tape in the past, the images from this camcorder are unbelievable. Even downgraded to DV format, I'm amazed at what this little camera can do. I'm also very impressed with the auto focus and white balance. I reprogrammed the small "manual" button to do AE-shift and it worked perfectly. Even in very strong backlight or high contrast shots I was able to quickly dial in the exposure. Very very good.
   
   I also used the still image capture feature quite a bit. Despite being a camcorder, the images I got were almost as good as those taken with my small Casio EX-Z. However, they weren't nearly as good as the shots from my Canon G. My only complaint on the still imaging is a significant release delay between pushing the button and capturing the shot.
   
   The only thing I don't like about the camcorder is the steadyshot feature. I was hoping for more. Long-zoom shots were not nearly as corrected as I had hoped. I don't have expereince with the Canon or other steadyshot models, so I can't compare. Still, I was hoping for more. If you're going to do a lot of long-zoom video with this camera, because of its size and low mass, you'll need a tripod or steadicam.
   
   Low-light performance is average. I've seen better.
   
   Also. I purchased the Sony Bluetooth wireless mic and videolight. These were great. I can't say enough good thinga about the wireless mic. It worked perfectly. The videolight is terrific for its size and weight. It won't give enough light to fill a room, but it does a great job for what it is.



4. The Sony HDR-HC3 worked well. However the great drawback of Sony camcorders is shown in my recent experience with my HDR-HC3 which I purchased here on Amazon.
   
   We went as a family on a cross-country trip this past summer, filming hours worth of video. When we finally arrived home I plugged my camera into the DV port of my computer. In the past I have had no problem uploading video and making DVDs of family adventures, using our old Canon DV camcorder. We liked that the HDR-HC3 had the option of normal DV or HDV output.
   
   However, unlike with my Canon, my computer (and subsequent computers) could not recognize my camera. After much research online, I found that the problem was that I had assumed the ieee was similar to firewire in that it was hot-swappable. In fact, it was not. Both the camera and computer must be off when attaching them, or the port will fry.
   
   It takes a lot of concentration to remember how to connect the camera. According to other Sony users on various webcam boards, this is a common problem for the general public who are used to USB hot-swappable devices.
   
   The repair fee for this "misuse" is from Sony about $350, according to what they said. One person mentioned that they had been able to open up the camera and purchase a $75 fuse and connected that to the camera hardware....a complicated vs expensive choice of options for a general user like me. Sony acknowledges the fact that the port is extremely sensitive, but still considers it a user-mistake and the fried port is not covered under warranty.
   
   Consequently, I am in the market for a new camcorder that I will only use connected to my computer.
   
   Use of tapes filmed on my Sony HDR-HC3-- Oh, the clincher is this: I tried to use my Canon as a conduit for uploading my footage to computer, but because it was HDV, my Canon could not read it--and this goes for trying to use my Canon to watch the video footage on television. Also, you cannot plug the camera into the TV with a normal 3 to 1 composite DV cable, it requires a camera-specific cable, so tough luck if you forgot to pack it!
   
   This all said, I am pleased enough with the camera that having experienced all of the above, I have learned from my mistakes and probably will purchase another one on ebay for my computer uploads.
   
   I hope that you will learn from my mistakes if you decide to purchase this camera.



5. I love this camcorder. I used in during my vacation in Hawaii. I still can't believe how amazing it looks on the screen. Most of my guests who started watching the video thought that we were watching a discovery channel broadcast. It works it's best outside especially with great lighting. Lighting really is the key. The more the light, the better the image. I just use the component video cables on my HDTV LCD. I'd recommend it to anyone who's really into image quality.

5 comments about Sony DCR-SR200 2.1MP 40GB Hard Disk Drive Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom.

1. I have had no problems with this camcorder yet I have only used it a few times since I purchased it. It is very user friendly and I have already shot video and put it on my computer. The quality is great and so far I have nothing negative to say about it. I am pleased with my purchase.



2. <>
   
   Given the quantity and quality of other reviews, I'll be brief. I purchased this camera for two specific purposes:
   
   1)3 week trip to Italy
   2)Recording business promotional videos
   
   Accessories purchased:
   1)3rd party value pack, including tripod, extended battery, small camera bag
   2)3rd party larger camera bag, with extended life battery (ActiForce InfoLITHIUM)
   
   Use cases:
   1)Outdoor filming & stills (all lighting conditions, including underground)
   
   2)Indoor filming & stills (medium and intensive florescent lighting)
   
   In all tested conditions, the camera performed splendidly! My greatest surprise was how well it performed during underground filming in Herculaneum and Pompeii. We were in constantly changing light conditions, and no shots were missed.
   
   Audio: the audio pickup was excellent. Perhaps too good in fact, since we were always chattering away in the background and some of the conversation was perhaps not best to be picked up on a microphone. In any event, the sound quality was well suited to our purposes.
   
   Travelability: The camera traveled well in a larger bag. The on/off spin toggle made it very easy to turn on and off during constant filming opportunities.
   
   ============
   
   Second use case: controlled environment for indoor business promotional videos. I had occasion to record three separate promotional videos, using the camera and an inexpensive plastic tripod. Both performed well, and in controlled conditions, there was no need to resort to an external microphone. Bottom line: internal 5.1 microphone is good for daily/general use. Just note that it can be a bit sensitive. Otherwise, the business videos were created without incident. (I got very used to the "mirror mode" feature quite quickly for solo filming)
   
   Software: software installed and ran well on both 32-bit and 64-bit Vista. Video transferring, dvd creation, all very easy to do with this package. I filmed almost constantly in Rome, and still consumed less than 30G of the 40G available hard disk capacity.
   
   Overall: very, very highly recommended. I am happily using this camera on a daily basis and am pleased with the results
   
   One final note: Beware "portrait photos" or inverting the camera to take long vertical shots. they will invert in the Sony software. I'm sure there is a quick fix for this either in the Sony software, or a third party add on. I'll figure it out :-)



3. After comparing several different models, I chose the sr220 for several reasons: High capacity HDD, High-end resolution, and the Sony brand name.
   
   Well, I'm sure it must be a great camera, judging by all of the glowing reviews. But,to date, I have not had the chance to actually USE IT!
   
   I purchased the sr220 from Dell for a little over $700. I also picked up a 'Bluetooth' wireless microphone ($150) and the VMK1000 AIS remote mic adapter($153)
   
   I read the manual and checked out the camcorders features shortly after it came in the mail. However, I did not get a chance to use it until AFTER the 20 return period.
   
   The first time I used it, it DID NOT record. I was taping for 30-45 minutes, yet nothing was stored on it.
   Thinking it must be user error, I re-read the manual ( as well as the more detailed instructions that come on a Cd Rom.
   
   The next opportunity came several days later. When I tried to record, I got an error message 'cannot access hdd.'
   
   So, my review of a brand new $700 camcorder is this:
   My Sony DCR sr220 camcorder has the EXACT same capabilities and picture
   quality of a bar of soap. Each will record and playback EQUALLY.
   
   A little harsh? Maybe. But, when someone shells out over $700 for something, it SHOULD WORK!
   
   I had to send it in for repair and have yet to hear ANYTHING.
   
   I'll probably sell it on EBay and go with a different brand.



4. I am so happy with this camera. I purchased the camera so that I could video my Sister's wedding for her, everything turned out just great! I would not change a thing with this camera, a really great item!!



5. Great product, lightweight, goods features, stable shot, ease of use, and easy to download files. I have had this camera for 5 months now and have had no problems with it. Very happy with the weight of it and the docking station is great.

5 comments about Sony DCR-DVD508 6.1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.

1. DVD508's battery charging connection is a bad design, after 2-month of using, the plug is not connected well, way too loose. We have to buy a separate battery charger to solve the problem.



2. With Sony's introduction of the 508 I am now convince that they had issues with the 505 model. I purshase the 505 model about two years ago and after one year, the touch screen stop responding to a touch. Now the camera is useless to me as it refuse to take still and video shots. To add more pain, it was past its warrenty period and after I contacted sony, they suggest it be shipped to their factory for repairs and will cost several hundred dollars for it to be fixed.
   
   So, anyone contemplating to purchase and of these units make sure you find out if that model has this apparent flaw.



3. I am a gadget guy that wants to get the best bang for the buck. Loyal to Sony for generations and after many hours of intense internet research I have narrowed down my options to three formats, three top cams. MiniDv, MiniDVD, HDD.
   MiniDv has proven to execute clear video performance for years now. Editing capabilities are simple because it uses a very flexible format known to many editing programs. Transferring to a computer is a bit annoying because you have to wait out the entire length of the tape. The top choice for MiniDv is the Sony HC-96. A bit more expensive than the newer HC-48 but pixly speaking it's worth every cent.
   MiniDVD was my choice. With regards to HDD, the need to always transfer my videos and load up my computers hard drive was not appealing. Invest in DVD-RW, rewritables are a must have otherwise you will have to finalize your dvd before popping it into a dvd player, AND your long term disc cost will be less. Crystal clear CMOS picture, Super steadyshot, and a horseshoe to put an external flash. BTW, CCD replaced CMOS for a while now, but it's back, and the DVD508 flaunts the new updated image capturing technology. A nice feature is the 6.1 pixel still shot, but you will need to invest in a memory pro duo card to utilize it. The top choice for MiniDVD is the DCR-DVD508. second the dvd-408, but do not buy the DVD-308, or dvd-108.
   HDD are becoming more popular. The sole reason to get an HDD is not CLARITY, it's convenience. Sleek, quick transfer time, and for those that don't like futzing around with tapes of discs, this is a dream. Opt for the Sony SR-62 for a few more dollars than the SR-42. The SR-42 is almost the exact camcorder, except for the hard drive size.
   Coclusion: MiniDV, is almost extinct but provides easy editing, cheap tapes, and for $300 you get the top model. MiniDVD, newer, easy to navigate on the camera to specific location, clarity, and 5.1 dolby surround sound. For the price of a low end HDD, your get a High end MiniDVD. HDD, ease of use, 7 hours or video without the need to transfer to a computer(for those long trips). $500 will buy you the lowest end HDD.



4. This camera, like all of the Sony DVD camcorders, creates great movies. However, a MAJOR limitation is that most commercial DVD authoring programs do not work with the proprietary MPEG-2 codec Sony uses when you download the movies using Picture Package to your computer. Also, since Sony is stingy about licensing their codec to other software vendors, it is difficult to find converstion programs out there. Roxio products will not work at all, while uLead sometimes work, but often include a timestamp that you cannot remove. Typically Sony = great hardware, lousy software. No wonder LG and Samsung are eating their lunch.



5. Overall the 508 performs just as advertised and I'm very happy with it. It is compatible with several different 8cm DVD discs giving you different options for recording. I did not realize a memory stick was required for still pictures, so I had to make an additional purchase after receiving the camera - - not sure if the advertisement mentioned it. The menu and touch screen work very well, making for easy set up and review. The Operating Guide is sometimes confusing, but all in all gets you to where you need to go.