If this doesn’t belong here, perhaps you could recommend where it DOES belong? I wish to share my insights with others in Singapore and Johor – so they don’t make the same mistakes I did….

Camcorder #1

SAMSUNG C10: On sale (25% off) for S$299 at Funan Plaza, Singapore. I bought from Alan Photo because the salesman wasn’t pushy, prices were better than at Sim Lim Square and the shop had a solid reputation for honesty and service. I have not been disappointed with Alan Photo. I recommend you see David Sau, who although not one of the oldest salesmen, makes up for it in knowledge, realism and just being a pleasant guy. He doesn’t oversell.

This particular camcorder I bought because it was cheap, compact, light-weight, had a long zoom, extremely small slim and most important long-life battery. The camcorder was so small it could be almost hidden in the hand and it had a few other desirable features such as built-in software for uploading video clips to Youtube. David actually did advise me that it might very well prove inadequete except for the most basic use. I guess I wasn’t listening. I returned it because it was too light and the weird angle that seemed so appealing for discreet videoing actually is a negative because one can’t set it on a very stable table to shoot hands-free. Auto focus was a problem when a car would pass. It just seemed like a toy and therefore unsuitable.

In order to get a credit naturally, you must have everything (including box) in good shape upon return. Unlike big box stores in the USA this is handled on a case by case basis at Alan photo, and perhaps all Singapore retailers.

…………………………………………………………………………..
Camcorder #2

SAMSUNG MX25e $S558 with 10% restocking fee of model #1

I upgraded to this model because it felt better in my hand, had a built-in 16 Gb memory, a superior-sounding larger lens (Schneider Kreuznach) with more room for light, the accompanying video editing software looked like it might be better, unlike buying a proprietary memory stick SONY it could use the generic memory cards, plus the user reviews seems to say it was adequete. It was able to do 16:9 too. I accepted economy compromise of poor resolution LCD. David assured me this did not accurately represent actual image recorded.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT SAMSUNG MX-25e

+ small size

+ ergonomic shape

+ lens cover can’t get lost

+ charges quickly

+ all important data available at a glance on LCD

BUT, GROWING LIST OF COMPLAINTS

major shortcomings

C1. I tested the SAMSUNG MX-25e outside the High Court in Kuala Lumpur on a cloudy day. When testing video recording with zoom on, and fast contrast of the traffic of moving cars in foreground, image bounced left to right. The entire field of view jumped sideways suddenly several times! Didn’t appear to be my hand movement. This happened only during one video session, the first time, but scared me about quality compared to SONY 3-CCDs I am used to. I don’t mind an inferior quality image or weaker colour but it must be clear and stable.

C2. Viewing memory card with camcorder – will not turn off when viewing thumbnails. This happens EVERY time when trying to review memory card files (which I had used testing uploading in two internet cafes terminals to view clips — if that makes a difference i don’t know). I experiment by transfering memory card to card reader where I see it has two unix executable files (malware?) one is called “jwgkvsq.vmx”. I delete both, leaving the file SRFS_LOG.LOSa, also a unix executable file, because it is listed by Samsung on their website as their legit file. Another file, “$recovery.sys” is in a folder titled ‘misc”. Is this one legit? Problem continues in any case.

C3. This is the clincher that makes the camcorder unacceptable: Fast-moving objects look jagged on LCD and are blurry when viewed in various media players. I have owned eight SONY camcorders using mini-DV tapes and despite being models from six years ago the images they provided were superior. I rarely used anything but automatic and such situations were rarely problematic.

minor

- Bit grainy: not great in low light. test: try manual operation?

- Still a bit of a light contrast problem. test: try manual operation?

- zoom toggles too fast and feels cheap

Samsung product support was poor. One, it is impossible for non-residents of Singapore to register their products online — I would have to carry around my warranty card and receipt (would a scan do? I don’t know). Two, when I emailed them about memory card-reading problem they absolved themselves of any responsibility, tersely telling me to contact Kingston. I understand this, but some information, even an informative form letter explaining how memory cards can sometimes be the problem, rather than the camcorder itself, would have been useful and not alienate me as a customer. Third, when I emailed them about ongoing problem of zoom/auto focus blur they (sarcastically?) suggested I had contacted the wrong service centre. Fourth, international warranty is only three months! I wasn’t aware of that. I erroneously assumed all name-brand camcorder manufacturers provided one year. For comparison, I took full advantage of my SONY international warranty in the 90s. Despite having bought at B&H in New York, 11 months later in Thailand with an on-going motor problem in only my tiniest model I received swift, polite repair. Later, they even went the extra mile giving me free service (not parts of course) when the warranty was over. It’s as if they were embarrassed and wanted to keep their reputation.

Thus it appears that lower-end Samsung camcorders are not good value for the globetrotting semi-professional. To modify the saying ‘you get what you pay for’, I would add: ‘cheap is very expensive’. So, it’ll be a higher-quality model and a Canon or SONY for this person who cannot afford to have problems with the tool of his trade while in the third-world. And super-lightweight might be not a good thing – just like in tripods where it is impossible to have both immobility and portability. The dream camcorder for cheap does not exist.

and the first time he heard them sing was in their “bedroom”.

XJ

I like this site btw, better maintained than mine… =P

http://www.sp.edu.sg/SPweb/appmanager/home/default?_nfpb=true&T55201540251240214805714_actionOverride=/cmsTools/extension/contentlist/main/link&_windowLabel=T55201540251240214805714&T55201540251240214805714nodepath=/BEA+Repository/news2Q2009/Public/Jun/15072009_ImagineCup.html&_pageLabel=SP_NewHomePage

Had fun… XJ, we need to have more of these…