Customer Reviews for Samsung SCD23 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5 LCD

Samsung SCD23 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5 LCD
by Samsung

	List Price: ~~$499.99~~ Our Price: $269.00 You Save: $230.99 (46%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $159.99 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details

Customers in the UK, Buy this product at amazon.co.uk for British Pounds

Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Samsung SCD23 MiniDV Camcorder with 2.5 LCD

Customer Review: Excellence Camcorder
Summary: 5 Stars

This is an excellence camcorder for video pictures for out or indoor, with normal light. This comparision with others well known brand-name (even double price).

BUT ... I can not transfer (capture) video picture from mini-DV tape to Computer through 1394 port. I have read some posts at some forums; they are having same problem like mine. If someone know how to please let me know. Thank you.

PS. I have no problem to capture video picture from mini-DV tape to Computer through 1394 port on Canon Optura 20, Panasonic DV102, and Panasonic GS70. I like the SCD23 because the video picture is the best among of the above camcorders (perhaps because it has 1.4 apperature??).

In-order to transfer Mini-DV tape recorded from the Samsung SCD23 I have to put the mini-DV tape to the Panasonic GS70 then using 1394 port to transfer to computer!!!!!

Edit July 07, 2003
Good News .....
Finally, I found the way how to Capture (transfer) video from MiniDV to Computer. The trick is I have to buy a brand name Adaptec FireWire Card!!! I bought Adaptec FireConnect 4300 AFW-4300 1394/FireWire Card, and it work flawlessly (not bad $41.00 card it came with some good software for transfer video image).

I am very happy with SCD23 and I will buy the SCD27 because the SCD27 is almost the same as the SCD23 with more feature + accessories for example it came with 16Mb Memory Stick, Remote Control, 3.5" LCD, have S-Video (in/out).

Only some minor complains are:
-I have to open LCD screen in order to access The DV 4 pin Firewire port.
-No Smart Shoe for Flash however, the Camcorder came with Video Light.

I am going to give 5 stars instead of 4.

Customer Review: Great Camera / Terrible Tech Support
Summary: 4 Stars

PROS: The camera takes great video quality and is easily hooked to a tv/vcr for larger viewing. Very easy to use and I love the night vision.

CONS: Unable to download video to computer... Windows XP won't recognize camera...

So if you just want to transfer your video to VHS, it's a great camera to buy...

Customer Review: Great little unit for basic digital video
Summary: 4 Stars

Wow! What a nice little digital "starter" camcorder for casual, fun digital video! As far as I can tell from extensive comparison shoopping, its feature set is just about unbeatable at this price point ...The unit weighs little more than a pound, but has a quality aura about it, with all the buttons and switches feeling quite solid and substantial. I already had several Samsung multimedia devices (MP3 player and DVD player) before my wife bought me this camcorder for Father's Day (thanks, sweetheart!), so I had a certain comfort level with the brand's overall excellent quality.

Here are a few things any prospective buyer should know: Regardless of what the folks at the Samsung spare parts store may tell you, the SC-D23 absolutely DOES accept a memory stick for use as a digital still camera (640 X 480 pixels max resolution); but no stick is included with the camera AND the maximum-capacity memory stick the camera will accept is 16 megs. Also, the USB photo-download capability works only with PCs; therefore, Macintosh computer users will need to purchase a USB memory-stick reader to download their still photos.

Overall the controls are easy to use and fall readily to hand. The LCD display is bright; and the camera's "night pix" capability is lots of fun--it uses infrared light emitted by the camera itself to illuminate objects up to about 10-15 feet away; so you can shoot close-up video in total darkness. The "night pix" video function may not be very practical for the average casual user, but it's a lot of fun to play with and looks very cool green and "Desert-Stormish." The video color quality overall is good, and the sound picked up by the built-in external stereo microphone is also good; although the mic does pick up a bit of the camera's own operational sounds (whirring and such). There is also an external microphone jack.

Pros with this unit: Low price, strong feature set (including built-in light, digital still camera capability, FireWire and USB interfaces, and several video-outs including S-video), good manufacturing quality, nice picture and sound. Cons: No memory stick included, memory stick capacity limited to 16 megabytes; no USB video download capability; no FireWire or S-video cables included, no USB photo download capability for Mac users.

My wife and I plan to use this camera for taking casual video -- mostly of our grandchildren; overall, we are extremely pleased with the Samsung SC-D23.