Sony Handycam DCR-DVD405
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"Sony Reigns Again" on by chiroson1
Pros: Very Good Video and easy to use
Cons: Zoom can be tricky but learnable
Summary: I have owned many video cameras but have been most pleased with Sony Video Products. I had previously owned the DCR-DVD403 and then the Sony HC1 HD Video Camera. I sold the HC1 and bought the DVD405 and happy I did. People complain of only 18 min of HQ video, but how often do you run that long of clips. Speaking of clips, its nice to have them organized on the dvd and watch then without rewinding or finding your place to continue recording. Media is very cheap now especially when you buy in bulk. I have bought name brand media for as little as $0.40/DVD-R. The video camera is very small and easy to transport. As with all video cameras buy at least one extra battery. Another good purchase is the plug in wall charger by Sony that fits easily in the bag as well. Automatic lens caps is another nice feature. Have made of thirty DVD-R with no errors and all play in the DVD players I have tried. Finalization takes about 2 1/2 min if you fill the disc. Make back-ups easy to do with any DVD copy programs (I use 1click dvd copy 4.2). Dolby sound is excellent, but camera person's every sound also loud and clear. Low light is ok, but suggest the Sony 3W light that cost around $40.00. Digital pictures just ok, stick with digital camera for important events. You can however record photos on memory stick or on the DVD. Start-up is quick but if you do not use Sony Media then you get the "Sony Disc Recommended" warning each time you start the camera up lasts about 3 seconds. But again, I have had no problems with any other media. As far as where to buy...go with someone you know or locally. Prices on the internet are mostly scams and package deals which inflate the cost of the camera. Warranties also worth the money for something so small and delicate. Good luck and happy memories. If you want miniDVD this is the only model I would recommend if quality is an issue. If not then do no waste any more time reading reviews and just buy the cheapest thing out there.
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"not a bright and shining star" on by terrible0ne
Pros: build quality, video quality, wide screen
Cons: can hear dvd motor in audio!!
Summary: i did a lot of research before buying this camera, and i thought that i had made the best decision. Well after receiving the camera i was very impressed with the qualiy of the construction and the design. Beautiful like all of Sony's devices. The Video quality was beautiful, but during the the playback of my daughters tea party movie, i noticed a buzzing sound, not all the time, but only when the camera seemed to be writing the data. I come to realize that the beautiful dolby 5.1 surround sound picks up the spinning of the dvd drive. What in the world?!?! what is the sense of having this level of quality in your audio recording if it can pick up its own sounds. Im selling it, this is a deal breaker and it turns a camera with A LOT of potential into a dud. wise up sony. I CAN NOT BELIEVE NO ONE HAS MENTIONED THIS FLAW! evidentally it is an issue with all dvd camcorders
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"Excellent DVD Recorder overall" on by BobbyYLee
Pros: Dolby 5.1 Surround, Widescreen recording (i.e., 16:9 ratio), Compact Size
Cons: 10x Optical Zoom seems limited
Summary: When shopping for a camcorder, I compared this with all leading DVD recorders, and for the price and available features, this, in my opinion was clearly the best option. The real question came down to whether I even get a DVD recorder at all as opposed to a standard digital camcorder. Aside from the optical zoom, the positives of the DCR-DVD 405 far outweighed the positives of standard camcorders, so I went with the DVD 405.
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"I think it will be just what we wanted" on by eleven75
Pros: DVD technology (no uplink cords)
Cons: Optical zoom
Summary: It looks like this camera will be just what we want, once we get it..... We used to use a Hi8 tape camcorder but used the USB connection so much, it won't work anymore. So, rather than mess with cords to upload, we will go to DVDs.
The reason we don't have the unit yet is that we ordered one from USAPhotoNation.com. We got an email from the company to call and when I did, a salesman tried to sell me the rest of the camera. He was extremely rude and just a smart ass. He told me that the camera I ordered was the Asian model, had no english wording (he asked if I spoke Mandarin but suggested that it was Thai--??) it had no battery, no charging cord and no other accessories sold with them in stores. He also asked if I had just come out of a 25 year coma if I expected to buy a $900 camera for only $459. I asked to speak to a superior and he mockingly asked several times if I was going to "subpoena him". After a loud verbal exchange, he finally put me through to a boss who assured me that he would dock the salesman and cancel my order. I immediatly got the email confirming the cancellation.
Here is just one more example of "buy locally" and "you get what you pay for". Suggestion, don't purchase from USAPhotoNation.com.
I can't wait to get the camera and will submit another review once we use it often enough to tell if it really earns the 10 rating. -
"Compatability problems!" on by spencerpahlke
Pros: Good video, good interface
Cons: Sound quality!
Summary: Buyers beware: Sony has forced us into a Catch-22.
If you don't use an external microphone and instead rely on the internal microphone, you can HEAR the DVD spinning on your recording--it's quite annoying and distracting.
If you then want to remedy this problem by getting external microphones, you'll find that this camera ONLY allows you to use external mikes that fit into its "Active Interface Shoe," which gives you access to (I guess) ONLY Sony's special, proprietary mikes (which I can't find in stores anyway). Plus, Sony apparently does not make an adapter to let us convert our regular stereo-jack mikes to the Active Interface Shoe.
The result? Bad audio or selling back this camera. I used to like Sony, but this forced proprietary stuff really makes me angry.
