Panasonic sdr-h40 (Panasonic SDR-H40)

Member Name: singingturnips

Product:	Panasonic SDR-H40
Date:	30/08/09 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Small, compact and simple to use

Disadvantages: Awful software and MOD files

On paper this camcorder seems ideal, it is reasonably cheap at around £250, it has a built in memory and so you do not have to buy extra memory cards, it is small and light and therefore very portable.
However if I were to buy a camcorder again I would never purchase this one. Why? The software viedocam suite that comes with this model is appalling. I was unable to install this on any of my computers, including vista programs. Eventually I was able to get it onto my windows but it wouldnt open and therefore was useless. The camcorder does connect to Macs as it does not have a firewire port and therefore you cant use their brilliant editing facilities. It does connect to vista computers well however when the videocam is not installed and therefore I was eventually able to edit this way.
Another problem is that this sdr-h40 creates MOD files which I have found you often need to convert in order to write them onto disk successfully and this too is a problem. I am hoping however that a solution to this will appear as both Sony and Panasonics new HDD cameras are like this and cause problems. To do all this I had to get my cousins, a computer engineer and a film teacher, to help me and both of them were baffled by these unnecessary problems that Panasonic have created.
Another slight nusance is that when connecting the AC adaptor there are many cables that you have to connect together which is a but of a fiddle.

The actual camera however is quite good and would be ideal for someone who doesnt wish to do any sort of modification to their footage. The picture quality on the screen is good and the camera is very easy and simple to run. Because the camera is small you can easily pop it in your bag for any occasion and the sound quality is reasonable.

Summary: Not worth the hassle

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