Sony Handycam® DCR-DVD403 Camcorder

Pros: Ease of use, video and still image quality
Cons: Wind noise, price

I am not a professional videographer. We have owned a Canon Hi-8 ES2000 for 10 years and it served us well until it died this year. We needed a replacement for our family videos. I knew I wanted a hybrid camera that could do good video and average ...

Pros: Easy to use, amazing picture and audio, great battery life, mega-intuitive
Cons: Surround capable, but does not ship with surround sound microphone.

I grew up in a very high-tech family. I come from a family that was probably one of the first adopters of the at-home microwave oven; the Apple IIe home computer (when they came out); and of course, the first external color LCD screen for a cam-corder. ...

Pros: convenience, low light picture quality, ease of use
Cons: bundled software quality is marginal, limited recording time per DVD

Before I begin, let me correct a previous reviewer who stated that the built-in microphone does not record in 5.1 surround sound. It does. The manual clearly states that and I have tested it on my own home theater. OK, on with the review. If you are ...

Pros: good widescreen picture, surround sound, battery life - fast boot-up and good feature set
Cons: Slow download of VR mode over USB, only 21 minutes per disk on hi quality

I am a former professional cameraman and I am very impressed with this camera. I would buy it again. I've had for a month while travelling in China and it has proven to be very reliable and very easy to use, including adjusting exposure and focus. ...

Pros: Size, low profile
Cons: No Mac support, LCD menu, Limited zoom.

So what can a thousand dollars get you? a Sony Handycam DCR-DVD403 that's what. If your shooting little Juniors B-day and the company BBQ save your money and go for a $300-400 unit. The DCR-DVD403 is overkill. If you want stunning images, great sound and ...

Pros: Simplicity, quality, value
Cons: Cost is a factor(still a good value)

What a great camcorder for around-the-house recording! I'm not going to elaborate on specs here...they're available at cnet.com, or the Sony website. Here's what you really need to know... IT'S EASY TO USE -- The controls are clearly marked, easy ...

Pros: Full-featured in-camera editing, same size as mini-DV, Dolby sound, remote
Cons: heavy battery, not easily compatible w/MacIntosh, pricey, DVDs hold 20 minutes hi-quality video

I bought the Sony DVD 92 model from big-box retailer Best Buy. I own an older Windows-based computer, but usually use a Mac G4 with iMovie and figured I could extract video clips from the mini-DVDs, but found later that it's not possible and I can't ...

Pros: Easy to format and pop into DVD player for display on the TV
Cons: No mpeg2, avi or other compressed formats!? INSANE REPAIR CHARGES!! WARRANTY?!? Yeah right!

Last year I purchased a Sony Handycam DCR DVD 403: http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_H andycam_DCR_DVD403/4505-6500_7 -31286090.html?tag=also The camera has an automatic lens shutter, and it seems to cause many users headache (does not open any more). It ...

Pros: Easy to use when it is working
Cons: Problematic with poor support and backup from Sony

Initially this camera worked fine and I was quite happy with its simplicity and quality. Then, after two months, the shutter system malfunctioned and I could not use the camera. I was in South Africa at the time and took it to Sony South Africa who ...

Pros: Low light performance is nice. "Easy" mode when your feeling lazy. Lots of features!
Cons: Sensitive mic loves recording the wind and slightly audable motor noise. Might irritate some.

I don't have much of a camcorder background so take this for what its worth. Colors in video seem bright and vibrant. Sound is real to life. This video cam is great for me. I like the fact that it records to mini DVD. I purchased RW's so there is no waist(consumables). Format, shoot, finalize, transfer to HD, edit, burn back to 4.7 dvd-r (cheap) and your done. Only problem is that it will be tough to fill an entire 4.7 disk with video shots. 30 minute disks seem small and limiting but its just not that easy to shoot 30 minutes worth. The VOB files (dvd video) are not supported by most editing software so be careful(download trials first). ULEAD DVD Factory 4(Simple features) & also ULEAD Videostudio 9 (better effects/animation) support 5.1 audio and VOB MP2 video. No need to convert to avi or other more editable formats.
Had the camcorder for two weeks so I'm still exploring. Every time I use it I find new amazing features.
Its also a big hit when your friends try it out.
Touch screen is also quite nice!

Pros: DVD format, easy to review video.
Cons: Software, will not record on regular DVD it works only with mini DVD.

I got this camcorder a week ago and I am so impress with the technology of this product. Is so easy to use, record and edit. The picture and sound are natural,and it looks so cool.

Pros: The unit has many useful and convenience functions that are easy to use.
Cons: Too prone to failure and awful warranty for this expensive unit.

Like many other purchasers, I throughly reviewed the SONY unit before purchase and felt confident that "this was the one." It was, for a short while: 20 minutes in fact. I purchased the unit in advance of my first European vacation in hope of capturing the wonderful sites. The screen turned black on the right side and the unit only recorded the left side of the viewing area. Thankfully, the seller promptly replaced the unit with a new unit, but it too promptly failed: the lens cover failed to close. After contacting SONY, I learned that its warranty is strictly construed against the buyer and it would only receive and repair the unit without replacement--no matter what. The warranty simply does not compare with the price paid as one would have expected much, much more. So, a word of caution: it works great when it works, but oh please do watch out when it fails. So many of my other high-end electronic equipment is covered by more detailed and customer-friendly warranties, and the other manufacturers are much more willing to give in to the buyer to keep you happy. SONY doesn't.

Pros: so good
Cons: so fine

it S0, good i can see that DVD403 DVD Camcorder is a 2005 product and is very portable and presentable,an which all my client in others countries can like to buy.

Pros: Ease of Use, Picture Quality, Night Vision
Cons: Trouble finding blank media, particular read-write

This is the first video camera I have ever owned and it is easy to use. The instruction booklet makes some things seem confusing, so it is better to just start exploring. I bought it to tape my new baby and it is great for family recording. I have not yet attempted to edit, but if you shoot right the first time, you can just finalize and pop into your DVD player. Night vision works really well. Picture quality is great. I have had a hard time finding the mini-disks, particularly the re-writeable ones. With all electronics, you can save money by shopping around.

Pros: SONY could become appreciative of their customers
Cons: SONY is unlikely to change their customer service attitude

My brother has this camera and mentioned that the lens cover was broken. Search for DVD403 +"lens cover" in google and you will find that this is a COMMON problem. I found a dozen different reports of this problem. SONY is not friendly with their service on this camera, which cost people between $750 and $1200 new. Typical story is US$300+ to repair what is very likely a manufacturing defect. SONY has little incentive to do anything about this issue. They are well diversified, ie.. they sell many different products, so it is unlikely that their total market share will slip, however you can protect yourself by avoiding SONY products or purchasing a full replacement warranty from the company you get it from.