Sony DCR-DVD105 Camcorder Reviewby Matt CullerPublished on Jun 28, 2006 12:30 PM
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Audio (2.5)
The only way to capture audio on the DCR-DVD105 is via the built-in microphone located on the lower front. There is no audio input jack or accessory shoe. Audio is compressed according to Dolby Digital two channel standards. The DVD205 offers similar capability; the DVD305 and other upper models feature the ability to record Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, often with the help of an optional microphone accessory which fits into the camcorder’s accessory shoe. In my opinion, this surround sound business is mostly a marketing hook and should not strongly sway purchasing decisions.
Another aural characteristic that the DCR-DVD105 shares with the DVD205 is the lack of an audio/video input port. On these camcorders the port is limited to output. You’ll have to shell out the extra bones for a DCR-DVD305 if you want an upgrade. All in all, your sound options are virtually nill.
VCR Mode (9.0)
VCR mode, also known as Play/Edit mode is the DVD105’s on-camcorder method of reviewing captured footage. There are two ways to access this mode: the Play/Edit button above the LCD screen on the camcorder’s left side and the small touch-screen button with the universal “play” icon on the bottom left of the LCD display.
The Play/Edit mode shows nice graphics. There are two tabs to touch your way through, one for stills and the other for video, and a touch pad scroll bar to shuffle through your data, which displays in nice little thumbnail boxes. The movie files even play through like little DVD menu chapter icons. Very gimmicky. Very cool. Data code display is available in the Play/Edit modes menu system, accessed in the same way as the recording mode’s menu system.
Ports (5.0)
The Sony DCR-DVD105 features only an audio/video output port and a DC input port for battery-less operation. These are similar ports to those on the DCR-DVD205, the next model up. If you purchase a DCR-DVD305 or higher, you’ll get audio input capability tacked onto the audio output port, as well as a USB jack and a LANC (remote control) jack.
The DC input port is relatively inconveniently located right next to the user’s primary record button, which could be cumbersome but shouldn’t be a problem unless you shoot handheld video while plugged into the wall.
The camcorder’s battery port is conveniently placed in the back of the camcorder, which allows the viewer to switch batteries without taking the camcorder off of a tripod. Most importantly, the battery placement allows users to purchase larger batteries and thus extend battery life even further.
Panasonic’s VDR-D100 offers a wealth of ports, including USB and S-Video; its audio/video port is, like the DCR-DVD105’s, output only. The Canon Elura 100, a comparably priced MiniDV camcorder, includes a microphone jack, a USB port, an audio/video input/output port, as well as, of course, the firewire port used to transfer MiniDV tape data. Both camcorders also record stills to card media. Compared to some other manufacturer’s offerings, the DCR-DVD105 doesn’t really come up too well.
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