Samsung SMX-F34 Flash Memory Camcorder w/16GB Memory & 42x Intelli-Zoom (Black)

Samsung SMX-F34 Flash Memory Camcorder w/16GB Memory & 42x Intelli-Zoom (Black)
by Samsung

Samsung SMX-F34 Flash Memory Camcorder w/16GB Memory & 42x Intelli-Zoom (Black)
List Price: $329.99
Our Price: $109.99
You Save: $220.00 (67%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Digital Camera
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Digital product summary information

Manufacturer: Samsung
Model: SMX-F34BN/XAA
Color: Black
Product features:
  • Record SD video to SD/SDHC cards and 16 GB of internal flash memory
  • Enhance 34x optical zoom up to 42x with Samsung's new Intelli-zoom
  • Web & Mobile shooting mode for easy online video sharing
  • Capture 800x600 digital still photos
  • Swivel hand grip for comfortable low-angle shooting
Accessories:

Digital camera reviews of Samsung SMX-F34 Flash Memory Camcorder w/16GB Memory & 42x Intelli-Zoom (Black)

Digital camera Review: Awful DVD Picture, Frustrating to Convert!
Summary: 2 Stars

After all the reviews I read here, most of them reveling in the video quality of this camcorder (hey Consumer Reports loved it too), I decided against going to the Sony HDR-CX100, which can Record and burn in both HD and SD, and costs only about $100 more than this hunk of junk.

LET ME CLARIFY EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED, BECAUSE IF YOU WANT A YOUTUBE CAMERA AND NEVER WANT TO BURN VIDEO TO DVD, THIS IS PROBABLY A 3-STAR CAMERA.

I wanted:

- A point a click camcorder that's easy to use
- to hook it up to my laptop and burn to HD or SD with about 5 minutes/clicks or less of effort
- Good quality video

Ok, setup was easy, and after the battery charged I started taking video. Easy to take, easy to hook up to TV and watch, quality of video seemed good. THEN I TRIED TO CONVERT TO A DVD, AND MY FRUSTRATIONS BEGAN. This cam records in mp4 (H.264) video. I don't care at all what that means. But, it means if you want to share vidoes on YouTube, you are set because that's the YouTube format. It means you are in for severe frustration if you want to burn a DVD to send to mom and dad.

I wanted to hook it up to my brand new lenovo dual core laptop with Vista 64 and 4GB ram and - click, click, done. NOPE. That's how it should work, right. I shouldn't have to spend hours converting, looking for software that works, banging my head on the table - right???

First Samsung software only allows you to view the pics and videos on your PC. NO SOFTWARE IS INCLUDED BY SAMSUNG TO BURN DVD'S. Microsoft movie maker, media player, etc. don't recognize the .mp4 files. I downloaded a software program to convert the .mp4 to an acceptable DVD format, so the software that comes standard on your PC can allow you to burn it to DVD. Any "easy to use" package costs you additional money, and most aren't that easy. It's frustrating try to decide what program to buy - takes almost as much time as deciding what cam to buy.

Anyway, finally got it to DVD and popped it in my player. AWFUL, AWFUL quality. About as good as taking a 2MP camera and using it's video mode. GARBAGE!

So, I picked up a Sony Sony HDR-CX100, for a little more than $100 more. It comes with software that requires about 3-clicks to burn to a dvd (it can't get easier, trust me). You can record in HD, burn to SD, and the quality is OUTSTANDING. Took me longer to write this memo than create my first video (in HD), and convert it to SD so I could send it out to the relatives.

Lesson learned? Be careful what Amazon reviews you read.

Summary of Samsung SMX-F34 Flash Memory Camcorder w/16GB Memory & 42x Intelli-Zoom (Black)

The new SMX-F34 is Samsung's next generation YouTube-compatible compact digital camcorder. Building on the SC-MX20 camcorder, the SMX-F34 offers additional features and functionality, including built-in memory, digital still photo capability, and Samsung's 42x Intelli-Zoom. Significantly more reliable than a standard digital zoom which negatively affects the quality of the image, Intelli-Zoom allows you to go beyond the camcorder's 34x optical zoom without sacrificing image quality. The SMX-F34 features a memory card slot for SD/SDHC and also offers 16GB of internal flash memory. Samsung is the first digital imaging company to apply H.264 compression to standard definition video, which considerably extends record times. Thanks to H.264 compression, users can record up to eight hours of standard definition video directly to the camcorder's internal flash memory without having to rely on a memory card. Samsung's new image processor also reduces power consumption, which translates to longer battery life. On a single charge, you can record up to three hours of uninterrupted video--ideal for when you wish to shoot for extended periods of time. Featuring a high-performance 680K pixel CCD sensor, the SMX-F34 delivers a resolution of 720x480 and also incorporates Samsung's new image processor which drastically enhances the overall image. Samsung's new image processor yields higher-quality video, 3-D Noise Reduction, Face Detection for up to five subjects, a brighter 2.7 inch LCD display, as well as H.264 compression.

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