Panasonic Introduces New Features in its Digital PalmCorder Line

The new Palmcorder combination digital camcorder/digital still cameras from Panasonic are poised to take the market by storm. Emphasizing digital imaging versatility, ease of use and multiple PC connection options, Panasonic is touting its new line as being the most family-friendly DV camcorders ever.
“Digital camcorders should be fun, versatile and easy to use,” said Andrew Nelkin, general manager, Panasonic Consumer Video Division. “Panasonic believes that state-of-the-art digital technology should be accessible and user-friendly, whether you’re a novice or an accomplished videographer.”

The new line-up offers a multitude of advanced functions and features that will appeal to consumers who own personal computers and who love creating multimedia projects.

The Palmcorder camcorder is a totally integrated digital imaging product. Featuring the built-in PhotoShot digital still camera feature, it lets consumers enjoy two ways to capture their memories in a single, palm-sized package: digital video and digital still photos.

New for the 2001 line are: a higher-pixel, 680K CCD, P-I-P (picture-in-picture) recording, new USB connection as part of the 3-way PC link feature, 20:1 optical zoom, multi-image display, Movie Messenger motion image transfer feature, and included ArcSoft software editing package.

The Palmcorder DV camcorders can produce video recordings with highly accurate color and crisp, clear resolution — far better than the resolution offered by a live television broadcast. Video footage is recorded on a mini DV cassette, providing clean, detailed video images and CD-quality audio on a tape that is 1/12th the size of a standard VHS tape. A mini DV cassette boasts a storage capacity equivalent to 8,700 floppy disks. An 80-minute DV tape, when used in the LP mode, can hold up to two hours of recorded material.

Panasonic continues its unique 3-way PC link feature, offering three different ways for users to transfer their precious still memories to a compatible PC. All four new models feature an i.LINK IEEE 1394 digital interface. Entry model PV-DV101 offers PhotoVu Link1 with an RS232 serial connection. The other models feature PhotoVu Link2 with a USB connection, Card Link with included 8MB MultiMediaCard, and SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard compatible Memory Card slot.

Captured digital still photos can be viewed in advance on the camcorders’ LCD monitors, and deleted if desired to free up memory for new shots. Images can be transferred to a computer for use in e-mail or printed documents, viewed on a TV as a slide show, or printed out with a Panasonic digital color photo printer.

The i.LINK IEEE 1394 digital interface allows full digital input/output capability for easy connection to compatible PCs or digital video editing equipment. When connected to another similarly equipped digital camcorder, this interface allows you to make faithful copies of your home videos without the signal degeneration found in analog dubs.

The i.LINK IEEE 1394 digital connector can also be used to download digital recordings (still images and moving pictures) to computers where they can be edited, manipulated and included in e-mail messages or Web sites. (An IEEE 1394 cable, host adapter card, and software are required for these applications.)

Three models also accommodate the new SD (Secure Digital) media format. About the size of a postage stamp, the SD card stores large amounts of data, and is backwards-compatible with a MultiMediaCard.

Panasonic makes it easy to enhance, store or share still images taken with the digital Palmcorder camcorders. The new PictureStageã web site (www.picturestage.com), which was jointly developed by Matsushita Kotobuki Electronics Industries of America, Inc. (MKA) and ArcSoft, Inc., lets users archive, organize and share digital still photos in private, custom photo albums. The PictureStage site makes it easy to exchange photos with family and friends, enhance and apply special effects to pictures, create electronic postcards or even print or create gifts with your photos.

For e-mail and other Internet applications, the convenient new Movie Messenger feature allows users to quickly transfer motion images from the DV tape to a PC via a USB or IEEE 1394 connection. Motion images are transferred at 10 frames per second to a PC, and assembled as motion images, with or without audio.

Another convenient feature is multi-image playback, a feature which allows the user to view 9 consecutive still images on the LCD screen in Playback mode. It’s great for analyzing athletic performance such as golf swings.

Using the LCD monitor, P-I-P lets users insert a small still shot over the video being recorded. The miniaturized digital still image appears in the right corner of the video during playback. This feature offers a quick, handy alternative to the typical establishing shot.

The PV-DV401 and PV-DV601 also feature MagicVu IR filter for shooting video and still pictures in very low light settings. When activated, MagicVu allows the camcorder to emit an infrared light into dark areas, enabling the camcorder to “see” the object or subject that is being recorded.

All models offer digital PCM (12-bit/16-bit) stereo audio recording, 20x High Definition optical zoom and telescopic 300x digital zoom, Digital Electronic Image Stabilization in both record and playback, high-speed shutter, 5-mode program AE and a variety of built-in digital video special effects for adding creative flair to video recordings.

“We want to bring the benefits of digital technology to as wide an audience as possible,” commented Nelkin. “Panasonic will continue to bring new and exciting digital video products to market, offering the features, quality and value that consumers are looking for.”

For more information on the company’s products call Panasonic’s Customer Call Center at 800-211-PANA or access Panasonic’s home page at www.panasonic.com.

Source: Panasonic