Sony DVD Camcorder

[SJCSuzy]

So, I'm interested in upgrading our camcorder and these look really cool. Anybody here have one? Any info you'd like to share? They are pretty pricey so I'm not completely convinced that I want to spend that much, but it sure would be nice to be able to pop the DVD in and play it. Has anybody seen any reviews on them? Thanks in advance.

 

[Towncrier]

Much like the Sony Mavica cameras which have a floppy or CD-R drive included, you are paying a lot for the convenience of being able to record "direct to disk". With the price of DVD burners plummeting, you might be better off to get a camcorder with the same features as the Sony and spend the money that you save on the burner.

 

[tstobb]

But isn't that the point? With these camcorders & cameras, I don't have to worry about how to hook anything up, I just drop in the disc and go. As with all technology, I know that I'll pay a premium to be the 1st on the block and that the price will drop the week after I buy it but I can deal with that.

With the CD Mavica (still camera), I don't have to bring my laptop on vacation or invest heavily in extra memory cards and can shoot away without the cares of running out of space or finding somewhere where I can download my shots before my trip is done.

I would also like to hear from anyone with any experience with this (or any other) DVD camcorder.

 

[SJCSuzy]

bump....anybody else??

 

[lancerguys]

My uncle has one. I personally think they are awesome. It's great to be able to record straight onto a disk and then pop it into the DVD player. Just like any other DVD, the picture is fantastic. And you don't have no worry about having a bad picture or it being fuzzy like you do with some regular camcorders. Also, you can take still pictures with it, which is pretty cool too. So in a way, you are getting a camcorder, digital camera, and DVD burner all rolled into one. If you are willing to shill out the grand to get it, I highly advise getting it.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

We have one and love it. We are bringing on its first WDW trip in about 10 days so that will be our big test.

I love the convenience. It does still as well as CD and is so easy to use it is ridiculous. I love not having to download and wait.

You will need to get a better battery than the one that comes with. That one last about 60-75 minutes. We bought a 4hr battery for 89.99 w/a 50.00 rebate so it was great.

You can use CD-R or CD-RW in the camera, I recommend CD-RW becuase the are rerecordable like you can do with VHS. Back up and tape over. CD-R do not allow this option.

There are 2 models one has a 2.5 lcd screen the other a 3.5 screen, the difference about 200.00. I was lucky enough to get the 3.5 for the price of the 2.5 but that was due to a huge problem at Best Buy. Otherwise we would have gone for the 2.5. An inch just wasn't worth the 200.00.

One of the big reasons we bought this was my DS is a theater major and does a lot of film work. This had made it so much easier for him. He can edit in about 30 minutes what would have taken half a day before.

If you wait a bit I am sure the price will come down just like DVD players did but we saw many uses in our house. So it was worth it for us. Our price with extra battery was 919.00.

 

[battricia]

One disadvantage to the dvds is that they only hold a half hour of video each. If you like to take tons of video and then edit for the good stuff, you'll be needing a lot of dvds.

tricia.

 

[SJCSuzy]

Thanks for you input everybody! I think they sound great and I'm glad those of you that have them really like them. Now I'll just have to convince DH