Thoughts on Samsung SC-MX20 ???

[nolimits76]

Hey all, new here and needing a little help. The company I work for is letting us choose our our own gift for X years of service award. I have numerous things to choose from, but one that stood out was a camcorder. I believe it is the Samsung SC-MX20. I have never owned a camcorder but just recently was saying how it'd be nice to have one to record family events, football games, softball games, etc. General use stuff I guess.

I do realize there are probably much better camcorders out there but simply stated I don't have money right now to plunk down on one of them.

Your thoughts/opinions/experiences with the Samsung?

[creamyhorror]

If you just want a simple camcorder and don't demand much image quality, nearly any one will do. If you have priorities like recording time and convenience for uploading to Youtube, this one fits the bill.

[nolimits76]

Some videos might go to YouTube to post on my softball website (I am a coach). But the bulk I'd like to import into my computer and edit and then burn back to a DVD to review (sports) or to watch as a family video. Another concern is the resolution. I currently have 42" LCD, but plan on going 60" later on. Will this look good on my HDTV?

[creamyhorror]

Some videos might go to YouTube to post on my softball website (I am a coach). But the bulk I'd like to import into my computer and edit and then burn back to a DVD to review (sports) or to watch as a family video.

It should work fine for making DVDs (going by the DVD export function of its software).

Another concern is the resolution. I currently have 42" LCD, but plan on going 60" later on. Will this look good on my HDTV?

At such large screen sizes, and considering how it records in standard definition (SD) and at a somewhat low bitrate, and doesn't have very good image/sensor quality anyway, it's not going to look very good. You'd have to go for a HD camera to look decent on a big screen. But note that HD footage in AVC format (which is common in consumer cameras) is troublesome to edit.

[nolimits76]

I went ahead and took the plunge. Figured I had nothing to lose, since it's a FREE gift anyhow. And it is better than what I have now, which is nothing. Hopefully it will turn out better than I am expecting but if not, it will give me a chance to get my feet wet and determine what I really need & want when I go to buy an HD cam.

[johnny_77]

My close friend has this camcorder and I have seen some sample footage. It's just OK, I would say. Video quality is not better than my old Sony SR12. Like you said: there are many better cams on the market, but the price is higher.

DVD will not look perfect on 60" display, but raw footage should be ok.

[nolimits76]

Yeah, I'm not expecting much based on reviews here and what I've read elsewhere. But since it's free, I figure I'll take it and play with it a bit. Then when I can save a few bucks, I will sell this and take the funds and put with my savings to upgrade to a good HD camera.

To date, I haven't ever messed with a camcorder outside the old tape ones. And my "experience" with those was setting on an tripod and hitting the record button and then walking away. No editing, no anything beyond that. So this whole thing will be a new experience to me, and from what I have read, the one thing the Samsung does do well is give a great interface for settings, etc. which may be helpful.