I should've stuck with my mini dv camcorder. Wanna know why? How about losing an entire disc worth of footage in the blink of an eye? Yeah that's happened to me twice and now I'm afraid to use the camera. Once I got slightly bumped and there was a disk error. Another time I was standing stock still with no one around me and got the same error. Then there were the numerous times I was in the middle of filming sometihing great and lost the moment because there was an error that froze up the camera until it reset itself. I wish I could return the damn thing but it's over 30 days. At least with tape you can splice it if you need to. I think this format is a ploy to get consumers hooked on the novelty of being able to put the dvd right in their dvd players. IT'S NOT WORTH IT!

I have only used this Sony Handycam DCR-DVD301 for 3 discs. One Sony DVD-RW disc and two Memorex DVD-RW. The Sony disc still works but the two Memorex disc have failed - they each get "format error". The Memorex discs recorded OK and played back on the handycam until I finalized the discs. They will now not play on the handycam or the DVD player. The Memorex disc package states that it may be used in Sony camcorders. I rated this camera a 4 based on it working with the Sony discs but would rate it lower if it will only work with Sony discs. I like the handycam based on the use with the Sony discs.

Much like the first review, I am very pleased with the camcorder. HOWEVER, I had a tremendous disappointment on it's first use. We welcomed the arrival of our newborn son and used a MEMOREX dvd-r (which is supposed to be compatible) to record many special moments of his first three days at home. Included were his first home bath, first pediatricians appointment, clips from the first long nights, and other video from a proud papa. We planned on sending a copy of the DVD to his 80 yr. old great-grandma on the west coast. Recording went fine, but once finalized, the handycam cannot read the disk, as it shows a disk error. The memorex disk also fails to play in the computer or other devices. Devastated when realizing that the video was lost. Have used Sony dvd-r since and no problems. Hesitant to try other brands. Tips: pay the extra money and get Sony disks and always download a backup copy to your computer before finalizing and removing the disk. Do those two things and the camcorder will be a 5-star purchase.

The Sony DCR-DVD301 DVD Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom is a great camcorder for any one interested in recording quality footage, not to mention that it is small enough to fit in your pocket. It has a great new touch screen, which allows the user to go through a serious of menus to play with the picture. If you don't have any video editing software, not to worry! The new handy cam is able to make transitions from frame to frame. The program that it runs would cost up to 40 dollars on your computer! The picture on this handycam is better then ever before using the mini DV recording structure. The only negative thing about the Sony is that fairly expensive so be very careful not to drop it. I got this handycam for Christmas and I cannot but it down. Overall it is a great camcorder and worth the money!

I am not a video camera person by all means. And when I decided to buy this video camera i was afraid that the electronic features would have been too difficult to use or that the video camera would have not been that reliable. Knowing Sony's and Amazon reputation and after I read some of the other reviews I decided to go ahead. Boy I am happy I made that decision. The video camera is very simple to use, the instructions were easy to follow and the results are more than satisfactory.
br /Maybe the battery that came with the video camera could have been more powerfull. Besides that, as far as I am concerned, I am very happy with my purchase.

Don't get Memorex dvd-r! I know people buy Memorex for its price. It well known Memorex doesn't work well with any burners. Go with Sony, Verbatim, Fuji, or TDK even though you pay a bit more.

I bought this camcorder (300 model) because I was having a horrible time converting my DVs into DVDs, mainly because of limitations on my computer.
br /I am disappointed. It comes with USB2.0, no firewire. And to make matter worse, the bundled software (very poor quality) uses some legacy systems (or win socks?) to recognise it. No other software on my system (incluing Nero) can use it as video capture device. So you are stuck with what Sony deems fit for you.
br /However, if you just like to get the DVDs from you camcorder and play it on your DVD player, you are OK. Please keep in mind that you may end up buying lots of DVD-R, because many DVD players still don't accept Sony's format of DVD-RW. Not to mention that DVD-R are still around $7 each.

While I know that a bigger lcd screen is going to eat up the battery faster, a 3-1/2 inch screen is an awesome thing. My eyesight isn't what it used to be, and also I sometimes like to share what I have filmed with my parents right away; the bigger screen is a significant advantage. I don't really care about the new touch screen technology--in less than careful hands I would think that your lcd could be "toast" pretty quickly. Thus I don't mind having "buttons" to push. The adjustable viewfinder (now becoming a thing of the past) is a good thing too. The picture quality was great, and the disc finalized, played back in my dvd player without a hitch. The only complaint I would have is about the battery-- the one that comes with the camera runs out pretty quick, even if you aren't using the lcd. I was going to get one of the bigger ones, but they seem significantly bigger and heavier. So I just got another one of the small ones. It would also be nice if Sony would include a compact/travel charger instead of forcing you to purchase it separate; then again, I guess that's why Sony makes the kind of money it does . . .

I bought this last year with extended warranty as I have kids at home. I bet they tried their best to damage the camcorder but with no luck. That's about robustness.
br /It's big screen is a great feature I don't find this in latest 403. I have tried many brand of DVD's and have not experienced ANY problem with recording or playing back.
br /Things I like about latest 403 is, it has got 3MP still photography, a flash and a shoe to fit light. Otherwise 301 camcorder is very good espcially with marked down price. I feel like buying one more after gifting mine to my dad (against my will !! He loved it so much and he asked me first time for something and I coudn't say no).
br /I have seen 403 and if price and size (of LCD) dosen't matter, I recommend buying it. Otherwise 301 is the best.
br /I have also heared lot of guys complaining about the editing software that ships with this camcorder. Honestly for starters, it's better than pinnacle or other high tech softwares because it's easy to learn and is targeted for entire range of users.
br /Net net, this is a good deal. And if you got few extra bucks, go for 403.
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I was a SONY 100% loyal customers until I bought this camera (camcorder, computer, DVD player, pen drive..all SONY). First of all, if you are like me and like to edit your videos, don't think that you can just pop the disc in your computer and off you go. For capturing video it is just like any other camera: you have to connect with a cable. It is not very tolerant of low light either (my old one is) so you better be ready to buy a good light for any indoor shooting that doesn't have an excelent light.
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br /It has also given me Disc Error massages with two discs, after I have finilized them. This means that that the great trip to Mexico that you thought you had recorded for posterity, it's all gone.
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br /You can also take digital photos as well as video. This feature it's not bad. Except, that you cannot see the photos until you finalized the disc. It means that if you took 20 pictures that you need to see today, you have to render your DVD-R disc useless for further recording, or wait until you fill the whole disc to see your pictures.
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br /Too bad. The concept seems like a good one but not fully developed. Shame on SONY for bringing something to the market when it's not ready.

I use this camera for training purposes. I need every recording to come out perfectly so that I amy critique the participants. The camera does everything it says it will do but it does not read discs well. Last week, of 3 participants in the room, the recordings failed twice. Bah, humbug Sony! I can't afford to lose a recording when my clients are paying for the training.
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br /I'm looking for another camera.

This camcorder is the best thing i could have ever purchased, the screen is HUGE,,,,,,the quality is the best, the easy edit software is the best, easy menus, I LOVE IT!!!

This is a great handycam if all you want to do is shoot and play your movie on a dvd player. The kids love being able to watch thier events right away. The picture quality is not that good. I am still trying to figure out how to copy a dvd-RW to a full size disk so I won't have to buy thoses expensive little dvd's

This is my first camcorder and after reading several reviews and with a small baby at home, myself and wife had no question that a DVD handycam was the solution. We just started using it and it's really great to record, finalize the mini CD (it took just a few minutes) and watch it in the DVD. Amazing and fast. The quality of the video is great. Just what we needed.