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General discussion

Sony DCR DVD505 Shipped 2/25/06

Feb 25, 2006 11:08PM PST

I ordered my DCR DVD505 on 2/2/2006. I received an email from SonyStyle that it has shipped effective 2/25/2006. Fedex still does not have the information on their web site. It does say I should have it by the 5th of March(Sonystyle Website). So far I have gotten 40 DVD -RW disks from ebay a case, a spare battery a DVD +RW and a Memeory Stick Pro Duo 256 Meg stick for the camcorder. Playing with the case the disks and the Memory stick is not a lot of fun. I will post my impressions as soon as I have the chance to play with this camcorder. Really looking forward to this coming in.

Discussion is locked

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Not looking forward to it. Why?
Feb 26, 2006 12:39AM PST

If you follow this forum, the number of posts about failed DVD recordings is not good. Imagine that you 'taped' something and then went to shoot more content. Someone bumps into you and due to how things work in all known DVD camcorders you lose all the content on that disk.

Many have tossed these units back and run back to MiniDV.

Bob

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Going to wait and see on that
Feb 26, 2006 5:08AM PST

I am going to wait and see on that. I have 40 DVD-RW disks to test that out on. I intend to have my kids bump me and do lots of things to see if this is still a problem with the new sony's. No one has posted anything anywhere on the 405 and 505 on this lost video topic because the camcorders are so new. I asked Sony about this and they say that this problem is one of the fixes put in place over the 2005 line especially in the 405 and the 505. Still if it happens like the older models I still have time to send it back.

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DVD recorders are not new. And there are posts in this forum
Feb 26, 2006 5:17AM PST

About this issue. May you be more lucky in them solving the bugs with bumps and recording till the media is full (another failure point.)

Bob

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Going to see on wednesday or Thursday
Feb 27, 2006 12:04AM PST

According to FedEx I should have my camcorder on the 1st if I am home to sign for it that is. I will be running it till it is full and bumping it and seeing what happens. It has been my experience that those who do not know what they are doing have problems when learning new things. I have spent most of my life working with US Military Electronics so I think I will figure this problem out as well. But if I don't then all DVD camcorders will be getting hit by my critiques of these problems. Anyway it is going to be interesting to see how the newest models have been engineered to handle these issues.

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Next big issue. How can you use what's on that media?
Feb 27, 2006 12:16AM PST

The next issue we read about in the forums is that what it records on the DVD media is difficult to use in some video editors.

Be sure you can use what you make before you can't return the product.

Bob

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Camcorder forum
Feb 27, 2006 8:28PM PST
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Memory stick pro duo
Feb 27, 2006 8:26PM PST

I just got a Sony DCR-HC36 MiniDV camcorder, and when I ordered it I found a 1GB memory stick duo at Amazon for $51.99 +s&h. I ordered an accessory kit at the same time as the camera so I didn't have anything to play with before the camera arrived. I know you will enjoy it, there's nothing like a new toy to make a kid happy. Unfortunately, the camcorder is just the tip of the iceberg; you will find plenty of "must have" accessories.

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Great Price on that 1 Gig Duo
Feb 27, 2006 11:29PM PST

Wow that is a great price on that 1 Gig Duo stick. I think you are right about the accessories. I will probably get a few to go with the extra battery that I have and the Memory Stick Duo. Playing with an empty case and 41 Disks without the camcorder is no fun at all. You cnaa only look at that stuff so long before you crave the main toy Happy Has your camcorder arrived yet and what is you impression so far? What is your suggested list of accessories to date? Anyway thanks for the input

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camcorder
Feb 28, 2006 1:37AM PST

It arrived last Thursday. My last camcorder was a Canon E-80 8MM that cost $899.95 in 1989, and this Sony for $348.85 blows me away. I haven't used it much yet, but I really like the ability to video to tape or memory stick, and even when I am in the tape record mode, I can push the photo button and get a snapshot to the memory stick. My Sony TV has a memory stick slot, so I can view on the TV as well as through the PC. The duo comes with an adaptor to allow use through any card reader that accepts memory sticks.

As far as accessories, Sony packs an accessory list with their camcorders, and it gives good suggestions. BTW, I got a bag with my accessory kit, but it turned out to be too small for the camera, tapes,line cord, accessories and a charger, so I looked at Sony's site. If you register online you get a 15% discount on a whole list of accessories. The bag I wanted was $59.95, but I couldn't find it on the list, so I did a site search and found it. For some reason it was not on the list, but I was able to buy a "refurbished" bag for $14.99. Last Thursday was the last day for a free shipping promotion, so I saved that expense.


I hope you enjoy yours when it arrives.

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It's supposed to arrive today
Mar 1, 2006 9:53PM PST

I think I will enjoy the camcorder when I get it. My previous camcorder was a large VHS Sharp that I purchased in the 1980's It lasted a long time with ok video for it's time. This new Camcorder will be a serious upgrade. I have used lot's of camcorders for other people so I know what I like. Hopefully it gets here before I go to work at 2:50pm Now I will be on pins and needles until that Fedex truck arrives.