Panasonic SDR-H60 Camcorder Review

by David Kender
Published on Nov 18, 2008 1:20 PM

 
Intro Performance
Format
 Auto / Manual Controls
Still Features Handling and Use
Audio / Playback / Connectivity Other Features
Conclusion & Comparisons Photo Gallery
Specs and Ratings


Compression (4.0)
The Panasonic HDC-H60 records standard definition video in the MPEG-2 format, common to most standard def hard drive, flash memory, and DVD camcorders. Manufacturers may vary the exact file formats. Some, like Canon, split a single video clip into multiple files. In cases like this, you need the proper driver to put the files back together, and your editing software may or may not be able to accommodate. Unfortunately, Panasonic is in this camp. You must install the included software in order to piece the files back together into a single, watchable movie clip.

There are three quality settings: XP (10Mbps), SP (5Mbps), and LP (2.5Mbps).


The SD/SDHC card slot
is located on the bottom.

Media (8.0)
All video and stills are recorded primarily to an internal, non-removable 60GB hard disk drive. If you like, or if the hard drive fills up, you can also record video and stills to removable SD or SDHC memory cards. Below is a table with approximate record times based on card capacity:

XP (10Mbps)

SP (5Mbps)

LP (2.5Mbps)

1GB Card

12 min.

25 min.

50 min.

2GB Card

25 min.

50 min.

100 min.

4GB Card

50 min.

100 min.

200 min.

8 GB Card

100 min.

200 min.

400 min.
16GB Card 200 min. 400 min. 800 min.
60GB HDD 14 hours 27 hours 54 hours

Editing (5.0)
The Panasonic SDR-H60 ships with a software suite called VideoCam Suite 1.0. The software, which is PC-only (sorry Mac owners), allows you to import clips from the camcorder, edit clips, then output them as finished movies. Because the camcorder breaks its video clips into multiple files rather than a single, unified (and easily copied-and-pasted) file, you need to install this software in order to watch your video. Mac owners will have to track down a plug-in that allows them the same privileges. We found some success with MPEG Streamclip and a QuickTime MPEG-2 plug-in.

The software that comes with the SDR-H60 is quite rudimentary. See the screen grabs below for a look:


The Welcome Screen


All the clips on the camcorder


The window in which individual clips appear

 



<< Performance | Auto / Manual Controls >>