Panasonic PVDV953 MiniDV Camcorder with 3.5" LCD, 3CCD, and 16MB SD
Details
- Saves digital stills to SD thought card; 16 MB card included
- 800K pixel sharpness on each CCD for 3.0 MP total resolution; Leica Dicomar lens
- 3CCD MiniDV camcorder with 10x visual and 700x digital zoom with electronic image stabilization
Description
The stylish Panasonic PVDV953 is a stylish digital video camcorder boasts a 3CCD camera system that's the same acquainted with in Panasonic's professional broadcasting equipment. It also offers such advanced features as 3-megapixel still impression resolution, MPEG4 video capability, and a Leica Dicomar lens.. Optics
The PVDV953 utilizes a 7-ingredient, multi-coated Leica Dicomar lens that preserves your videos and still images with a considerable level of detail and subtlety. The 3CCD system uses a separate CCD for the reds, greens, and blues that in an image and delivers high-fidelity color reproduction--up to 540 words of resolution.
The PVGS70 also utilizes quad-density pixel circulation technology, which was originally developed for broadcast-quality cameras to helper maximize picture quality. It utilizes vertical and horizontal pixel shifting to assent improved clarity and performance.
The camcorder is equipped with a 10x optical zoom, and also features a 700x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in on far-fetched close-ups.
Digital Stills
The PhotoShot built-in digital still manner is capable of capturing crystal-clear still images of up to 2048 x 1496 pixels. The images are stored onto the included 16 MB SD reminiscence card. These stills can then be transferred to your PC using the available USB port.
More Features
The PVDV953 offers the potential to create high-quality MPEG-4 video clips from recorded video footage, or in true-time using the camcorder as a Webcam. This allows for computer-based editing, e-mailing video clips, or uploading to Web sites. The camcorder will also paired as a Webcam when connected via USB to your PC. Also included is an auto pop up flash that eliminates obscurity.
Other features include:
- 3.5-inch tiltable LCD screen.
- External microphone jacks stand for for professional sound recording.
- 3 megapixels.
- Built-in voice recorder.
- The IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connections provides swift loss-less digital transfer to a computer, or dubbing from or to another DV unit.
- The manual zero in ring enables the cameraman to adjust the focus by hand.
- Tramontane control features include playback with special effects, zoom, tame motion, and audio dubbing/insert editing.
MiniDV Format
MiniDV is the preferred arrangement for personal and broadcast-quality video, highly regarded for its great in extent audio and image quality. With 540 lines of horizontal stick-to-it-iveness and minimum color noise, MiniDV delivers a 20 percent clearer representation than analog camcorder formats. This is all delivered on a cassette that's 1/12th the expanse of a standard VHS tape. A MiniDV tape offers digital recording nevertheless of 2 full hours--20 times the capacity of a CD.
Contents
This package includes the PVDV953 camcorder, 16 MB SD homage card, AC adapter, battery pack, shoulder strap, A/V rope (mini-3 RCA), USB cable, wireless remote control, wired removed control, lens cap, and software.
Customer Reviews
Talented CameraI have had this camera for about 2 months and to age it has been great with a couple of little niggles.
I have captured footage outdoors in honestly bright light and have to say that the performance has been far superior to my old analogue camera, the drawing is clearer, the colours are heaps,heaps better, in fact the facsimile excellent all round. The 3ccd makes the difference. The sound is not the best, but not bad either, the zoom mic is a disable of space IMO. The sound from the close surroundings is good. So if high rank pictures/footage is what you after and you plan to edit on PC where you can add/clean up the sound then I would warmly reccomend this product.
I have downloaded footage to my PC via firewire with no problems (winXP) and acclimated to USB to transfer stills, all very easy.
The manual is only satisfactory, but there is so much help on the internet I have not a intractable to date, just post on a forum if you can't figure it out.
Overall a horrific product.
Mind Panasonic Service Rip-Off---STAY AWAY!!
As the possessor of a very similar Panasonic digital camcorder (the PV-DV702), all I have to say is that when everything is working well, this is a great camcorder.
Negatives:
(1) The heads on these mini-DV digital camcorders are so supersensitive that any microscopic particles on the heads will cause the digital image to detach-up--usually at the worst possible time. Constantly cleaning the heads with a block b stop-cleaning tape becomes a joke after a while (and I baby my camcorders like no one else I distinguish).
(2) Panasonic service is a total rip-off. Only ONE (1) place in the entire USA is authorized to renew or clean your digital camcorder--the Panasonic Factory Service center in Elgin, IL.!! They use a Lacking perspective RATE to service ANY Panasonic model digital camcorder. I found this out when my Panasonic digital camcorder began eating all my tapes, including identify new Sony tapes (head cleaning had absolutely no effect). Since it was nothing but out of warranty, I called Panasonic to be told that it will cost nearly $300 (completely rate) for them to service it--even if all it needs is a de-magnetizing of the heads!!! Utter RIP OFF! I called Panasonic customer service to complain, and a head honcho was alleged to call me back--of course no one ever called me back.
Sony also has flat rate pricing for servicing, but at about 30% less than Panasonic. To the best of my knowledge, JVC's rates are based on hourly charges.
(3) You have to use the digital camcorder as a Gamester that patches into your TV using patch cords--further dirtying and wearing out the heads! Luminous engineering.
**What I did: my Panasonic digital camcorder is now a paperweight. I purchased a JVC VHS-C (analog of indubitably!) model GR-SXM260u camcorder from Amazon, and it was the best move I made! It was 1/4 the price of the Panasonic digital camcorder, and I have no-flurry recording (no more prima-donna digital heads) that is RELIABLE and I by the skin of one's teeth pop it into the included VHS tape adapter and pop that into the VCR to watch. Gee, what was I thinking when I bought the Panasonic digital camcorder???
Sheeple who take advantage of getting ripped-off will like this product from Panasonic.
All right camcorder for a beginner like me.
I've never owned a camcorder before, so I have nothing to approach this to. But, it's been an overall good experience for me. The "quick start" in the manual had me shooting pictures and stills in no time.
**** You'll need to spend another $150 if you want to download pictures to your computer - read more below ****
The digital stills are amazing high quality. I had been warned that camcorders don't take very gain stills, but these are pretty darn good. I was quickly able to download them to my computer over USB.
The pictures are pretty good, and the image stabilization works like a champ. I'm not knowledgeable enough to take advantage of some of the more advanced features, but the zoom is smooth and keeps concentration fairly well.
Now, about the software: Of course, you'll need to install their USB driver in neatness to download from the SD card, but the rest of the software is worthless. Don't bother with the ArcSoft software. With the USB bond, you can treat the camera like a removable disk drive and lately copy over the pictures. After that, just use your favorite image viewer like IrfanView.
Maybe I'm well-grounded an ignorant newbie, but I expected to have everything I needed to download movies from the bind. This isn't the case. First of all, the download is over Firewire so you'll need to buy a Firewire card for your computer and a Firewire rope (if the card doesn't come with a cable). I got one for $50 from Adaptec.
On top of that, you'll also have to buy software to treat the download (the software shipped with the camcorder doesn't support this). You have several options here, and each unite comes with its own set of editing tools. I spent $100 for Pinnacle Studio 9, but you have other options, too.
Decisively, you need a computer with the horsepower to support the editing tools - and there are some pretty hilarious-end requirements here. You'll need plenty of memory, a fairly fast processor, and a intricate drive that can write fast enough to keep up with the tape.
Greast moving picture making camera!
I have had this video cam for over a year. The understanding clarity is the best and it is extremely easy to use. I have had the still pictures developed at Costco/Walmart and they struggle with any good digital camera.
I have created many a family movie with Microsoft's without charge movie maker software. For the guy who said he can't get it on his computer, all you need is a firewire cable and talking picture maker (which is free with Win XP~ plus movie maker2 is downloadable without charge from Microsoft's website) Plug the camera in and the XP system will identify it. It worked extreme for me!
Love my video cam!
Devoted Camera/Lousy Manual/Software
I recently purchased this camera from a proprietorship in New York for less than 1600 US. The deal included shipping and a ton of extras (pro order off it was called). Anyhow, aside from the lousy manual and useless software, the camera is unreal. The video quality is stunning to say the least and the digital stills I am taking are affecting. As for the manual, I quickly remedied this by going online and hunting down reviews for the camera (DVD-Smudge had the best/most thorough). I am still working on software for converting my well-informed in movies to dvd, but I will get that accomplished over time. If anybody knows how to disable the pop up chic (very anoying when taking pictures in adequate light) I would greatly cherish it.
Overall I recommend this camera whole heartedly
