Panasonic VDR-D50 DVD Camcorder with 42x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

See Larger Image	Manufacturer: Panasonic Average Customer Rating:


Batteries Included: 1 Binding: Electronics Brand: Panasonic Color: silver Display Size: 2.7 EAN: 0037988255825 Feature: Capture video direct to DVD Floppy Disk Drive Description: None Is Autographed: 0 Is Memorabilia: 0 Label: Panasonic Manufacturer: Panasonic Maximum Focal Length: 75.6 Minimum Focal Length: 1.8 Model: VDR-D50 Number Of Items: 1 Optical Zoom: 42 Publisher: Panasonic Release Date: 2008-01-31 Studio: Panasonic
Features Capture video direct to DVD 42x optical zoom Panasonic's Advanced Mega OIS technology Widescreen LCD One-Touch Navigation for easy, intuitive setting and shooting
Accessories Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 Corel Photo & Video Pro X3 Bundle Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack AmazonBasics Universal Camera Case for Digital Cameras HF (Black) AmazonBasics Quilted Case for Small Electronics Including Cameras, Mobile Phones, GPS Units (Black) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]
Related Items Sony 3" Rewritable DVD+RW for Camcorders - 3pk Memorex Mini DVD+RW 10 Pack Lowepro Edit 110 Camcorder Bag Panasonic VW-VBG130 1HR Battery Pack (for TM700, HS700, HDC-SD1 or AGHSC1U) Panasonic LM-AF30U3 8CM Rewritable DVD-RAM for Camcorders (3 Pack)
Editorial Reviews: 42x Optical Zoom Advanced OIS 2.7" Wide LCD DVD-RAM -RW- R -R Dual Layer SD Card Slot Color Viewfinder Instant On LCD/EVF USB 2.0HS Shooting Guide Lines One Touch Navigation Help Mode Soft Skin Mode Video Suite 1.0 editing s/w included
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Not happy with camcorder Comment: Bought this as a gift for our son and his wife after the birth of their first child. Camera didn't last 6 months before they had problems with it. A signal kept coming up to "reset" it. After several attempts to reset it, they called the company and were told to send it in and they would diagnose to see if it would be replaced or repaired. They have heard nothing since sending it in. Called to inquire, left a message and heard nothing back. Very sad that the company does not have better customer service as they are missing valuable milestones with their daugther. Customer Rating: Summary: Crapped out after six months Comment: The thing died after six months. Stick to Sony, this was garbage. it does not recognize when a disk is in the camera. Customer Rating: Summary: Uses SMALL 8cm/3" DVDs type MINUS, not plus Comment: Page 22 of the manual states that this unit uses the small sized discs, size 8cm or 3", NOT the regular sized discs. Now, you CAN format/finalize these small discs in such a way that they play on regular DVD players, but it might confuse people that you need these smaller discs. Also, you need type MINUS, not PLUS. The manual says you can buy: 8cm/3" DVD-RAM single/double side, 8cm DVD-RW single/double side, 8cm DVD-R single/double side, 8cm DVD-R DL dual layer on single side. These smaller discs can be hard to find in stores, but readily available on Amazon. To read the manual yourself, go to the manufacturer's web site. Customer Rating: Summary: What you need to know to use editing software Comment: Soon after I bought this camcorder, I bought a new CPU with Vista 64 bit operating system. When I tried to install the VideoCam Suite software that came with the VDR-D50 a window popped up that warned me the software was not supportive of 64 bit and all I could do at that point was cancell the installation. I called support at Panasonic and after 20 minutes of being transferred from one tech to another spoke with a tech who was very helpful. Not only did she walk me through installating the software successfully but she assured me that nothing will probably go wrong. She then proceeded to inform me about using the software since, as she admitted, the owners manual that came with the VDR-D50 was, let's say, less than a well written instruction manual. There are two important things you need to know if you want to use the software to edit your recordings. The 1st is you must use only DVD-RW discs and YOU MUST FORMAT THEM BEFORE YOU START RECORDING WHETHER IT IS A BRAND NEW DISC OR ONE THAT YOU USED BEFORE [and therefore must format to use for a new recording]. The next important thing is that YOU MUST USE THE VR FORMAT. If you format using the VIDEO FORMAT, which is the default formatting mode for this camera, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO UPLOAD YOUR RECORDING TO YOUR PC AND USE THE VIDEOCAM SUITE TO EDIT AND CREATE. So, simply put, you must use DVD-RW discs and as soon as you insert the disc and the camera asks if you want to format the disc, toggle to yes, press the toggle button and then on the next screen switch the formatting from VIDEO FORMAT to VR FORMAT and press the toggle button to accept that format. If you do this you will be able to upload your recordings to your PC using the USB cord that came with the camera and use the VideoCam Suite Software to edit. Unfortunately, I had already recorded a family reunion. I now have to tell everyone I won't be able to share the video of this event via email. If you do not use DVD-RW discs, format them as soon as you insert them to make a recording and format using VR FORMAT then you will not be able to do anything with your recordings other than to play them back on your computer or DVD player (after finalizing of coarse). Fortunately, I do own a VCR/DVD recorder so I can connect the camcorder to my TV and produce copies of my Family Reunion Video that way. However, I will have to include all the stuff I would have edited out and I will have to use snail mail to share with my family. Not only did the Tech who helped me specialize in handling complaints for the VDR-D50 specifically, she also told me she was going to start a file on my problem which is submitted to a central problem solving committee of a sort She also supplied me with a case# to use should I need tech support in the future and told me exactly what/who to ask for next time I call so that I would be directed to a VDR-D50 tech immediately. It seems to me that Panasonic is trying very hard to improve thier products and customer service. As far as the VDR-D50 itself I am very pleased. As others stated before me it produces beautiful videos that are crisp to the eye. The many features on this camera earned the 4 stars I gave it. Customer Rating: Summary: Software Problems Comment: I own a VDR M70 and software is no available for the VDR disc drive that will work with Vista. This requires me to have an old computer with windows XP to use my camera. I regret that I bought this camera from Akmazon as I could get som satisfaction if i had bought it locally. More Reviews