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Panasonic VDRM30 DVD Digital Camcorder |  | Brand: Panasonic
Category: Photography
List Price: $899.99
Buy Used: $200.00
as of 9/9/2010 15:05 CDT details
You Save: $699.99 (78%)
Used (3) from $200.00
Seller: ramccabe10889
Media: Electronics
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 12
Display Size: 2.5
Maximum Aperture: 1.8
Maximum Focal Length: 31.5
Minimum Focal Length: 3.15
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 1 x 1 x 1
MPN: VDR-M30
Model: VDR-M30
UPC: 037988250691
EAN: 0037988250691
ASIN: B00008RUET
Release Date: June 15, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| | Camcorder records video directly to DVD disc | | | Captures up to 120 minutes of digital video and 1,998 still images to DVD media | | | 12x optical zoom and 24x digital zoom with electronic image stabilization | | | Saves digital stills to DVD disc or optional SD memory card | | | Connects to PCs and Macs via USB for stills |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
The innovative, sleek VDR-M30 DVD camcorder records high-quality digital video and still images onto removable 8cm DVD-RAM and DVD-R discs, offering the ability of non-linear editing of home videos right in the camcorder. Other features include a color viewfinder, 10x optical/240x digital zoom, digital electronic image stabilization, and compatibility with Secure Digital memory cards for storing still images. DVD Format
The VDR-M30 combines all the technological benefits of the rewritable DVD-RAM format with the compatibility of write-once DVD-R media. DVD-RAM offers the highest quality in digital imaging, huge storage capability--capturing up to 120 minutes of digital video and 1,998 still images to DVD media--and rewritability up to 100,000 times, with virtually no degradation of picture quality no matter how many times the disc is played back. The DVD-R format offers the ability to record onto affordable DVD-R discs for sharing with friends and family, and archiving memories for everyone to enjoy. With the DVD-RAM format, you can access recorded scenes without the hassles of searching, fast-forwarding or rewinding. Indexed thumbnails are displayed on the 2.5-inch color LCD. In addition, the camcorder will automatically find blank space on the DVD-RAM disc whenever a recording begins, eliminating the possibility of recording over what you've already shot. Camcorder editing features include delete, rearrange, fade in/out, wipe, divide, and splice. Recorded video and still images captured by the VDR-M30 can be played back on DVD-RAM and the majority of DVD-R compatible MPEG2-conforming devices. Just slide the disc out of the new disc cartridge and place it into the DVD recorder or player, or into a PC or laptop computer equipped with DVD playback. The camcorder has a USB port for easy direct connection to a PC. Optics
The VDR-M30 is equipped with a 12x optical zoom, and also features a 240x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in on incredible close-ups. Digital Stills
In addition to moving pictures, the VDR-M30 can record still images (640 x 480 pixels) onto a DVD disc or SD Memory Card. A DVD-RAM disc can store JPEG photo data and video together on the same disc. The VDR-M30 lets you keep family memories, in both still and moving pictures, on a single disc. You can also save still images to an optional Secure Digital (SD) memory card More Features
The XTRA mode uses an advanced MPEG2 data compression technology called VBR (variable bit rate) to record high-quality images. Real-time VBR controls the rate of MPEG2 compression in real time, depending on scene complexity, varying it to enable more efficient recording. In XTRA mode, the VDR-M30 can record continuously for 36 to 120 minutes on both side of an 8cm DVD-RAM disc. Other features include: - 800K pixel resolution
- 2.5-inch LCD screen
- 5-mode Program auto-exposure (AE)
- USB 1.1 connectivity
- S-Video and A/V output
- Stereo microphone
Size and Contents
The camcorder measures 2.25 x 3.5 x 5.3 inches and weighs 1.1 pounds (without battery). This package includes the VDRM30 camcorder, AC adapter, battery pack, shoulder strap, A/V cable (M3-RCA), lens cap, USB cable, DVD-R disc, and video editing software.
Product Description
CL) AA) PANASONIC VDR-M30 DVD CAM
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| Customer Reviews:
 Very good camcorder September 7, 2005
Chris Twist (Ontario)
I have owned this camera for about 1 year, and it has performed very well and is fully compatible with Windows XP. It produces very good quality and has been completely reliable.
I suggest that you should buy wide-angle and telephoto accessory lenses. These cost me about $100 CAD (they are "no-name", so I can't give you a specific recommendation). These increase its flexibility and improve quality by extending the optical zoom instead of using the digital zoom.
To address some of the issues raised in earlier reviews:
- Most camcorders do not include an accessory light, to reduce the initial purchase cost. There are various aftermarket choices available.
- The DVD is in DVD-RAM format. If your DVD-ROM drive does not support this format, it won't be able to play it. This is hardly Panasonic's fault. Although DVD-RAM is not widely supported, you can find drives that support it.
- The camcorder provides 3 levels of quality. Make sure you choose the Xtra setting; this gives a very good picture.
-(...)
Great Camera, but the software is horrible. May 30, 2005
T. Talbot
I bought this camera during xmas of 2003. The camera is really easy to use, but you need a Master's degree in computer programing to get the software to work. I have had little success in getting the usb connection to work. Still after struggling with this thing for over a year I discovered that you can use the dvd ram in a drive eliminating the need of the usb. A prior review suggests that you have to load the dvdram driver to make the transfer to the computer easier. In the configure menu you have to tell the software to read the disc in your dvdrom drive. The transfer is still slower then XMAS, but at least I don't have to pray to the electronic's gods to get my videos transferred. One last thing, the manual for the software is completely useless.
 crashes and destroys everything I've recorded May 18, 2005
sammy
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
After less than two years, this recorder crashes and destroys everything I've recorded every time I try to record on a 60 minute DVD for more than 55 minutes. It works fine as long as I remember to stop it before 55 minutes, but losing everything seems like an awfully big price to pay for losing track of the time. I've called customer support and they say it shouldn't do this and they don't know why it does, and there's nothing to be done about it since it's not under warranty anymore. (They'll fix it for $300 + parts, but I'm reluctant to pour more money into this piece of junk.) For $700, I expect a product that will work reliably for more than a year!
 what happened March 12, 2004
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought this video camera to record the birth of my child. I got it and immediately checked it to make sure that everything was in working condition. It worked fine. Several months down the line I took the camera out to make sure what kind of card I needed to purchase for taking still photos. When I turned it on and tried to use it, I got the recording of sounds in the room but no picture. Now keep in mind I thought that I was maybe looking at the lens cap, but it was no longer covering the lens. I adjusted everything pertaining to the darkness of the screen and was still unable to get anything other than a black screen on the LCD or through the view finder. Thank goodness it is still under warranty or I would just be out $800.
Don't buy this product! March 4, 2004
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I have had my Panasonic VDR M30 camcorder since Christmas, 2003. I have made five calls to their tech support line, where their technical people admit there is a problem and tell me they are working on fixing the drivers for the camcorder's software to make it work with Windows XP. They refuse to return my telephone calls, and they refuse to exchange my camcorder for another model. They treat their customers very poorly. I would give this product, and this company, zero stars if that were an option.
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