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Sony Handycam DCR-DVD405 DVD Digital Camcorder

Handycam DCR-DVD405 DVD Digital Camcorder

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Most recent User Reviews for

Sony Handycam DCR-DVD405 DVD Digital Camcorder

  • Reviewed by: johnnieg36

    10-15-06

    Duration of ownership: 60 Days

    Strengths: Ease of use. Great video, especially low light. Compact w/controls well placed. No hassle DVD media.

    Weaknesses:Zoom control very sensitive. Microphone also very sensitive to any touch to camera body. Picks up every sound and click in quiet setting.

    Overall Evaluation: DVD 405 replaced Sony Hi8 so you can imagine the difference. As most users I spent a lot of time reviewing and comparing camcorders. Made a long list and eliminated them one by one for one reason or another. DVD 405 was last remaining camera on the list. Have used camera for wedding,sporting event, foliage trip (live in Maine),video in home of grandchild under very low light conditions. Was very happy with each and every event. I found that stills, although not matching the quality of my digital camera, were quite good and acceptable. Had to learn to be very gentle with zoom control on camera as it would jump to full zoom with just a touch. Used control on LCD when I needed a very slow zoom. Also had to learn to keep fingers away from mic's as they would pick up the slightest sound which would be noticeable on playback. Once these precautions were taken my video's came out great as I was rewarded with many oooohs and aaaahs from folks who saw and received a copy of the final result. I am no expert when it comes to camera's (probably no more than average),but I know what I like. And I do like the Sony DVD 405. I fills my needs exceedingly well and I expect it to continue to do so for many years to come.

  • Reviewed by: santiago1

    09-09-06

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Somewhat easy to use

    Weaknesses:Its a Sony with Sony's proprietary protection systems

    Overall Evaluation: After a day with the camera I brought it back to the dealer and exchanged it for another brand. Now I am quite happy with the new non-Sony camera. This Sony product quickly reminds you of their proprietary system when you pop in a non-Sony DVD tape, or when I wanted to capture something from a VCR it blacked out and said I didn't have rights to record - yes I actually did but the camera doesn't listen to arguments. Anything but Sony

  • Reviewed by: laser2074

    08-28-06

    Duration of ownership: 2 Months

    Strengths: The ease of use with the easy cam. button, and the night-shot feature was a big plus when we were in low light areas on vacation.

    Weaknesses:Mostly get 26-28 min. per disc not the full 30, but I'll take the disc's any day over any tape that you have to mess with (reformat), film it,pop it out,pop it in your dvd plyr. it's that easy.

    Overall Evaluation: I researched camcorders for almost a month, after comparing features and price, I found the DVD405 to be the best overall. I'm not much into the tech. aspects of the camara however I do know a little, the mega pix. rating is great for any general purpose filming, you will not be disappointed. I wanted a camara to use for our 1st. trip to Disney, this would be a once and a lifetime to catch my 10 yr-old and wanted the best, and it really payed off. put in a disc., fill it up, pop it out, play it back. it's that easy. I don't have a DVD player. so I use our play station to play the disc's it works great.

  • Reviewed by: sri_ped

    07-25-06

    Duration of ownership: 2 Weeks

    Strengths: Easy to Use, Easy to edit and download on computer, great video and still picture quality

    Weaknesses:Does not include Mini DVD to start immediately

    Overall Evaluation: My wife and myself did a research for almost 3 months before deciding to buy Sony DCR DVD 405. We went through comparing Mini DV Camcorders with Mini DVD ones and then in Mini DVDs brands and finally in brands the model. My requirement was an easy to shoot quality videos and download on to computer without much hassle and sony 405 proved to be better than my expectations and need. I would strongly recommend this for guys who do not want to spend too much time in getting their special moments downloaded on to computer and then convert into DVDs. Sure gives quality picture and downloading and editing is easy and fun.

  • Reviewed by: jhansen777

    06-30-06

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Media type (DVD), Low light sensitivity, Dolby 5.1 Sound

    Weaknesses:Low light focusing a bit slow at times

    Overall Evaluation: Excellent value for the money. Took the camera on a trip to Disney World and left it on "Easy" mode for most of the trip. Media held up well (took on several roller coasters with no issues - recording during bumps IS NOT a problem!). Color saturation good. Took discs straight from camera to family DVD player with no issues (and they were in wide screen mode). Strong thumbs up for family videographers.

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