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Note: this camcorder was first sold in Mar 2006. There may be newer versions available.
Panasonic VDR-D200
Panasonic VDR-D200
F
HQ Grade: F
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of camcorders.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
  • 3 out of 5
"No transfer movies to my Laptop"
  • 3 out of 5
"trouble with finalising"
See rating based on 16 user reviews
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Question Answered!
helen storey (helenstorey05) 5 pts
March 21, 2007 11:39 AM
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EASE of use in editing and playing back on computer?

Have a VDR-D100 Panasonic. Was told can use with computer. Got Panasonic software for installing DVDMovieAlbum and funStudio but nothing worked.
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Answers This question has been answered!
by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts
March 21, 2007 12:34 PM
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I always suggest shying away from the software that comes with a camcorder. Usually, they are either "lite" versions which don't do very much, or are just plan bloatware that really don't perform as promised.

My recommendation is Adobe Premiere Elements. For about $100, you get 99 video and audio channels and 80% the functions of Premiere Pro. It's a great suite and can burn directly to DVD. I also recommend NERO, about $79.

You can start right now with Windows Movie Maker - it's already on your system but chances are, you'll outgrow it pretty quickly. Another freebie for video capture is WinDV. Google is your friend.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
March 21, 2007 2:46 PM
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Hi, Helen.
Most sales people are usually like College teachers. When they can't make it in a professional, they can only remain in that same industry by either sales or teaching. The only problem with that is, there are generally not qualified to do that either since they did not perfect the profession. Allot of times they will say what you want to here, rather than breaking down the elements to finding out what really suits your needs.

I also recommend also Adobe Premiere Elements. It's a great suite and you can burn directly to DVD.

Good Luck!
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helen storey (helenstorey05) 5 pts
March 21, 2007 3:14 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
My husband has just returned the VDR-D100 to the shop. My next request is: I need help with purchasing a suitable camcorder. We want one which can be used on computer for playback and editing. I don't know the difference between performance in a mini-DVD and a hard drive camera. We also want to be able to view on our television and DVD. What would be on the DVD player to indicate that it is good for the mini-discs because the one we have, a Pioneer, bought in 2001, is not compatible with the mini-discs (DVD-RAM and DVD-RW). Thank you.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
March 21, 2007 3:25 PM
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Hi, Helen.
The king of camcorders for transferring, editing, making DVD's, and maintaining the best video quality with out compression of MPEG format, are miniDV tape camcorders. MiniDV is un-disputed!

MiniDv tapes work well for MAC or PC. and its a preferred choice by professionals because tapes does do not compress the video data information which in turn produces the best quality for video transfers to DVD and works like a charm with movie editing software.


The three types of DV camcorders available:
1)Mini DV tape camcorder 2)Mini DVD disc camcorder 3) Hard drive camcorder

If you plan to edit your footage or movies on a computer so that you can cut out unwanted video footage, and or maybe add special effects, music and titles, or just make DVD copies, then a mini DV tape camcorder is the way to go. Mini DV tapes has longer recording times than mini discs and is also more reliable. The tapeless hard drive camcorders does not have an issue of running out recording media, but your video footage cannot be physically removed from the camcorder, it can only be electronically removed by computer if you want to back up the video information on another storage system. The mini DV tape and mini DVD disc media can be considered as instant video backup storage when physically removed from the camcorder.

Mini DVD Disc and Hard Drive camcorders are limited and record in a compressed MPEG2 format which are fine if your intentions are just to shoot and leave the video footage in its original media format for viewing playback only. They are not as computer friendly as mini tape with editing software or transferring to DVD on your computer, also the image quality will not be as good when transferred. The mini DVD disc camcorder has the advantage of putting the disc in direct to a DVD player after recording. The hard drive camcorder is nice because it gives you a big storage space to accumulate allot of video footage without ever any need to change your recording media, but if the hard drive melfunctions some how, or the camcorder gets damaged, or gets stolen, then it will be good bye to all your recorded memories if you haven't backed it up.
Best Answer
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts
March 21, 2007 3:29 PM
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The short of it is, if you want to edit your footage, stick to a miniDV camcorder system like the Canon ZR700. If you simply want to record and watch on TV directly, then go towards the DVD camcorder. And if you don't want to lug around DVDs to record on, then go with the hard drive model.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
March 21, 2007 3:36 PM
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Hi, again Helen.
Tell me what your video needs are, or what features are you looking for, so that I can get a better idea which miniDV camcorder will suit your needs. Also tell me your price range. Are you using a PC or MAC.

Before you buy just take a moment and breathe.

One cam could be the Canon ZR 700, but there are better ones for picture quality. I will wait for your response.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
March 21, 2007 3:40 PM
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Helen.
Would you like a camcorder that can transfer your analog VHS/Video8 tape collection to digital DVD, or maybe have the option for an external mic.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
March 21, 2007 5:09 PM
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Hi, Helen.
Here are some links. All the camcorders below are miniDV camcorders. The camcorders with 3-CCD sensors have higher picture quality. The ZR 700 is a single CCD sensor. It has digital pass through and external mic. if you want a much better picture quality then GS320 would be better. they both have a number of simular features. The GS320 is far better in still photo quality. If you can get the GS320 for around $299 it would be a better value. A 3-CCD camcorder is amazing for that price, it normallylists around $500

The ZR 700
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=174&modelid=12812

http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=CNZR700&id=CNZR700&l=DEALTIME

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/SearchResults.aspx?kwd=CNVZR700


Panasonic GS320
http://www.bestpricecameras.com/prodetails.aspx?prodid=871167

http://www.thedigitalexpo.com/product.asp?productid=pvgs320&tab=1


Good Luck
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
March 22, 2007 2:30 AM
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Hey, Helen.
Here is a good solution for video downloading and making DVD's from a DVD disc camcorder with out computer issues.

The JVC SR-DVM70 is a 3in1 unit that plays miniDV tapes, DVD disc, and it has a hard drive. This unit can record your DVD discs from your camcorder and make DVD copies, or it can easily dowload video to hard drive storage. It has all A/V connections including firewire. With this unit you will not need a computer to do all of this, and it won't matter what type of camcorder you buy.

The VDR-200 camcorder you are suggesting will be fine as a stand alone camcorder or combined with the JVC this unit.

Happy Shopping.

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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
March 23, 2007 8:35 AM
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The Panasosonic VDR-D200 Gives is much better quality then your past camcorders.

An excellent choice is the Canon DC40, it out performs all of what you have mentioned in picture video quality for about $100 more. Plus, it records 5.1 surround audio and produces high quality still photos. The D200 has lots good features, longer zoom and its a smidge better in low light conditions than the D40. These two are good choices, so you may need flip a coin to decide.


These two camcorder prices are normally around a hundred dollars more everywhere else.

DC40 best price $439
http://www.infinitiphoto.com/viewitem-8019-ac-Canon-DC40-Camcorder

D200 best price $299
http://www.infinitiphoto.com/viewitem-7985-ac-Panasonic-VDR-D200-Camcorder

MAIN WEBSITE
http://www.infinitiphoto.com/index.php

Bottom line: For best video picture quality, the DC40 is the choice. If you have a large screen TV, then I strongly suggest the Canon DC40

For some better features like 30x optical lens, the D200 will work for you.

Happy Cam Shopping!
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helen storey (helenstorey05) 5 pts
April 11, 2007 7:11 AM
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To 'Piero Foto': your answers DID help me. I ended up with a Sony DCR-SR62 which is not, likely, what I really want but I do not like returning items to shops and it seems to work well so far. Of course, now I have to buy an extra battery and a travel charger and a tripod but that's the way of life. We go to Peru soon and I'll let you know on our return how it worked out IF you'd care to know.

I do thank you so much for having taken the time to reply and to help someone you don't even know; it is wonderful to know that people like to help people. Thank you. Helen
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Stacy (stacy) 0 pts
April 18, 2007 4:08 PM
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Hi Gurus,
I bought a Mini DVD VDR 230 camcorder. Shot movies on a mini DVD-R disk. The software that came with this says it can only record on DVD-R disks, and do nothing else.
1. Is there a cheap(or free) software to edit the recorded movies (after copying them to HDD)

2. How to keep a backup of these mini DVD's on my HDD?

Any ideas?
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
April 18, 2007 7:14 PM
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Hey, Stacy.
Post it as a new question at the top of this page, I will look into it for you.

Post where it says:
Have a question about the VDR-D200?
Enter it here:

Thanks.
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Stacy (stacy) 0 pts
April 18, 2007 7:41 PM
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Thanks Piero Foto...I have created a new question "Video editing and backup to HDD"

Thanks much!

Stacy :-)
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
April 18, 2007 7:49 PM
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I got your message, I will look into it to see what your choices are.

I will get back to you later tonight.

Thanks!
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58448 pts
April 19, 2007 1:08 PM
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Well, at this point, your only option is to "rip" the mini dvdr to your hard drive and then use something to encode it into a more editable format.

I found this on Leo Laporte's site:

"The DVD contains VOB files that are really just MPEG-2 files, but you need to convert the format. Read how on these pages:

* http://www.marcpeters.co.uk/edit-vob-mpeg.html
* http://www.aviscript.de/howto/HowToMPG.htm"

Also heard that Sony Vegas video editing software allows for editing directly of the VOB file. All you do is drag and drop the VOB file directly into the editor.
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