Panasonic PVDV701 MiniDV Digital Palmcorder Camcorder with 3.5" Color LCD Monitor

Rating:
Summary: Great camera, great value
Review: I bought this camera because it earned Editors' Awards from ... extremely reliable on their reviews. Considering that comparable models from other makers...were priced well above [$], the sub-[$]price was also a significant plus.
I've owned this since March and it has delivered fully in every aspect. Very small yet not too small, it is very light and portable. It shoots great pictures, and contrary to other reviewers here, I haven't had any trouble at all using it in conjunction with my Windows XP PC for editing using Pinnacle Studio 7. Not one problem. In fact, I did some really heavy duty stuff with the PC and the camera delivered with aplomb.
For anyone with average/moderate video needs, I think this camera would be perfect. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Great camera, great value
Review: I bought this camera because it earned Editors' Awards from ... extremely reliable on their reviews. Considering that comparable models from other makers...were priced well above [$], the sub-[$]price was also a significant plus.
I've owned this since March and it has delivered fully in every aspect. Very small yet not too small, it is very light and portable. It shoots great pictures, and contrary to other reviewers here, I haven't had any trouble at all using it in conjunction with my Windows XP PC for editing using Pinnacle Studio 7. Not one problem. In fact, I did some really heavy duty stuff with the PC and the camera delivered with aplomb.
For anyone with average/moderate video needs, I think this camera would be perfect. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: I recommend that you stay away from this unit.
Review: I purchased this unit because I liked the features and the price was reasonable. It comes with a light that fits in the hot shoe, and a remote control. It has both digital and analog inputs/outputs, and USB & firewire interfaces. However, my experience has not been good. Thirty days after my purchase, I used it for the second time. I noticed a dead spot in the video. I contacted Panasonic Customer Service and they instructed me to send it to the Service Center for repair. Well, as of 4/3/02 they have had it for three weeks and they are still waiting for a part. Worse yet, they said that they are consolidating the Factory Service Centers and it will be 7-10 weeks before a technician is assigned to repair the unit. In my view that is ridiculous. They will not replace the unit. Panasonic seems to be completely comfortable with this absurd repair time. I WOULD STAY AWAY FROM THIS UNIT, and any other Panasonic product unless you can get the retailer to extend their return policy to 60-90 days -in writing.

Rating:
Summary: Great Camera, one small problem
Review: I was going on vacation and decided to get a videocam/still camera to record the festivities. After reading reviews from many different sites (epinion, various computer and video mag sites) I decided on the PVDV701. I have used it numerous times for still shots and video without a single glitch. The monitor is bright, the menu system easy to use, and the video quality is great. I have read some complaints about drivers and repairs. Maybe I've been lucky, but I also did things to prevent myself from getting in the same situation. I bought a 3rd party extended warranty which covers everything, including replacement of the unit, which anyone should do anyway for a 800 dollar investment. Also, I have experienced the same problem with the Windows XP drivers, but in foresight, I bought the Pyro Digital Video 1394DV card/software package at the same time. It included a firewire care and software for 69 dollars which is more than worth the investment. I get my video via Firewire and still shots via SD card and USB. Using USB to pull down video cannot be fast or good quality (this is just my opinion, considering the slow rate of USB data transfer). My videos come down at full speed, no dropped frames and highest quality audio that the camera will allow.
I've been to the Panasonic site and the have updated all but one of the drivers to XP compatability, which I have updated and have had no problems with them.
For the price and the features I think I got the best value for the money.

Rating:
Summary: Buyer beware
Review: If you purchase this product, I hope you are completely satisfied. It is my opinion that the reliability of Panasonic products has slipped in recent years, and this was confirmed to me when a product I purchased quickly failed. The reason I'm posting this is to warn you that the warranty that accompanies Panasonic products only has value if the company chooses to stand behind it. In my case, they weaseled out of it, leaving me with a total loss and no further recourse. Good luck with your decision.

Rating:
Summary: Heaven forbid your's should ever need repair
Review: Mine did. When customer service finally found the unit lost in its repair facility, they were of little or no help in making it right. I have had to have it repaired three times in 6 months. Until I brought my attorney into it, Panasonic was slow to help.

Rating:
Summary: Heaven forbid your's should ever need repair
Review: Mine did. When customer service finally found the unit lost in its repair facility, they were of little or no help in making it right. I have had to have it repaired three times in 6 months. Until I brought my attorney into it, Panasonic was slow to help.

Rating:
Summary: Windows XP Users - Don't Buy This Camera
Review: Nice camera but Windows XP users should be advised that this camera does not support XP drivers and will not work with Windows XP. I wish I had known this prior to purchase. Panasonic says that XP drivers will be ready in early Summer of 2002. We can only hope.

Rating:
Summary: Great camcorder!
Review: We researched the Panasonic PV-DV601 and Sony products and ultimately decided on the 701. We love the 3.5" screen, still photo capability, as well as the capability to convert our old 8mm camcorder tapes to digital. The camcorder itself is very light, fits easily in your hand, and the operation buttons are very convienent. Would highly recommend this camcorder to anyone! (One word of advice: Buy the 3 hour battery because the one which comes with it will need recharging frequently.)