At $249, the Samsung SC-MX20 falls delicately between cheap flash-based camcorders and more expensive hard drive-based camcorders. It strips down some features that may not be necessary in the first place – high definition video, still photos, etc. – but adds something that most less expensive flash camcorders don’t have: an optical zoom. A big optical zoom, too, at 34x. That, coupled with long battery life, user-friendly codec support, and relatively low price make the SC-MX20 a winner.
Details and Specifications
The MX20 uses SD memory cards up to 32GB. There’s no on-board storage, but my review unit came packaged with a 1GB card, which is good for almost twenty minutes of video at the highest quality setting. The camcorder shoots up to 720×480 video at 29.97 frames per second using the MainConcept AVC/AAC H.264 codec (.MP4 files).
There are four quality modes: TV Super Fine, TV Fine, TV Normal, and a special YouTube-friendly Web & Mobile setting. Other settings include iScene (Sports, Portrait, Beach, Snow, High Speed, etc.), White Balance, Exposure (auto/manual), Face Detection, Anti-Shake, Digital Effects, 16:9 or 4:3 mode, Wind Cut, and stuff like that.
Pros
Battery life is good for around three hours on a single charge, which is a really nice touch for a camcorder that costs under $300. Also, video and audio quality are crisp and clear, the 34x optical zoom is outstanding, and the $249 price tag makes it seem like you’re getting a ton of value for what you’re paying.
The video codec that this camera uses is great, too, as it works right out of the gate with most popular editing software. Some cheaper camcorders use weird codecs that output video files that need to be converted before you’re able to edit them. That defeats the purpose of a grab-and-go camcorder. I’m able to directly edit the files that the MX20 creates with Sony Vegas – something I’ve been unable to do with JVC’s Everio series, for instance.
Cons
People who want to shoot high definition video or take still photos will want to look elsewhere, as the MX20 just handles straightforward 720×480 video. You’ll also probably want to supply your own large-capacity SD memory card if you don’t already have one. That’s not a deal-breaker by any means but it could add another $100 to your bottom line if you were to pick up, say, an 8GB SDHC card at retail.
Conclusion
The Samsung SC-MX20 is now my go-to camcorder. The size, quality, battery life, and low price make it hard to pass up. I can whole-heartedly recommend this camcorder if you’re looking for an inexpensive video camera that (unlike most other inexpensive camcorders) shoots great video and has an optical zoom.
Video Sample: Click here to download (17mb .MP4 file)
Samsung SC-MX20 Digital Memory Camcorder [Samsung.com]
Like this video? View more here…
save your money, and get a FLIP cam..
end of story
whats the mm on this camera???
what the milimeter in this>>>whats the size of lens???
30.5mm
Okay so i would like to get this camera to film skate and snowboard videos. 1) is the quality “okay” enough to have good videos and 2) can the videos i take be taken off the camera or sd card and transferred onto windows movie maker??? I have read that you need to convert the files first. Is this true??? And if so what software do you recommend (I have a dell that runs on windows XP)
i really dont think that is worth the money. you cannot attach any camera lens to it suck as a fishey,wide angle, ext.. anyways you cannot film skateboarding with it either. i have had one of those camera and still do. i mean they are ok but not worth the money. just buy one of these camera
well i have one and i have a fisheye on it and i film? *for skateboarding!
The thing is so tiny I can’t see how I could even hold it comfortably! Why not put a handle on it that contains extra battery capacity so it lasts for over 3 hours?
whats the mm on this cam???
This camera looks like a winner. Can’t wait to try it out.
Samsung has some killer products.
Looks good, but the sample video won’t play. Not sure if I don’t have that codec, but even my video converter program can’t seem to open that video file.
Flip cams are great, but a 16:9 version would rock.. Maybe the Kodak Zi6, but I haven’t seen any great video shot with it yet.
I believe the codec in the following link should work.
The Codec name is coreaacSetup.exe.
http://files.filefront.com/coreaacSetupexe/;8432809;/fileinfo.html
Can’t watch the video neither.
Something wrong with it? Or what codec do I need?
C’mon guys, leave this stuff to Engadget.
Or at least filter CrunchGear posts out of the TechCrunch RSS feed.
Microphone jack on that puppy?
Nope, no microphone jack.
Does anyone know if this device will serve as a USB camera for streaming? If so, can it do that while recording as well?
No, the USB connection is just for transferring files from the camera to the computer. There isn’t a streaming function.
This is a very helpful post that i’ll share with our community. The question we get everyday is “how do i load pics from my camera and video from my camcorder”. Can you imagine all of the footage that is on camcorders that will never make it past the camera? It’s astounding. I’m with jj50, does it have a mic jack?
Why does Techcrunch say this is an HD camcorder?
Samsung makes a similar camcorder that does HD. It’s called the SC-HMX20C. More info here: http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=camerascamcorders&type=camcorders&subtype=highdefinition&model_cd=SC-HMX20C/XAA
What size fisheye would i need for the camera
Great review and delivered in a fun way – thanks for taking the time to share.
A mic jack for me would have been a killer – making me buy one (or more as we do lots of video work teaching kids) instantly… hopefully v.2 will have one *hint hint Samsung…
Thanks again – oh btw, I have the HD version of this camera and it’s a fantastic piece of kit.
Peace
I don’t think, it is a bad choice within this price… but if you want to use something for a long time, you should buy a sony’s one ..
Does the camera have a video input?
I run a business where we help casting directors film audition videos (http://www.pro.cazt.com). We’ve used similar Samsung cameras for a while and the fact is, the video quality really stinks. It’s recommend looking at the Sany Xacti range instead – there are deals out there that get the price down near $300 and they’re much, much better cameras.
If you’re running a successful business, you should be able to afford a better camera. FOR THE PRICE, this is a fabulous camcorder.
I just bought this camera on the weekend. The one problem I’m having so far is not being able to download any of the videos to my MacBook. For some reason I can’t get my iMovie to recognize the camera. And I’ve checked and have all the latest versions of iMovie, Mac O/S and Quicktime on the computer so I can’t figure out what’s going on. Anyone else having this problem?
It should mount as an external drive on your MacBook and you can just grab the mp4 files straight into iMovie or even your desktop :-)
Hey can you load the video on to final cut pro?
Yup
If you’re paying $100 for an 8GB SDHC card, you’re getting ripped off. You can get them for $18 at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P9ZBFA
Brought my SDHC card over to BestBuy and used their demo model to shoot a few minutes of video. Took the card home and copied the clips right over to my Mac where they played without much of a problem. The codec Samsung is using doesn’t set the 16:9 flag so the video (shot at 16:9) plays at 720×480 instead of 854×480 or 720×405. MPEG Streamclip can fix this in a few minutes (or alter the aspect ratio in FCP).
While I’d love to have a real viewfinder instead of just an LCD, the price is very good and, frankly, the quality of the footage is about the same as my Canon ZR50 (which was fine for my requirements). The time-lapse function is excellent and the battery life is fine. There’s a 30.5mm front lens thread so I can take my .4x wide angle adapter from my old Canon (which bit the dust this past June) and use it on the MX20.
The “YouTube” thing is a red herring if you’re not a dweeb slacker but I guess that’s where the marketing $$ go.
I’m trying to decide between this and the Canon FS100. Any thoughts? The Canon will be about $80-90 more, so I’m leaning towards this one. It’s so new, it’s hard to get any real reviews.
If I remember correctly, the Canon FS100 doesn’t have a front lens thread so, unless you’re into gorilla snot, forget about anything hanging off the front of the lens.
Thanks for your review. It’s really helpful to me.
I also think MX20 is decent camcorder for me.
It’s not FullHD (or HD) cam, but SD q’ty – it’s ok for me- MX20 offers very useful interface (youtubemode), easy hand grip and even good price.
I’ll get it soon.
Unless you want a full high density camcorder, I think MX20 is a good one for a DVD quality camcorder. The price is good as well. Since a 6mm tape camcorder is an old technology device, I think MX20 can replace it for sure.
my buddies just purchased thais camer for my birthday. i love it, use it practically everyday. the functions are perfect and the youtube/mobile function is a time saver
hello if possible can you put a link to your youtube video with your samsung? the ones on there really dont put the camcorder to any good test thanks
Ok – No mike jack? What does that mean? No sound on videos?
It has a built-in mic. No mic jack means you can’t plug in an external microphone.
For DVD quality reordings with this price, MX20 should be a good one for me.
Yeah, sweet deal at $250. I’ve had this thing for almost 4 months and used maybe a total of 30 minutes. Now it won’t operate unless the charger is plugged in. The battery won’t take a charge. I guess the global recession is forcing electronics manufacturers to build low quality products while getting the same high prices. Nice work Samsung.
This camera is a JOKE!
The battery is covered under a one year warranty so, instead of bitching about it, contact Samsung and have them send you a new battery.
Barry, do you speak Chinese? Dealing with Samsung is a breeze if you do, otherwise support is a JOKE!
The battery is ‘covered under warranty’, as mine was. However, when you send it in for repair, they will come up with something you did ‘wrong’ so it isn’t covered.
My battery did the same things, and leaked. They called leaking battery acid ‘water damage’, and refused to fix it.
So, instead of being arrogant, YOU try getting something under warranty fixed by a company that doesn’t want to take care of it.
Since you’re so smart, you’ve likely figured out that getting the same battery as a replacement would probably NOT fix the problem for long. That tends to be the case when many people have the same bad part.
Curious? Did this leakage occur when fully DISCHARGED? I notice in the owners manual it has a warning for that. Would like to find some way to prevent this in my cam. Thanks,
Mike
I just realized my camera does the same thing…it wont work unless plugged into the charger. Is there anyway to rectify this?
Try charging the battery and then only putting the battery in when your filming, because the battery drains even when the camcorder is off.
My camera did the same thing. Used it a few times, wouldn’t take a charge, only worked when plugged in.
The battery started leaking, and dealing with Samsung customer support was a nightmare. The camera was still covered under warranty, but I was told the leaking battery acid was water damage and the unit would not be fixed without my paying for it. I had to get BBB involved to get them to hold up their end of the deal.
End result: they want to replace my old camera with another of the same. Not likely to fix this problem, considering that this has happened to others as well. Sounds like a problem with this model.
MX20 16:9 problem…
I use a Mac… and the software is no good… apart from a nice coffee coaster!
The best way to solve the Samsung MX20’s 16:9 problem I think is to download ‘MPEG Streamclip’. Free software. Load the movie (s) into MPEG steamclip and then >File>Export to MPEG4..
Make sure your settings are H.264 and choose the 1024×576 option…
MOST IMPORTANT is to turn off the INTERLACED SCALING otherwise you’lll have lovely squiggly lines all down your face.. if its your face you’ve recorded.. but squiggly lines nevertheless!
Click Presets… and save it as a preset (called mine MX20 16:9 conversion… simple eh?)
then just click Make MP4.. asks you where to save it and ‘Boom (in full steve jobs mode)’.. the video looks fab… then import to imovie or final cut etc etc..
Hope this helps and SAMSUNG GET A FIRMWARE SORTED BEFORE XMAS!!!
thanx.. JP
The SC-MX20 records in mp4 format, and therefore cannot be opened in mpeg streamclip.
Sorry; that’s just plain wrong. MPEG Streamclip does just fine with MP4. Perhaps you’re using a PC and have mis-configured your machine so QuickTime is prevented from working? Even without QuickTime installed, however, MPEG Streamclip will take advantage of the “QuickTime Alternative” codec.
In short: MPEG Streamclip is the perfect software for videos from the MX20.
This tip saved me big time. Talk about disappointment after initially seeing the video quality from this camera. But this software with one simple export feature restores everything to great (as good as this camera gets) quality.
One additional tip: Check ‘Deinterlace’ and your video will no longer look pixelated and noisy, but much much smoother.
can this camera see infrared light, for night vision?
im trying to find out also >.<
How does is look in low light? I’m comparing this one to the JVC Everio … and yes, I’m the less tech savvy friend who got married and is going to have a baby in March … so need help!
I need to record basketball game footage. Is this camera’s FPS fast enough to handle that?
I noticed that you said that it could shoot 29.97 fps at 720*480, but what is its MAX FPS rated at?
29.97 FPS is the standard NTSC/American frame rate. In other words, standard American DVD players, cable tv, etc… are 29.97 FPS.
If you make the iScene setting to “Sports” It changes the fps to 60.
My husband wants to use it to shoot his hunting expeditions so I am interested because of the zoom. I need it to shoot video for my new online business (You Tube videos) – however, I’m wondering if it comes with video editing software that is any good.
is there any external battery charger out there, you know for a second battery, i cant find any.
on ebay
I spent hours on the web searching for an affordable camcorder with the time lapse recording capability. It seems that this one could do the trick, but since I am planning to shoot time lapse over a year, does anyone have a clue what is the biggest recording storage this camcorder can handle (in the best recording mode)?
All I can say is that bang for your buck if you buy this piece! Thanks for the review!
hey, i tried to get my footage from this camera into windows movie maker and it says i dont have the correct codec…
how can i get this to work!?
thanks,
I have iMovie HD and Mac OS X version 10.4.11. Will I be able to download and edit movies from this camera?
I have the Samsung SC-MX20 and I love it. I need to know if I can I record a show from my TV to the camcorder?
Although the camera itself works great, the major issue with this camera is that the Company that Samsung chose to team up with to support the software side of this product , specifically “Cyberlink Mediashow”, is not user friendly and Cyberlink has no way to contact the company via phone and the worst part is that the forum group on the Cyberlink website has many consumers having the same problems and weeks go by and still Cyberlink has not addressed or helped in any way all the customers of it’s software on it’s OWN FORUM site!! Can you imagine that?
I was on the phone with Customer Support at Samsung Canada (1-800-726-7864) with a gal named Sara and she essentially passed the buck and told me that this is a computer related issue and Samsung had no responsibility to address the issue I have been having. The issue I am having is that Cyberlink media show at times executes when i double Click the shortcut on my Desktop and then most of the time it does nothing when I double Click on it. I mentioned to Samsung that I also have this same issue happen on my girlfriends computer as well so that tells me that it is not a problem with my computer solely. Obviously there is a codec, or file needed to operate Cyberlink, or it is incompatible with something on a number of users computers or something but the bottom line is Samsung leave the customer holding the bag trying to figure this out and that is horrible business. I asked Sara at Samsung for a contact number for Cyberlink and she was unable to do that. She blatently passed the buck and left the consumer holding the weight of this problem. That would be like Ford partnering up with Goodyear Tires, and there being a major issue with the tires, and Goodyear having no number or support to reach them so that the customer is forced to contact Ford and then Ford says, sorry it is not our problem it is the consumers to figure out to take the car to a garage and pay the garage money to have the garage tell the consumer that the tires are faulty. What is up with that? Is it not Fords responsibility that they partnered with a company that was not backing their product? Especially when they company they partnered up with cannot be reached or contacted? In this case Samsung is Ford and Cyberlink Mediashow is Goodyear.
I do not recommend this Camcorder to anyone when the support is absolutely horrible and Samsung will always pass the buck or blame the consumers computer or anything that indemnifies any fault to Samsung.
If I need something like a codec or file to make Cyberlink Mediashow work, than why doesn’t Samsung simply tell me where to get it? And why doesn’t Cyberlink have a direct Contact us phone number or answer customer complaints on their Own website?
Shame on them.
Kevin Misch
Waterloo, ON
Canada
thefuture@golden.net
i just brought one and why can’t i record contuinusly with out haveing the camra split up my one video in to 2 or three video’s it seems like when i press the record botton it records for 45 minutes then it starts making another video all same video but just in 2 or 3 parts please help me
1. If your video software doesn’t show the videos, you can download all the codecs you need in the k-lite codec pack. Just Google it and choose the top result. Install with default settings.
2. It will only record in 2 gigabyte segments, hence the 45 minute videos. But it will automatically start a new file, so you just need to stitch them with free software.
3. I can’t figure out an easy way to fix the 16:9 issue.
Okay I think I have found solution for PC users, although not really that convenient for the average user…I don’t understand why Samsung doesn’t correct this, I would return the camera but i’m too lazy and I’ve already used it a considerable amount.
Download mp4box – http://kurtnoise.free.fr/mp4tools/MP4Box-0.4.5.zip
Unzip the files. MP4box is a command line tool. Go to Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt, or otherwise find your way to a Dos command prompt.
Run the following command from the folder where you saved the unzipped files –
mp4box -par 1=5:4 c:\mp4box-0.4.5\sdv_0020.mp4
…but replace the “c:\…mp4″ string with the path of the file you want to convert.
This seems to work when videos are played back in windows media player. Not sure how to batch convert yet but I’m sue there’s a way.
Hello,
Why is it that every time I hit the “pause”, it starts a ner file? Is it possible to continue on the same file (untill I rich the 2 gigas)?
Thank you for your help,
Hana
No, this is the way these non-tape camcorders store the footage. You may combine them once you copy them over to your computer using whatever software you prefer (iMovie, MPEG Streamclip, MediaEdit, etc.)
Hi everyone,
As stated above, Samsung MX20 has an issue with 16:9 when reading files on a computer screen.
First and foremost, it is important to know that it shoots genuine 16:9 at 720*576, with wider angle than 4:3 720*576 in the same conditions.
As mentioned above, Samsung doesnt use the appropriate flag in the files to make it a 16:9 video, and by default with squared pixels 720*576 is a 5:4 format, which will result in inadecuate proportions when viewing on a computer screen.
In order to fix this, either you convert the files to 1024*576 or to some format that bears a 16:9 flag for the viewers to know although it’s shot as 5:4.
Various solutions are proposed above, but none i have seen is fully automatic. I personally work with Mac OS 10.4, a unix system, and there is a possibility to implement relatively easily an automated fix:
1) download ffmpegx for macintosh (google), which is a free trial shareware, including a freely licenced ffmpeg command line executable. If you run on windows, get hold of of ffmpeg executables somewhere
2) try out this command line (adapting paths and filenames) : ffmpeg -i /Volumes/NO\ NAME\ 1/VIDEO/100VIDEO/SDV_0008.MP4 -aspect 16:9 -acodec aac -ar 48000 -ac 2 -ab 192 -f aac -vcodec xvid -b 4000 /Users/yourname/ttt2.mov
Video and sound quality should be about the same as TV Fine settings, can be imported in iMovie. It is possible to make this command line even simpler if iMovie compatibility is not necessary.
3) On Macintosh use unix crontab and an appropriate shell/perl script wrapping ffmpeg command to automate the upload of videos from camera to computer when it is plugged in (I personally have a perl script performing this)
Good luck
going to put this on my wishlist.
you cant use 3rd party replacement batteries for some reason they wont charge or power on the camcorder.
real shame samsung has disabled 3rd party batteries
I found a charger and have ordered it. Perhaps it’s possible to charge the battery separately from the camera. We’ll see …
Otherwise, I will have to register a complaint with Samsung and with the battery maker (Energizer) since it says right on the battery that it replaces Samsung IA-BP85ST (which is the one that comes with the camcorder).
I was wondering if you were able to use the Energizer battery with the charger? I just purchased a package deal from Best Buy, which included the camera, camera bag and an extra battery (the Energizer one). I am having the same problem, the camcorder will not charge or power on the camera.
Thanks
The MX20 requires the genuine battery. However, you may purchase one on eBay here:
http://tinyurl.com/mv9c5q
I bought one and it works fine.
FLIPS SUCK!!!! my friends crashed the first day she got it!!!!
Hi,
i have a macbook 10.4.11 with imovie and final cut pro is the MX20 compatible?
also does anyone know the difference between vp-mx20 and sc- mx20
please help!
I would appreceate if someone could help me.
My camera doesn’t start when I turn it on. There is nothing on the LCD but only the SAMSUNG logo. What should I do. Please help me!
I have same problem as Krasi
Jeeeze, sorry so many of you guys had problems, I think it’s the best thing since avocados and female humans! I’ve had mine about 6 months and I’m thrilled! Only problem is my own stupidity, I paid $299 + shipping on a TV shopping show!
Could use some help though. I here ya’ can use a camcorder as a pc camera. I tried downloading a driver for $20. but no luck. Is there something else I maybe need that didn’t come in the box with the camera? (severely tech-handicapped) Please help!
Hey I just wanted to add, for the person asking about low light, last night I was recording my dog running around the yard and didn’t realize how dark it had become! When I played it back it was like broad daylight! Magic, the damn thing took pictures of stuff I couldn’t even see! I may be easily impressed, but you couldn’t buy this thing from me!
Took my MX20 to Florida and the Bahamas. Over 2 hours on an 8GB card at best quality. Quite happy with the results.
bought mine for my birthday in Feb, since then i’ve bought a 16gb sdhc card which works magic, no problems with the software on my compaq, ONE QUESTION: if i was to buy a IR ILLUMINATOR from eBay, will the image be night vision? i’m curious because im about to go on a ghost tour of our local former gaol. the ir illuminator works with a sensitivity of 850nm.. but im not sure what this camera is
The genuine battery is available on eBay from a vendor named “iBestMartAsia”. Do an advanced search for them. Their battery (which is a genuine Samsung) works perfectly in my MX20. (I have no financial association with them.)
I am very new at this and I an going to purchase this camcorder (Samsung SC-MX20) but I need a few questions answered if someone would please help me. Can I record videos on the SD card, take the card out, view the video, save it, then burn to a DVD, make copies, give to various friends (etc) and I cor my friends can put in their PC-latop-TV and view? If so, what sofrware or etc. is need?
“Can I record videos on the SD card, take the card out, view the video, save it, then burn to a DVD, make copies, give to various friends (etc) and I cor my friends can put in their PC-latop-TV and view? If so, what sofrware or etc. is need?”
Assuming your computer can work with H264, yes. Get QuickTime (if you don’t have a Mac already).
Put card (with recorded video on it) into card reader plugged into your computer. View videos. Yes.
Burn videos to DVD (as data). Yes.
Burn videos as DVD movies. Yes (assuming you have the appropriate software to properly author DVDs on your computer).
Give to friends who will use (data) DVD on their PC/Mac. Yes.
Give to friends who will use video DVD on their PC/Mac. Yes.
Give to friends who will use video DVD in their stand-alone DVD player to watch on TV. Yes.
Software for DVD authoring: Check videohelp.com for a list of choices – some free.