July 18, 2007: Read my response in the comments section to a question from Jason G regarding VRO.
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br /If you want a DVD camcorder to shoot videos, make VERY minor edits from the camcorder itself, and then drop in your DVD player -- the DC210 is okay. It's easy to use, despite the poorly written user guide. As to its features -- it doesn't really stand out in the crowd of similar (less expensive) models.
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br /The audio recording isn't great. From a distance of about 5-6 feet, you'll have difficulty hearing someone who is not projecting their voice.
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br /Regardless, after a weekend of significant frustration, this camcorder is going back.
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br /After talking with Canon, I found out that they chose not to inform their users, or even their retailers, that the output video format in VR mode is "VRO" -- a new, largely unsupported format.
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br /Users CANNOT edit their videos without conversion software -- which, according to Canon reps, WILL NOT be provided on the Canon site. And, this format is so new, I had difficulty finding conversion software and I was unable to find freeware to convert the VRO video files (get ready to pay between $15-$25 for conversion shareware -- in addition to DC210'S $340-$400 pricetag).
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br /Canon does not provide ANY software for this camcorder -- their reason: the camcorder is ONLY intended for point-shoot-play. Note: Canon didn't even bother addressing the new "VRO" format in the user manual that came in the box or the PDF file on their site (the term itself isn't in their documentation).
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br /Finally, if you need decent audio via use of an external mic, forget it -- Canon also didn't put an external mic jack on the DC210 (Canon's ZR800 does have an external jack).
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br /During my last conversation with a Canon rep, my message was basically "shame on you." Canon has obviously chosen to ignore rapidly increasing consumer interest in video editing, the credit for this going to Microsoft, Pinnacle, and others, who have given us some good, simple tools to do creative editing on home and/or amature videos.
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br /Canon totally missed the boat on this one. They could have been packaged a decent camcorder with, at minimum, some conversion software and a better user-guide, thus encouraging their customers to get out there and shoot lots and lots of video for sharing, presentations, and so on, which I intend to do -- with a Sony, JVC, or other camcorder.
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br /I'm giving 2 stars to Canon only because the DC210 does do what they wanted it to do.
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br /Canon gets an "F-" for not shelling out a few extra cents for each camcorder sold to ensure customers have conversion software, and subsequently the capability to easily edit their creations with inexpensive, easy-to-use movie/video editing software.
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The very worst available. I spent half of our summer vacation trying to find discs that my pretentious Canon would accept. Only Sony, and only sometimes. Ugh. I used to trust Canon. Now, I will read and write reviews more often.

I am very satisfied with this camcorder. Picture quality is very good for a standard definition camera and operating it is about as easy as it can get. On-camera editing capabilities are not extensive so if you need those you may want to look at the cameras higher in the lineup.
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br /The only complaint may be with finalizing disks. You have to read the manual carefully as the charger must be plugged in and you have to be in play mode before it will even give you the option to finalize a disk. Fortunately you can change disks then go back and finalize them later.
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br /I have had absolutely zero problems playing back finalized disks. Just put the disk in a DVD player and press play.

Well, there goes my daughter's first birthday footage. It's on a mini disc, but the only thing that will play it back is the camcorder itself. Won't work on any computer, playstation 2, or even a regular phillips dvd player. The user manual lists functions that aren't even selectable in the various menus. You can initialize the disc but not finalize it... though that's supposed to be an option in the menu. I'm taking it back tonight. What a piece of junk.

I am a beginner when it comes to camcording and taking pictures. I wanted an easy to use 2-in-1 camera/camcorder. I spent Christmas Eve reading the users guide. I wanted documentation listing steps for a quick setup and use. There is no such thing. What's given is confusing at best. After about 2 hours, I did manage to get things rolling, basically on my own. I thought I did a good job figuring things out, such as initializing the discs, switching between the four basic modes (taking and viewing videos and pictures), making videos, and taking pictures. I was disappointed with the quality I saw on the camcorder, but thought things would look better on my computer or DVD. So I took tons of pictures and videos on Christmas Day. I spent about an hour and a half today (the day after Christmas) learning to convert my pictures for computer/DVD use and finalize the disc. I was tickled to see my pictures on the computer, but all pictures and videos were very grainy, not good quality at all. And I couldn't even get the disc to play in the two DVD players I have. I've spent more time than I wanted to on learning this machine, and I am very disappointed with the results. I could read a little more in the unfriendly users guide about picture qualitiy, but I'm not; I'm going to return it right now!

This product is essentially what you paid for. It is quite easy to use, though the manual can be cryptic, especially to those who do not use lots of new devices frequently. The movie quality was less than I expected and I have never really intended to take pictures with it. That's what my digital camera is for. Anyhow, I used an off-brand DVD-R as recodring media. Worked great, many DVD's will not accept other types (like a DVD+R).. though both are supported with this camera. There is no USB, however it's not a DV camcorder... we were too cheap to get one of those. So in the end, it met my expectations which were realistic. It will not give you a cinematic experience of pleasure upon viewing. It will however give you a fast and very portable way of video documenting pretty much anything. For those of you looking for higher resolution... get something more expensive. Plus, read the reviews... we're not liars out here! I would rate the camcorder as fair. I paid 250.00 which was fair, the quality was fair, etc... One last thing that gets frustrating.. you need to plug it in (charge) and have it in play mode to finalize the disks. Disks need to be finalized in order to watch them on a DVD player. The data on the disks can be brought into your' pc with some added software. the software is anywhere from 25-150.00. The camera does not come with anything. Then again... you could have paid 300.00 for essentially the same camera that comes with the disk... wait that is not a good deal now is it? So... ultimately it is for the thrifty buyer with relatively low expectations who doesnt really care about video editing and doesnt expect a software bundle to come along w/ it. Hope this helps out!

I found out that if I had the side screen open I could not finalize my disc. It took me a whole day to figure out that if you close the side screen, and look through the eye hole, the finalize option is activated and I am able to finalize my disc CD R.

The picture is good, but if you want to edit your movies, this is not for you

Purchased this camcorder for an extended trip to Eastern Europe. Shame on me for not researching better. Found out too late that the files are in a difficult to use .VRO format. Being a mid level computer user a low level video user, I have not been able to get the files to a point where I can email or post them on our blog. I have neither the time nor the interest to learn the specifics of the various digital formats. Plug play, not fiddling with files like an old DOS program.
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br /Ordered the AVS software discussed, waiting for the registration key (another story). Hoping that will work, otherwise this camera will likely be left in Russia (in a dumpster). This is an important event for my family I am furious that this camera is basically a mini DVD maker. My fault for sure, but it seems to be a fundamental task to produce a file that can be emailed or uploaded to a web site, it is 2008 correct?
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br /So far, the videos played in MS media player are honestly disappointing, grainy weak color saturation.
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br /Caveat Emptor, buyer beware. Be sure this camera can do what you want it to.

We bought this for basic use only. Within 9 months it wouldn't finalize our discs of our new baby. We sent it back at our expense. The company replaced it's organs and returned it. Six weeks later it won't work again and the company wants us to ship it back at our expense again to work on it some more. Again, our baby's precious moments are lost because it won't play on DVD without finalizing the discs. The company won't just replace the camcorder they will only fix it even though it keeps failing. Horrible camcorder, horrible company. Don't recommend a Canon or this particular DVD camcorder.

My daughter received this camcorder for Christmas. Thank goodness we tried to play the mini DVD in the computer before we left to return home. That's when we read the instruction manual and found that it needed to be finalized before we could view it. I planned to make 3 copies when I returned home, and return the mini DVD to my daughter to reuse. Was I ever wrong! After trying to make a copy and trying different software, I finally searched for a solution to find out that this VRO format is next to impossible to copy or edit on your home computer.
br /If you just want a point and shoot camcorder and don't plan on making copies for family and friends, this might be for you, but if you want to edit or distribute your copies, buy a different camcorder.
br /The only thing I'm happy about is that I wasn't the one to buy this camcorder for my daughter.
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I like the camera. But I've had alot of trouble getting it to finalize a disk. I'm usually a pretty tech saavy guy. But this camera doesn't work the way the manual says it should.

I was surprised at just how compact the CANON DC210 was when I opened the box. It fits snugly in my palm (and I have pretty thick hands) and I was able to maneuver the controls very comfortably. I was worried about the positioning of the battery but that turned out to be a non-issue. I'd highly recommend this as a beginner to mid-level digital camcorder for anyone interested in digital videos.

I bought this camcorder on sort of a whim w/ my "stimulus check", at Office Depot, on clearance (brand new in a box) with a one year money back extended service plan for $141.00. I've had a Panasonic minidv camcorder w/ better features (usb, software, etc.), but found the editing of videos with the tape was laborious. The idea of editing more quickly was what drew me to the minidvd comcorder, and, once I found some conversion software (AVS) for about $40, it works fine. Ok picture, lightweight, wish it had a light, though. Yeah, a quick guide and better docs would be nice, but I got what I paid for, and plan on keeping it. I bought an 8mm videocamera back in the late 1980's for $1100. It had a much poorer picture, and was an absolute nightmare to edit with. So, considering inflation in the last 20 years, I think this camera is great! (But not for everyone)

I got my camera the day after I ordered it, and could not be happier, it is so easy to use, We love it!!! Thank you.

As a avid Crypto fan and Bigfoot enthusiast, I received this for x-mass 07, for tromping thru the woods and trying to get a good pic/video of Bigfoot. LOL, In short this camcorder will get 'er done when I find the big guy!!
br /After a short introductory read on the poorly written manual, I was up and shooting within 30 min. The item works exactly as promised. The ZOOM is amazing... 35X and 1000X digital zoom. The even speed zoom in/out feature is easy to use, and the steady shot works great. Used it IN the rain during the recent storm to get damage and got no fogging, or condensation, ... water Not recomended but nice to know it is rugged.
br /The function are easy to use but a "quick guide" would have been cool.
br /I received this as a combo pack with bag, extra battery, memory card (for pics) all cords, the camcorder, pinnacle software for editing, and another software CD that is some kind of backup? and 3 DVD-R's.
br /If you want the versitility of re-recording go with DVD-RW and no problem.Standard play recording gives you aprox. 30 min rec. time.
br /As for someone without a HI-Def television, I saw no lack of quality in picture on standard TV. Playback on the camcorder itself is amazing looking!!!
br /Easing the "finalization: process would be cool, But was not hard to learn either.
br / The "quick Start" that lets you get back to shooting in .9 sec vs. wasting battery power is awesome. Basically a stand-by mode.
br /Sound recording was low from about 10' out, but anything close or in a group is def. audible. Especially if narrating footage, no problem hearing the person doing the camcording.
br /I like being able to take a pic or video (one less thing to carry)
br /This camcorder would easily been in the 1000.00 range a few years ago... For the price, Its NOT as bad as people are making it out to be...try it before you knock it... Besides if you don't like it, thats what returns are for...
br /Overall VERY SATISFIED with this product.

This my first ever camcorder/digital camera...it's an awesome piece of equipment, it was easy to figure out (well, okay I mistakenly was plugging in the charger into the av port but after examing the user guide's appendix illustrating what and where each button/joystick/etc. was...and also looking the camera over very thoroughly again; I did find the proper port for charging the camera)....that's been my only complaint....it's easy to figure out....if you'll just play with it....and read the other ratings/reviews on this page...because people have instructed on how to finalize the mini-disc.
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br /I highly recommend this camcorder and HP 8cm 4x 1.4GB Data mini-disc to use for your videos/still pictures.

This camera does exactly what I bought it to do. It records standard definition video in what is basically a point and shoot manner. It does not have a lot of frills and editing features. It has a good zoom and the image stabiliztion wroks reasonably well. It is at its best when used outdoors although it does ok indoors. Be sure to have as much lighting turned on as is available. My biggest complaint is the poorly written manual although you can eventually figure things out if you read it carefully. The necessary "finalization" of the disk (if you wish to play it on your dvd player rather than playing it in the camera) is exceptionally poorly documented in the manual. It will not inteface with a computer however I did not expect it to and this is of little consequence to me. I bought this for my wife for being able to easily take casual videos of family functions and possibly road trips and vacations. It does this adequately. I am overall satisfied with the camera but I am well aware that the camera is nothing special. All in all I like the camera but have no strong feelings for it or against it.
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br /Pros: Zoom, image stabilization, decent audio in dolby stereo, long lasting battery
br /Cons: Poor manual, clumsy non-intuitive menu structure, no lighting source on camera, still photograph function produces lackluster photos, video is very grainy in low light.