Home > Consumer Reviews > Panasonic PVDV910 MiniDV Digital Palmcorder Camcorder

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.

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.

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.

When my camera was 4 months old, it malfunctioned. Per instructions, I checked the error code, recorded the code and sent for repair. The response was frustrating to say the least, I would assume an error code would give an indication of the region of problem since there are a series of codes. However, the response is a clerical person calling to get authorization for a blanket charge of $295 plus shipping to even look at the camera. There is no refund if the problem proves simple to repair. I will not take another chance on needing Panasonic service for future equipment purchases.

I bought one of these cameras to film a once in a lifetime, 3 month Central American vacation. I figured I'd spend the extra money and get the high quaiity offered by digital video. I literally filmed 5 minutes of my vacation when the camera malfunctioned. A warning told me that I need to get the heads cleaned. Now Im no camera expert, but Im also not an idiot. Video heads generally work for more than 5 minutes before requiring service. I figured I could simply contact Panasonic and have them send me a head cleaning cassette in the mail. I may lose a week or two of filming, but at least I'd get the bulk of the vacation. I called the customer service number in the owners manual and asked for help. I'd like to say I got it, but I didnt. So I called again, and again........ Every time I called I was greeted by a different service person who had no way of connecting me with the person I'd spoked to before. The only thing they all seemed to have in common was a lack of compassion and no sense of urgency whatsoever. I was told all kinds of reasons for why my camera didnt work and offered no real help. You see there is only one service center for the PV DV 110 on the face of the planet. If you (I mean when) have problems with your camera, you will have to send it to THE service center. I dont need to explain that this is a slow process. That is why I opted for my only other choice, the cleaning head. Long story short, I orderd one, they sent me the wrong one and told me it was my fault. If I had it to do over again, Id buy a Sony. Panasonic doesnt care.