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According to panasonic my camcorder is in good working condition, and the problems I'm having are due to "bad media". I'm sending it back to Panasonic.
So much for the convenience of recording right onto a DVD. Not because I want a new one (or a credit toward a Panasonic product, as they have been horrendously unhelpful with customer service and tech support), but so they understand I'd rather never see this terrible piece of equipment again.If, in fact, they are correct and my camcorder works fine, then the DVD media is so horribly unreliable that I can assure you I will NOT buy another DVD-recording camera.
I've owned a VDR-m53 for 20 months. I was duped into buying a product that is utterly unreliable.
I'd rather pay a professional to transfer my precious videos, because at least I'd HAVE them. I have lost at least 4 event DVDs (birthdays, holiday pageant, vacation) to disk errors even when using the correct media, being incredibly careful with this camera, and following all relevant instructions.
I've purchased the appropriate type of mini-DVDs from various major brands at several chain stores, and I've had these problems (corrupted disks/disk erros/disks in need of repair/camera unable to read portions or all of disks/video freezing) on every major brand, even on brand new disks used the day of purchase.I'm not a clueless, reckless consumer.
This is ridiculous since I often set the camera down on a countertop so I can be in the video. I still have freezing of the picture and sparatic playback when trying to watch. It has skipped over whole sections. I was told they would look at the camcorder, see if there was a problem and call me. Also after spending over $500 on this piece of junk, I could not afford to just replace it.
The best it has worked have been on the Panasonic DVDs which are some of the most expensive, and even that is no guarantee that you will be able to watch the DVD after finalization. Panasonic FAILED TO MENTION that I would need to pay $207.50 UP FRONT for them to look at it, then if any repairs were needed, this cost would cover them as well. We bought this camcorder 18 months ago at the birth of our son. IF YOU ARE BUYING THIS CAMCORDER TO CAPTURE MEMORIES, BUY ANOTHER.
This is crazy since I can get a brand new miniDV camcorder for $225. I called Panasonic support, who basically told me the problems we were having were because the camera was not being held still while recording. If I could, I would give this camcorder a 0 of 5. I have 3 DVD players in my home (all different brands) and the disk works on none of them.I finally got an address to send it in for repairs. The only reason it has taken me so long to take drastic action is because we are military living overseas and bought it at Best Buy.
First, I could not finalize the disk. SO, I have been without a camcorder for 3 weeks while waiting to see if it needed fixing, and the company I sent it to has not even looked at it because I have not paid them. Very grainy and you can actually see pixels when you print it. Since I now have to search for a new camcorder, from reading other Panasonic model reviews, I am convinced I did not just get a lemon, but the Panasonic brand is bad.
I also had to pay shipping both ways for nothing.Plus another thing, the still picture is bad quality. So now the holidays are upon us, and I will be forced to purchase another camcorder, since I don't know if they will send it back to me in time for Christmas. I have also wasted so much time trying to figure out how to fix the problem with a customer support that is useless. So you see why I couldn't just take it back to the store (or I would have a long time ago). I will not pay the $207.50 for a camera that hasn't worked well out of the box.
I wish I would have never bought this camcorder. I have lost so many disks, and have so many others that only play part of the DVD that when I think of it I cry. I will not buy Panasonic products again. We only used that function once.
It has had problems from the beginning. Sending it in was not an option when my son was a newborn, because I didn't want to miss any precious memories (which I ened up missing anyway). I waited a week after I knew it was in the shop to check the status. Then I finally got someone to tell me that I needed to be recording on Panasonic mini-DVDs.
I was not happy to be without my camcorder for an extended period of time.
Otherwise I am more than happy with the camera. The only problem I've had so far is that you cannot record in the dark - the movie comes out darker than it seemed and you can hardly see anything. I've bought this camera about a year ago and I am very happy with it. The batery charges fast and lasts long, the movies are good in quality (clear, not blured, the colors come out exactly the same) and the camera is light enough.
One more thing: you need to purchase the light also; this camera does not have built-in light - you will need it. A representative was even surprised that my camera does not have USB cable. Other then that - let's say, once you cannot return this camera to the store, because I opened it and used it, you can still enjoy lightness of the camera. If you buy this camera, remember to buy also additional DVD copy software (IntelVideo Copy - around $70), plus only Panasonic DVD-Ram mini DVD disks (also expensive). So, how much does the camera cost after all. Not knowing this problem, I ruined my friend's baby shower video. Also, after my experience, if you erase one DVD-ram disc at least twice, on the third use the movie will have many video or audio problems. Panasonic customer service is not helpful at all.
Other than that, the camera works great, images and sound are clear, and camera is easy to opperate. And if so what. Roxio DVD builder is not doing the trick. I bought this camera because of consumer reports great reviews. If you figure out a new cell phone, you can figure out this. I purchased a DVD-RAM compatible drive for my PC and still can't get it to recongnize either DVD-RAM or DVD-R disks. But I'm bound and determined to get my images onto my PC. Do I need special software.
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