I am very keen in trying to find out more information on a purchase I would like to make on a digital camcorder. I wonder if there is anyone out there that may have an opinion on a couple I have been looking at in particular.

The Sony DCR-DVD92 and the DCRDVD7, although after reading a few reviews online I don't know if I should be considering one with a memory card rather that recording straight to DVD..... I don't have a video recorder so definitely want to be able to view my recordings through DVD format. I don't have a Firewire connection on my PC or a DVD burner currently.... Now I am thinking it maybe best to consider a cheaper option than one of the two models above and get the software and additions for my PC????

So confused as to what to do and I would like some thoughts on what you guys may think is best... I would like to try and spend my hard earned cash on something I will regret buying...

Please help

[MarkE19]

Please, help me to avoid getting into a flame war with a few other forum members by doing a search on here for DVD camcorder opinions before spending your hard earned.

As for adding firewire & editing software to a PC, well this can be very cheap. If runninf XP you already have the software with Movie Maker 2. Very good, but wont burn a VCD/DVD disc. Full help with the software can be found Here.

Adding a firewire card (including the cable for connecting up the camcorder) should only cost £10-£20 online and is very easy to fit.
A DVD burner will only cost around £30-£40 and DVD authoring software about the same again.
So for well under £100 you will have a fair upgrade to the PC and have the best options for creating better DVD's that those created directly on a camcorder - ie chapters, and menus that the cam wont create.

Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions.

Mark.

[MartinImber]

Go Mini DV and edit & burn on a PC

Look at the mid range W/S support Sony models

[laser]

If you do decide to use your PC to edit and burn DVD's from camcorder footage (which I would recommend), ensure your PC is up to the task i.e.

1. large hard disk drive (120GB minimum). 60 minutes of uncompressed AVI footage from a camcorder takes around 16GB.

2. Pentium 4 or AMB 2400+ PC for use with latest software such as Pinnacle Studio 9 or Ulead Studio 9. Older machines will work OK if you are not using the latest version of the software.

3. 512MB memory, preferably 1GB.