Panasonic PVDV910 MiniDV Digital Palmcorder Camcorder

by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [1.97mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 2.9 x 4.2 inches ; 1.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00000JHZQ
• Item model number: PVDV910
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,216 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

If you're looking for a knockout camcorder, we recommend the Panasonic PV-DV910. With its high-resolution digital format, ultra-compact size, and large selection of useful features, the Panasonic PV-DV910 is our camcorder dream machine. It's a good choice for both home users who want the highest quality audio/video and professionals who want high-end editing capabilities.

The Panasonic PV-DV910 isn't much bigger than a point-and-shoot still camera, yet it packs plenty of punch when it comes to recording. It uses the MiniDV format, which gives you over 380 lines of horizontal resolution and lets you download and edit video on your PC (although you do have to purchase a 1394-compliant video capture card separately).

The Panasonic PV-DV910 was a pleasure to use. Once we got the hang of the menu wheel, utilizing the host of advanced features was a snap. We particularly enjoyed the wide range of digital effects, from strobe-like recording and negative, sepia, or solarized effects to the multiple fade-in/fade-out options. The Panasonic PV-DV910 also takes still shots--up to 750 on a tape--along with a portion of audio. This is a great feature if you have a video capture card and don't want to buy an additional still digital camera.

The 3-inch color LCD viewfinder was big, bright, and clear. It swivels a complete 180 degrees, allowing you to tape yourself or let your subjects see themselves as you record. The Panasonic PV-DV910's 18x optical zoom gave us sharp, clear close-ups, and its amazing 300x digital zoom let us in on extremely far-away action--just be aware that video detail decreases with high digital magnification. We found the PV-DV910's electronic image stabilization helpful in events with fast action or when we were mobile ourselves.

One of the Panasonic PV-DV910's best features is its ability to dub audio onto a prerecorded tape. In addition to being able to replace the original soundtrack with new audio, you can also layer a new soundtrack on top of the old one--a great feature for adding background music or commentary. We also found the Panasonic PV-DV910's included light useful for shooting at night or in dimly lit areas.

Overall, the Panasonic PV-DV910 was both easy to use and offered a great range of fun and useful features.

Pros:

• High-quality digital video and audio
• Large, bright LCD screen
• High-powered optical and digital zooms
• Two-track audio dubbing

Cons:

• More expensive than most nondigital camcorders

Product Description

3" color viewscreen, color viewfinder, variable speed 18x optical zoom lens, digital electronic image stabilization, photoshot still mode, PCM stereo digital audio

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

107 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good mini-dv camcorder, November 29, 1999

By 

Hoosier Boy "Rockhound" (Muncie, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic PVDV910 MiniDV Digital Palmcorder Camcorder (Electronics)

I've been using my camcorder for several months. I work in TV and use professional Panasonic gear everyday. This format is very similar to the professional format we use for field production and playing programs on air. The video quality is excellent as are the features. The menu is easy and straightforward. The camcorder does lack the ability to title but I never used that feature on my old VHS anyway. The only complaint I have about this model is the CCD is not as light sensitive as I would have expected for a consumer model. The camera is equipped with a hot shoe light and you will need it in low light situations. Other than that, this is a great little camcorder from a good company.

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Value for beginners and semi-experienced, December 14, 1999

By 

"nittnyd" (Feltwell, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic PVDV910 MiniDV Digital Palmcorder Camcorder (Electronics)

I have sporadically used camcorders in the past, and with the birth of my first son I decided to invest in a dv camcorder to relay videos back to the grandparents. I purchased two camcorders to compare them, one being the DV910, the other a JVC GRDVM-50u. After two weeks of using these two, I liked the DV910 due to it's ease of use, it's larger lcd and it's "feel' as a camcorder. It is easily twice the size of the JVC, but it isn't large at all for being a camcorder. And the "light" that comes with the unit is handy too. It doesn't have as many digital effects as some of the other camcorders on the market, but enough to keep my amature self busy and happy for a long time. My one disappointment in the unit is the lack of the iLink or Firewire cable to do the DV download to the computer. Panasonic lists one in the manual for $. The JVC actually came with software and two other cables for connection to a PC, but it too lacked the iLink cable.

Overall, I would say my experiences with the Panasonic DV910 have been positive, and would recommend one anyone looking to get into DV Camcorders.

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Great When it Works - If It Works, February 27, 2000

By 

William Steel "wsteel" (Rocklin, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic PVDV910 MiniDV Digital Palmcorder Camcorder (Electronics)

Beware! I'm not as unlucky with this as some others. Thecamera worked great through my wedding and honeymoon. After that it'sbeen all downhill. I've spent the better part of the last yearsending my camera back and forth to Panasonic. Customer Service is the biggest oxymoron possible here. I've now got one more problem--my AC adapter died. Panasonic wants $150 for a new one, and it's backordered for 3 months. It's time for Sony. If you do buy this product the EXTENDED WARRANTY IS A MUST. You will use it, I guarantee it. I only wshi I knew that when I got mine.