Record Direct To DVD       The DC230 digital camcorder lets you record directly to DVDs, and lets you shoot and share video through a variety of options. Only 3" (8cm) in diameter, the DC230's DVD-R/-RW discs are compatible with most DVD players and can store up to 30 minutes of video in standard mode and 60 minutes of video in long play mode. They also record to DVD-R DL (dual layer) discs that can store up to 108 minutes of video. With the DC230's DVD technology, you no longer have to worry about mistakenly taping over a once-in-a-lifetime piece of footage. Simply shoot, and the DC230 ensures that you record onto a blank part of the DVD. The DC230's DVD functionality also makes it possible for you to review your footage quickly and easily without the bother of rewind or fast-forward searching. With the camcorder's Visual Index, you can review your footage at a glance and play the selection you want. You can even select shots and arrange them in a playlist. It's like editing your video right in your camcorder! You can also capture vibrant still images direct to DVD disc as well. What's more, the finalization process for these DVDs is quick and easy with the DC230. It's just one more reason why you'll love recording direct to DVD with your DC230. Canon 35x Optical Performance       The name Canon is synonymous with optical excellence the world over. Brilliant optical quality is part of every Canon broadcast TV lens, 35mm film camera, digital camera and camcorder -- and the DC230 is no exception. It gives you clear, vibrant and brilliant video and digital photographs. The quality begins with Canon's longest optical zoom ever -- the Genuine Canon 35x Optical Zoom lens. The lens is precisely matched to the camcorder's CCD and features high-quality glass with a unique, super spectra coating developed exclusively by Canon to reduce flare and ghosting for a clean image. Combined with the 1000x Digital Zoom, you can capture every shot -- whether it's a wide view of the whole family at Thanksgiving, or a close up of your child on stage.   Image Stabilization         And thanks to Canon's superior electronic expertise, the DC230's image stabilization system corrects camcorder shake instantly. The built-in, high-quality image stabilizer allows you to shoot professional-looking, rock-steady video -- whether you're recording sporting events, your child's birthday party, or a long focal length shot without a tripod. Your life never sits still, and the DC230 will help you capture it all. DIGIC DV II         DIGIC DV II is the next generation of Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV signal processing technology. Even though video and still images have different color requirements, DIGIC DV II digital signal processing ensures optimal image quality for both video and still images. Thanks to DIGIC DV ll image processing, the DC230 produces video with improved color reproduction -- especially in skin tones, and dark and light scenes. It also uses a hybrid noise reduction system that employs two types of noise reduction -- for images that are crystal clear.   Level and Grid Markers Level, well-composed shots are simple with the Level and Grid Marker features. Line up the horizon or other horizontal lines with the Level Marker in the viewfinder for level landscapes. Or, use the Grid Marker to help compose the perfect shot. Both markers can be set to white or grey for enhanced visibility, no matter what the background. Smooth Zoom Control Smooth Zoom Control allows you to choose between three fixed-zoom speeds to ensure smooth, steady zooms automatically. Megapixel Performance       With the DC230 you get a 1.07 megapixel CCD image sensor. Your video will be sharper, clearer and more true to life, as will your photos. Every sunset on the beach will be more dramatic with every color in the sky faithfully captured. The joy on the face of a child scoring his/her first goal on the soccer field is recorded just as you saw it.   Convenience in a Compact Size           Canon packs all the convenience of recording on DVDs into slim, lightweight, gracefully designed camcorders. At a compact 3.45" wide x 2.13" high x 5.04" deep and a lightweight .89 lbs, it's easy to take the DC230 with you wherever you go. Widescreen HR Recording       The DC230 records true High Resolution Widescreen for picture perfect video. Canon's Widescreen HR Mode uses the entire width of the image sensor, capturing true 16:9 widescreen. So why is the way you record widescreen images so important? Because you want an image made for widescreen, not adapted for widescreen. Widescreen is the future -- every HD television is widescreen. The story of how we do it may be a bit technical, but the result is clear to see. Canon camcorders use the entire width of the image sensor to capture your precious video in true 16:9 format. What difference does this make? It's simple. With more pixels captured, you get better image quality. Other camcorders force the wider picture into a smaller space on the sensor -- giving you a less true image, with fewer pixels and lower quality. With High Resolution recording on a Canon camcorder, the canals of Venice will be as grand as you remembered seeing them. The viewfinder of your DC230 displays the image in a "letterbox" view -- from side to side and top to bottom, what you see will be what you get. No need to guess what your final image will look like when you're shooting. Not only that, but the DC230's big, 2.7" LCD screen and .27" widescreen viewfinder let you see exactly what you're recording. The DC230 also lets you show your great Widescreen HR video on a standard television in letterbox format. To make it even easier, a Widescreen Button lets you switch from standard 4:3 to 16:9 Widescreen Mode at the touch of your finger. The widescreen feature can also be used in both Program Mode and Auto Mode, as well as with the camcorder's advanced image stabilization. The DC230 gives you the opportunity to own a camcorder that shoots as wide as your widescreen TV. Why shouldn't your camcorder shoot as wide as your widescreen TV? It should -- and our competitors can't match the widescreen video you'll get from your Canon DC230. You want your memories to last forever -- that's why you've taken the time to shoot them. And you want to shoot in widescreen format to get everything you can out of your new widescreen TV or home theater system. Remember -- widescreen is the future -- be sure you invest in that future with a Canon camcorder. Quick Start       With Quick Start, you'll never miss a shot again as you rush to turn your camcorder on and start recording. With Quick Start, you simply push the Quick Start button to put your camcorder in stand-by mode. Then, with your camcorder in stand-by mode, you can simply push it again and your camcorder begins to record in less than a second. With Quick Start, it's easy to capture the spontaneous and surprising moments that happen in your life. It also saves battery power so you get more recording between charges. Stunning Digital Photography           Now, you can leave your digital still camera at home. That's because, with Canon's DoubleShot technology, you don't just get video and photography -- you get the best of both. Plus, you get a wealth of photo features found on advanced digital still cameras.             The DC230 helps you make accurate exposures with its histogram display. Special Scene Modes also ensure accurate exposures under a wide variety of difficult lighting conditions. Modes include: Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, or Fireworks. Plus, Auto Exposure Bracketing automatically shoots three frames: normal exposure, -0.5 EV and +0.5 EV. Progressive Photo ensures images with sharp detail, while Image Effects let you adjust the image depending on your subject. Effects include: Vivid, Neutral and Soft Skin Detail. You also get 9-point AiAF (Auto Intelligent Autofocus) for sharp focus even if your subject isn't in the center of your shot. Simultaneous Photo Recording lets you capture a digital photograph while recording video. No matter how you take your photos, you have the choice of capturing those still images either onto DVD or a miniSD card. The DC230 also comes equipped with different Drive modes for greater flexibility. You get: Single Shooting, Continuous Shooting, High Speed Continuous Shooting, and Auto Exposure Bracketing. Audio Excellence To match the brilliance of its video image quality, the DC230 records audio with Dolby Digital Stereo*. This ensures a complete movie theater experience in the comfort of your living room as you share vivid memories with your friends and families. * Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Share Your Videos Of course, with the convenience of DVDs, it's easy to share your video with friends or family simply by letting them view your finalized discs in their DVD players. You can also watch the video you've just shot by connecting your DC230 to your TV and viewing your unfinalized DVD. (Your DC230 comes with a Composite output terminal.) Share Your Photographs       With the DC230, you can share digital photos via email by transferring images directly to your PC using the USB 2.0 Hi-Speed terminal. You can also print directly from your camcorder to any PictBridge-compatible printer, or store your digital photos on a Secure Digital (miniSD) Memory Card. Additional Features Built-in Lens Cover means you never have to go looking for your lens cover again. Plus, you don't have the bother of your lens cap dangling from your camcorder.   Easy Menu System has been designed to make it easy for you to operate your DC230.   9 Digital Effects/9 Fades (Camera Mode) add professional-looking touches to your videos.   17 Selectable Display Languages include: English, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Turkish, Ukrainian, Arabic, Persian and Thai.