Panasonic SVAV10 MPEG4 e-Wear Digital Camcorder w/ Still Mode/MP3/Voice Recording & 64MB SC Card (Silver)

by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [4.11mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000643XU
• Item model number: SV-AV10
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,458 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 5, 2002

Product Description

Color: Silver

Amazon.com Review

The Panasonic SV-AV10 is one of the many new convergence devices on the market today. This particular device captures digital stills, shoots MPEG-4 movies, acts as a voice recorder, and plays back MP3 and AAC files. Plus, the machine itself is about the same size as a Motorola StarTac cell phone. The package includes various software to support the multiple functions, an SD card reader-writer, and 64 MB SD card.

Initial Impressions
Small. This thing is just small. Really small. It's the first thing people mention when they see it for the first time. Cute is usually the second word applied. And it's both of those things. It fits easily in small hands, and I was using it to make a quick movie and shoot some stills within minutes of picking it up.

Interface
The SV-AV10 is essentially a big battery with a lens and SD card reader-writer. As such, the control system is rather limited, consisting of two buttons and a rocker switch on the back, and a large trigger button on the top. On the back, the menu button doubles as the power button. The power won't turn on or off unless you hold the button for two to three seconds, making it hard to accidentally turn on the phone while it is in your pocket. Upon powering up, you're confronted with the various modes (movie mode, still mode, etc.) for recording or playback. You use the rocker switch to choose between them, and the mode button to switch between the playback and recording menus. Whatever recording mode you're in, the trigger switch at the top starts and stops. In playback modes, you rely heavily on the rocker switch. Depressing the switch performs multiple functions, and makes me wish they'd added another button. The system works well for the most part, however, and is relatively simple.

It's clear that Panasonic intended the user to manage files by using the included software and memory card reader. It is extremely difficult to delete individual files, and to actually playback items is a bit cumbersome, as the SV-AV10 only displays a list of files stored, requiring you to pick blindly (file names are automatically generated, and usually appear similar to this: MOL001.ASF). The only exceptions are the MP3 and AAC files you transfer to the memory card, but those file names are truncated after 17 characters, so you need to be concise.

Movie Mode
I'll admit, I was quite excited about the promise of an MPEG-4 in such a small package. This new codec stuffs really large video files into exceedingly small spaces, and is being used by entertainment companies to provide new video-on-demand services over the Internet. And, the codec is so efficient that even in the "fine" mode, you can store about 20 minutes of footage on the included 64 MB SD card. Unfortunately, the footage you get from the SV-AV10 is jerky: the frame-rate is probably about 15 fps, far short of the 24 fps that movies are shot at, or television's 29.9 fps. What it is good for, though, is sending e-mails to friends, and making little mini-movies for fun. I'd hoped for a little more than this, as Kodak's MC3 supplied as much a year earlier (with a smoother frame rate). Similar to the MC3, you can shoot until the card is full (about 20 minutes with the included 64 MB card), whereas most digital camera movie modes have a 30 or 40 second time limit per clip.

Frame-rate limitations aside, the SV-AV10 is a fun toy. There's a certain amount of kitsch value with something like this, but the price might end up being too prohibitive for some.

MP3 Playback
There's not a whole lot to discuss here. Once you've used the included software (RealJukebox) to transfer files to your SD card--digital-rights management is in effect, so you need to check music in and out--you place the card back in the SV-AV10, go to the MP3 playback mode and go. There's no EQ, and the headphones that come with the machine are of the cheap earbud variety, which means you'll probably want to use a better set. Obviously, the machine's not geared toward audiophiles, but it performs its functions admirably.

Digital Photo Mode
The SV-AV10 is fine for taking lower-resolution snapshots. In that respect, it's kind of fun to use. The lack of any sort of zoom hurts you here; you'll have to get in close for most shots. Once you turn the flash on, you'll blow out most of your subjects, so use it sparingly.

Software
I was disappointed in the software that came with the SV-AV10. RealJukebox was fine, albeit not the most current version, and I was happy with how it worked. It was the Panasonic SD-MovieStage software that gave me nightmares. The software was good for pretty much one thing: viewing your movies on a computer. Trying to do anything else was problematic, and extraordinarily difficult to figure out, even with the manual's help. It's not particularly adept at making cuts, or editing together various movies, but then, I'm not sure most people will want to do that with this particular machine.

Final Analysis
The Panasonic SV-AV10 is a unique device with a lot of appeal for those who need a camera that does a lot of things. While it isn't a high-end digital camera, MPEG camcorder, or MP3 player, all the functions are performed adequately or better. The one thing you'll want, particularly if you have an interest in MP3 playback, is extra memory: high-quality MP3s eat up your memory quickly.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

187 of 198 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't drive fast enough to return this product, April 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Panasonic SVAV10 MPEG4 e-Wear Digital Camcorder w/ Still Mode/MP3/Voice Recording & 64MB SC Card (Silver) (Electronics)

To get straight to the point, there are two very serious flaws with this product:g
1) Unbelievably bad picture quality. Now, my expectations were low to begin with as the rated resolution for video was only 320x240. For my purposes, this was acceptable. The problem is, you only get this resolution when the subject is NOT MOVING!!. Because of the way the devise compresses the video, 320x240 is the MAXIMUM resolution. Even slight movement by the subject cause such a low quality picture that the entire face of a subject becomes total blur until movement stops (like a very low quality streaming video). I would estimate the practical resolution to be about 75x60. Nowhere in the specs do they mention that the rated resolution is a theoretical maximum!!

2) The format for the video is ASF. ASF is a PROPRIATARY microsoft format. When I couldn't find any software to convert this format to a standard format like AVI or MPG for burning to video CD, I did a little research. It turns out that microsoft has threatened to sue anyone who creates software that converts this format. The only software that ever did was Virtualdub, but the feature was quickly removed once they were contacted by MS lawyers. (The story is all over the web). So, even though its your video, MS thinks that you might be trying to bootleg it so they prevent you from converting it. The bottom line is that the video you create with this unit is dead. You can't do anything with it except watch it on you PC. No DVD's. No Video CD's. No editing. The worst part is that the specs just mention MPEG-4 video, without stating that MPEG-4 is the codec, not the format (big difference. comercial DVD's for example use a mpeg-2 codec, but the format is encrypted and secure). It appears that the media companies are so committed on secure formats that they even feel threatened by a device like this. Go figure.

If you have a use for this thing even with these limitations, please post your review. I'm curious how someone could be happy with it.

61 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Micro wear, June 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Panasonic SVAV10 MPEG4 e-Wear Digital Camcorder w/ Still Mode/MP3/Voice Recording & 64MB SC Card (Silver) (Electronics)

This gadget is pretty cool. Even though the price is kinda high, you actually pay for feature and size. I already have a digital camera and a video cam and webcam bla bla but I bought this item from a store that game me 30 days to return it, full refund. I think Im going to keep it. First I will talk about the still photo feature. The photos are 640x480 (standard FUN cam). Your not going to get professional results but you will catch pictures like a fun cam. The video camera feature is cool. You wont get steady streaming video but you will get video that you can instantly send over email. It catches FUN situations. The cam technology is like those small pin hole cameras and you know how much those are. Then you have a mp3 player. Im listening to it right now while Im typing this review. It will hold as many and the sd memory will hold. When you buy this device you get a 64mb card, earphones, small felt case and software and card reader. You have to use REAL jukebox (supplied) to format and transfer your mp3s but so what. I have no problems with this camera. For [price] (oklahoma) you get a 640x480 still FUN cam, the ability to take 20min of its max res of video with descent sound compression (mono), built in flash, voice recorder and mp3 player. The physical size of this device is amazing. so if you figure out the cost of all of these devices and it uses sd technology the selling price is kinda close. The main reason for this device is FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN. Its a gadget. Its cool technology. Look at pdas. they are getting smaller with loads of features. Go out and try the AV device out. some stores will let you return it. They are selling like hot cakes. If you have the opportunity to purchase an extended warranty i would definately do it. Dont buy this for your main source of video or pictures. This is for FUN!

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Cool But Useless Gadget, March 3, 2003

By 

TOL (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic SVAV10 MPEG4 e-Wear Digital Camcorder w/ Still Mode/MP3/Voice Recording & 64MB SC Card (Silver) (Electronics)

Although I can appreciate the positive reviews from people who like gadgets, there are simply too many things wrong with this device - no matter what use its intended for. I'll summarize the low points:

1. Terrible video quality. Even though you expect it to be low resolution (320x240 in the highest quality mode), you don't expect it to be motionless - which it very often is!

2. Flash washes out close-ups. I'd blame this on the unit's size but, unfortunately, almost all Panasonic digital cameras suffer this same fate. Even the high-end models. (NOTE: The pictures are, as expected, low res 640x480)

3. The battery must be recharged using a wall adapter. This is absolutely the biggest drwaback to the unit because if you want to travel with it, you have to add the size of the bulky AC adapter to make it at all useful. This s a HUGE design flaw considering the use for which this device is intended.

4. The battery takes 2 hours to charge and DRAINS IF IT IS NOT USED. Panasonic even admits this in the manual and tells you to remove the battery when the device is not in use. What this means is that you either have to use this gadget every day, or remove the battery after every use, or expect to charge the device before every use. With a 2 hour charging time, none of these options are feasible.

4. MP3 files require special encoding using Real One Player. If you're expecting to just transfer your MP3 files to an SD card and play them in this device, better think twice. You can't do it without using the included software. Another serious drawback.

5. The case is made of cheap (but lightweight) plastic. Too flimsy for my taste.

6. The included travel pouch is useless. They should have included a real case for free.

Summary:
The device does a lot of things, but nothing terribly well - even for techno-junkies. In fact, the only real positive feature is the unit's small size, which is rendered meaningless considering you have to travel with the AC adapter in order to charge the battery. And it's rendered even more meaningless considering the battery drains itself even when the unit is powered down. So there's no way to get around the need to carry around a bulky charger which takes too long to charge anyway. Obviously, standard off-the-shelf batteries would have added a little extra size. But it would have been well worth it. So, what we're left with is a cool gadget that you'll probably never use. And that's quite a shame because, like so many other Panasonic products, they had the right idea with the wrong execution.

My advice: Hold out for better things which are sure to come.

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