Samsung SCD86 MiniDV Compact Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD Display & 8 MB Memory Stick

Samsung SCD86 MiniDV Compact Digital Camcorder with 2.5" LCD Display & 8 MB Memory Stick
Manufacturer: Samsung
Product Type: Photography

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Samsung's compact, user-friendly digital camcorders offer an array of advanced video and audio features. Compact in size and easy to operate Samsung camcorders provide a top quality video image that is virtually unaffected by hand movements during recording. For quality, performance and reliability Samsung camcorders have no peers.
Amazon.com Product Description
In recent years Samsung has gained a reputation for developing great technology at lower prices, which the SCD86 will only enhance. Among its many features are a large 2.5-inch LCD screen, shoe for external accessories, remote control, nine digital special effects, and a color onscreen display with an easy-to-use dial navigation controls.

Lens
The SCD86 has an optical zoom power of 10x and a digital zoom that can magnify up to 400x, which works by electronically enhancing the optical image. It also has a four-step variable zooming speed that controls the zoom according to the amount of pressure you apply to the toggle. The digital image stabilization system keeps the picture steady and solid throughout zooms and camera shakes. The infrared function allows you to shoot visible video in situations with practically no light.

Digital Stills
You can store your digital stills directly onto tape or onto the included 8 MB Memory Stick in JPEG format. MGI PhotoSuite III, photo-editing software compatible with all Windows operating systems, and a USB cable are included with the camcorder.

Inputs and Outputs
The standard DV IEEE 1394 port (also called FireWire) is present for no-loss connections to PCs or other DV machines. Transfer your digital stills onto your computer with the USB port, while the S-video and RCA connections are used for direct viewing on a television or for VHS dubbing. You can also plug in an external microphone via the mic jack for better quality sound.

MiniDV Format
MiniDV digital technology delivers clear, sharp video with up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution--far superior to the 240 lines of resolution offered by 8mm camcorders. You'll get minimal color noise interference for a more stable picture. You'll also get excellent sound quality in either 12-bit or 16-bit audio recording modes.

• 16-bit audio includes one set of stereo audio tracks to produce CD-quality sound.
• 12-bit audio utilizes two sets of audio tracks so you can easily add background music or commentary to your videos while maintaining the existing soundtrack.

This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12 the size of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording time of two full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.

Average customer rating:

Sanyo SCP5000 Phone (Sprint) Manufacturer: Sanyo Product Group: Wireless Binding: Wireless Phone ASIN: B00005B41R

Amazon.com

Aside from its considerable features, you may also want to check out the 5000's compact measurements. At 3.7 by 1.9 by 1.1 inches, the 5000 is a bit trimmer than other flip phones. And it weighs just 3.5 ounces, approximately the same as today's ultracompact phones.

As we unwrapped our sample, we were impressed with its silver finish and sophisticated controls. The dedicated Web key is a clever addition to the keypad, and the unprecedented 10-line, full-color screen is simply amazing. The four-way navigational key is a pleasant way to scroll through the 5000's bountiful menu options: Call History, Wireless Web, Phonebook, Calendar, Roaming, Voicemail, Settings, Games/Tools, Voice Dial, Screen Call, My Profile (which stores your blood type (!) and other personal information), and PC Sync. Buried within the menu are some unique options, including a world clock, a downloads folder, and an updated version of the game Crab Catcher, which is as awkward as it sounds.

It was easy to adjust the side-mounted volume controls while on a call, and we could operate the phone with one hand. The headphone jack, located just above the voice-memo button (another divine feature) on the left-hand side, allowed us to hook up a hands-free kit and stash the 5000 in our pocket. At first, we weren't so into the keypad, as it felt slick and unwieldy, but we now love it. It's intelligently planned, and surprisingly accurate.

We've also grown to love voice-activated dialing, which took some getting used to. It was a cinch to train the phone to "Call Garland", and we quickly set up voice tags for 30 other friends and associates. We've found phones handle single names better than first and last names, but the 5000 had no problem recognizing even our most exotically named friends.

The voice-memo recorder was just as useful. We saved our to-do lists, important numbers, and reminders in the 5000's memory. An added bonus: when playing messages back, you have the option of listening to them over the earpiece or main speaker. You can even attach a different voice ringer to any number in voice-dial memory.

Other features include a T9 predictive keypad; eight speed-dial locations; 10-number incoming, outgoing, and missed call logs; built-in vibrating alert; and 16 different ringer selections, including room for downloaded melodies.

Basic features aside, the 5000 ups the ante with photo-caller ID, a feature we looked forward to exploring. First, you must install the Sanyo Multimedia CD-ROM on your PC (sorry, Macintosh fans, the 5000 does not support your platform). Once installation is complete, you can download pictures from your desktop to the phone. In minutes, a slightly-fuzzy image renders on the screen. While regular caller-ID is a useful feature, imagine how cool it is to see a photo of your friend pop up as he or she is calling you. Animation is another feature; you can set the phone to display a revolving-Earth image as a screen saver or as you place calls.

Like other Sprint PCS phones, the 5000's minibrowser is functional and organized. It provides quick access to all your favorite sites as well as news, weather, stock, and entertainment updates. Again, the phone's superb navigational controls made surfing the wireless Internet a joy, and we can't say that about all Web-enabled phones.

As you would expect, the 5000 supports carrier-dependent features such as call forwarding, three-way calling, and call forwarding. And, with its 500-name phone book (9 numbers per entry) and 300 URL/e-mail address capacity, the 5000 proves its value as a thorough electronic organizer. The phone book also has labels for your different contacts. Organizing short text messages was just as easy: we assigned a folder for each contact and stowed messages in their respective folders.

The 5000 also offers advanced security features. You can lock both the phone to prevent outgoing calls (except to emergency numbers), and the keypad (to prevent accidental calls). You can also lock the side keys, set different call restrictions, erase your call logs, or store numbers in a secret location. Furthermore, if your phone is lost or stolen, a special feature lets you erase personal information and lock the phone by sending a SMS message from your PC, PDA, or other device.

One thing we were surprised by was the 5000's overall battery life. The phone's lithium-ion battery is rated for a maximum of two hours' digital talk time and 120 hours' digital standby time. This isn't bad for most phones, but given the 5000's price tag, we anticipated stellar battery life. In any case, our sample phone held a call for a little over two hours, and it lasted for five days in standby mode.

Several months ago, we read about the 5000 and began jockeying for a sample. While its cost made us question its overall value, we were amped for the new technology. After reviewing it, we highly recommend it for techno-junkies and business professionals alike. --Thom Arno

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