Sony DCR-DVD508 6.1MP DVD Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
List Price: $899.99
Details
- 3-megapixel ClearVid CMOS sensor
- Carl Zeiss Vario- Sonnar T lens; 10x visual/20x digital zoom
- Dolby Digital 5.1-lead recording; built-in microphone
Description
Impressive and practical, the DCR-DVD508 DVD Handycam Camcorder merges quality with playing. Easily record your memories to a multitude of media formats and portion with everyone.Memories are made to be shared, and it couldn't be easier than with the DCR-DVD508 Handycam camcorder. By recording outright to DVD-R/-RW/+RW/+R Dual Layer media formats, it has never been simpler to put your video on vaunt. A Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens enables first-rate clarity while the Super SteadyShot image stabilization makes infallible it stays that way. You can even take 4.6 megapixel photos while you're shooting video in extraordinary 5.1 channel surround sound, or snap gorgeous 6.1 megapixel still images. And when you lack to get close, the 10x optical/20x digital zoom means every detail is crystal remove.Customer Reviews
A+ camcorderHey i purchased this camcorder second-hand in great condition. The imagery plays back sharp as hell. I was fretful with some of the reviews here @ Amazon so i went online and researched for several weeks. Completely manned up and took a chance. Only thing i can see anyone havin a problem with is the mobile life. Of course the media is short on hq but they have come out with a dual story disc. I'd suggest you just get the sony brand dvd,because i also have a dcr-dvd108 which acts hysterical sometimes when i use off brand disc!
Hope this review helps
Hellishly PLEASED
Whole the 508 performs just as advertised and I'm very happy with it. It is compatible with several odd 8cm DVD discs giving you different options for recording. I did not realize a respect stick was required for still pictures, so I had to make an additional purchase after receiving the camera - - not steady if the advertisement mentioned it. The menu and touch screen work very well, making for indulgent set up and review. The Operating Guide is sometimes confusing, but all in all gets you to where you need to go.
Gigantic images but beware
This camera, like all of the Sony DVD camcorders, creates marked movies. However, a MAJOR limitation is that most commercial DVD authoring programs do not effort with the proprietary MPEG-2 codec Sony uses when you download the movies using Draw Package to your computer. Also, since Sony is stingy about licensing their codec to other software vendors, it is thorny to find converstion programs out there. Roxio products will not work at all, while uLead sometimes toil, but often include a timestamp that you cannot remove. Typically Sony = great hardware, shabby software. No wonder LG and Samsung are eating their lunch.
Unequalled Home Handycam...Avoid Low Light Situation
I am a appliance guy that wants to get the best bang for the buck. Loyal to Sony for generations and after many hours of earnest internet research I have narrowed down my options to three formats, three top cams. MiniDv, MiniDVD, HDD.
MiniDv has proven to achieve clear video performance for years now. Editing capabilities are four-square because it uses a very flexible format known to many editing programs. Transferring to a computer is a bit frustrating because you have to wait out the entire length of the tape. The top choice for MiniDv is the Sony HC-96. A bit more precious than the newer HC-48 but pixly speaking it's worth every cent.
MiniDVD was my choosing. With regards to HDD, the need to always transfer my videos and load up my computers eagerly drive was not appealing. Invest in DVD-RW, rewritables are a must have otherwise you will have to finalize your dvd before popping it into a dvd contender, AND your long term disc cost will be less. Crystal clear CMOS carbon copy, Super steadyshot, and a horseshoe to put an external flash. BTW, CCD replaced CMOS for a while now, but it's back, and the DVD508 flaunts the new updated appearance capturing technology. A nice feature is the 6.1 pixel still like a flash, but you will need to invest in a memory pro duo card to utilize it. The top choice for MiniDVD is the DCR-DVD508. double the dvd-408, but do not buy the DVD-308, or dvd-108.
HDD are becoming more popular. The sole reason to get an HDD is not CLARITY, it's ease of understanding. Sleek, quick transfer time, and for those that don't like futzing around with tapes of discs, this is a day-dream. Opt for the Sony SR-62 for a few more dollars than the SR-42. The SR-42 is almost the exact camcorder, except for the eagerly drive size.
Coclusion: MiniDV, is almost extinct but provides light editing, cheap tapes, and for $300 you get the top model. MiniDVD, newer, unceremonious to navigate on the camera to specific location, clarity, and 5.1 dolby envelop sound. For the price of a low end HDD, your get a High end MiniDVD. HDD, ease of use, 7 hours or video without the desperate straits to transfer to a computer(for those long trips). $500 will buy you the lowest end HDD.
Damage with the DCR-DVD505...?
With Sony's preface of the 508 I am now convince that they had issues with the 505 model. I purshase the 505 paragon about two years ago and after one year, the touch screen stop responding to a taste. Now the camera is useless to me as it refuse to take still and video shots. To add more pain, it was previous its warrenty period and after I contacted sony, they suggest it be shipped to their factory for repairs and will bring in several hundred dollars for it to be fixed.
So, anyone contemplating to purchase and of these units make stable you find out if that model has this apparent flaw.
