Product Description

Why use a camcorder with tapes when you can use this one that records directly on a DVD? With the Samsung SC-D164 DVD Camcorder you'll have a record of the major moments that matches your most vivid and happiest memories. You'll write those incredible moments directly to a blank DVD; once you're done, you can simply pop the disc into a computer or DVD player and begin sharing your movies. Before sharing, you can preview your video on the 2.7 inch LCD screen. See if you've caught everything - the 680,000 pixel CCD, 33x optical and 1200x digital zoom help you capture every detail brilliantly. 1200x digital zoom 4-in-1 multi-memory card slot compatible with SD - MMC - MemoryStick - Memory Stick Pro Digital image stabilization - Virtually eliminates shake due to normal handheld movement MPEG-4 recording - MPEG4 provides enhanced video image quality and maximizes the amount of video you can record. In addition, MPEG4 even lets you quickly and easily share video clips via email May be used as a Webcam when connected to a PC 16 - 9 recording and viewing - Samsung's 16 - 9 recording option ensures that the entire image is recorded. Once your movies are captured in widescreen format, you can enjoy viewing them without having to lose any of the images on your wide-format HDTV screen Supports DVD-RW/-R/+RW/+R (dual layer) - With Samsung's advanced technology, even a person without any knowledge of DVD formats can easily handle it, because you can use any type of Recordable DVD Is PictBridge compatible Samsung's Audio Enhancements & Effects reduce unwanted ambient sound, improve stereo separation, voice, and music playback, and lets you add echo sound effects Features USB 2.0 connectivity (Windows98, 2000, XP) Includes remote control Unit Dimensions - 2.36 x 3.44 x 4.78 / Weight - 0.95 lbs. Supplied accessories - AC adapter, battery pack, A/V cable, USB cable, remote control, software CD Accept

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5166 in Camera & Photo
• Brand: Samsung
• Model: SC-DC164
• Released on: 2006-04-30
• Dimensions: 3.00 pounds
• Display size: 2.7

Features

• Record and play in 16:9 widescreen format; 680K pixel video CCD delivers high-resolution images
• 33x optical/1200x digital zoom for professional-quality closeups
• Print directly from your camcorder with the PictBridge function
• 4-in-1 memory slot is compatible with Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SD or MMC

From the Manufacturer
Enjoy the industry’s latest digital camcorder technology. The SC-DC164 DVD camcorder offers the world’s strongest zoom --33x optical/1200x digital -- with images clearly displayed on the 2.7-inch LCD. Turn it on and start shooting in less than 10 seconds. The dual-layer DVD feature doubles the amount of recording time, while a 4-in-1 multi memory card slot lets you store MPEG4 videos and stills. There’s even a handy remote control so you can set up the shots -- and then get into the action yourself!

Get close to the action with high-quality zoom

SC-DC164 DVD Camcorder Highlights

33x optical zoom/1200x digital zoom
The camcorder’s high quality 33x zoom lens lets you get close to the action from a safe distance. And for those ultra long distance shots, the 1200x digital zoom will let you see it all in perfect detail.

2.7-inch wide LCD (230K)
The 2.7-inch wide LCD enables you to catch more of the action compared to viewing from 2.5-inch" LCD using a 4:3 screen format. The 2.7-inch wide LCD display matches the 16:9 aspect ratio of your HDTV, so you can record and playback what you see.

4-in-1 Multi Memory Card slot
The versatile 4-in-1 multi memory card slot offers you the option of Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SD card or MMC. Use your existing cards or choose the type and size of memory card that best suits your needs.

MPEG4 (720 x 480/30 fps)
MPEG4 provides enhanced video image quality and maximizes the amount of video you can record. In addition, MPEG4 even lets you quickly and easily share video clips via email.

Digital Image Stabilization
The Digital Image Stabilizer eliminates the effects of shakes to ensure extremely sharp pictures even when zooming in for close-ups.

PictBridge
Give your PC a rest. Thanks to the PictBridge function of your camcorder, you no longer have to first download your pictures onto your PC before printing. Save your valuable time and energy. Simply connect a USB 2.0 cable to your PictBridge compatible printer and watch your photos appear. Printing, sharing, and framing your digital pictures have never been easier.

USB 2.0 interface
Allows for easy uploading of MPEG4 movie clips and JPEG still images to a PC.

Web cam
Connect the Memory Camcorder to a PC via a USB 2.0 cable and instantly communicate via live video with business associates, friends and family wherever you are.

16:9 widescreen recording
Samsung’s 16:9 recording option ensures that the entire image is recorded. Once your movies are captured in widescreen format, you can enjoy viewing them without having to lose any of the images on your wide-format HDTV screen.

Double-recording capacity
8cm DVD+R dual layer offers nearly double the recording capacity of a regular disc, so you can capture the entire event without worrying about the remaining length of the DVD.

Compatible formats: DVD-RD-R/+R/+R (Dual Layer)
Worried about using the wrong DVD format? Don’t be. With Samsung’s advanced technology, even a person without any knowledge of DVD formats can easily handle it, because you can use any type of Recordable DVD.

Customer Reviews

Don't open the door!
What a great little camcorder!! I love it and in fact now look for ways or activities to do in order to use it without looking so dumb.

Upside:Light weight and easy to use. Takes great clear video. Have to easily adjust for the right filming set up like in door out door etc,, but its simple to do. Has great microphone and sound quality as well.

Downside: Finalizing can be an issue until you really get with how and what NOT to do. I really wish amsung had added a feature that wouldnt allow you to open the door on the camera until you've finalized your disc. Not so great in dark situations.

Ok I bought this camera at Best Buy and as I have made it my own policy; any electronic device is subject to be repaired at some point, so I always buy the extra warranty too! One repair out weighs the additional expense.

OKOK! I admit and agree with some of the other reviews, BUT there are user reasons for some of these errors and wanted to share them.

1)You absolutely cannot open the disc door after you start recording or the
disc will read errors and won't finalize. (ITs in the manual)So don't open the door to check the disc or look at the disc until you finalize it!

2)You really can only use DVD + R or RW discs. IT says it in the manual. The negative R or RWs are not compatible.

Ok now I am going to tell you what to do when the disc errors happen. Even if the disc wont finalize the info still has been written onto the disc. Don't believe me....go to the disc manager and then disc info and it will tell you how much space is used. OILA! if it says anything over 1 minute, it has been written. BUT remember its digital and cannot and will be needed to be converted in order for any device to be able to see it and then you see it.

When I got my 1st disaster that said disc error won't finalize....Best Buy recommended a software to download from the internet called ISO Buster. I downloaded it and it retrieved the files from my disc. 2nd problem....those files need to be converted so I used my Sansdisk free software that came with my mP3 and it converted the files & now I can at least see them on my mp3...thank goodness because my video was from a recent vacation to Disney World.

Ok so this past week, I had my disc error 2 show up. I think I remember opening the door on accident before I even finalized the disc. BUT! and this is key. I can still see the movies!!! YEAH this is good!!! Here's what I discovered..........

HOOK THE CAMERA UP TO YOUR VCR VIA THE RED, YELLOW, WHITE AV CABLES, AND THE S VIDEO CONNECTION IF YOU HAVE IT. THEN PLAY YOUR MOVIE ON THE TV. IF YOU CAN SEE your VIDEO(S) YOU CAN RECORD THEM TOO!! ONTO A VCR TAPE!!! BEFORE YOU REALLY LOSE THE MOVIES. I haven't lost my precious memories which were 2 birthday parties for my daughters. I put them onto tape.

I know what your thinking, "I didn't buy a DVD camcorder to record onto tape" But you can always put it back onto disc after you record it. I think its better anyway to have a back up and not lose the precious memories. I doesnt matter to me if its tape or DVD. As long as I can get it back and see it. I really wish I had done this with my Disney video, but I still have my disc and maybe I can find a way to restore it at a later time.

Remember: 1)Don't open the door on your camera until you finalize. (I put a piece of tape over the button to remind me)2)IF all else fails, hook the camera up to your VCR, put in a blank tape, record it onto tape.
Now aint you happy you read this review?

DON'T BUY
This is the first product I have ever purchased from Samsung and have been dissatisfied with. It is a very expensive piece of [...] The videos are fuzzy at best, there is absolutely no taking videos in dimly lit areas and the digital camera photos come out looking like black and white photos.

You must change the settings from inside and outside constantly and the color is mediocre at best.

I also had disc errors. Anything recorded prior to the disc error you lose. Can be quite frustrating especially if your recording a special event.

I would actually give this product ZERO stars but that isn't an option.

It is worth returning to best buy and losing the 15% restocking fee. Spend an extra $200 and buy something a little more than the low end DVD camcorder.

Not great...just ok
I bought this a week ago. A few things to mention...the indoor recording with low lighting is horrible. DVD's actually look like a movie recorded from the 80's. I opened my blinds and turned all the lights on and it's perfect but that was the middle of the day when the sun was out. There is no night time recording on this. Everything looks dark. I used the DVD -R's. These work fine...you don't have to format it. You do have to finalize the disc...takes about 2 seconds and you are done. I had the Samsung MiniDV camcorder..quality is about the same...zoom is much better on this one. I like the idea of having my disc's ready to watch. I haven't had a problem with the battery but am still disappointed after spending nearly $400 for a camcorder and cannot record indoors if it's dark outside.

UPDATE 02/06/07 - I returned this for the SONY DVD108. Main reason was because for $20 more this camcorder comes with a great niteshot light. The Samsung did not record well indoors with low lighting. Majority of my home videos are of Christmas morning (when it's dark outside) and my kids playing in the living room. Unless it was the middle of the day and I could open the curtains and blinds it wouldn't record well. The Sony DVD108 is much better for the same price. Also the SONY DVD108 has a 40X optical zoom. The man at Best Buy said that optical zoom is almost unheard of. He also said Samsung uses plastic for their lens...Sony uses glass which makes the picture clearer. The zoom on the SONY is fantastic. If you are looking for a camcorder within the $400 price range look at the SONY DVD108 you'll be glad you did. Also - I was able to use the DVD -R's on the SONY DVD108 as well and they work fine. The SONY also has a touch screen menu unlike the Samsung.