Is a dvd camcorder good?

Question

I just bought a sony dvd camcorder for $200 and it has a spot for a memory stick so I could take pictures. Is it easy to record on to the dvd? or to take pictures?

Answer 1

No. DVD camcorder compress too much. The video - for editing - is terrible. If you never plan to edit the video on a computer or upload to YouTube or other similar service or have no plans to email the video, then you may be OK...

Hard drive and flash memory camcorders are better, but the video is still compressed a lot.

MiniDV tape camcorder provide best available quality. DV and HDV is the lease compressed which results in best video quality.

Answer 2

The simple answer? No, it's not good.

DVD camcorders represent the worst of all worlds:  high compression, low quality output, disposable media (have to buy it and replace it), with no clear advantages. The closest thing to an advantage is if your DVD player can play the DVD straight from your camcorder. I hope you don't have a high resolution TV, cause the flaws will show through fairly well.

When it comes to DVD camcorders, I have a catch-phrase:  Just say no!