Panasonic PVDV401 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode

by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [3.81mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005A3LV
• Item model number: PVDV401
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,962 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The Panasonic PV-DV401 is a no-frills camcorder that's ideal for anyone who wants a digital camcorder but doesn't need a lot of extras. While perfectly adequate for general use, the camera didn't overwhelm us with good design and fantastic footage. The PV-DV401 is great for a family, but not the camera of choice for digital-video hobbyists.

Digital camcorders generally do very well in brightly lit environments, and the PV-DV401 was no exception. Low-light shooting wasn't too bad either; the picture was decent without being too grainy--a flaw of many digital camcorders. The lack of manual exposure control left much to be desired; in certain environments the auto exposure struggled between letting in too much light and letting in too little light. For nighttime shooting there is a nifty infrared mode where you shoot visible video in practically no light at all. Video playback was standard fare; however, at this price range it would be nice to include a remote control as a standard accessory. The large 3-inch LCD viewscreen is a big plus; it was very comfortable to look at during both recording and playback.

The overall design of this camcorder seems uninspired. With so many manual functions, digital effects, and settings, Panasonic could have done much better by bringing them out as buttons on the camera rather than tucking them away in hard-to-navigate onscreen menus. The jog wheel at the top of the camera performs many different camera functions, but it began to get tedious to use because of its odd placement and design. We inadvertently pressed the nearby photo button several times while trying to access the jog wheel.

Digital camcorders have been getting progressively better and cheaper the last few years. The PV-DV401 follows that trend, but has nothing to differentiate it from a crowded field. Simply put, it's just an average camera. --Bao Tran

Pros:

• Large LCD viewscreen
• Infrared low-light shooting
• Lightweight and small

Cons:

• No manual exposure control
• Awkward design, menu, and buttons
• No remote

Amazon.com Product Description

The PV-DV401 is a great introduction into the world of digital video. Featuring a 20x optical zoom, along with digital image stabilization (during both recording and playback), which helps eliminate those shakes and bounces common to high zoom levels, this model has everything you need to start capturing beautiful footage. You can use either the 3-inch color LCD monitor or the electronic viewfinder to frame your shots.

To help ensure that the footage you shoot will be the best it can be, the PV-DV401 has a five-mode programmed autoexposure that will adjust aperture, white balance, and other settings automatically. Also included are a number of digital effects and faders, letting you give your footage some fun, creative touches.

Still photos can be captured at a resolution of 640 x 480. Save them on either the included 8 MB Panasonic secure digital (SD) card or a MultiMediaCard. A USB port is built in for speedy transfer of your images. For those interested in video editing, the PV-DV401 has a built-in IEEE-1394 port for speedy, lossless transfer of your video and audio. Also included are analog outputs for viewing your home movies on your television, or for transfer to a VHS tape.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Camera!!!, May 9, 2001

By 

Jared Brodsky (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic PVDV401 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode (Electronics)

I bought the camera after much research between the Canon Elura 2, the JVC 805U, and the PV-DV 401. Finally I decided to go with the Panasonic. It is absolutely amazing. With a 20x optical zoon and a 300x digital zoon not to mention its infra-red capabilities its the best camera in its class. I have worked with both the Canon Elura 1 and 2 and the controls are clumsy where as on the Panasonic there exactly where they should be. The video it produces are outstandingly crisp and clear for a single CCD camera. Coonecting via firewire was a snap, and it works great with Premiere 6.0. The only complaint I have is that in order to plug in the AC adapted while editing you have to remove the battery and that it only has 680,000 pixels for digital photo's. I think I can deal with that.

126 of 143 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DON'T BUY THIS PRODUCT, April 27, 2001

By 

Karl H Arnold (San Mateo, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic PVDV401 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode (Electronics)

Buyers of Panasonic products beware! I purchased a Panasonic PV-DV401 in February of 2001 and the Tape Ejector Switch immediately broke while I was on vacation. I was not able to eject the tape in the camcorder.

On March 10, 2001 I sent the camcorder in to the Panasonic repair facility in Elgin, IL, the only repair facility for Panasonic camcorders in the US. Almost 2 months later, I have still not gotten my camcorder back. I've called the repair facility numerous times (you have to leave a message on a recorder) to check on the status and my calls were not returned. I've also called Panasonic directly and routinely get the "it's not our problem attitude." Every time I ask to speak to a manager they disconnect me. I've now had to enlist the help of the Better Business Bureau, Consumer Protection Agency, and KRON TV Consumer Reports just to get my camcorder back!

This product is defective and Panasonic's repair service is notorious.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No XP Driver for USB on PV-DV401, December 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Panasonic PVDV401 MiniDV Digital Camcorder with Built-in Digital Still Mode (Electronics)

I am a first-time buyer with a new kid.

Pro:
-Can make decent stills from the tape. Easier than getting junior to keep the right facial expression at the moment I shoot.

Con:
-Have to remove battery to power camera from AC. The charger can't charge the battery and run the camera simultaneously.

-No frame-by-frame advance button. At least not that I could find.

-The USB plugin is inside the cavity where the LCD sits when closed. So you have to have the LCD open to use the USB out. It would be better placed with the rest of the jacks on front right....