GR8AV8R's Full Review: Sony Handycam® DCR-DVD403 Camcorder
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 to find, and simple to operate. I found it advantageous to spend a few minutes with the owner's manual, and I was off and running. The discs are easy to use, and the on-screen display clearly shows battery life and disc usage. Don't get caught up in all the alphabet soup of acronyms...get some DVD-RW discs and start recording!
THE FEATURES ARE EXCELLENT FOR THIS PRICE -- Everything you need for pictures of baby, the big ski trip, or the Hawaii vacation is right there. Once you've filled a disc, press "Finalize," and that's it. If you're into editing, do so before you finalize, and save it forever. It couldn't be easier. The rechargeable battery lasts a long time, and each disc is good for at least 25 minutes of recording.
The zoom is good, the sound is excellent (surround-sound, even!), and the still photos are great at 3 megapixels.
DRAWBACKS ARE MINIMAL -- The camera will set you back about $750 (as of Jan 2006), and a pack of three discs about $15. It's worth every penny. Many controls are located on the LCD foldout screen as touch menus, which took some getting used to, but I'm a whiz at it after just a few tries. Avoid the very low cost resellers, as many are bait-and-switch operators trying to make some cash on accessories.
QUIT MESSING AROUND AND START FILMING! Just get one, and start preserving embarassing moments! This camera is as good as they come, as far as I'm concerned, and I'm no pro!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 720 Recommended for: Home and Families - Keep Memories of Family Vacations
1/6-inch CCD imager with 3.3-megapixel resolution Compatible with DVD-R/-RW/+RW formats 10x optical zoom with digital image stabilization 2.7-inch, 16...More at Amazon Marketplace
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