Customer Reviews

Sony DCR-DVD92 DVD Handycam Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

My 8 year old learned to use this within 5 minutes. It has a touch screen with easy to find controls. Pop the mini DVD in--format--record--finalize--and play on DVD player. This model does not have a USB connection to your computer or a remote. It is really designed for minimal editing--tape and go. Buy an extra battery and lots of mini DVDs as they only last 30 minutes.

I have never used/purchased a mini camcorder before. This one was very easy to setup and understand. The video quality seems to be very good. I have not used the camera/photo option yet. The DVD played on my DVD player without any problem. The touch screen menu is super easy to use. I don't plan on editing my video's, or downloading them onto my PC, so I went with this model. Pretty much, using a DVD-R, it's load, record, finalize. That's it. Then pop it into your DVD player to watch. I guess the limitation is only 30 minutes of recording time on the DVD, but that's plenty for me. Cost of the DVD-R's is about $3.00 each, so that is bearable for me as well. I played around with a DVD-RW. Rewriting the disk was easy, and the VR mode allows you to do some editing if you need to. I would have purchased this item on Amazon, but didn't because I was unsure if I'd be happy with it, so I purchased from a local retailer for about $50 more than I could of from Amazon. I paid $570 for it at the retailer.

All and all, I am very pleased with my purchase thus far. I did however order an extra battery and battery charger through Amazon saving myself about $20 from what it would of cost me at the store.

Again, I am not an expert on camcorders, nor have I used anything comparable before, so for me, I have nothing to complain about by comparison. Some of the limited reviews available on the Internet say that this is still a developing technology, and may be worthwhile reading if you already own a mini camcorder, or are looking for something that may be a bit more flexible, or has more features, or better resolution. I can only say this camcorder works exceptionally well for my needs.

Most people, when it comes time to buy a camcorder, are overwhelmed with the overabundance of choices on the market these days. Either this is the first time that they've decided to purchase a camcorder or they haven't upgraded since they purchased their old 8mm or VHS-C 10 or 15 years ago. With all of the choices and relatively little difference between them, this camcorder is definitely one of your best bets. It is probably the simplest camcorder on the market today. If you are ready to join the DVD camcorder craze, this is the perfect place to start. First of all, the DVD92 is very easy to understand and set up. It's as simple as: 1.) Load the disc. 2.) Press record. 3.) Finalize the disc. That's it! The mini-DVD's play in virtually any DVD player on the market. The mini-DVD's are relatively inexpensive, depending on where they are purchased. Ebay is a great place to find deals on any type of camcorder media. The DVD92 also features a 3.0 MegaPixel still-shot function which is absolutely wonderful. You can enlarge your still images up to a 5x7 without any distortion or "digitizing". The still photos are conveniently separated on the DVD from the video, allowing easy transfer to your computer. The video quality is a given, DVD-quality is as good as it gets without venturing into the higher priced High Definition camcorders. The sound quality is phenomenal, featuring a built-in surround sound microphone. The only drawback I could find was that the DVD's can only hold, in standard DVD quality, 30 minutes each. Then I got to thinking...How many times do you record for more than 30 minutes at a time? Anyhow, you can lower the video quality if you have to, and give yourself a total of 60 minutes on each disc, the same amount of time you would get on a standard MiniDV tape. So if you're in the market for a new camcorder and you want something that is very user-friendly and of exceptional quality (as Sony camcorders have been for the past 15+ years), then look no further. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

For all the people giving this camera bad reviews here and everywhere .. What do you expect from a camera in that price?

This cam has it all .. get an extra battery, external flash if you want and you're all set!

Whoever complains about the still picture quality..GO GET A DIGITAL CAMERA INSTEAD! i have both .. Sony DVD92 and Canon Ixus 40 .. both small and nice.

Videos taken at night were ok .. i mean OK! I used it in the desert with NO LIGHTS at all .. and this baby performed VERY WELL! just switch "super nightvision" and shoot!

miniDVD's carry 30mins of video .. which is enough . get a double sided miniDVD .. format on cam..edit on cam and go :D

There isnt a USB port .. but still YOU CAN EDIT YOUR DVD's using 3rd party software. why pay more for a camera with usb port when you can edit your videos on your pc?

Minus one star because sony tries to fool people and say there isnt a USB port..there IS but no drivers and why not supplying a better battery? why do we have to buy the FP90?

Buy this camera for travelling .. fun and indoor :)

Pros:
1) 20X zoom is nice which is very imp for an handycam.
2) Easy to use. You don't have to read the manual.
3) looks wise its awsome.

Cons:
1) If you need to download the DVD recorded video to your laptop you have to look for a ripper software. Sony should have provided this software along with the Handy Cam.

Having moved from MiniDV to DVD, I am so pleased with this purchase. I did not want to spend this much money, but when I watch a replay of my son's T-ball game on our home DVD player, it is worth it! No more wires to connect to the TV, or adapters to hook up. Simply take the DVD out of the camcorder and pop it in the DVD player on your TV. That's it. The zoom features are great - not too much that the images get shaky, but enough to bring far-away images up close. I would highly reccomend this product.

The Sony DCR-DVD92 model is entitled as "Easy Handycam" by Sony.
Something that even your kids can easily handle.
This, then, makes Sony's cheaper model DCR-DVD92 quite an expensive child's game. However, I would suggest parents to stay away from it and keep away their children as well.
This is probably one of Sony's worst models ever.
True, it is small, light and full of gadgets, but one must keep in mind that it is not a new gameboy they are dealing with.

Here is a list that points out the most important faults (that cannot be reasoned with) of this particular model:
- The DCR-DVD92 can record in 3 different resolution modes: LP, SP and HQ.
Out of the three, only the HQ mode delivers a normal quality picture that is worth recording and saving. The other two are a laugh.
- Nevertheless, recording your video in HQ mode does not guarantee a smooth picture. The DCR-DVD92 seems to freeze the picture now and again, especially upon quick movement of the object, not to mention the camera holder. This may eventually lead to jumpy and asynchronous results, i.e., voice and video do not match.
- Recording on small DVD discs: your videos must be short and not exceed the 20 minutes limit while using the HQ mode. First, it is very uncomfortable for one must carry many DVDs around. Second, it is costly: the simple DVD-R is for single use only and cost about 6-7 USD a piece. The more practical DVD-RW (or +RW) for multiple recordings may easily reach 15 USD. So let's say, you plan to go abroad and film the highlights, then you need at least 10 DVDs. Hey, that's about $150. It should make you think.
- The camera creates a DVD film (with a menu) of your recordings once the DVD disc is finalized. If you wish to store the files on your computer for later editing or for creating a longer film etc, then you must have the latest DVD editing software like NeroExpress or Vegas. Otherwise, you are stuck with many useless little DVDs running around your house.
- Taking stills: The DCR-DVD92 offers 2 modes for taking pictures, standard and fine. Both are of very poor quality. Pictures are in jpeg format and reach maximal volume of 140KB. So think twice before you press the button. It is neither worth the time nor DVD space.
- Should I go on? The manual (the English version) is 120 pages thick. Try finding which of its segments refer to your model. Apparently, the manual deals with 7 more models...that are much better than yours. Read the little words and find out that all the above faults are known to the manufacturer yet are described as "not a malfunction".
- The camera has a great zoom of x20 and offers up to x800 digitally; however, the latter results in evident pixilation, making it negligible.
- This model comes with no: built-in lamp/flash.
- Sound recording (Dolby Digital) is not exceptional.
- Sony normally offers long-life batteries, strong and durable pack. Would this model live up to the expectations concering its built-in DVD player/recorder? This is left to be seen.
True, the camera is easy to use, has splendid nightshot feature, nice rotatble LCD screen and so forth. True again, the DVD Handycam is new technology. Yet these are all mere excuses for a very bad product. I prefer to stick to my old Sony Handycam CCD-TR515E.

BEWARE THE BLACK SCREEN OF DEATH. It happened when the machine was only 8 months old. Sony's warranty work really is poor. My handycam has been at the Sony repair center for a month and I am not sure when it will come back. They also are charging $135 for a general repair, even though parts are still "under warranty" and that cost is in addition to the shipping I had to pay to get the machine to Larado Texas. Below is my old review from when the machine was working. I would not rate it 5 stars now, maybe 2 stars. BEWARE the black screen of death is no joke.
Old review follows: I needed a new video camera when my old and heavy full size VHS camcorder quit working. I researched the options and decided on this Sony DCR DVD92 Handycam. It is very easy to operate. There is an "ease" button that once pushed makes the handycam a joy to use. I use it to record my kids and family events. It will only record onto the mindisks which cost about $4 per minidisk (this does NOT record to full size DVDs). You just place a minidisk in and push a button to format (takes a couple seconds only)then the handycam is just point and shoot. I record short videos (like singing happy b-day, or opening presents, or pets playing). On the ease setting these are automatically placed on the minidisk as separate entries. These can immediately be played back on the small screen on the handycam. The images are very clear on the screen. Audio is good as well. When the disk is full you finalize the disk by pushing several buttons and letting the camera sit for about three minutes. The minidisks play back on my regular DVD player. Check your DVD player for a smaller slot on the disk tray. If there is a smaller slot, the minidisks will probably play in that player. I have not found one that did not play the minidisks. The playback is good, and you can select different scenes. It really is quite easy and I like the handycam very much. (...)

I purchased this item in advance of my first European vacation. I read the materials in advance and anticipation of capturing the wonderful sites ahead. The handycam gave out after about 20 minutes of use: the screen went totally black on the right half without any explanation. Thankfully, I purchased the unit from a reputable source who exchanged the product without question within the first 30 days. I had contacted Sony, but their "warranty policy" is to either repair the unit or provide a repaired model to the customer. BAD IDEA

The camcorder is very lightweight and small, easy to use, and replaces the need of having a digital camera and a video camera. The best thing is that it saves directly onto the DVD disk so that you can see it immediately without tape transfers or computers. It also saves the photos and movie all on one disk, which I like so that everything is together. It doesn't work that well in low light and the digital photos are not of the high quality of a good digital camera, but if you mainly use digital photos to email to family, as I do, then it's a very good buy.