[brid0]

Hi there, first time caller

Was wondering if anyone can help me out...

I'm looking for a DVD camcorder for my dad's birthday. He is a complete technophobe (like myself) and I'm just looking for something (around £300) which is simple and easy to use with decent quality. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. He still has a 4:3 television! (Can you still record in 4:3?) Any suggestions???

Also, is it just as straight forward as popping in a DVD, recording footage, then sticking the DVD in the DVD player to watch? It's just that I notice the discs are 8cm in diameter and not sure how this will work with his DVD player.

If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Brian.

[jomike]

Originally Posted by brid0

Hi there, first time caller

Was wondering if anyone can help me out...

I'm looking for a DVD camcorder for my dad's birthday. He is a complete technophobe (like myself) and I'm just looking for something (around £300) which is simple and easy to use with decent quality. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. He still has a 4:3 television! (Can you still record in 4:3?) Any suggestions???

Also, is it just as straight forward as popping in a DVD, recording footage, then sticking the DVD in the DVD player to watch? It's just that I notice the discs are 8cm in diameter and not sure how this will work with his DVD player.

If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Brian.

Hi Brian

The DVD camcorder that I think will fit your needs the best is the Sony DVD 205E. It is very easy to operate (it even has an "easy" button!) and PCWorld is selling it for £299.
You can switch between 4:3 and 16:9, but I would suggest that you record in 16:9. It will play back on a 4:3 TV in "letterbox" mode, and your video is future proof. I have a 4:3 TV and this is what I do.
When you have filled the DVD up, you have to finalise the DVD before you can play it in a player. This is easily done through the touch screen on the Sony and takes a few minutes. The 8cm discs will fit in all players with a slide out type tray, as most have. It is only a problem with slot loading type drives like some Apple computers have.
Other makes to look at are Panasonic and Canon. These are also very good camcorders and usually have more adjustability, but this makes them slightly more involved to operate.

HTH

Regards, Mike

[brid0]

Hi Mike,

thanks for your advice. I'll probably just go ahead and get the Sony. Sounds really easy to use, and as far as I'm aware, my Dad's DVD player does have a slide out drawer.

Thanks again for your time,

Brian.