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Sony DCR-DVD403 3MP DVD Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

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Sony DCR-DVD403 3MP DVD Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

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The powerful 3.0 Megapixel Sony DCR-DVD403 Handycam(R) Camcorder delivers enhanced picture for a sharper look to digital video. From its antireflective Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens to the enhanced 16:9 widescreen recording, the DVD403 Handycam(R) delivers an extraordinary looking picture. Capture realistic sound with the DVD403's Dolby 5.1 Channel Creator and built-in 4 Channel Surround Sound microphone. Designed for recording on multiple DVD formats, the DVD403 Handycam® is compatible with DVD-R/-RW/+RW discs. Re-record over 1000 times on the same DVD-RW or +RW media. The powerful engineering behind the Sony DCR-DVD403 Handycam(R) Camcorder, along with its advanced usability, help to deliver an amazing look and feel to digital video. Record digitally with encoded Dolby AC3 5.1 Channel audio directly onto DVD for quick and easy playback on your Home-Theater System. Capture and create vibrant audio for digital home video and hear everything you have been missing. USB 2.0 interface provides an excellent digital editing solution with an easy way to connect your DVD Handycam(R) camcorder to the computer for fast transfer of video and still images to your computer for editing Picture Package software lets you easily organize still images and video content, and turn them into stunning music videos using the supplied software Progressive Shutter System is a mechanical shutter system that provides Progressive Scan performance

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Product Details

Product Length:	5.2 inches
Product Width:	3.7 inches
Product Height:	2.4 inches
Product Weight:	3.0 pounds
Package Length:	5.2 inches
Package Width:	3.7 inches
Package Height:	2.4 inches
Package Weight:	1.15 pounds
Average Customer Rating:	based on 97 reviews

Features

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, 16:9 aspect ratio LCD
Dolby digital 5.1 audio recording

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review: 3.5

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Great video; horrible software; bad microphone Jan 05, 2009
WARNING: do not install the USB driver that comes with the Sony 'Picture Perfect' software included with this camera - it made my Windows XP system unbootable; could not boot even in 'safe mode'. This Sony software is more evil than any virus or trojan I have ever encountered. Fortunately, I was able to restore my C: drive from my automated daily backup image.

I have used this camera for 3 1/2 years without needing to install the software drivers and have been happy with the video and general usability of this camera. Rather than trying to use Sony's horrible software, the preferred method of transferring data is simply to:
1. Finalize the DVD, in the camera
2. Insert the mini-DVD in your computer's DVD drive and manually copy the files to your hard drive

If you need to edit the video on the DVD, the best way I've found is to open the .VOB files with VideoReDo Plus.

The video and battery life are excellent. I haven't had any problems so far except for the following complaints about design:

1. MICROPHONE - The microphone picks up way too much wind noise, making it difficult to shoot outdoors. Even a small breeze will create so much ugly noise that it makes watching the video annoying without turning off the sound completely on playback.

Unfortunately, there is no good workaround for this problem since Sony did not include an external microphone input jack.

2. ZOOM - is far too sensitive. It really takes two hands on the tiny zoom lever to get anything other than a rapid or jerky zoom, although, with practice, improved my ability to do it with my thumb. Not easy.

RECOMMENDED OPTION: I purchased a clip in spot light that solves the problem of graininess in low light situations.

Though I purchased this camera partly due to its low-light performance, compared with other cameras, I found that the resulting image quality too dark and grainy for my taste.

My favorite camcorder Dec 12, 2008
I have had this camcorder for quite some time and it is a thing of beauty. I will now pass it on to my brother with some sadness, as I hate to see it go. Very easy to use. It turns on and off quickly. Comfortable to hold. Image stabilization is very good. Sound quality and video is very nice.

The very best part about this camcorder is that it records to mini DVD that I could pop out and play right in my DVD player without having to convert or connect using wires. The only downside for me was the disc only recorded about 20 minutes worth of footage. I had to carry a small stack of discs with me when I went on vacation.

I have owned four camcorders and this is my hands down favorite.

It doesnt run DVD+RW consistently Jul 25, 2008
I've used this successfully with Maxwell, Panasonic, Sony and other mini DVDs in -R and -RW formats.

However I have not had any success with Memorex Duralayer +RW DVDs.

In the 3 years? or so that I have had the camera it has functioned well.
I have had to replace the battery with a larger capacity model and to replace the charger when it cooked.

Other than those items it has done a good job.

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:

Love and hate it Aug 05, 2007
I've owned this camera for about 18 months now. I wanted a camera that could shoot both decent video and stills, and would do mpeg2 encoding to save me the work of converting DV-AVI files to mpeg2 myself. This camera largely met those goals but has lots of annoyances too.

1. The lens cover. If you read the reviews here you'll be well aware that the lens cover on this camera is very prone to failure. In my case the lens cover will not close. There was no apparent reason for the sudden failure; I have always taken good care of the camera and only use it lightly.

2. The PC software is truly appalling. Forget about doing anything useful with it. I use it in its first couple of steps just to get it to extract the individual mpeg2 files out of the DVD VOB files it creates, and then manually rename each one with the date and time, then I copy them out of the temp directory and quit the app. It's way more tedious than it need be just to do this, and useless beyond this basic task (and it crashes and/or hangs frequently so often requires several attempts).

3. If you use non-Sony media the camera complains, and you cannot access the non-Sony media on your PC until it is finalized. This is pure evil manufacturer lock-in BS; I don't believe there is any technical reason for this as non-Sony media support multi-session writes.

4. The still camera works great in good light but not in low light. The pictures are more reminiscent of CMOS sensors than a CCD.

5. It's a Sony. That means don't expect any of these issues to be fixed or even acknowledged. Once Sony have your money you're dirt.

Buyer beware Jun 26, 2007
The Sony DVD403 Handycam takes great pictures and is easy to use, but beware! The software that comes with it messes up your computer BIG TIME! We have had to rebuild our computer and leave the software off. I have been told that "Sony is aware of this problem and is working on it" but I am very disappointed that they did not notify me of the problem. They could have easily done so since I registered the camera with them. If you have been experiencing problems with your computer not wanting to shut down and/or 'blue screen' and you have the software for this camera installed - that could be your problem.