I absolutely love this DVD Camcorder. It's so super small and user friendly I can't explain. It is very simple to use.

My only complaint and frustration is that my Sony VGC-RA710G VAIO PC and the USB software for the Sony DCR-DVD7 don't get along. I thought for sure a Sony would be compatible with a Sony, especially since both are less than one year old.

Best I can tell Windows XP professional won't recognize the USB connection to the Camcorder because the software isn't digitally signed or something. Plus everytime I try just about any installation variation my pc gets hung up...something that it NEVER EVER EVER does. So until Sony can answer why a Sony won't talk to a Sony I can't give the product 5 stars.

This camcorder does hook up easily to a tv, and once you finalize your recordings, they will play on anything. I can't comment on the editing software because I have only been trying to hook up the camcorder to the pc via the USB cable. My hopes and assumptions are that I can use the software from my finalized DVD's.

P.S. If any other users are experiencing this same problem or can offer any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

This camcorder is very easy to use, light, and takes good video as well as decent stills. My only complaint would be the disk length - the DVD still only holds 30 minutes of video. I have found some that hold 60, but only on the Web, not in stores.

I bought this last month when the price was $549....what a difference a month makes.
This is a great small and compact camcorder. Has great audio and video and the DVD is very convienent. I'm extremely pleased with the recorder. The included software works, but to really get into the video editing mode, you'll need some professional software.
All in all, great product and I would buy again. Good luck!

I've been using this for about 2 weeks now and I love it! It is very user friendly with touch-screen controls. I only wish the DVDs could last longer than a half hour, but for the size of this model I can over look that.

Works very well with little instruction. Camera is grainy in low light, crisp in daylight. Video is crisp, audio good. Easy touch screen application makes this camcorder a delight to use.

If you are looking for a still shot digital camera ok.. but why buy this monster for that? I have a T1 that does the trick there and gives 5MP.
Ok, so maybe video? ok, but then why do I want a dvd with nothing but raw footage? cant edit it without a lot of work. (where is the firewire port, or even the ability to edit an mpg file?) geeez..
anyway.. I am taking mine back. it is totally useless to me as I already have a still shot camera.. save your money.. dont do it..

I'd like to share the reasons why I bought this camera and strongly recommend it:

1. Innovative design and size. I absolutely love the design and compact size of this camera. As any other innovative products, the form factor of this camera received mixed reviews. I think it is perfect, I have no problem handling and holding the camera when filming. You have to give credit to Sony: there is no other DVD camcorder in the market this compact, even after a year in the market.

2. Media support. This should be the number one criteria when buying a DVD camcorder. I have read several reviews from other DVD camcorders complaining about issues finalizing the discs or playing them on standard DVD players. I have had no issues whatsoever with discs burned with this camera, and finalizing the discs is a very smooth process: one click and a few minutes. This camera supports DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW. Most DVD players will play all of these formats. The DVD+RW format allows you to view the disc in most DVD players without finalizing the disc, while the DVD-RW format allows you to edit and delete scenes from the disc when used in VR format (though this format is typically supported by DVD recorders only); both rewritable formats can be formatted and reused as many times as you'd like. Note that the capacity of the discs is 30 minutes in SP mode (or 60 in LP mode); this is a limitation of the size of the discs, not the camera. You can buy double-sided discs which will allow you to record 60 minutes in SP mode, but you have to manually swap the disc, so it is equivalent to using 2 different discs.

3. It's a Sony camcorder. I have to mention that I have not owned other brand of camcorders, just because I've been extremely satisfied with Sony camcorders. They not only have a cool design, but they are also the best in terms of ease of use and reliability. I cannot vouch for the quality of this camcorder yet, but I expect this to last, it seems well built. It also comes with a Carl-Zeiss lens, which are among the best in the market.

4. Other nice features worth mentioning:
* USB cable allows you to copy any or all of the recorded scenes to your computer, even if the disc hasn't been finalized.
* Almost all the functionality is driven by the touch panel, and the main menu is programmable which allows you to add only the features you use the most.

OK, so this camera is not perfect, it has some areas for improvement:

1. If you are buying this camcorder to take still pictures as well as recording video, this is not your camera. The resolution of the stills is only 640x480 (less than 1MP), the quality is so poor that it is not even worth using it for stills.

2. Poor low-light filming and no NightShot feature included.

3. No upgradeability, because of its compact size there is not a lot of room for attaching typical add-ons: microphone, flash, or headphones (though you can use an adapter on the A/V cable). The battery provided lasts for about 90 minutes, however you can buy a larger battery, the NP-FA70 which will lasts up to 180 minutes.

4. At the original MSRP of $699, this camera is expensive, if you pay less than $500 for this camcorder, you are getting a good deal. If you're willing to pay over $600 for this camcorder and you're not crazy about its design/size, you might be better off buying the DCR-DVD203, at least you'll get a 1MP digital camera.

Extremely easy to use. Price on Amazon was terrific vs. Circuit City Offering. Like the way you can view immediately in the DVD player. Picture quality in sunny conditions is not good and grainy digitial picture taking.

2 years and many great movies later, I still love it. All the grandkids have their own special movies with slide shows and music to boot. I use Nero software along with the Picture Package. So what if the mini DVDs are only 30 minutes? That's a good place for a break, or another chapter. NO dull movies here! Now Grandma gets invited to all the kid's events so she can make a movie of it. This little camera doesn't look like the other camcorders, and has been discriminated against...what a shame. I think it is just ahead of it's time!Sony DCR-DVD7 DVD Handycam Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom

Had this little guy for almost 2 years....

Then one day it just wouldn't turn on.

Sony wants over 200 dollars just to look at it and the problem is probably a 10 cent resistor.

Also the still photos are terrible. However the videos were good though though sometimes the sound of the spinning disk is recorded and can be heard on playback.

I can't help but wonder if there are better cameras out there at a better price.

Ok I've had this two years also, it's still working, but I haven't used it so very much yet. It's now been on a cruise and to a couple air shows. It does take good video, I've not tried it in still picture mode because I have a way better kodak camera for that kind of thing. It's handily small, not horribly weighty and it's easy enough transferring the data from the camcorder to your computer. I will say however it is TERRIBLE in video taking at the air shows. The LCD viewfinder is HORRIBLE when used for looking up into a sunny sky with little or no frame of reference around the object of video taking, also the LCD can be hard to see into with full on bright sunshine. With it having no other viewfinders on it, I wouldn't recommend it much for such a use. Sony's design on the model is nice, but it really needs a viewer on it that you can use you own eyes with. Also I highly recommend getting a backup battery.