Panasonic VDR-D100 Camcorder Reviewby James MurrayPublished on Mar 7, 2006 5:00 PM 
|
|
|
|
Compression (5.0)
The compression on the Panasonic VDR-D100 (Review, Specs, $299.95) produces MPEG-2 video files that can be recorded on three different DVD formats. There are also three recording modes and transfer rates which provide varying video qualities and recording times. When recording video in XP, users will have a transfer rate of 9 Mbps (rounded up from an actual true rate of 8.5 Mbps) which is the highest quality possible, while SP records at 5 Mbps and LP records at 2.5 Mbps.
XP footage will record approximately 18 minutes of footage, SP records 37 minutes and LP records 75. While LP provides the longest recording times, it also results in terrible image quality. All modes are accessed within the administration menu in the basic submenu. Any of the compression settings found with this DVD camcorder will result in sub-par image compared to the slight image compression which occurs in any MiniDV camcorder. If image quality is essential, consider sticking with tape for at least a few more years.
The VDR-D100’s audio is compressed using Dolby Digital AC3 16 bit compression.
Media (5.0)
There are three DVD formats compatible with the Panasonic VDR-D100, so users can select specific formats tailored to editing platforms and playback demands. The VDR-D100 allows 3-inch DVD-RAM (Ver. 2.1), 3-inch DVD-RW (Ver. 1.1/2X-SPEED (2X-1X)), and 3 inch DVD-R (for General Ver. 2.0). The DVD-RW is a new format to Panasonic DVD camcorders this year, a smart addition that allows consumers more choices in their recording media.
While recording video wasn’t an issue, actually retrieving the footage from DVD became something of a production which led to 1) aggravation and b) perhaps a few slipped obscenities. Both this camcorder and the Panasonic VDR-D300 (Review, Specs, $534.89) produced footage that was lost, corrupted, missing, inaccessible, or involved circuitous uploading practices of 10 second video clips. If ease of use was applied to the media section, the Panasonic VDR-D100 would be in trouble. And while it’s great to have DVD-RAM as an option, it isn’t all that feasible of a format since most home DVD players and many computers don’t recognize it. These issues can be easily avoided by two methods; one, not edit footage captured on a DVD camcorder, and two, purchase a MiniDV camcorder instead.
Editing (3.0)
The editing potential for DVD camcorders is an interesting question. The MPEG-2 format often leaves users relying upon proprietary DVD editing software, which rarely offers in-depth control compared to suites like Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, or Avid. Unfortunately for consumers, the VDR-D100 doesn’t even come with any half-baked software applications, and users will find themselves struggling to compile the appropriate two or three editing steps needed to transfer footage off of DVD and onto a personal computer for further alteration.
The problem is an inherent limitation in the format; it is necessary to convert all MPEG-2 files to a different format before they can be loaded into an editing program. Oftentimes users must purchase or download a conversion software program and an editing program too. And getting quality software will cost you. If you anticipate doing any sort of editing, you should look at MiniDV machines or step up in price to the Panasonic VDR-D200 (Review, Specs, $324.99).