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The thing died after six months. Stick to Sony, this was garbage. it does not recognize when a disk is in the camera.
Page 22 of the manual states that this unit uses the small sized discs, size 8cm or 3", NOT the regular sized discs. Now, you CAN format/finalize these small discs in such a way that they play on regular DVD players, butit might confuse people that you need these smaller discs. Also, you need type MINUS, not PLUS. The manual says you can buy: 8cm/3" DVD-RAM single/double side, 8cm DVD-RW single/double side, 8cm DVD-R single/double side, 8cm DVD-R DL dual layer on single side.These smaller discs can be hard to find in stores, but readily available on Amazon.To read the manual yourself, go to the manufacturer's web site.
When I tried to install the VideoCam Suite software that came with the VDR-D50 a window popped up that warned me the software was not supportive of 64 bit and all I could do at that point was cancell the installation. So, simply put, you must use DVD-RW discs and as soon as you insert the disc and the camera asks if you want to format the disc, toggle to yes, press the toggle button and then on the next screen switch the formatting from VIDEO FORMAT to VR FORMAT and press the toggle button to accept that format. There are two important things you need to know if you want to use the software to edit your recordings. If you do not use DVD-RW discs, format them as soon as you insert them to make a recording and format using VR FORMAT then you will not be able to do anything with your recordings other than to play them back on your computer or DVD player (after finalizing of coarse). Not only did she walk me through installating the software successfully but she assured me that nothing will probably go wrong. She then proceeded to inform me about using the software since, as she admitted, the owners manual that came with the VDR-D50 was, let's say, less than a well written instruction manual. Soon after I bought this camcorder, I bought a new CPU with Vista 64 bit operating system. I now have to tell everyone I won't be able to share the video of this event via email.
It seems to me that Panasonic is trying very hard to improve thier products and customer service.As far as the VDR-D50 itself I am very pleased. If you do this you will be able to upload your recordings to your PC using the USB cord that came with the camera and use the VideoCam Suite Software to edit.Unfortunately, I had already recorded a family reunion. As others stated before me it produces beautiful videos that are crisp to the eye. The next important thing is that YOU MUST USE THE VR FORMAT. I called support at Panasonic and after 20 minutes of being transferred from one tech to another spoke with a tech who was very helpful. Fortunately, I do own a VCR/DVD recorder so I can connect the camcorder to my TV and produce copies of my Family Reunion Video that way.
The 1st is you must use only DVD-RW discs and YOU MUST FORMAT THEM BEFORE YOU START RECORDING WHETHER IT IS A BRAND NEW DISC OR ONE THAT YOU USED BEFORE [and therefore must format to use for a new recording]. If you format using the VIDEO FORMAT, which is the default formatting mode for this camera, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO UPLOAD YOUR RECORDING TO YOUR PC AND USE THE VIDEOCAM SUITE TO EDIT AND CREATE. However, I will have to include all the stuff I would have edited out and I will have to use snail mail to share with my family.Not only did the Tech who helped me specialize in handling complaints for the VDR-D50 specifically, she also told me she was going to start a file on my problem which is submitted to a central problem solving committee of a sort She also supplied me with a case# to use should I need tech support in the future and told me exactly what/who to ask for next time I call so that I would be directed to a VDR-D50 tech immediately. The many features on this camera earned the 4 stars I gave it.
I own a VDR M70 and software is no available for the VDR disc drive that will work with Vista. This requires me to have an old computer with windows XP to use my camera. I regret that I bought this camera from Akmazon as I could get som satisfaction if i had bought it locally.
I'm not going to get into all the specifics here but I will just say that for the money I paid I am very satisfied with this camcorder. I have only had it for a short whil but it takes nice videos and works as I would expect it to. I am very satisfied.
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