Samsung SC-DX103 DVD Camcorder

Maybe I'm asking too much 4 a $250 product, but I feel a little misled. In addition 2 the MiniDVD record capability it has a flash memory where you can take video & pictures too. The product came out this year, so I thought I could use a couple larger flash memory cards & mainly record video that route. Once I get this, I learn it only takes 2GB cards (no SDHC). So I buy 4 2GB cards & a 3pack of MiniDVDs, figuring I'd just use flash memory & that would be easy enough 4 most of my recording. The first time I put in an SD card & see that the screen switches from 16:9 2 4:3 on me. I discover that it only records 4:3 on SD. And I learn that it records in MPEG4 4 SD memory (versus MPEG2 on the DVDs). I understand their MPEG4 has proprietary codecs, etc. I tried importing video into Sony Vegas, but found it would not read the format off of the MiniDVD. I tried re-ripping the DVD using DVD Decrypter, but that still did not work as once I dragged the video file into Vegas, I got only video (no audio). Also, in general I found the use of the MiniDVD's on this Samsung 2 be not very attractive. Like many users, I pause when recording. When viewing the recorded DVD, each pause at the end of a segment would show as a frozen image 4 2-3 seconds before moving 2 the next scene, which is very annoying compared 2 using tapes 2 record to. Thanks 2 Amazon's generous return policy, I'm not at a loss. Am seriously considering going the High Def route, as it seems many of those products have less problems (based on reviews here) 4 someone like me who wants 2 be able 2 do some editing of the video I shoot.

I got the Samsung DigitalCam SC-DX103 from retail 4 $277 (without tax) 2 record my brother play the piano @ the Manchester Music School. There was a $680 Sony HandyCam with the Dolby 5.1 surround sound & really high quality video recording, but I didn't want 2 pay $400 extra & I doubted if the sound quality (my DigitalCam has Dolby Stereo sound) would be significantly better on the Sony Handycam because most of the costs would go 2 the video quality & not audio. So, 4 my purpose of recording a concert, I thought that this should suffice.

It did - there was a bit of booming in the sound quality when I recorded myself playing piano but it wouldn't matter. At first, I thought that the camcorder might actually be terrible buy - because after I made several test tries I played the videos from the camcorder & the sound was awful. Actually, the camcorder's speakers are mediocre & they sound terrible when they play the piano recording, but the actual recording's audio is not bad --> if you play the recording from a computer or a tv it should be fine.

The video quality was okay. In fact, the camcorder's software would make the recording really crisp & clear, but the only thing that made the whole thing "ok" was the smaller resolution of the recording--> doesn't look necessarily crisp on a tv. the video was fine in all circumstances except in really dark environments. then everything would turn unpleasantly gray. there's a c. nite function - which i haven't used but i looked up & i think it's a special mode 4 dark situations.

the lcd has backlight function which, according 2 wikipedia, increases readability in low light conditions.

it also has wind cut function if you want 2 cancel out of noises caused by heavy winds.

its zoom is - 34x optical & up 2 1200 x digital. i tried the optical zoom @ 34 x, but i realized that my hand shaked too much (i.e. heartbeat) --> made me wonder if the 34x was just a hype & it was actually completely useless. then in the menu i found the anti-shake function that did reduce the shaking significantly (but there still was some shaking) at maximum zoom. the shake is almost unnoticeable in normal zoom.

something that amused me was the digital effect function. it has different modes including black & white, negative, art, emboss, mosaic, etc. the emboss & mosaic modes were really artistic & interesting - the camera shows a modified version of my recording (as i am recording) & it looks like some sort of art painting done by picasso.

if you compare this 2 a similarly priced camcorder - lets say "Sony Handycam DCR-HC30" @ 279.99 (see CNET review),

the samsung camcorder has larger resolution 720 x 480 @ widescreen (vs. 640 x 480), the same low light mode & image stabilization, better video format (mpeg-2 4 dvd rather than mpeg-1 4 vcd)

the sony contestant has a touchscreen lcd display that samsung camcorder doesn't but CNET says the response on the sony's touchscreen is terrible & I really like the feel & the response of the small joystick on samsung's display, so I'd think that the touchscreen on the sony handycam is a waste of money & samsung made a smart decision in putting a regular display with joystick control while putting that extra money into video quality

both have easy mode (enlarge menus, etc.), the sony lacks the 34x optical zoom (it has 10x)

both weigh .9 Ibs.

so in fact, after writing this review & doing all the research, i actually feel even better with my purchase. i give 4/5 stars (sony would get 3/5 stars)

ah, forgot 2 mention that if you use smart card 4 this camcorder, you can take pictures --> you can use it as a camera too.

About a month ago, I bought the Samsung SC-DX103. Unfortunately, it was defective. It froze on me several times the first day I tried it (my daughter's senior prom) & then the battery heated up. Eventually, after several attempts, it just wouldn't work & a black screen would appear on the screen & the viewfinder. Walmart did not have anymore in stock so I contacted Samsung directly regarding an exchange but was told they'd need 2 repair it under warranty. However, if they were 2 exchange it, I would have 2 waive the warranty & would be shipped a refurbished one.

I paid 4 a brand new product & was not about 2 compromise that by having the defective one repaired & returned 2 me. I could see the product needing repair if something happened after years of use but not if it was defective in the first place.

Needless 2 say, I do not have memories of the two major events in my daughter's life (senior prom & high school graduation).

Many apologies 4 the long-winded note, but I am furious & I do not recommend this product 2 anyone.

Zoom in on your subjects without moving an inch. The powerful 34x optical zoom lets you shoot even the farthest objects & still get high quality images. A 680k pixel CCD produces crystal-clear, remarkably detailed images that are easily captured with the digital image stabilizer. Blur caused by unsteady hands, is now a thing of the past! What you see is what you get with the SC-DX103 DVD camcorder. Your homemade movies never looked this good!