Best Sale DXG USA DXG-A80V Pro Gear 1080p High Definition Camcorder

Bad software
I have rated the DXG A80V HD low because of the software provided with the camera.

The camera produces HD video...very clear and good sound. Overall the camera would rate a "5." There are two inconveniences that if I were "King" I would change. There is no way to pause the process of filming. Once the camera is stopped and you wish to continue, a new "video clip" is created. I was told by DXG that this is a function of the memory stick technology. The other inconvenience is that the "zoom" is too fast. I was unable to slowly zoom in and out.

The major problem is with Arc TotalMedia Studio software. The software uses the "edited" clips to produce an index...which can be recorded on a disc. However, while the camera records in HD, the software is not capable of producing a HD video...even though one can select "HD" as a recording option. (I presume one could record in Blu-ray...but a Blu-ray burner is too expensive for me.)

Here is my exchange with Arc TotalMedia....

To: ArcSoft Support

I have spent many hours creating a video of my train layout...as a gift to my grandchildren. I bought two HD DVD-R 15GB single layer disks...recordable speed 1x. I have been unable to record my video using my PC or Laptop. When the disk is in the drive, the message that I get is no media in the disk drive. I tried using DVD+DL and I get the message...insert HD disk. Help!!

Response: (Zoe) 7/23/2010 12:32:26 AM
Hello P.....,
Thank you for using our products.
Regarding your issue, your version of TotalMedia Extreme cannot support HDDVD burning. Please understand.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Thank you for your understanding and interest in our product.

I was unable to open a "project" in the ArcSoft TotalMedia ShowBiz. "Projects" created in Studio do not show-up as files.

Further the video editor in Studio, "Create high definition movie disc" is disappointing. At times, when editing the sound and video get out of synch. There is no way to rearrange the order of video clips. The software inserts a new clip into an existing "project"at a location it determines...not the location of your choice. Editing is approximate...not precise. There is no capacity to add sound in the Studio, etc.

The software is useless for creating a HD movie...and that is one of the features of the camera. The functionality of the software is sub par. I tried the upgrade versions of the software with no better results. In fact the upgraded versions will not recognize a "project" produced in Studio.

DXG is a good product...it needs better software to go along with it. DXG USA DXG-A80V HD DXG Pro Gear 1080p High-Definition Camcorder

Good picture for the money.
This is a good camera for taking video and an alright camera for photos. I do like the ability to take snapshots while using the video. Sound recording is not that good unless you are up close or iside. There are features advertized that the instructions don't cover at all. No response from DXG about the camera or even if they are still in business. The price was good and I like having a 10 megapixel chip.
I would like to here from others about their experience using this product...

Can't be happier for a 0 video camera
I'm not so sure what sort of problems the other reviewers are having but the video quality on my camera is gorgeous at 1080p HD resolution when displayed through my computer to my 47" 1080p TV or connected directly to it through the HDMI cable. Like most 1080p cameras below a couple of grand, it needs a tripod when filming but does well when filming in lower resolutions. The colors are spot on to my untrained eye in good light, indoors with fluorescent lighting casts a little yellow even with the white balance set for it but that is nothing an editing program can't fix easily enough and it certainly isn't bad. The camera is small and lightweight, easy to operate with the controls in logical positions. The touchscreen viewfinder is handy and helps to deal with the gazillion features this camera has. Is the camera comparable to other sub 0 cameras, definitely. Feature wise it blows most of them away which is why I bought it. Is it comparable to 00 cameras? Not so much but it isn't terrible either. Then again, if I drop it or an alligator eats it, I haven't lost a 00 camera.

Easy to use
This camcorder is great, the size not to big. The only flaw I have with this is that it doesn't show HD Quality. But overall it is a great camcorder for its price.

Terrible video
The only reason I gave this two stars is because it functions as promised, well except for the video quality which is terrible. My 8 year old Sony camcorder produces better video than this. Don't fall for the price in this case, you'll only be returning the camera especially if you're expecting good quality HD video.