[MacDV] Sony DVD Camera

[Chuck Kay]

Just wanted some opinions on the Sony cameras that record to the 3 inch 
DVD's (Sony DCR-DVD301). I've got a friend considering purchasing one. 
This friend will be doing NO editing. Just plain old family video. In 
other words, they want  a digital camera but want it to be easy w/o 
much fuss. I've told my friend that w/any camera, you could play 
directly from camera to TV. Of course they want to play the mini DVD on 
their standard DVD player. My concern is the ability or inability of 
this 3 inch DVD to play on standard DVD players over the course of 
time. I fear the 3 inch DVD isn't a popular format. Here is a quote 
from the specs page of this camera: "records high-quality digital video 
on 3" DVD-R and DVD-RW media." Although my friend is not interested in 
editing, the camera contains only a USB 2.0 interface no Firewire (or 
Sony iLink). I also told friend that a standard mini-DV camera would 
play w/better quality since the DVD would be more compressed video-even 
from camera to TV. An advantage of the DVD camera is the ability to 
take media out of camera (DVD) and insert into their DVD player. Friend 
says their DVD player is compatible w/the 3" DVD media. My question is 
yeah, but what about in the future when your kids want to watch it and 
their DVD player does not support the media. Any thoughts? Opinions? Am 
I wrong in my assumptions or any other info I should know?