Features:

• 1/3-inch ClearVid CMOS sensor with 4-megapixel resolution
• Compatible with DVD-R/-RW/+RW formats
• 10x optical zoom with digital image stabilization
• 3.5-inch widescreen touch-panel LCD
• Dolby Digital 5.1-channel audio recording

Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
Box Contents: DCR-DVD505, AC-L200 Power Adapter/In-Camera Charger, NP-FP60 InfoLithium(R) Rechargeable Battery,RMT-835 Remote Commander, A/V Cable, USB Cable, Software CD, Cleaning Cloth
The Sony DCR-DVD505 DVD Handycam(R) Camcorder provides digital video enthusiasts with the latest tools for exceptional images. Capture sharp (up to) 4.0 MegaPixel stills, with wide-angle view and superior color reproduction through the CMOS Image Sensor. Enjoy clear, crisp monitoring on the expansive 3.5" Wide Clear LCD screen. The camera records directly to a blank DVD, for easier sharing of your photos and video -- photos and video that look better than ever, thanks to the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens&the powerful 10x optical and 120x digital zooms. A Progressive Shutter System delivers progressive scan quality for images with truly excellent definition -- the kind of clarity and sharpness you expect from a DVD. Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens Digital still memory mode with Memory Stick(R) Duo (supports up to 2GB Memory Stick, does not support high-speed transfer) Dolby Digital 5.1 channel recording Super SteadyShot(R) picture stabilization Super NightShot(R) low-light recording One-touch wide angle shooting Progressive Shutter Mode Full Range Auto and Manual Focus Aperture - f1.8 - 2.9 Filter Diameter - 30mm Focal Distance - 5.1 - 51mm Shutter Speeds - Auto, 1/2-1/500 sec. (AE Mode) Programmable Auto Exposure (AE) Modes White Balance Modes - Auto, indoor, one-push, outdoor On-screen zoom&record buttons Active Interface Shoe Battery - InfoLithium(R) with AccuPower(TM) Meter System USB 2.0 S-Video in/out (optional) Software Included - Picture Package 1.6, Nero Express 6 Operating Systems - Windows 2000 Pro, XP Home and Pro Battery - InfoLithium(R) with AccuPower(TM) Meter System Dimensions - 2-5/8 x 3-5/8 x 5-7/8 (76 x 92 x 149 mm) Weight

Rating : - Sony could do better
Definitely agree with other posts that the DCR-DVD505 is one of the best cameras around. However, if you are like me and would like to use a computer create feature length DVDs from those little discs you need to be a little computer savvy.

Sony could have done better to help, but is apparently not quite a software company like Apple...

If you have Windows Vista, forget it...your handycam driver will simply not work. Need to download a much more reduced feature-set driver from Sony (the import takes hours). Even if you have Windows XP, make sure that your flash version is circa ancient...i.e. version 6 or before otherwise even the XP driver. Here is my "protocol":

Step 1: Downgrade Flash to Version 6
-------------------------------------

1. First Uninstall the current Flash (using uninstall_flash_player.exe)
2. Next simply run fp_6.0.21_activex.exe

(Need to get both from Adobe site...just google for the exe files)

Step 2: Get all MPEGs from camera
----------------------------------

1. Connect Camera to Power Source.
2. Connect Camera to Computer.
3. Turn on the camera (just like getting to stand-by mode when shooting)
4. Press the right arrow "Play" key on screen.
5. Select Computer (disc).
6. You will see "Preparing" on camera.
7. Cancel any native Windows pop-up Prompts
8. Launch Picture Package (if did not start already).
9 From Picture Package Menu, select Viewing and Handling Pictures
9. Click on DVD tab after selecting Video Handling (in "DVD Viewer")
10. Click on DVD Handycam on left hand side menu.
11. Select Movies.
12. Confirm the folder choices, if prompted.
13. Select ALL clips and click on Copy to hard disk.
14. Wait until copying is done.
15. Finally! Now you have all the content in mpeg format to do what you wish with.

Step 3: Use the various mpegs to generate movies
------------------------------------------------

(Using NERO, Pinnacle etc)

1. Basically, using burn menu, join all the mpegs
in any sequence to capture the DVD menu chapters.
DO NOT use any third party stuff like movie joiner etc.

2. Now set the menu titles, background music etc.

3. Burn.

4. Create a DVD/jacket cover.

5. Done.