Panasonic VDR-D230 DVD Camcorder with 32x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

by Panasonic

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12 x 14 x 10 inches ; 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000M4M48A
• Item model number: VDR-D230
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,320 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 3, 2006

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

Easy shooting and viewing. When it comes to shooting videos, simpler is better. Flip a single switch to start recording. When you're done shooting, you can view your pictures right away on a DVD player. Whether you're recording a special event or just taking a few casual shots, the DVD Palmcorder camcorder is perfect for people who like to take it easy when they're taking videos.

VDR-D230 Highlights

Multi-Format Recording

DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-R DL, DVD-R compatible You can choose whichever type of disc works best with your DVD player or recorder. Plus, other features make for easy shooting and viewing:

Quick, easy operation The DVD camcorder automatically fi nds a blank section on the disc for recording. The index screen makes it easy to search for a particular scene. You can view, delete and edit quickly and easily.

Easy, direct networking When you finish shooting, just take the disc from your DVD camcorder and slip it right into your DVD player or recorder. There's no need to connect any cables and you can start viewing right away.

High-Quality Pictures

O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) Panasonic's O.I.S. minimizes the hand-shake that can be such a problem with handheld shots. Because Panasonic's system is optical, there is no image quality degradation.

Pure Color Engine The Pure Color Engine converts the CCD output signal from a complementary color signal into an RGB signal at an early stage and extracts the low-frequency luminance component from the RGB signal. This innovative engine also achieves truly superb color reproduction for high-zoomed pictures.

MPEG2 engine Panasonic's MPEG2 engine is a wide-range, highprecision engine that produces smooth, beautiful moving pictures. Because it precisely records the differences in each frame, it can render fast, complex motions with exceptional precision. The MPEG2 engine also uses the Variable Bit Rate system that Panasonic adopted for the high-end DIGA DVD recorder. Giving LP (long play mode) recordings nearly twice the resolution captured with previous Panasonic MPEG2 recording video cameras, this lets the DVD camcorder record clear, smoothly flowing pictures.

32x optical zoom This 32x zoom can fill the screen with even a distant subject. This lens is not only the powerful zoom offered in a home-use digital camcorder, it also features low distortion. And because it's optical, there is no quality loss -- you get the images in all their natural beauty.

Ease and Versatility

Large 2.7-inch widescreen LCD The large, 2.7-inch LCD monitor displays bright, clear images. You can see even tiny details. It's more fun to shoot and view images on a wide monitor, and it's easier to picture just how the images will look on a TV screen.

One-Touch Navigation for easy, intuitive setting and shooting With One-Touch Navigation, just press the center of the joystick to display an operating menu. The operations you use most often are right on the monitor, so it's easy to change settings or operate the camera without looking away from your subject.

Mode dial Just turn the dial and you're ready to shoot or to view the images afterward. Just rotate the dial with your fingertip to select the icon that corresponds to the mode you want.

Trilingual menu The menu can be displayed in any of the following three languages. You can switch it to view all menus in the language you prefer for easy, comfortable operation.

Capture crisp, vivid images, even in low lighting, with MagicPix Leave the light off. MagicPix gives you images with color even in dim lighting (1 lux). Light is gentle and easy on the eyes, so you can snap shots of sleeping children without waking them up.

Soft Skin mode When this function detects skin tones, it softens the focus in that area. This has a skin beautifying effect, which makes wrinkles and lines appear less noticeable. When turned on, this function makes blemishes and moles look less conspicuous, while preserving resolution in areas of the picture outside of the skin.

Instant LCD/EVF saves battery life When you open the LCD, the power switches on. Shut it and the power goes off. Pull out the viewfinder and the power switches on. Store it and the power goes off. Instant LCD/EVF reduces the time required for operating the camera.

Networking

USB 2.0 (HS Mode) and Video Class compatibility USB 2.0 compatibility lets you upload DV data to a PC at high-speed over a single USB cable. Video Class compatibility allows real-time transfer of DV moving picture data over the same USB cable.

Use an SD/SDHC memory card to transfer image easily SD/SDHC memory cards are the ideal recording and storage media for today's visual communication and networking. They make it easy to instantaneously transfer image data to a PC or printer.

Product Description

Record all your memories to DVD discs with the VDRD230 Palmcorder. With a 32x optical zoom and optical images stabilization, you'll get terrific close-up footage to enjoy for years to come. The VDRD230 records to 8cm DVD-R, DVD-R, and DVD-RAM discs. A 2.7-inch Wide LCD monitor swivels to help you keep an eye on your recording.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good camera, June 2, 2007

By 

Steve van Lierop (Paramaribo - Suriname) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic VDR-D230 DVD Camcorder with 32x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) (Electronics)

Product is very easy to use with a good manual included and movie pictures are very clear especilally when made in daylight. Zooming option is excellent but a bit difficult to control when maximized. Camera option to use light at night improves picture quality significantly. However, not all discs are compatible with this camera. Can't use Sony DVD-R and Sony DVD+RW dsics for handycams. Was successful so far with Maxwell DVD-R discs for camcorders.Info which discs to be used is lacking when purchasing this camera.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great first camcorder!, October 7, 2007

By 

Leesa (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic VDR-D230 DVD Camcorder with 32x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) (Electronics)

I purchased this item after reading favorable reviews. I've never owned a camcorder before, but decided I need to record some of the significant events in the lives of my two teenage sons for our long-distance relatives to enjoy. I like the simplicity of the dvd format; you can record on a dvd-r, finalize the disc, and watch it on your dvd player right away. I don't want to have to edit a lot of tape every time I record an event.However, you do have the flexibility of doing that with this camcorder, if you use the dvd-ram format.
The manual is easy to understand and I was able to use the camcorder as soon as the battery was charged. The day after I got it, I used it to record a JROTC drill competition and the resulting video was very good. I've also used the still photo function to record photos on an SD card. The still photo quality is adequate, but not nearly what you would get with a standard digital camera.
If you are a casual home-video maker, I think you will be very happy with this camcorder.

39 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy the Memorex mini DVD RW in the combo offer, March 27, 2007

By 

Nirnimesh - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic VDR-D230 DVD Camcorder with 32x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) (Electronics)

Do not buy the Memorex mini DVD RW pack with this Panasonic camcorder. They're incompatible.