Big-Screened DVD Movie Maker
The HandyCam DCR-DVD301 from Sony takes beautiful video and has a large LCD.
Sony's latest camcorder, the HandyCam DCR-DVD301, is not much different from other DVD camcorders, except that it has a 3.5-inch screen (huge for a small camcorder). Despite having a built-in DVD burner, the DCR-DVD301 is fairly compact, includes Sony's excellent low-light modes, and takes great footage that works in most DVD players.
If you want to ditch the dull parts and add a little flair to your videos, this HandyCam probably isn't your best choice. To import files from it into your PC, you have to use the included Pixela ImageMixer. The application generates either DVD-compatible VOB files, which few desktop video editors can read, or MPEG files, which cause editing programs to roll over and play dead.
The DCR-DVD301 is a great camcorder for people who don't have very much time to devote to editing the raw video they shoot. But if you have big plans for your videos, you're probably better off with a standard MiniDV camcorder.
Alan Stafford
