This camera uses a mini DVD disc that is not compatible with most DVD players and computers. So, if you want to be able to shoot something and then with-in a few minute be able to view the images via a DVD player do not pick this unit. My solution was to sent it back for a refund, a very quick and easy solution.

To conclude, IMHO, the only reason to buy a Mini-CD camcorder is to be able to quickly create and view/share unedited mini-CD videos. It's ideal for taking family videos and mailing the mini-CD to family, friends, etc. I would have returned the product if not for the high Amazon restocking fee (20%).

Also researched that the DVD recordings only last about 5 Years and you need to back those up to another media. I guess I will be going to MiniDV since I cant get a HI8 anymore. I will be returning this and paying a 15% restocking fee.

I really didnt want to purchase a Sony, since they seem over priced for quality sometimes but after buying & returning 2 other dvd camcorders I gave this one a shot.

It's OK at first, but after a a few DVD's, it was irritating. Luckily we are having these (finally) edited and most of it will be put to music. When we were on our last trip to the Caribbean last month, I was cognizent of this and was careful not to quickly release the zoom button; however, when you're in the moment of taping, it's sometimes hard to remember you can't quickly zoom and release the button without that annoying sound.

I bought the Sony 108 thinking it's a Sony should be good. We are coming from an aging HI8 and thought it was time to replace. I did not like going from 2 hours recording to 30 minutes but with a 1 hour option that would be ok.

I tried playing it without the software and it was the same thing (by going through my computer and it played with WMP and WinDVD) Wasn't sure why, so we tried uploading to my husbands computer, and all the clips uploaded fine. Only catch was that the clips would only play alright if you used Sony's Picture Motion Browser. If you tried to go through My Computer, it would open the files in WMP and play the video but there was no sound.

If one is going to record video with the intention of creating a travel/family movie; if one plans on uploading it to a computer, editing it, and burning it to a DVD, then, I would strongly recommend buying a camcorder that records to a mini-tapes. As others have stated, the quality of video recorded to Mini-CD is inferior to the quality of camcoder-to-mini-tape recordings. I was aware of that but expected --hoping for the impossible-- almost tape-like video quality.

Also the picture quality is awful compared to my Hi8. When there is motion there are line and the images are grainy. The camera images are a joke at 680 Pixels.

Sound quality is very good but I would have preferred a jack for external microphone, I agree that the "reminder" message about using Sony DVDs instead of off-brands is cheesy, but it's harmless.

I had to find a store with compatible recording disks, which was not all that easy. I could only find a disk for the movie application but not the still/digital camera. Also the formatting for the downloading is quite involved and not really intuitive.

I would have preferred it if Sony didn't include the still photograph option at all on this camcorder, but it's a shame that people expected Ansel Adams quality images out of it. Hey, it's better than nothing in a pinch. -- Only a half hour recording time?

Gee, people choose to buy a product line that is incompatible -- no, that PRIDES ITSELF on being incompatible -- with every other computer made, and then it's the other guy's fault when their device doesn't talk to yours. Tell you what, why don't you petition Apple to build a camcorder for you. They can call it the I-Cam (of course), Steve Jobs can evangelize about it at MacWorld and you can wait in line for three days outside the Apple Store on Stockton street to get the first buggy, overpriced models.

It only uses DVD-RAM and is pretty much useless unless you want to use it through a computer, which we did not.

The image stabilization worked even better than I expected and I have not had any issues in low light conditions despite there being no built-in light. If you want to record long sessions, you may want to pre-format your mini-DVDs or spring for a media card because it takes several minutes to swap out unformatted media. My only serious complaint is inconvenient battery charging.

We just used it again last month in the Caribbean, and will be taking it to Europe again this September! I would have given this a 5-star rating but cannot because of one little issue (and of course I didn't notice this until after our trip last year and we were editing 9 DVD's)...but that is when I pushed the zoom button, I would let go of the button too quickly and you can hear a "click".

The video quality outdoors is better but it does not have a wind cut setting so it sounds like you are in a hurricane. I do like the fact that I don't have to re-record from a tape to dvd with the chance of accidently erasing something important.

Just be careful not to let go of the zoom button too quickly. From what our DVD editor tells us, this is a common issue with most Camcorders...the only other option is to turn the sound off...but that wouldn't be fun!

I'm not tech savvy be all means. But I wanted to transfer video from the camcorder to my computer via USB. On my computer, it recognized the video and uploaded fine except for some reason the first 'thumbnail' of clips had an error.

It records on the mini DVDs and they only come in 30 min or 60 min recording time. The problem is you have to stop every 30 minutes to change or flip the disc. In my experience this is damn inconvenient.

I really didnt want to purchase a Sony, since they seem over priced for quality sometimes but after buying & returning 2 other dvd camcorders I gave this one a shot.

If one is going to record video with the intention of creating a travel/family movie; if one plans on uploading it to a computer, editing it, and burning it to a DVD, then, I would strongly recommend buying a camcorder that records to a mini-tapes. As others have stated, the quality of video recorded to Mini-CD is inferior to the quality of camcoder-to-mini-tape recordings. I was aware of that but expected --hoping for the impossible-- almost tape-like video quality.

Also the picture quality is awful compared to my Hi8. When there is motion there are line and the images are grainy. The camera images are a joke at 680 Pixels.

Sound quality is very good but I would have preferred a jack for external microphone, I agree that the "reminder" message about using Sony DVDs instead of off-brands is cheesy, but it's harmless.

I would have preferred it if Sony didn't include the still photograph option at all on this camcorder, but it's a shame that people expected Ansel Adams quality images out of it. Hey, it's better than nothing in a pinch. -- Only a half hour recording time?

The video quality outdoors is better but it does not have a wind cut setting so it sounds like you are in a hurricane. I do like the fact that I don't have to re-record from a tape to dvd with the chance of accidently erasing something important.

I would liken them to DVD quality and far better than an ordinary TV broadcast. The mini DVD format is very convenient, although it should be said that each DVD only holds about 24 min of footage at the highest quality setting. This is really not a problem because the disks are inexpensive and the RW format allows you to reuse them over and over again.

a) the still camera (picture) is very very poor, and of course, if you want nice quality pictures, you should get a real camera (my old olympus D540 of 3.2 is by far better).

This camera uses a mini DVD disc that is not compatible with most DVD players and computers. So, if you want to be able to shoot something and then with-in a few minute be able to view the images via a DVD player do not pick this unit. My solution was to sent it back for a refund, a very quick and easy solution.

Also the picture quality is awful compared to my Hi8. When there is motion there are line and the images are grainy. The camera images are a joke at 680 Pixels.

I had to find a store with compatible recording disks, which was not all that easy. I could only find a disk for the movie application but not the still/digital camera. Also the formatting for the downloading is quite involved and not really intuitive.

Neither this product nor the Panasonic that I had did very well in low light, so that may be an option you would want to buy if you have the cash. Save your money, save your time and effort and BUY this camera if you are looking for something easy and high tech all at the same time.

I generally use a tripod or mono-pod to allow me to take videos with gentle/subdued motion. I like the touch-screen controls on this camera and the gentle zoom in/out offered by the W | T buttons on the edge of the viewfinder.

a) the still camera (picture) is very very poor, and of course, if you want nice quality pictures, you should get a real camera (my old olympus D540 of 3.2 is by far better).

I tried playing it without the software and it was the same thing (by going through my computer and it played with WMP and WinDVD) Wasn't sure why, so we tried uploading to my husbands computer, and all the clips uploaded fine. Only catch was that the clips would only play alright if you used Sony's Picture Motion Browser. If you tried to go through My computer, it would open the files in WMP and play the video but there was no sound.

If one is going to record video with the intention of creating a travel/family movie; if one plans on uploading it to a computer, editing it, and burning it to a DVD, then, I would strongly recommend buying a camcorder that records to a mini-tapes. As others have stated, the quality of video recorded to Mini-CD is inferior to the quality of camcoder-to-mini-tape recordings. I was aware of that but expected --hoping for the impossible-- almost tape-like video quality.

Gee, people choose to buy a product line that is incompatible -- no, that PRIDES ITSELF on being incompatible -- with every other computer made, and then it's the other guy's fault when their device doesn't talk to yours. Tell you what, why don't you petition Apple to build a camcorder for you. They can call it the I-Cam (of course), Steve Jobs can evangelize about it at MacWorld and you can wait in line for three days outside the Apple Store on Stockton street to get the first buggy, overpriced models.

It only uses DVD-RAM and is pretty much useless unless you want to use it through a computer, which we did not.

I'm not tech savvy be all means. But I wanted to transfer video from the camcorder to my computer via USB. On my computer, it recognized the video and uploaded fine except for some reason the first 'thumbnail' of clips had an error.

I tried playing it without the software and it was the same thing (by going through my computer and it played with WMP and WinDVD) Wasn't sure why, so we tried uploading to my husbands computer, and all the clips uploaded fine. Only catch was that the clips would only play alright if you used Sony's Picture Motion Browser. If you tried to go through My Computer, it would open the files in WMP and play the video but there was no sound.

If one is going to record video with the intention of creating a travel/family movie; if one plans on uploading it to a computer, editing it, and burning it to a DVD, then, I would strongly recommend buying a camcorder that records to a mini-tapes. As others have stated, the quality of video recorded to Mini-CD is inferior to the quality of camcoder-to-mini-tape recordings. I was aware of that but expected --hoping for the impossible-- almost tape-like video quality.

The video quality outdoors is better but it does not have a wind cut setting so it sounds like you are in a hurricane. I do like the fact that I don't have to re-record from a tape to dvd with the chance of accidently erasing something important.

I'm not tech savvy be all means. But I wanted to transfer video from the camcorder to my computer via USB. On my computer, it recognized the video and uploaded fine except for some reason the first 'thumbnail' of clips had an error.

Whenever I view one of our newly created videos on a TV, I regret not having bought a mini-tape camcorder. My wife, kids, family, etc., on the other hand, think that the video is fine... but they think unedited video is just fine.

This camera uses a mini DVD disc that is not compatible with most DVD players and computers. So, if you want to be able to shoot something and then with-in a few minute be able to view the images via a DVD player do not pick this unit. My solution was to sent it back for a refund, a very quick and easy solution.

It records on the mini DVDs and they only come in 30 min or 60 min recording time. The problem is you have to stop every 30 minutes to change or flip the disc. In my experience this is damn inconvenient.

I tried playing it without the software and it was the same thing (by going through my computer and it played with WMP and WinDVD) Wasn't sure why, so we tried uploading to my husbands computer, and all the clips uploaded fine. Only catch was that the clips would only play alright if you used Sony's Picture Motion Browser. If you tried to go through My Computer, it would open the files in WMP and play the video but there was no sound.

Backlight setting isn't very helpful. The software worked fine once I downloaded the upgrades. Sony has done an impressive job on making this camcorder and software easy to use, but you still have to read the instructions or you'll end up griping about how something doesn't work.

I had to find a store with compatible recording disks, which was not all that easy. I could only find a disk for the movie application but not the still/digital camera. Also the formatting for the downloading is quite involved and not really intuitive.

I would have preferred it if Sony didn't include the still photograph option at all on this camcorder, but it's a shame that people expected Ansel Adams quality images out of it. Hey, it's better than nothing in a pinch. -- Only a half hour recording time?

Backlight setting isn't very helpful. The software worked fine once I downloaded the upgrades. Sony has done an impressive job on making this camcorder and software easy to use, but you still have to read the instructions or you'll end up griping about how something doesn't work.

a) the still camera (picture) is very very poor, and of course, if you want nice quality pictures, you should get a real camera (my old olympus D540 of 3.2 is by far better).

I generally use a tripod or mono-pod to allow me to take videos with gentle/subdued motion. I like the touch-screen controls on this camera and the gentle zoom in/out offered by the W | T buttons on the edge of the viewfinder.

My family and I went to a indoor water park for christmas break and I had fun with it. I realy like the touch screen. I also have a relative that has an older one but realy likes mine and is looking to buy.

The video quality outdoors is better but it does not have a wind cut setting so it sounds like you are in a hurricane. I do like the fact that I don't have to re-record from a tape to dvd with the chance of accidently erasing something important.

I would liken them to DVD quality and far better than an ordinary TV broadcast. The mini DVD format is very convenient, although it should be said that each DVD only holds about 24 min of footage at the highest quality setting. This is really not a problem because the disks are inexpensive and the RW format allows you to reuse them over and over again.

Backlight setting isn't very helpful. The software worked fine once I downloaded the upgrades. Sony has done an impressive job on making this camcorder and software easy to use, but you still have to read the instructions or you'll end up griping about how something doesn't work.

I tried playing it without the software and it was the same thing (by going through my computer and it played with WMP and WinDVD) Wasn't sure why, so we tried uploading to my husbands computer, and all the clips uploaded fine. Only catch was that the clips would only play alright if you used Sony's picture Motion Browser. If you tried to go through My Computer, it would open the files in WMP and play the video but there was no sound.

Also the picture quality is awful compared to my Hi8. When there is motion there are line and the images are grainy. The camera images are a joke at 680 Pixels.

a) the still camera (picture) is very very poor, and of course, if you want nice quality pictures, you should get a real camera (my old olympus D540 of 3.2 is by far better).