Panasonic DVD camcorder

Grudge · Post by **Grudge** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 8:42 pm

I just bought a Panasonic dvd camcorder, it is the vdr-m53 model, cheapest dvd camera I could get, still ran me $600. so far I hate it. the discs hold about 30 minutes each and you can buy a 5 pack of -R's for 15 bucks. in lower lite situ's it sucks. well I was taping (still called taping?) my son using up most of the dvd and the damned thing said it had an image error and asked if I wanted to repair it, I said yes, then I hit the repair button, it said error and the disc was no good. that was some damn cute stuff I had on that disc and if it keeps up I hope best buy will take it back, if they don't it will cost them more for the big window out front of the store when I throw the damned camera threw it then it would if they just refund me my cash. I was tossing up the idea of buying a good MiniDV camera but got this cursed dvd one instead. Anyone know anything about these things?

Geme · Post by **Geme** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 5:08 am

wait for sony to release there blu-ray camera?

z3r07w0 · Post by **z3r07w0** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 10:12 am

Yeah, they do serious damage when thrown through windows!

Post by **Archangelus** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 10:34 am

I don't know much about the DVD cameras, but IDO has a MiniDV and hasn't had any issues with that.

I don't think you'll have a problem taking it back if you want to, but they may want to charge you the 15% restocking fee. If so, talk to a manager and explain the situation. It would help your situation if you were buying your replacement at Best Buy, but don't force yourself into something you don't like.

-Arch

Dr.Death · Post by **Dr.Death** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 11:02 am

Return it, buy a digital one and buy yourself a DVD burner.

Ayyyla · Post by **Ayyyla** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 12:58 pm

I have a canon minidv...I think that's what it is. And I have a nice movie editing program and a dvd burner on the computer and I think all that works out nice and hell I only paid $300 for mine and haven't had a problem with it, pretty easy to use. I loved my canon SLR and digital cameras so I figured I'd go to them for the camcorder too.

I second what Arch says, a small restocking fee is better than being stuck with a POS you can't stand.

spiderman · Post by **spiderman** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:18 pm

I just bought a camera for the karate club, we went with miniDV because of the short dvd taping span. Most you can get is an hour on a double side dvd. Also, if you want to ever do video rendering its easier to do with miniDV than with the DVD camcorders. My opinion: Nice in theory, not there in practicality yet.

Grudge · Post by **Grudge** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:47 pm

well i now have a sony minidv DCR-HC21. it is really nice. I had to go to a different Best Buy to get the proper help and they were the nicest and most informed bunch I have dealt with. the BB by my house didn't have the camera or the knowledge but they were nice enough to call around and point me to were I could get the help that I needed. I also walked out of BB with a Sony DVDirect (VRD-VC20) external video recordable DVD drive. it is very nice. I can run my minidv rght to it and burn a dvd or hook it to my computer or hook it to my vcr to make copies of tapes. with the camera exchange and the purchase of a $35 fire wire, a 50 pack of dvd's $15 (on sale!) and the DVDirect burner I had to come up with $55 extra, not to bad I think, considering I now have a sweet camera and a dvd burner (oh yeah I had to eat the $15 for the mini dvd's I opened for the other camera) I didn't have to pay the restocking fee since I had a disc failure. if I could only figure out where the on button is....