DVD is the format of choice for people seeking simplicity above all else. Shortly after its release, it skyrocketed to popularity, quickly catching up to the long-standing tape format, MiniDV. The convenience of random access, rather than the fast forward/rewind of tape, and the ability to pop it directly into a home DVD player for playback were the chief factors, but quality suffered. For a long time, DVD only captured video in an MPEG-2 compression which was generally of a lower video quality than DV compression (tape). The quality has improved greatly, and today there are a number of great camcorders on the market, including the Sony DCR-DVD508, the Panasonic VDR-D310, and the Canon DC50.

In mid-2006, a new compression system called AVCHD was developed, making it possible to record high definition (HD) video onto the existing DVD media. The technology is still very young, and therefore expensive. It’s also frightfully difficult to edit. Sony and Panasonic, the co-developers of AVCHD, are in the midst of their second generation camcorders to use the compression. The DVD models include the Sony HDR-UX5 and UX7 and the Panasonic has the HDC-DX1 and HDC-SX5. Canon recently announced their first, the HR10.

DVD does offer some conveniences, but recording times are limited compared to tape – as short as 22 minutes per disc. Also, the media is prone to scratches if dropped. Once the only random access medium, an increasing market share has gone to camcorders that use flash memory cards and hard disk drive (HDD), and lack the problems that DVDs pose.

A Word on DVD Formats
There are a number of varieties or "flavors" of the 8cm DVD media. The cheapest, DVD-R, is a one-time-use only disc and can be used by every DVD camcorder. DVD+R is a similar variant. DVD-RW and DVD+RW are rewritable, reusable discs. DVD-RAM acts like the RW formats for writing and rewriting, but has the lowest use among camcorders, and is used only by Hitachi and Panasonic. It also has the lowest compatibility with home DVD players and DVD drives.

Compatibility with Home Devices
For all practical purposes, DVD media are only as good as their integration with your digital life. Your home DVD player, computer DVD drive, and other devices need to read them. Most modern (1-4 year old) devices will accept any of the +/-R and +/-RW devices. Almost all camcorders will require you to “finalize” +/-RW discs in order to play them back elsewhere, a process that can take anywhere from 10 seconds to 10 minutes. If you want to use the discs again, you must then “un-finalize” them.

Archiving
It was once said that DVDs kept under ideal (cool, dry, and dark) conditions would last for up to 100 years. This claim has been largely debunked, and the shelf life reduced to 5-15 years. In tropical regions, it can drop as low as 3 years. The +/-R discs last longer than the others, but materials make a difference. Those using gold last longest, but are expensive. Silver and silver alloys are more sensitive. DVD+/-RW and DVD-RAM discs are reusable; as a result the alloys in their construction used have a shorter shelf life. Also, multiple re-writes have a negative impact on lifespan. MiniDV tape has a slightly longer shelf life (10-15) years, but demands the same storage conditions. To be safe, it’s recommended that you back up important footage to multiple sources. Keep the DVDs in cool, dark, dry storage, and copy the data to a hard disk drive just to be safe.

Top DVD Camcorders
Sony - Currently has the largest and most popular DVD camcorder line, Sony spans the gamut of cost and quality. The DCR-DVD508 is the top of the line in standard definition. The HDR-UX1 was their first HD camcorder using DVD (one of those aforementioned AVCHD camcorders). The HDR-UX7 has already debuted and looks to be improved.

Panasonic – The company has done much to put manual controls and options into a medium the offers ease of use as its primary selling point. Their upper-tier of model feature a 3-CCD array, which improves color quality. The VDR-D300 came close to winning our Best High-End DVD Camcorder of 2006, but was edged out by the Sony's high def HDR-UX1. It has been replaced in 2007 with the very similar VDR-D310. On the lower end, the Panasonic VDR-D200 did walk away with Best Low-End DVD Camcorder last year and represents a great marriage of picture quality, manual controls, and value. The VDR-D210 is the latest equivalent, and is a contender for the same prize this year. In high definition, they have the HDC-DX1 and the HDC-SX5, a hybrid model that records to both DVD and flash memory cards.

Canon – Canon got into the DVD market later than the other manufacturers, but offers several compelling camcorders that balance ease of use with great performance. This year’s high-end offering in standard definition is the DC50. There are three mid- and entry-level models, most notably the DC220, which offers good value for the price. Canon’s first high definition DVD camcorder, the HR10, is due out in the fall of 2007.

Hitachi – Though a minority in the US, Hitachi's camcorders are very popular in Japan and other markets. The most interesting is the hybrid DZ-HS300A, which records to DVD and an 8 GB internal HDD. The flexibility of dual media, however, is a trade-off for the mediocre image.

Samsung - Samsung offers a few options in the entry-level DVD camcorder market, trying to compete with a mix of decent manual controls, ease of use, and price. The result is unexciting, as in the SC-DC173, but the electronics company is getting increasingly competitive in many markets, and we may expect to see more from Samsung in the future.