Sony Handycam DCR-DVD810 Camcorder Reviewby Jeremy StamasPublished on Nov 20, 2008 1:30 PM
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Audio (6.00)
A 5.1 channel Dolby Digital microphone is prominently mounted on the top of the Sony DCR-DVD810. Its placement isn't the best, as fingers can easily get in the way of the microphone when you grip the camcorder. In the Camera menu there are options for switching the microphone level from normal to low or to record 2 channel audio instead of 5.1. There is also a zoom mic feature on the DVD810, which has become an included option on most Sony camcorders. The zoom mic will automatically focus-in the sound recording on whatever subject the camcorder is zoomed into. The quality of Sony's built-in microphone is not very good to begin with, so it is doubtful many users will spend much time playing around with all these controls.
Sony put an active interface shoe on the top of the DVD810. For true audiophiles this could sound like a blessing, but the shoe, unfortunately, works only with Sony accessories. This means your large collection of pro mics will require a third-party adapter before they can be of any use working with the DVD810. The shoe is still a good touch, however, as it sets the camcorder apart from the competition and Sony does sell a variety of accessories.
Playback (6.50)
The playback system on the DCR-DVD810 is no different than you'd see on any other Sony camcorder. In playback mode, your footage is arranged as a series of thumbnail images and you can select a clip by pressing on the touchscreen. VCR buttons appear on the screen when you select a clip for playback. The playback screen is cluttered with a lot of information, tabs, and buttons, so it can be a bit overwhelming for beginners, but the system is generally simple to use.
Since the camcorder can record to three different media, playback can be confusing if you have images and clips spread out amongst the different storage devices. You must go into the Home menu, then select Movie Media Set and choose the media you want to view clips from. This process can be annoying and it would have been much easier if Sony simply put a media selection tab right on the playback screen (or more easily accessible through the Playback menu).
If you're thinking about purchasing the DCR-DVD810, it is likely because you want the ability to record video to DVD. Sony adds an interesting dubbing feature, which enables you to burn files from the camcorder's internal memory or Memory Stick Pro Duo cards onto a DVD all inside the camcorder. The dubbing button is located inside the LCD cavity and is a good feature for making discs on the go or if you don't have a DVD burner on your computer.
The camcorder offers two indexing methods for organizing video: film roll index and face index. Film roll index allows you to jump to a specific scene in a clip by displaying a variety of frames taken from a specific interval. Face index organizes footage based on faces detected within the videos. Both index modes are too complicated to really be of any good and the same organization could be done a lot more simply on a computer.
Playback mode and menu on the DCR-DVD810
The Playback menu contains the following options:
| Playback Menu |
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| Visual Index 1 | Add, Add by date |
| Visual Index 2 | Delete, Delete By Date, Delete All |
| Visual Index 3 | Divide |
Connectivity (6.00)
The port placement on the DCR-DVD810 is odd and confusing. Three separate ports are scattered on the camcorder's body: A/V-out in the front, USB inside the LCD cavity, and DC-input on the right side. This would be a fine design if there was some good reason for these placements, but there isn't. The DC-input is in a particularly horrible spot, as it is located exactly where your index finger and parts of your palm rest when you grip the camcorder. This means your grip is completely obstructed when you have the DC cable connected and you have to maneuver around the obtrusive power cable to access some of the camcorder's most vital controls.
The A/V-out port isn't horribly placed in the front of the camcorder, but the plastic door that covers the jack is particularly flimsy. Sony also uses proprietary A/V cables, which means regular cables won't work with the camcorder. The USB port doesn't have a cover, but it is relatively safe inside the LCD cavity.
The LCD cavity is also home to the Memory Stick Pro Duo slot. A small latch opens up and cards slide into a slot going parallel to the body of the camcorder. It can be a bit awkward to get cards out of the slot, but the design isn't too bad and it's more convenient than having a card input on the bottom of the camcorder or in a more cluttered location. On the top of the DVD810 is an accessory shoe for mounting a flash, light, or microphone. Unfortunately, the shoe only works with Sony-brand accessories.
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Going clockwise starting with the upper left: USB port, A/V-out, Memory Stick PRO Duo slot, DC-input
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