Samsung SCD60

I own both an SCD60 and a Sony TRV17. I have to tell you the SCD60 BLOWS AWAY the Sony when it comes to video quality. It is absolutely amazing- the colors are especially nice. I had two pro videographer friends over and when I showed them the footage, they could not believe it came from my little Samsung. Unfortunately, it isn't compatible with my Macs, and apparently a lot of PC users who have SCD60s can get them to download, but not upload to tape. My solution: I record with my Samsung and play the tapes into the computer with my Sony. It's a phenomenal second cam. You will not be disappointed with the video quality! It is really a sleeper. On a scale of 1-10, the Sony is about a 5 and the Samsung is an 8.

Amazing video quality. Intelligent backlight mode really works. Wide-range optical zoom.

No accessory shoe. A bit of whine from the motor can intrude in the audio. Can't play tapes from other camcorders or (my Sony, at least). Computer compatility problems.

Sony TRV17

Had a $50 off coupon for digital camera/miniDV''s at Sears and thought why not? Fairly sharp picture at 680k ccd for a miniDV camera that''s at the upper-low end of miniDV''s. The camera really is great for the price if you''re wonering if you should make the jump to miniDV. I only have 2 major gripes: In direct sunlight the LCD is completely washed out. You will *have* to use the view finder. The only other drawback is the lack of a light or hot shoe for a camera light. The camera will do stills (sort of...), there is a "photo" button directly in front of the zoom controls that will pause the live image with a quick press. After that you have to press the "record" button and then quickly press it again. This gives you 8 seconds of a still image with audio. If you have Premire 6 or any decent movie software you can create stills and save yourself the tape space. I purchased the Sony EZEditor FireWire kit which comes with the Pinnacle Systems board. Everyone seems to recommend the Pinnacle boards above the others; I don''t know why, it''s all 1394...There is a supplied 3.5" floppy with Samsungs photo software on it for moving images from the camcorder to your PV via a serial port. It''s O.K. at best. It''s very basic and should only be used as a last resort if you don''t have a FireWire board in your rig.

Cheap. Intelligent backlighting mode. Fairly light and small.

LCD in direct sunlight is "un-viewable". No light or hot shoe for an external light. Full 22x zoom, like most miniDV''s, is worthless.

There are no other miniDV''s that come close to this price. I did test out most digital8''s and VHS-C''s and for the image you get with any miniDV you can''t compare them.

The install for the camcorder to my PC was flawless. Plug it in, turn it on and control it from your PC. I haven''t had to call Samsung yet...