Panasonic TC-22LT1 22" LCD Flat-Panel TV
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $3,499.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The TC-22LT1 offers a flat, 22-inch LCD screen in a widescreen (16:9) dimension that's ideal for viewing DVDs in their native aspect ratios. This is an EDTV monitor, which means its image quality is a step closer to high-definition or HDTV than that of standard TVs. When used with a progressive-scan DVD player (or 480p-output DTV set-top box) you'll get seamless, razor-sharp images from favorite movies and concert videos. Panasonic's Progressive Cinema Scan (3:2 pulldown) even corrects for distortion resulting from 30 frames-per-second DVD encoding of 24 fps movies.

Resolution
The unit's 854 x 480-pixel resolution is enhanced by a 3D Y/C digital comb filter (which improves resolution by removing blurred edges between colors and reducing dot crawl), a high (400:1) contrast ratio, high peak brightness of 400 candles/square meter, and wide (120-degrees horizontal x 100-degrees vertical) viewing angles.

Picture Technology
Active Light Control circuitry automatically detects the brightness levels of the input signal and adjusts the backlight accordingly, enhancing brightness levels for both light and dark scenes. The result is an expanded dynamic range from black to white peak, with crisp, natural pictures that assure dynamic viewing. Active System Control works in tandem with active light control to adjust the video signal according to the image contrast, adding greater brightness to bright scenes and more depth to darker ones. Super DSC (Dynamic Sharpness Control) analyzes each image and minimizes noise in areas of low detail (such as a cloudless sky), while enhancing areas that have greater detail.

Connections
You get two high-resolution component-video inputs (D2/YPBPR conversion cable supplied), two S-video inputs, and two composite-video input with stereo RCA analog audio jacks. A stereo headphone jack fosters private listening, and the monitor also offers internal stereo speakers with reflex bass ports and 9 watts per channel (at 10 percent THD). The monitor includes a standard, 181-channel NTSC tuner.

What's in the Box
LDC TV, card-sized remote control, battery, D2/YPBPR conversion cable, user's manual, warranty info. ... Read more

Features

• Active Light Control circuitry automatically detects the brightness levels of the source and adjusts the backlight accordingly
• 22-inch widescreen 16:9 LCD TV with 120-degrees horizontal x 100-degrees vertical viewing angles
• 480p EDTV display capability--perfect for connection with a progressive-scan DVD player
• High 400:1 contrast ratio and 400 candles/square meter brightness
• 9 watts per channel stereo audio with 2-way, bass-reflex speakers

Reviews (1)

A revolutionary type of TV
I am a reviewer that is normally in the 2,000-2,500 range of Amazon reviewers.This review is anonymous purely from the privacy point of view.

What I like about this TV is it seems to work.The large number of inputs is extremely useful, two S-video and two component video, I think there is the traditional 75 ohm cable connection as well.Switching the input also switches the audio output.So if you are like me and run the sound system using a separate amplifier and speakers this simplifies life enormously for wiring, the number of inputs required on the amplifier and for choosing the sound source on the amplifier.

Picture quality is reasonable.I used to use a Sony 20 inch Wega which has the best picture quality I could find.The LCD picture quality is comparable and certainly watchable.

For two people watching it had some very interesting side effects.Because it was so slim we were able to throw out the old TV table.Move the TV back closer to the wall.Move the sofa a bit closer and reclaim enough room behind to put in another book case.It doesn't seem to dominate the room as the old television did.

The 16:9 aspect ratio is very nice when you have 16:9 material available.DVDs seem to come in native 16:9 and wide screen stripe across the middle to show on a normal TV.This TV set allows you to resize the picture within some limitations.There are more options for resizing on the s-video connection.

Although this machine supports 480p subjectively the picture was not much different from a DVD source.

Wish list, at this price and with this much flexibility it would be nice to play my Zone 2 PAL DVDs back in PAL.

Note that LCD screens are not as delicate as the Plasma displays and are considerably cheaper.This one is one of the largest LCD screens available. ... Read more

Asin: B00006ANY9

Canon PowerShot S45 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
Average Customer Review:
Electronics (14 December, 2002)
list price: $599.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Following up on their S40, Canon's Powershot S45 offers the same aesthetically pleasing metallic chassis with the powerful innards to go along with it. With a 4 megapixel CCD, images taken with the S45 were deeply detailed and could be easily printed out at 8 by 11 and larger without any loss of resolution.

Although the 3x optical zoom is average for mid-range cameras and above, it still let us get in a bit closer to our subjects when snapping shots. Improving on the S40, the S45 now captures video clips--complete with audio--of up to three minutes in length (although you'll probably want a larger storage card than the 32 MB CF card the S45 ships with). There are also easy-to-use video playback and editing controls on the camera itself.

A unique design, the metal lens cover of the S45 serves as the on/off switch--slide it open and the camera turns on, slide it closed and it powers down, with the lens folding out or back into the frame of the body respectively. You can't put any accessory lenses onto the S45 because of this design, but you'll also never try to take any pictures with the lens cap on.

The rechargeable batteries lasted for well over 200 shots before needing to be plugged in. And that's with the LCD on--Canon promises a life of over 500 without the LCD. Speaking of, the bright and large 1.8-inch LCD took up nearly half of the back of the S45 and followed the lens quickly while using it for framing shots.

While it weighs a solid 11 ounces, the 4.4-inch by 2.3-inch by 1.7-inch camera is compact enough to slide into a pocket, making it easier to take on day trips than bulkier Powershot models. --J. Curtis

Pros:

• Enhanced movie mode
• Compact design
• Well priced

Cons:

• No accessory lenses
• Average optical zoom

... Read more

Features

• Included 32 MB CompactFlash card holds approximately 27 images at default resolution; camera is Microdrive compatible
• Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
• Uses proprietary NB-2L lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included)
• 4-megapixel sensor captures 2,272 x 1,704 images for photo-quality prints up to 11 x 14 inches
• 3x optical (plus 3.6x digital) zoom lens with autofocus

Reviews (58)

We tested the durability
We are a clutzy family and this camera has been dropped multiple times onto concrete or asphalt pavement.The camera is covered in dents and scratches.The shutter cover barely slides closed because it's so bent, but THE CAMERA STILL WORKS PERFECTLY.We've had it for about 2 years.Of course I wouldn't guarantee the same luck to others.Best wishes!

For snapshooters only!
I use this camera mainly to shoot small art objects, since I'm an art dealer.

On average the quality of photos you can take with this camera is pretty good considering the price. It has a good array of advanced options as well, like RAW format, that later you can convert to a 11MB TIFF file (on average, for 8 bits) or a 22MB TIFF (on average, for 16 bits). Tiff's are uncompressed files, and are the best option if you want to use Photoshop to manipulate your shots.

Very well built metallic case. I drop it from 4 feet twice and not even a dent occurred. Well done Canon!

The custom option in the shooting menu is also very welcome. You can store all your shooting parameter, like aperture, speed, colour balance, bracketing options, ISO and etc. Very handy!

In good light conditions the quality of photos is excellent for a 4 Mpixels camera. Both colour balance and sharpness are excellent. Better stick to ISO 50 or 100 or you will get above average noise though.

So far so good. But ...

Below average flash. If you use it outdoors as a fill in flash be prepared to get your main subject washed out and overexposed. If you use it indoors, on a birthday party for instance, the flash is not powerful enough even for small ambients. Be prepared to get underexposed photos with excess noise when you blow them up. But I have to be fair, if you take snapshots only, you would not notice it probably.

And now about the software that comes bundled with the camera. Remember that in digital photography the software to manipulate your shots is almost as important as the camera itself. And that's the point were the S45 fails to my requirements.

The File Viewer Utility does what it should do, but will present to you an interface that would be outdated when Windows 3.1 was the king. Zoom Browser has a better interface but is a jack of all trades and master of none sort of software, not integrated at all with the rest of the bunch. But I could live with both and still rate this camera well.

But then there is Remote Capture, which was one of the reasons I bought this camera. As I take pictures of small art objects, light control is top priority and the possibility of connecting the camera to a computer using this software and get a bigger image with all the control options of the camera was really appealing. Forget it! Remote Capture is a prehistoric, poorly designed, not properly tested and buggy piece of software. I do not understand how a company with the reputation like Canon supplies this sort of software with one of their products. I am sure it is only damaging the confidence the customers have in the brand.

Remote Capture is ridiculous. You can not save your shooting preferences, so every time you connect the camera you are back to the auto everything default. When you connect the camera, Remote Capture takes total control control, bypassing the camera controls, but without presenting the information that you usually get on the camera's LCD. There is no on-line information of speed, aperture, the focusing area marks, the auto-focus options, nothing! To know if a photo will come out in focus is a lottery. You can only trust in your visual perception from what you see on your monitor.

There are so many limitations that I would need too much space to describe. So I will only mention one more: Remote Capture freezes very easily (and I am using XP-Pro!), mainly if you use it in conjunction with a photo manipulation software, like Photoshop or PhotoImpact.

Final conclusion: This camera is adequate and a good value for money if you are a casual snapshooter. For this purpose I would rate it as 4 stars camera. But for semi-professional use I can only rate it 3 stars at the most.

Poor Quality
My S45 has broke twice in the 6 months I have had it. I am very disapionted. I've always bought Canon but will look somewhere else next time! Very poor quality. ... Read more

Asin: B00007F8UQ
Subjects:  1. Digital Camera (Cameras)    2. Photograph (Photography)   

Canon i950 Photo Printer
Average Customer Review:
Electronics (13 February, 2003)
list price: $249.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Canon's i950 is a high-quality photo printer that boasts speed, accurate color, and affordability. Canon's MicroFine Droplet Technology, a 4,800 x 1,200 dpi maximum resolution, and up to 49 gradation levels combine to create bright, crisp images. Over 3,000 print nozzles deliver precise 2-picoliter droplets, resulting in surprisingly accurate, uniform prints.

With borderless printing, you can create edge-to-edge photos in a number of popular sizes, with 4-by-6-inch prints taking as little as 37 seconds. Canon's Think Tank System lets you replace only those inks that run out, as opposed to the entire cartridge. A wide variety of paper types are supported, including envelopes, glossy photo cards, glossy photo paper, transparencies, T-shirt transfers, and more.

The i950 also supports the Exif 2.2 standard, which along with the included Easy-PhotoPrint software (Windows Only) results in high-quality images that rival those of professional prints. The i950 is both Mac and PC compatible and comes backed with a one-year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Canon i950 printer, AC power supply and cord, driver and software CD-ROM, instructions, warranty information, ink cartridges (BCI-6Bk Black Ink Tank, BCI-6C Cyan Ink Tank, BCI-6M Magenta Ink Tank, BCI-6Y Yellow Ink Tank, BCI-6PC Photo Cyan Ink Tank, BCI-6PM Photo Magenta Ink Tank); USB cable not included ... Read more

Features

• 4,800 x 1,200 dpi maximum resolution
• 3,072 2-picoliter nozzles for exceptional detail
• 6 individually replaceable ink tanks
• Borderless 4-by-6-inch photos in just 37 seconds
• Supports Exif 2.2 standard; USB interface; PC and Mac compatible

Reviews (86)

Expensive to use. Misleading marketing
The i950 worked well for a little while when all of a sudden the machines stops functioning. It turns out that the Printhead must be replaced periodically and that Canon considers the Printhead to be a 'consumable'. I went back and checked the documentation carefully and there was absolutely no word of a printhead needing any sort of replacement. Well, what do you know??? A replacement printhead runs you over $100!!!!

This is a case of deceptive marketing and questionable engineering. But then again, if they were truthful about their printers, who would by them? I'm done with Canon.

Great Quality,
I really like the print quality of this printer, its just phenominal.However, i find myself not using it as much as i would have like because of the operating costs.

A very good printer
I have found the i950 to be a very good printer. It is fast, quite and produces beautiful prints.I especially like the individual ink tanks which are clear (so you can see that they really are empty) and they do not contain a "killer" chip which would prevent you from refilling them if you wanted to. Certainly a step up from my previous Epson which constantly had clogged nozzles.

I too, however, had the "black bleeding into the yellow cartridge" problem after 18 months of moderate use. I thought it was some sort of contamination/growth so went thru 4 or 5 cartridges before finding out what the problem was.To Canon's credit, their tech help said they did not think it was contamination and was probably the printhead but could/would not explain why the problem occurs.Since the printer was out of warranty replacing the printhead was my problem.

Have just replaced the i950 with an i960 so will give Canon another chance.Hopefully they have the printhead problem solved.If anything, the 960 prints look better than the 950.Absolutely beautiful.
... Read more

Asin: B00008CMUB
Subjects:  1. Inkjet Printer (Ink Jet Printers, Printing)    2. Photo Printer (Photo Printing)    3. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple   

Sony DAV-C900 DVD Dream System
Average Customer Review:
Electronics

US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Sony's DAV-C900 DVD Dream System consists of six speakers and a 5-disc DVD/CD/SACD changer with 10-bit video digital-to-analog converter for a host of entertainment at your fingertips. It comes with a 2-way center speaker with dual 2-3/8-inch woofers, 3-way surround speakers with dual 2-3/8-inch woofers, and a subwoofer with an 8-inch driver. Listen to the difference our Digital Cinema Sound System makes as you immerse yourself in the magic of Sony DVD.

The DAV-C900 has 450 watts total system power, and offers built-in Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic decoding. The Digital Cinema Sound system recreates the acoustics of Hollywood dubbing stages, and you'll be amazed by the Headphone Theater mode. The DAV-C900 also offers an AM/FM receiver with 30 presets (20 FM, 10 AM).

Tech Talk

• Dolby Digital: This sound format for movie theaters is more advanced than Dolby Pro Logic Surround. In this format, the rear speakers output stereo sound with an expanded frequency range, and a subwoofer channel for deep bass is independently provided. This format is also called "5.1" because the subwoofer channel is counted as 0.1 channel (since it functions only when a deep bass effect is needed). All six channels in this format are recorded separately to realize superior channel separation. Furthermore, since all the signals are processed digitally, less signal degradation occurs.
• Dolby Pro Logic Surround: As one method of decoding Dolby Surround, Dolby Pro Logic Surround produces four channels from two-channel sound. Compared with the former Dolby Surround system, Dolby Pro Logic Surround reproduces left-to-right panning more naturally and localizes sounds more precisely. To take full advantage of Dolby Pro Logic, you should have one pair of rear speakers and a center speaker. The rear speakers' put out monaural sound.
• DTS: Digital audio compression technology that Digital Theater Systems developed. This technology conforms to 5.1-channel surround. The rear channel is stereo and there is discrete subwoofer channel in this format. DTS provides the same 5.1 discrete channels on high quality digital audio. The good channel separation is realized because the all-channel data is recorded discrete and processed in digital.
• SACD: Super Audio CD (SACD) is a high-resolution digital audio format that promises vast sonic improvements over the current audio CD format. Super Audio CD discs can be played back on dedicated Super Audio CD players or combination SACD/DVD-Video players. Certain SACD discs feature a conventional audio CD layer (hybrid SACDs) which can be played back by any CD player or computer with a CD-ROM drive.

What's in the Box
DAV-C900 home theater receiver/DVD player, 5 speakers (2 front, 2 rear, and 1 center), 1 subwoofer, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, speaker cords, video cord, remote control (RM-SS900), 2 AA batteries, and printed installation instructions. ... Read more

Features

• Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic output
• Home theater DVD system with six speakers
• Plays DVD movie, CD audio, CD-R/RW, and SACD discs
• 450 watts total system power
• Space-saving full digital amplifier; AM/FM receiver with 30 presets

Reviews (3)

Great System
Hey guys....I'm the seller of this product....I felt it was a great product...i reason I am selling it is because I bought a new big screen tv..of another brand..philips...and it came with its own home theater sistem so I don't need the sony one anymore....but I loved it....have the ability to have a 5 disc dvd changer was great...never had to get up out of my seat to change a dvd...the remote is stylish......the speakers are built to astonish and fit practically anywhere....the wiring and set up is a breeze and I don't know it could get any better....if u have any questions feel free to e-mail me....gujushah2001@hotmail.com

Only plays new discs
I've had this machine for a little over six months. The sound is excellent, looks great. Great feature set for the money.

Lately, however, most dvds stop playing part way into the movie (CDs work fine). Only brand new discs play. I cleaned the player using a special dvd cleaner disc and this did not help.

Now I'm back to a $99 combination dvd/vhs player I bought last year which seems to play any dvd no matter how scratched or beat up.

slick but sticky
I have had this system for six months now. The sound is excellent, it generally works well although the tiny buttons on the remote could do with an ergonomic rethink, and, of course, it looks gorgeous.
BUT - when it arrived by UPS a soldered joint on the motherboard had broken (apparently), two weeks back in the Sony shop. Got it home, put in its test CD, and the CD jammed. Untangled wiring, took it back to a Sony dealer...It has just jamed again, and leaving it off overnight does not work. I suspect it's too slim and cannot cope with multiple discs. So, its back to the dealer again. Oh dear....Maybe I am just unlucky. ... Read more

Asin: B000066G0J
Subjects:  1. Home Theater System (Theatre)   

Rowenta DA-75 Steam ' n Press Dual-Voltage Travel Steam Iron
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $50.00 -- our price: $39.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Designed for steaming and pressing clothes during travel, thiscompact iron also comes in handy at home when its vertical-steamfeature can be used for hanging garments and drapes. For pressing, thesteam iron has a 4-1/2-inch-long polished soleplate that's perfect forcreases, pleats, cuffs, and collars. For steaming, a durable plasticcover slips over the soleplate and includes both a brush for openingfabrics' weaves to help steam penetrate and a lint pad that removespesky particles before the steam reaches them. The full-rangethermostat permits precise adjustment and ensures the propertemperature for all fabrics. A steam-burst button provides extra powerfor tough wrinkles. The removable tank is transparent for monitoringthe water level, and a dual-voltage dial adjusts the iron to either120- or 240-volt systems so it works worldwide. The iron comes in arugged, 12-inch-long nylon travel bag. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Works worldwide on 120- and 240-volt systems; nylon travel bag included
• Ideal for travel and for pressing hanging garments and drapes at home
• Burst-of-steam for difficult wrinkles; lint pad; fabric brush
• Polished soleplate perfect for pressing creases, pleats, cuffs, collars
• Full-range thermostat ensures proper temperature for all fabrics

Reviews (9)

Worthless
I bought this to handle minimal wrinkles knowing that this was all a handheld steamer could manage. It couldn't even handle this. You have to constantly press the steam burst button to get a low amount of steam that in the end didn't do the job. The water tank is also much too small for the amount of "steam bursts" required. Put the money towards a professional steamer.

Terrible Quality!Steer clear.
My wife and I had a pretty nice Rowenta steamer that we got as a wedding gift about 4 years ago.Well, that one didn't have the dual voltage switch and when we were in Europe, we basically fried it (our fault - we thought the converter would work with it, but apparently not).Anyway, we replaced it with this model last fall.Big mistake.The first thing I noticed is this one is made in Mexico, the old one was made in Germany.Also much cheaper quality - the parts, the fit and finish.We turned it on and it never heated up.Took it back and brought #2 home.This one heated up, got so hot that it emitted a scary smell (like when you clean an oven) and the plastic cover plate got too hot to the touch.Based on reading the manual and the website, I don't think this is supposed to happen.At any rate, we were never able to get it to emit steam, no matter how long we waited or how much we pressed the button.Back to the store to exchange it for #3.This time we made the clerk try it out to see if it was just us.It wasn't.None of the store personnel were able to get it to work.When they gave us a new one, I asked them to try it as well.Same result.They had to open yet another new one out of the box (we're up to #4 now, if you're still trying to keep count) which worked.Admittedly I was pretty leery at this point, but we were leaving on a trip in less than a week and they stocked no other steamer models.So I took it home and it went with us to Japan.Worked fine the first few times, but after about a week of travel it began to fall apart.Now it leaks profusely and the steam output is about half what it once was.I contacted Rowenta but the hassle to box this thing up, send it to the service center in San Diego, etc. is just not worth it to me.Needless to say, I am through with buying Rowenta.

What do you expect?
I bought one, and I like it.This is ideal for travel or for someone like me who hates to get out the ironing board while getting ready for work in the morning.Unlike some steamers, it can be used with regular tap water.One fill of the water reservoir should get you through around 4-5 items.
Please don't think you're going to get a professional steamer for $40!Notice that none of the portable steamers on Amazon have high ratings. It won't make your clothes flawless, but it's pretty darn good -- you can steam things on hangers or just throw them on the bed -- you won't have to worry about new creases appearing on the reverse side of the clothes like you do with your iron.
Oh, and just take the faceplate cover off, it isn't very useful. ... Read more

Asin: B00005KJX1
Subjects:  1. Steam Generators    2. Clothing    3. (Clothes)    4. Travel Accessories    5. Travel Irons    6. Irons    7. Ironing    8. Laundry    9. Steamers    10. Steaming   

Black & Decker JCK460 Smart Boil 1.5-Liter Cordless Electric Kettle
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $36.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

For tea, instant coffee, or hot chocolate, this cordless,1,500-watt electric kettle brings 6.3 cups (1.5 liters) of water to theboil in minutes. The kettle is made entirely of rugged plastic, with atranslucent blue body and white accents for a thoroughly contemporarylook. To provide 360-degree access, the kettle fits onto the power basein any position and swivels for easy liftoff. With an indicator lightshowing when the kettle is heating, an on/off switch integrated intothe handle, and water-level indicators on both sides, it suitsleft-handers and right-handers equally. The handle is insulated to staycool and textured for a secure grip. For safety, the kettle shuts offautomatically when water boils or the kettle runs dry. A removable,washable filter captures loose pieces of scale. The kettle stands 11inches high on its power base, and the heating element is completelycovered for easy cleaning. The kettle carries a one-year warrantyagainst defects. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• On/off switch integrated into handle for ease of use
• Translucent-blue plastic kettle boils up to 6.3 cups (1.5 liters) of water
• Cordless: swivels and lifts off power base for convenient pouring
• Removable, washable filter catches loose pieces of scale
• Automatic shutoff; insulated handle; water-level gauges

Reviews (7)

Great - while it lasted........
I loved this electric kettle when I first got it. Looks stylish, heats water relatively fast, easy to use, etc. But it recently went kaput, after about a year. The connection started to be on sometimes, off sometimes, and now just OFF.

For what I paid it should last longer than that. Very disappointed in the quality. I will definitely buy another kettle, but not a black and decker.

Very smart idea.
I was sad when our previous Braun kettle died after ten years of service.My husband picked out this one and it's been great!I love the cordless design, it boils the water very quietly and its ready bell is not annoying like some other models we've seen.We use ours at least ten times a day.I love it when an appliance just does what it's supposed to!!!

Cute but taste of plastic in water
I bought this for my mom after viewing it on Amazon together, thinking that it is a trusted name brand (Black and Decker)and it looked really cute, and had a great review.But, after using it, realized that it wasn't as good as we thought.The plastic looked cheaper than some other brands, which verified why there was a plastic smell and taste in the water (this would be my main concern in purchasing an electric kettle).My mom didn't want to deal with all the trouble of returning it.She's hoping that the taste and smell of plastic would eventually go away (which I doubt).I would recommend a similar style (in white)from [brand name] that I currently own.It is great!Buy the right one the first time around, instead of regreting it afterwards. ... Read more

Asin: B000063XH9
Subjects:  1. Teakettles    2. Hot Pots    3. (Tea Kettles)   

Sony DCRVX2000 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD, Memory Stick & BuiltIn Digital Still Mode
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $3,199.99
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

The near professional-level Sony DCR-VX2000 digital video camcorder uses three progressive scan CCDs (one for each primary color) to capture quality images and can record in the 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio common to movies. A 12x optical zoom and 48x digital zoom bring images closer, while the Sony SteadyShot optical image stabilization smoothes out hand-induced shakiness.

Like most digital camcorders, the DCR-VX2000 is equipped with an IEEE 1394 connection (also known as i.Link and Fire Wire) for digital image transfer, allowing video editing on a properly equipped home computer. Also included is an S-Video input, encouraging the conversion of already existing footage into the DV format.

The DCR-VX2000 also doubles as a digital still camera, recording photos onto an included Memory Stick at a resolution of 640 x 480. This resolution is fine for images you're e-mailing or viewing on a monitor, but most dedicated digital cameras today offer far more detail. The package includes PictureGear Lite 4.1 software for Windows, which lets you transfer stills to your computer and manipulate and catalog them once they're there.

The camera includes a number of manually adjustable settings for ultimate flexibility, including manual zoom, focus, shutter speed, and exposure. Microphone record level can also be adjusted for optimum sound quality. The Memory Mix feature works by superimposing a digital still stored on a Memory Stick over the video being recorded. A color-bar generator produces standard NTSC color bars to calibrate monitors, and four different white-balance settings help optimize color. The DCR-VX2000 includes a mic input, as well as an intelligent shoe for select Sony accessories, and has several digital effects built-in. Also included are a 4 MB Memory stick and reader, AC adapter, lithium ion battery, AV cable, remote, and lens cap. ... Read more

Features

• MiniDV
• 12x optical, 48x digital, zoom with Super SteadyShot image stabilization
• 2.5 inch color LCD and color EVF
• 3 CCD camcorder
• Analog-to-digital conversion with pass-through port
• MiniDV camcorder

Reviews (15)

Gorgeous video
I was an absolute novice when I was introduced to this camcorder at my job as Tech Teacher in a K-8 school. The last time I had filmed anything was with a super 8mm recorder back in the 70's!

You know what I hear from my colleagues and parents? "Wow, those are great videos!" ""The quality is amazing." "I wish I could have my videos turn out like yours."

Trust me, folks. It's not me. It's this camcorder. The quality of the image, the steadycam compensation for the less than steady hand, the prompts to turn on a light filter in glaring outdoor lighting environments, and the richness and depth of color, even (and especially) under low light conditions is nothing short of beautiful.

I imagine that I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of what this camcorder can do. With my use of digital editing software, I probably won't use many of the camcorders built-in editing features like titling and fades/dissolves. I am resolved to try out it's time-lapse feature soon, however.

The transfer to/from a computer via firewire is effortless with common video editing programs like Pinnacle Studio or Adobe Premiere. Having a second hard disk devoted solely to video editing and storage is recommended.

The built-in mic is more than adequate for most situations, and the Intelligent Accessory Shoe allows other mics to be used. Be aware, though, that because this unit is "old" by the blurred time standard of modern technology, some newer Sony mics aren't compatible with this cams Intelligent Accessory Shoe.

This camcorder is not mini or lightweight. It may not be for you if you want to travel lightly. I learned the hard way when I filmed about 40 mins of a basketball game without a tripod. I could barely use my arm the following day! Buy a tripod already!

With that in mind, if you really want rich memories preserved during that 3 candle birthday party, or just about any ligting situation, you must have this camcorder.

I like other Cameras Better
I know this camera is a favorite of most people out there, but I have used this camera and was not super impressed. It is a pretty damn good camera, don't get me wrong, and for the price, it is very competitive. Price aside, I would recommend either the Canon XL1 or the Panasonic DVX-100 over this camera. I have been on set with all three cameras many times and have found that the DVX has produced the most pleasing results and has the most amount of useful features for true cinematography.

On the up side, this is the camera that has been used for some movies released that are a little lower budget. This camera has been around long enough now that it is beginning to become noticeably outdated, so unless the price is right, try something else.

it is my favern camra
i am a producer/camera operater and this is one of my favern cameras in the studio i would love to have one for my home. i felm sports, in studio tack shows movies and other things for tv brodcast it has great pixlization and i love it. ... Read more

Asin: B00004WZON
Subjects:  1. Camcorder (Camcorders)