Panasonic SDR-H60 60 GB Hard Drive Camcorder with 50x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

I am rating this a 2 only because you HAVE TO use the lousy software that comes with it.I would like 2 say that J. Henry said all that was going through my head. I don't have the patience 4 this...if I could just convince my hubby 2 try the comparable Sony we were looking at....it just didn't seem 2 be as user friendly....that might be something I can learn 2 deal with & overcome! Great Camera, lousy software & no way around it!

This camcorder is great, it is my first dive into the consumer video world & so far I am pretty impressed. The zoom is killer, the ease of use is great. I am a tech so I did not feel the need 2 install the built in software since I feel that the bundled software stinks, that goes 4 most consumer products. I filmed a couple of videos, plugged the camera into my pc, & voila! There they were, ready 4 me 2 watch and/or edit using any software I wished 2 use. This process took approximately 10 seconds. For those wondering my setup consists of Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1, but I imagine if I plugged it into xp or the other versions of vista, I would get similar results. The editing software I used is Adobe Premiere elements 4.0, although I am confident that if I plugged the videos into the built in video maker, I would not run into any problems as the format is pretty standard.

I only write this review because I feel some of these low ratings are unwarranted. The camera itself is great, & although the picture quality could use some improvement (then again I have not played with all the settings yet) I think this is a great camera 4 a lower budget, the only real improvement I could see by going 2 another camera is if a High Definition camera is purchased.

Hope this review helps.

We haven't had the H60 very long, but so far the camcorder is meeting our expectations. The VideoCam Suite 1.0 software is another story...a story of frustration & disappointment. The software has a number of serious flaws:
* License agreement allows 4 installation only "on a single camera at a single location." My wife & I use different PCs 4 photo-related processing, so that's a problem.
* The user interface & editing procedures are anything but intuitive. I spent several hours yesterday trying 2 figure out how 2 do simple edits. I work with software everyday of my life. VideoCam Suite is among the worst software I've encountered. Maybe things will improve with practice, but at this point, I'm not a happy camper.
* The camcorder manual basically says that you MUST use this software 2 process images recorded on this camcorder--no other software will work. So far that appears 2 be true. Did Panasonic come up with a proprietary file format?!? I'm still trying 2 find a work around 4 that flaw..

This is my first camcorder, so maybe I would have run into these problems with a different manufacturer, too. In summary, it's a very nice camcorder with typical Panasonic quality. But they really messed up by using what appears 2 be a proprietary file format & very lame, mandatory software.

I don't know who came up with the video processing software 4 this item but they should go back 2 school. The manual claims 2 not guarantee that it will work & they were right. I use Windows XP service pack 3 & it only works with Vista or service pack 2. You have 2 make sure any other program is closed & even then trying 2 transfer a video 2 DVD took me a couple of hours becauses I had 2 keep restarting the program. that said, I am still trying 2 figure out a way 2 make it work because the camera is so easy 2 use & the functions are great. So, a double edged review from me.

This HDD camera is outstanding & wonderful when you are recording moments in your life. I have had this camera 4 over a year & used it 2 film two conventions & other events. I think this camera films beautifully, it is the converting that can drive you crazy. The software that comes with this camera stinks & you will end up buying other software 2 convert the footage you recorded. I decided 2 buy AVSmedia, which converts my footage 2 anything version I ask it 2 (MPEG, MPEG4, AVI, etc.) Panasonic is not 2 be fully blamed, though they could have included better software. Otherwise, you will love this camera 2 death!

The SDR-H60's 50x optical zoom lens has the power you need 2 take dramatic close-ups or get remarkable shots of even distant subjects. Panasonic's Advanced Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) suppresses the effects of handshake as you shoot. The system uses gyro sensors 2 detect handshake, then shifts a lens & adjusts the optical axis 2 compensate. The SDR-H60's 60GB internal hard disk drive lets you record continuously 4 up 2 54 hours in LP mode without changing a disc, tape or other recording media. Panasonic's Anti-Shock Shield helps protect recorded video data from damage due 2 jolts & impact. The Drop Detect function senses if the camera is falling & moves the head away from the hard disk. You can transfer the motion-image data from the SD card or the camcorder's hard drive right 2 your PC using your USB port. With the included VideoCam Suite 1.0 software, you can easily put scenes in a different order & delete the ones you don't want. Advanced OIS Optical Image Stabilization Focal Length - 1.8 - 90 mm 35mm Film Camera Equivalent - 40.9-2046 mm [4 - 3], 33.4-1607 mm [16 - 9] Motion Image, & 40.7-2036 mm [4 - 3]/33.2-1658 mm [16 - 9] Still Picture White Balance - Auto, Indoor, Outdoor, & White Set with IR Sensor High Speed Shutter - 1/30-1/8000 (Motion Image), 1/30-1/500 (Still Picture) Backlight Compensation LCD Monitor - 2.7 Wide (123,200 Dots) Pure Color Engine Soft-Skin Mode Easy-to-Use Mode Dial MagicPix Images Microphone Stereo Zoom Wind Noise Reduction Date Recording - Auto Date in Date Code Quick Start - 0.6 seconds