Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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73 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A toy for beginners only., December 26, 2006
Here's the short and skinny on this thing. It makes for a decent stocking stuffer at Christmas or extra birthday gift. I mean, its usually on sale for about $100 and that's about an extra $150 cheaper than an entry-level "name brand" camera. I bought mine for my teenage son who basically wants to dabble with this thing. If your kids, like mine, are extra rough with things, then you probably don't want to spend $400 for a Sony or JVC.
To begin, the package indicates that it is a "5 in 1" device, meaning camcorder, digital camera, MP3 player, etc. Don't think you'll get out of purchasing a separate MP3 player for your kids though. The MP3 player won't fool any teenager, so you'll definitely need to buy a devoted MP3 player. Seriously, the MP3 capability on this thing is a joke. As far as digital pictures, it takes grainy, sub-par pictures, so only a teenager would likely be okay with this. Don't expect good family photos in other words. The camcorder function is basic at best. This is not what you want for recording whatever memorable, precious moments you wish to capture. It's okay for kids to record "silly" things, but if they truly become interested and want to delve into this as a hobby, then you'll seroiusly need to consider splurging for something better.
What actually makes this player so inexpensive and lightweight is actually its Achilles heel. You see, most digital camcorders come with a rechargeable battery. In fact, the rechargeable battery is what adds significantly to the cost of the camcorder. I don't have a cost breakdown, but I suspect it is in the area of 25% of the overall cost. With the DXG, there is no rechargeable battery---but how I wish there were!!! Instead of a bulky rechargeable, this uses four "AAA" batteries. Cool, right? Well, this thing goes through batteries like a Hummer goes through gas. Seriously, four fresh batteries will be consumed in only a few minutes!!!! The bottom line, you'll most certainly need a separate battery recharger and rechargeable batteries to constantly feed this thing.
In short, this is a decent gift IF and only IF you buy a battery recharger. If you desire only the digital camera function, you ought to seriously consider a devoted digital camera as this one is ho-hum at best. Not a bad gift, but it is really more of a toy than a "big boy" camera.
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43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice Little Corder, January 11, 2006
I have been playing with this camcorder since I got it for Christmas and overall I'm pleased with it. On the up side: it's light & compact as your wallet, easy to use (I read all the instructions first), easy to download the pix & vids to your computer. And it's cheap. I've had no trouble with my battery door or extra memory chip coming open, as some other viewers have. On the down side: the built-in memory really isn't enough to allow for much video shooting or picture taking before it's full (an extra memory chip is essential and according to the DXG website there is a certain type that is compatible), neither the instructions nor the website explain certain functions and icons you really want to know about (such as flash operation). I've had better results shooting outdoors, than in. Light makes the difference. But overall I like my DXG and carry it w/ me in my handbag.
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Help For All Having Problems, May 23, 2006
i am amazed at how many people hold this camcorder INCORECTLY.
you do NOT grip it like a gun, you hold it with your thumb on the bottom of the unit and your index finger and the finger inbetween your index finger on the top of the camcorder where the 3 notches are.
notice how you are not covering the flash, or touching the battery door? i have NEVER had the SD card slot door magicly open, it clicks into place.
again if you hold the camera like a gun, you might be acidently sliding the SD door open with your fingers. THIS IS THE INCORRECT WAY TO HOLD THE CAM.
the flash is activated by pressing LEFT on the ring with the red button, alternatvly pressing right will pause video.
pictures should be taken with the fine setting, and you MUST hold the camera still while shooting ( while the save bar saves the picture )
here is a hint...use a high speed SD card, most standard cards are 32X and are slow at 3 or higher Megapixels. I use a 150X card for fast saving of the pictures which means i do not have to keep the camera still for very long it only takes a second to save a high megapixel picture.
good light is required for the video, pictures i have not had problems with, the flash is fine for dark pictures.
another hint, use AVI for video as it is the least compressed of the 3 options, also if you want night or dark shooting you CAN do this with the camera, here is how, when you play back the video on your pc, turn up the contrast to 75% from the default 50% on Windows media player.
i hope this helps you all.
my only complaint is this....
i noticed on the LCD screen or rather the edge border of the plastic around the screen on both the top and bottom of the border of the screen in the centre there is a cut in the border, i am not sure if this is a manufacture defect or if its supposed to be there, it seems odd that is on the top and bottom border of the screen, and both in the centre of the border. ( you cannot see it head on with the screen, you have to tilt the angle of the screen to see it )
anyone else notice this, it was not like that on the 305v model that i used to have.
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