Samsung SC-DC173U DVD Camcorder with 34x Optical Zoom

Product Description

Why use a camcorder with tapes when you can use this one that records directly on a DVD? With the Samsung SC-DC173 DVD Camcorder you'll have a record of the major moments that matches your most vivid and happiest memories. You'll write those incredible moments directly to a blank 8-centimeter DVD; once you're done, you can simply pop the disc into a computer or DVD player and begin sharing your movies. Before sharing, you can preview your video on the 2.7 inch LCD screen. See if you've caught everything - the 680,000 pixel CCD, 33x optical and 1200x digital zoom help you capture every detail brilliantly. 1200x digital zoom 4-in-1 multi-memory card slot compatible with SD - MMC - MemoryStick - Memory Stick Pro Digital image stabilization - Virtually eliminates shake due to normal handheld movement MPEG-4 recording - MPEG4 provides enhanced video image quality and maximizes the amount of video you can record. In addition, MPEG4 even lets you quickly and easily share video clips via email May be used as a Webcam when connected to a PC via USB 16 - 9 recording and viewing - Samsung's 16 - 9 recording option ensures that the entire image is recorded. Once your movies are captured in widescreen format, you can enjoy viewing them without having to lose any of the images on your wide-format HDTV screen Supports DVD-RW/-R/+RW/+R (dual layer) - 8-centimeter size PictBridge compatible Samsung's Audio Enhancements & Effects reduce unwanted ambient sound, improve stereo separation, voice, and music playback, and lets you add echo sound effects Features USB 2.0 connectivity (Windows98, 2000, XP) Unit Dimensions - 2.36 x 3.44 x 4.78 / Weight - 0.95 lbs. Supplied accessories - AC adapter, battery pack, A/V cable, USB cable, software CD Accepts 30mm filters Uses 8cm DVD media, playable on most DVD players

Customer Reviews:

worth the $$$$.......2007-12-13

i purchased this camcorder at sears on sale for 199 minus 100 in gift cards, so i ended up paying 100 bucks for it. Even for 199, the camcorder is worth the money. so here are some positive and negatives i've witnessed so far (keep in mind this is the only dvd camcorder that i have ever used)

positives
1. it is very small and fits in my hand comfortably
2. discs are loaded easily
3. case use dvdrw cd's so that you can re record if you don't like what you have done.
4. it supports dolby digital surround sound
5. 16 x 9 for my dlp tv
6. 34x digital zoom (not available in 16x9)
7. sd card slot to save my pics or videos to
8. samsung reliability
9. picture isn't bad
10. camera does have light (no functional with 16x9)

negatives
1. pic quality isn't very good (cannot substitute for a camera)
2. cannot snap pics while recording (i used to love to do that with my old jvc mini dv camera), but i have not figured out how to do it on this camera. you have to switch the camera to "card" to make it work.
3. battery life is bad, but i expected that and purchased a bigger, more power battery on ebay for $16. hint: don't leave the battery in the camera, it will drain, quickly.
4. when turning the camera on, it take 5-10 seconds until you can record, so don't expect to record something that may occur immediately if the camera isn't already ready to record.
5. using 16x9 ratio REDUCES MANY features of the camcorder. you cannot use the light, the digital zoom, most effects, and the DIS function is unavailable. I have been switching back and forth depending on my what, where and when i am recording.
6. recording in low light is very bad, unless you have the camera on 4:3 ratio and the shutter speed adjusted. Unfortunately you cannot use the light unless the shutter speed is adjusted, which then makes diminishes picture quality. shooting in 16x9 in low light areas is pointless.
7. you only get about 25 minutes of record time on sp, and about 1hr with lp (not camera'a fault). so carry extra discs with you.
8. position of the joystick button sux. it should be behind the camera.
9. you have to kina of force the turning knob to off, it doesn't move freely to off and it almost feels like i'm breaking it.

all in all, for 200 bucks, you can't go wrong. just don't buy this camera for the 16x9 feature and you'll be happy. so far so good for me. the easy mode is good for beginnings and the quick menu can also me useful to quickly change important settings. I just hate that samsung has greatly reduced the camera's features when 16x9 is being used. oh well.

Nice camera, HORRIBLE battery life!.......2007-12-05

I bought this camera a little less than a month ago and thought I was satisfied. That is, until I charged the battery for the first time and realized that you only get about 20-25 minutes of battery life. What is the point of that? Then I thought, okay, well I will just buy a replacement battery, and cannot find one anywhere (I don't think they make one for this model). In any case, I shouldn't already have to look for a replacement battery. If I had it to do over, I would not buy this camera and do not recommend it at all.

Pleased so far........2007-12-02

I recently purchased this camcorder with a great "black friday" discount.
I compared it to the Canon and Sony equivalent. The Canon was very similar with similar reviews (more expensive). The Sony had better reviews but was over $100.00 more. Since my husband and I film about two or three times a year, we decided that the Samsung was just fine for the money we wanted to spend. We have used the camcorder twice and both times had no trouble filming, using the controls, formatting, finalizing and viewing the finished product. While the camera is not perfect, it is fine for our use. We like the convenience of being able to replay the film right away. We used the fujifilm dvd's and the battery adapter to film. We have not fired up the battery but will do so at an upcoming party. The voice is excellent, picture average to good and the camcorder is easy to use. We have not yet used the memory card to take still pictures and really don't intend to. We have a digital camera and we intend to use that for our still pictures. If you want something that is a lot more sophisticated and that MAY make better videos, opt for the Sony 108 or 408 products that I have reviewed. But again, for the average user - this one serves the purpose well.

Samsung SC-DC173U DVD Camcorder .......2007-11-28

The camcorder is great for the price I paid. It does use DVD-RW disk, which someone said it didn't but does. The disk isn't really even noticable as far as someone saying about disk noise. I wish the battery lasted longer than an hour but like I said, it's great for the price I paid. I bought some Ridata DVDs and they work perfect as far as compatibility issues some have reported. Make sure if you buy DVDs for the camcorder that it says it IS compatible with Samsung and there should be no problem. I love how the view screen can flip around and it's nice to be able to take pictures and load them to the SD card. I think this camcorder is nice, you be the judge!

If you want better... pay more than 300 dollars for a DVD Camera.......2007-10-13

If you are looking for a camera that records to DVDs and doesnt cost an arm and a leg, buy this one. It is a decent camera if you take into account the price. The quality isnt the best however its good enough for the average customer just wanting to shoot video of family events. If you are looking for top quality, pay more. It is true you get what you pay for. For me the camera is good enough for what I use it for... a once in a while camera moment.

I've read over a couple of other reviews stating they are having a hard time getting their camera to read discs. I use the Sony mini DV-R discs and have never had a problem. They are a little more expensive however they are top quality and work great with this piece of equipment.

Also I have transfered the mini-discs to larger ones using a panasonic dvd recorder using Sony (Large) DVD-R disc and havent had a problem either.