Sony DCR-DVD403 3MP DVD Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

I went through two phases of decision making before I chose this camera:1. The choice between Mini-DV format and DVD media cameras: I decided on the latter, since I have an old 8mm camcorder, and one of the primary reasons I dont take footage anymore is the hassle I had to go through each time to transfer onto videocassettes or DVDs. Supposedly, this was a much faster process if I would be able to write directly to the 1.4GB DVDs, and then all I'd have to do would be to compose them onto bigger ones. Hence, I decided against mini-DV camcorders.2. Once I decided on this type of format, then the rest of my choice was easy. At the time I bought my camcorder (~ Oct 2005), this was still by far the best DVD format camcorder available. Great quality video, 5.1 surround sound, exceptional in low light and took great stills. I was tempted by the Canon DC20, in that it was so much smaller and neater. However, since it was so new on the market, there were hardly any reviews and I was worried that it would just be a slightly better version of their DC10 (which seems to have significant picture quality issues).Having gone with the DCR-DVD403, I have one big complaint: With the Sony software, there is no simple way to transfer over to a full size DVD. You can edit your files to some extent, but can only burn them back to another mini DVD in your camcorder, not to your DVD burner. Sure your DVD burner comes with software, but this only allows you to do Disc copies, i.e. put the entire contents of your 1.4GB Camcorder DVD onto a regular 4.7GB one... A waste of space. Even though I knew upfront that these camcorders were not very good for editing, I for sure thought there'd be a real easy way to put the contents of three mini-DVDs onto a regular DVD with a basic menu giving you a choice of which of the three you want to see at any point in time. Isn't this one of the big reasons why DVDs are better than videocassettes? As it turns out, I have to go buy Video editing software and any sort of file compilation (i.e.to compile ten 30 second clips into 1 large clip with/without editing, takes a very long time unless you have a super, super fast computer). Why again did I not go with a Mini-DV camcorder, I have to ask myself?? (see point 1).

I purchased about 2 weeks ago and have been happy with the quality of pictures and general functionality so far. This is my first digital camcorder & third camcorder over 16 years.On price... Amazon was by far the best when you consider free shipping and no sales tax, I saved about $200.I-Link... Be careful, the Amazon description (at my review time) is still showing the camera supports i-Link (aka firewire) allowing pass-through of analog input to your computer and high speed file transfers. Not true. The option is available on some of the other Sony digital camcorders but not this one. I informed Amazon to correct the description about a week ago. I was a bit disapointed, since I was considering using the camcorder to digitize my old 8mm tape library direct to my pc. You can record an analog signal (say from old camcorder) to the camcoder's DVD, but that is a 30-min (capacity of DVD) at a time process and presumably would be considerable wear-and-tear.File transfers to PC... I can echo some of the other reviews that I have experienced one problem so far on a file transfer from camcorder to pc with the Picture Package software. I tried to transfer a 25 min video - the transfer started then died about 25% of the way through. I'm trying to file an alternative to Picture Package.

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 advised me that the entire shutter system needed replacement. However, because Sony does not offer international warranties, I would have to pay for the repair. This was too expensive and so I shipped the camera to the USA for repair. I waited almost a month for the camera to be repaired and missed videoing my son's 2nd birthday. Then, after receiving the camera back, I used it to video a holiday with the family and also of a house I am building. When I tried to view the finalized DVD's, one was completely corrupted and all the video footage seems to be lost, and the other two will only play on the camera, and not on a PC or DVD player. All Sony can do is say sorry and I am now waiting to hear from their product support department and the repair facility that repaired it. I am reluctant to continue using this camera which I paid a lot of money for. My suggestion is to buy a different brand with a decent international warranty. Sony's warranty in general is very poor and does not say much for the faith they have in their own product. The latest update is that Sony refuses to authorise the Sony service centre in South Africa or the UK to repair this camera even though the current problem was caused by the repair centre in the USA. When I told Sony that I could not call the USA repair centre from South Africa because there is only a 1-800 number listed, they told me to get a relative or friend to call from within the USA. I am totally disillusioned with this company.

I bought this camcorder around 6 months back and so far no issues with it. Excellent video and picture quality and sound. I love the camcorder. The best part is that after you finalize the disc, just plug it in your DVD player and watch the video. That's simple.When I used Sony discs, playing them on DVD players was not a problem at all, but when I used discs of Memorex, the camcorder recorded them fine, but they did not play well in any DVD player. The discs just stuck every few seconds. So after this I bought only sony discs.I gave it only 4 stars for the lack of software compatibility to be able to copy the video files that get created from this camcorder to directly burn it to a larger DVD disc.Ofcourse I spent extra 100 bucks (as far I remember) and bought 3 year insurance plan along with the camcorder just to stay on the safer side after reading some of the other user's reviews.