Panasonic PV-GS320 First Impressions Camcorder Review

by Guy Bruner
Published on Jan 8, 2007 11:00 PM

 
Intro Performance
Format
 Tour
Auto / Manual Controls Still Features
Handling and Use Audio / Playback / Connectivity
Other Features Comparisons / Conclusion
Specs/Ratings
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Reviews: Panasonic PV-GS500 Camcorder Review · Panasonic PV-GS300 Camcorder Review · Panasonic PV-GS400


Compression
The PV-GS320 records a 25 Mbps interlaced video and audio stream in Digital Video (DV) format to 1/4in. MiniDV tape.  DV uses a 720 x 480 pixel, standard definition frame size in both 4:3 and 16:9 modes. DV has been around longer than any consumer format still in major use, and uses a higher data rate than MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 compressions used in standard definition DVD, HDD, and flash memory camcorders.

Media
MiniDV tape is the only recording media used by the PV-GS320 for video.  It also records digital still pictures to SD or SDHC cards.  Panasonic provides no media in the box with the PV-GS320 – a small annoyance that’s still worth mentioning.

Editing
Panasonic supplies two rudimentary software editing packages for Windows with the PV-GS320.  MotionDV Studio 5.6J LE is the primary video capture and editing software.  A less complex editing software called Quick Movie Magic 1.0J is also provided for those users that require a little more hand-holding.  Neither of these software packages can take you from DV on tape to MPEG2 on DVD.  If you want to edit the video and make a DVD, you will have to purchase one of the many video editing and DVD authoring applications on the market.  If you own a Mac, you will have to use the iMovie software that comes with the Mac because Panasonic does not provide Mac-compatible software with the camcorder.




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