Sony Camcorders - Any Advice???

[etwinchester]

Do any of you own a Sony Camcorder?

If so, please tell me the model number and how you like it.

Also, would you recommend circuit city or shop around for cheaper prices (Walmart, etc)?

I was going to purchase the DCR-DVD92 for hubby for xmas. Now I'd like to move that up to his birthday in August and need to find a good rate. I'm still debating on a model #. Neither one of us know anything about the new DVD features but like the convenience of putting in and watching. Not messing with cables to hook it up and play.

Does anyone know, on the mini DVD's with RW, will it retape over the entire disk or can you rewind to a spot and re-record over one section?

 

[Hockeymommy]

We just bought a sony hc90 a few days ago, it is a mini dv camcorder. This is one of the newest ones by sony, my husband did quit a bit of research and decided on this particular model. One great thing about the camera is that you can also take still digital pics at 3 mega pixels with it, saves from having to carry around two cameras all the time. Still the camera is only about the size of my husbands wallet. The other great feature of the camera is that you are able to transfer all of the old 8mm tapes directly to the chip and then burn them to a disk. We literally have about a hundred or so of these tapes so for us this was a big plus! The only downside of the camera is the $, it retails for $999. You can find it online cheaper but I would watch what you get, some of the places that have it for $600 or $700 are selling the international model (camera only, no battery or acces. not even a warrenty). If you have any other questions about it feel free to pm me and my husband will be able to answer most all questions (for this camera). We bought our last video camera back in 1994, it too was a sony. Never a single problem, so for us it wasn't even a thought to go with another brand.

P.S. I just have to say I can't wait, we leave in 8 days for a 16 day adventure in Florida!!!!!!!! 8 nights at CBR, then off to the Portofino.
Doing the Discovery Cove dolphin swim on our last day (husbands uncle treated us to this).

Sorry to get off topic but we are just a little excited!!!!!

 

[fairytalehaven]

I'm in the same boat. I have been researching the Sony minidv's. I heard that the dvd one's can skip and you could lose all your video. I have been looking at the hc 21, hc 32, and hc 42. All are about the same the 42 is the one I really want but it just came out and is still pretty expensive. I would think about what the camcorders primary use is going to be. Some you can take pictures with, others have a b&w viewfinder. The best place I have come acrossed to compare things is a website called epinions (. com) You can search all through the sony camcorders and read reviews. I would also check ebay for the camcorder but be careful by time you add shipping it may be better to buy in the store.


I haven't bought anything from circuit city. Just best buy online. And will not do it again. You can't replace an item that way just return it. But I definately would search around for the best deal.

Happy Shopping!!

 

[etwinchester]

I heard that the dvd one's can skip and you could lose all your video.

No one ever told me this...wouldn't have even thought about it. Now I might just have to tell him about it and together we can decide.

 

[lsg1]

I dont have a Sony camcorder, but just got a Panasonic MiniDv 2 days ago for our daughters graduation from high school and our up coming disney trip.
It is model PV-GS19, and is the miniDv format. It can also take still pictures on a SD card. I got it for a great price from 6 ave electronics(couldnt put the url there) for $301 plus $.06 shipping, and I got it in one day!
So far the quality looks great, and my 15 year old son at this moment is burning a tape we made yesterday onto a DVD on his laptop.

 

[zachsmomie]

We have the Sony model you asked about. We've had it about 2 months. I really like it. I haven't had any problems with skipping except if I play it back in a "cheap" dvd player. The whole family found it very easy to use. You can't edit the dvds but we bought the Pinnacle software (@80 at best buy) and we use our Dazzler and can edit and burn movies onto a new Dvd on the computer. I just did this for a 50th anniversary for our school. The Dazzler is about $80 too.

We bought our camcorder at Sears during a special 0% and coupon sale day. The regular price was $599. I think that is the price Target sells them for also. Add the $160 for the other 2 components and you are up to $760. For about $150 more you can get the Sony DVD that you can edit right in the camcorder/computer (it comes with some special software I think).

After I burn the mini dvd to the large Dvd on the computer I can play it in the cheap DVD players too! I always get the rewritable mini DVD. Sony has a special promotion (don't know when it ends) where you send in a copy of receipt and the barcode from the box and you get $25 and 3 mini DVDs.

I hope this helped.

 

[Donnask8pro]

I have the Sony dvd301. I LOVE IT. I love it being burned right onto a disk. Plays right in the dvd player. No problems at all..... so far.. fingers crossed. My advice on Circuit City... It sucks. I totally dislike CC. Go to Sears, they back up all their products. CC does not. They make you send everything away yourself if you have any problems. Or Best Buy. I have had great experiences w/ them also. Good Luck

 

[hipporina]

I would not recommend the DVD type. Most of the research I have done favors the miniDV format. We have a Sony miniDV camcorder that we bought about 4 years ago and love. We still haven't had a single problem with it.

I absolutely love Sony products. When we need to replace our camcorder, we will definately go fo Sony again.

 

[Pokprincess]

Just bought the sony dvd 403 the newest dvd one out ,the reviews said it was the first dvd camcorder that actually has better video then the mini dv. I had the canon and jvc mini dv and didn't like either. Love the sony 403 video is great. Try pricing it or any other ones at Crutchfield.com ok prices and no questions 30 day return policy bought from them alot. Or bhphotovideo.com great prices in nyc make sure it says usa not imported and you should have no problems with them either bought from a couple times also.usa stuff is full factory warranty import is what they call grey market have to send back to bh for repairs.

 

[Pokprincess]

check out http://www.camcorderinfo.com for non bias reviews