Panasonic PVDV201 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode
[Archived in $500 - $600, All, All Camcorders, All Digital Camcorders, Camcorders, Digital, Digital MiniDV, Panasonic, Products]
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Price at amazon.com: $548.88This item is not stocked or has been discontinued.
- MiniDV
- Digital camcorder uses MiniDV tapes
- 20x optical zoom (300x digital) with dual digital electronic image stabilization
- Built-in digital still camera mode stores images on SD or MMC cardss
- 2.5 inch LCD high-resolution monitor
- Arcsoft editing software and USB driver included
Product Description:
The PV-DV201 is a great introduction into the world of digital video. Featuring a 20x optical zoom, along with digital image stabilization (during both recording and playback), which helps eliminate those shakes and bounces common to high zoom levels, this model has everything you need to start capturing beautiful footage. You can use either the 2.5-inch color LCD monitor or the electronic viewfinder to frame your shots. To help ensure that the footage you shoot will be the best it can be, the PV-DV201 has a five-mode programmed autoexposure that will adjust aperture, white balance, and other settings automatically. Also included are a number of digital effects and faders, letting you give your footage some fun, creative touches. Still photos can be captured at a resolution of 640 x 480. Save them on either the included 8 MB Panasonic secure digital (SD) card or a MultiMediaCard. A USB port is built in for speedy transfer of your images. For those interested in video editing, the PV-DV201 has a built-in IEEE-1394 port for speedy, lossless transfer of your video and audio. Also included are analog outputs for viewing your home movies on your television, or for transfer to a VHS tape.
Description from Manufacturer:The PV-DV201 is a great introduction into the world of digital video. Featuring a 20x optical zoom, along with digital image stabilization (during both recording and playback), which helps eliminate those shakes and bounces common to high zoom levels, this model has everything you need to start capturing beautiful footage. You can use either the 2.5-inch color LCD monitor or the electronic viewfinder to frame your shots.To help ensure that the footage you shoot will be the best it can be, the PV-DV201 has a five-mode programmed autoexposure that will adjust aperture, white balance, and other settings automatically. Also included are a number of digital effects and faders, letting you give your footage some fun, creative touches.
Still photos can be captured at a resolution of 640 x 480. Save them on either the included 8 MB Panasonic secure digital (SD) card or a MultiMediaCard. A USB port is built in for speedy transfer of your images. For those interested in video editing, the PV-DV201 has a built-in IEEE-1394 port for speedy, lossless transfer of your video and audio. Also included are analog outputs for viewing your home movies on your television, or for transfer to a VHS tape.Average Customer Rating: 
Comment: Some good, some bad... Rating:
The Good: We've had our 201 for two years now, and have been happy with the video performance and features. The still cam is weak, but with the specs on it, it's more of a convenience than something one would want to depend on. Perfectly appropriate for the price at the time we bought it. The bad: The hand strap attach point broke off, and the GE extended warranty won't cover what they consider a non-functional part. There are 4 strap attach points, 3 metal, one plastic, and that's the one that let go. Without the hand strap, you'd have to hold the camera with both hands to use it. The case is very thin, and no other physical attachment exists internally. I also found a report of someone buying 8 PV51 cameras (similar to this one), and three of them broke in the exact same place as mine. Still waiting to hear from Panasonic, but I'm betting since it's out of warranty I'm out of luck. And I'm going to cancel my worthless GE warranty policy as well.
Comment: Great camcorder @ great price. Rating:
Update to previous reviews. The driver for win2000 or winXP is available NOW on panasonic website. With Firewire, WinXP actually detected it and it's plug and play.
I have used this camera for more than 2 years. I LOVE it.
1. There's no gap between clips. Canon ZR shows blue screen on playback every time you hit the pause button when recording - REALLY annoying. This one just stitch the clips together nicely.
2. Transfer to computer with firewire or USB really simple, easy to use. TIPS: you can get firewire card with cable for less than $20 now.
3. Handling is excellent - nice grip, light weight.
4. Long battery life. I was planning to buy a spare and found out no need for it.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Comment: OK yea i said o.k. Rating:
when i took it out the box....IT FELT CHEAP
The battery life needs more power. Panasonic has yet to come out with a driver for XP. The still images are compared to a PHD camera (push here dummy). This is a low end model. As far as video goes....i love it. I have had nothing but fun and thrills. If you can get it for...cheaper than list.... it really is a good deal. I would suggest holding out though
Posted at November 11, 2003 07:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
This is