Pros and cons of the Sony DVD/Flash Hybrid Handycam???

Question

If you have this camera could you please tell me how reliable it is and its quality? ta:)

Answer 1

I have a DCR DVD-710.... I was lucky that it was free as if I had bought it I would be very unhappy with it.

Pros... it can record directly to a mini-dvd so you can bypass the computer and just drop it into your DVD player to watch your movies...   It has very good sound, though the best sound is achieved by using the a memory stick instead of the DVD to record to (if you are recording to the DVD then the mic picks up some of the camcorder's DVD motor noise).

Cons... the picture quality sucks... My old JVC miniDV camcorder from nearly 12 years ago is working and take much better quality picture than the Sony...

In the end... a DVD or media camcorder or even a hard drive camcorder will always compress the signal to save it.  miniDV tapes are the least compressed camcorders and will therefore have the ability to give you the best picture.... I know the DVD and memory recorder are convenient, but it isn't worth it if you care about the way the picture looks.

Answer 2

I have one of the older models and love it because it is so easy to transfer the pictures.  It came with software to do the USB port copy directly to DVD through the computer.  Very convenient.  Also, the media is small and easy to carry when you want to record more that a single disk.  They make one that can be flipped over and recorded on both sides if you run out of space on a single.  I got the re-recordable disk which actually is the cheapest way to go with double sided than the single side type.  Have never used the memory stick option since the overall resolution is way below my digital.