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  • Performance

  • Format

  • Auto / Manual Controls

  • Still Features

  • Handling and Use

  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity

  • Other Features

  • Comparisons / Conclusion

  • Photo Gallery

  • Performance
  • Format
  • Auto / Manual Controls
  • Still Features
  • Handling and Use
  • Audio / Playback / Connectivity
  • Other Features
  • Comparisons / Conclusion
  • Photo Gallery

Performance

The Panasonic VDR-D230 is equipped with a 1/6-inch CCD, with a gross pixel count of 680,000. The effective pixel count in 16:9 aspect ratio is 460,000 pixels, and in 4:3 aspect ratio it’s 340,000 pixels. This is the standard imager for entry level camcorders, which should give you some idea of what to expect in image quality.

First, we took the VDR-D230 into the lab to shoot our DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde color chart at an even 3000 lux. Under these conditions, ideal for any camcorder, the performance left a lot to be desired. The color performance was on the pale side, an unusual result for entry- and mid-level camcorders that typically oversaturate. While these colors are probably more accurate than those oversaturated models, it would be nice if Panasonic offered some ability to dial the colors up and down, as you find on Canon camcorders. Noise was high. It was very interesting to hold this up against the cousin-camcorder, the PV-GS85, a MiniDV model that shares the same imager. A side-by-side comparison of the two showed just how detrimental the MPEG2 compression of DVD camcorders is. The VDR-D230 produces a myriad of compression artifacts, which only exacerbates that "noisy" look.

The next step up, the Panasonic VDR-D310 produced an entirely different and much better look image. The colors were much richer, due mostly to the three-CCD imaging system, The VDR-D310 was also able to retain a lot more fine detail with less noise. Next, the Sony DCR-DVD108 also produced an image with more saturated colors, which most consumers will prefer. Pros will counter than the Panasonic has truer color. The Hitachi DZ-HS300A is a similarly priced camcorder that records to both DVD and an internal HDD. It produced much bolder colors, but these felt clearly oversaturated. It also lacked even the scant fine detail that the VDR-D230 was able to pick up.

Motion was an issue with the VDR-D230. Again, holding it up to its MiniDV counterpart, the PV-GS85, brought the MPEG2 compression issue to the forefront. While the PV-GS85 was able to render motion will relative fluidity, the VDR-D230 was stuttered and produced moderate amounts of trailing. Of course, we saw similar results in all DVD camcorders in this price range.

Overall, the VDR-D230 is among the better DVD camcorders in its price class, but low-end DVD leaves a great deal to be desired. If price and performance are your two chief concerns, we recommend a MiniDV camcorder.

Video Resolution* (4.88)*

The video resolution of the Panasonic VDR-D230 was tested by shooting a DSC Labs video resolution chart, then watching the playback footage on an HD monitor. It’s important to note that this test looks at the actual outputted video of the camcorder – what you’ll see on your TV – not the idealized resolution of the imaging chip. We found the VDR-D230 to produce a horizontal resolution of 325 line widths per picture height (lw/ph) and a vertical resolution of 300 lw/ph.

Low Light Performance* (5.0)*

The low light performance of the VDR-D230 was tested in three stages. First, we shot the DSC Labs Chroma DuMonde color chart at an even 60 lux and 15 lux. At 60 lux, the camcorder produced a brightly exposed image, and though the colors failed to pop, they looked more appropriate here in low light than the same dull colors in bright light. Often, cheaper camcorder produce absurdly saturated images in low light. The major fault in the VDR-D230’s performance was a grainy look, created by both the noise and the compression artifacts.

The Sony DCR-DVD108 was one of those camcorders with oversaturate colors in low light. The blues, in particular, looked very bad, and there were heavy amounts of blue noise. The Panasonic VDR-D310 produced a very similar color pallet to the VDR-D310, a big change from the rich colors in bright light. It surpassed the D230 with a cleaner image. Finally, the Hitachi DZ-HS300A produced a noisier image at 60 lux, with skewed colors and a problem focusing.

The Panasonic VDR-D230 offers manual gain, something that can be quite handy in low light. At 60 lux, the auto gain had been set to somewhere near 12dB. When we raised the gain to 15dB, the resulting image was not that useful. Brightness picked up, but the colors became washed out and there was more attention draw to the noise. Raising it to 18dB completely blew out the image.

At 15 lux, the VDR-D230 was able to retain a respectable amount of color info. Noise was very high at this point, but the whites remained bright enough that any fine detail standing in contrast to the white, such as the text on the labels, could be read with relative ease. The Sony DCR-DVD108 retained virtually no color information. The Panasonic VDR-D310, amazingly, was much darker. We suspect that the algorithms for the auto gain may have a lower threshold in the D310, meaning the camcorder is less willing to sacrifice noise suppression for brightness.

The next stage of the test is shooting the GretagMacBeth Color Checker start at an even 60 lux, then outputted frame grabs to Imatest imaging software to determine color accuracy, noise, and saturation. According to Imatest, the VDR-D230 produced a color error of 17.2, a little higher than its MiniDV counterpart, the PV-GS85. The noise measured 1.22%, which is average. The saturation measured 52.74%.

Finally, we tested for sensitivity by continuously lowering the light until the VDR-D230 was producing a maximum output of 50IRE (a measurement of exposure). The camcorder was able to achieve this at a light level of 12 lux, the same as the PV-GS85.

Stabilization* (7.7)*

All Panasonics are equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a system that is superior to Electronic Image Stabilization. Rather than digitally render a buffer around the recorded frame like EIS, OIS functions by stabilizing the lens element itself, proving to be more effective and salvaging resolution.

We tested the capability of the VDR-D230’s OIS using our custom-built shake emulator at two speeds that simulate typical recording patterns. Speed One is akin to stationary handheld shake while Speed Two is more along the lines of a light jog down the sidewalk, camcorder in hand. The VDR-D230 exhibited a 75% shake reduction t Speed One and an 83.33% shake reduction at Speed Two, placing the camcorder ahead of the pack within its class.

Wide Angle* (11.4)*

We tested the VDR-D230’s maximum wide angle capability using a vertical laser. The camcorder was tested in manual mode with OIS disabled and the Zoom pulled back fully. The VDR-D230 displayed a wide angle measurement of 57 degrees, which is identical to Panasonic’s entry-level MiniDV PV-GS85. If you have a huge Italian family, the VDR-D230 will fit most of them in the shot.

 

 

 

 

Format

Compression* (4.0)*

The Panasonic VDR-D230 compresses video in the MPEG2 format, common to all standard definition DVD and hard disk drive (HDD) camcorders. MPEG2 is not the format of choice is video quality is your top concern. It was developed as a means to fit as much video as one could on an 8cm DVD disc. The bit rate is less than one third that of DV, the compression used in MiniDV camcorders. MPEG2 also creates headaches when it comes time to edit your video. Unlike the more or less universally standard DV, every manufacturer employs slight variations in their MPEG2 encoding, ensuring that nothing is perfectly compatible with all editing software.

There are three quality settings on the VDR-D230, each one corresponding to a bit rate. The highest quality, XP, records at approximately 10Mbps. SP records at approximately 5Mbps, and LP at 2.5Mbps. All bit rates are variable (VDR), as opposed to constant (CBR), which means that moments with less pixel activity or complexity are automatically recorded at a lower-than-max bit rate. In order to ensure the best quality, we suggest that you always shoot in the highest quality.

Media* (4.5)*

The Panasonic VDR-D230 captures video to 8cm DVD discs, sometimes called miniDVD. These are a very common media that can be found in lots of stores, from corner bodegas to office supply stores. There are multiple formats for the DVD media. The VDR-D230 is compatible with the following: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, and DVD-R DL (Dual Layer). Each of these has its own merits and drawbacks. The -RW and –RAM varieties are reusable, which might make them a better value if you’re backing footage up to a computer.

On the whole, DVD discs have a lot of disadvantages compared to other media. The recording times are limited, they’re easily damaged, and you may not have compatible home DVD players and computer disc drives to read the discs properly (depending on the format). It’s little wonder that consumers once enthralled with DVD are moving towards hard disc drive (HDD) camcorders.

When recording in the highest quality XP mode, a single sided disc can hold 18 minutes of video. In SP mode, it can hold 37 minutes, and in LP mode it can hold 75 minutes. A dual layer disc approximately doubles these times.

Editing* (5.0)*

The VDR-D230 ships with a disc full of mediocre software for importing, editing, and outputting your video. Programs include DVD-MovieAlbumSE 4.3, DVDfunSTUDIO 2.5 (both for Windows), and ImageMixer 3 (for Macs). The MovieAlbumSE portion of the software is for the importing and editing tasks, and leaves much to be desired. The latter portion, DVDfunSTUDIO, is dedicated to creating a finished movie disc to be burned to DVD, complete with menus. Both of these programs lack the intuitive design of programs like Adobe Premiere Elements and other beginner-friendly programs. We wouldn’t be surprised if the software included with the VDR-D230 turns beginners off from editing entirely.

Importing any video from DVD camcorders can be tricky. The problem is that manufacturer all put their little variations in, making it difficult to find a software that can work with them all. We were able to import the VDR-D230’s video in a variety of programs, but the aspect ratio was often distorted in the process. It’s a shame that the most surefire method should be the included software, but as we discussed above, it’s not very good.

 

 

 

 

Auto / Manual Controls

Picture & Manual Control
Automatic Control (5.0)

The automatic adjustments on the Panasonic VDR-D230 are similar to other entry- and mid-level Panasonics. The auto exposure is very fast and finds a great balance between center-weighting versus whole-frame evaluation. Some camcorders that we’ve seen in this price range put too much emphasis on center-weighting, which can be a problem if the subject in the center is heavily contrasted – you might experience jarring exposure shifts when the camcorder is moved only slightly. We found no problems with the VDR-D230’s exposure choices.

The auto focus was fast also, and we had a hard time showing its flaws when the zoom was pulled back under 3x. As with all camcorders, as the zoom progresses, so do the focus problems (we’re considering here the typical home-user’s shooting style, which involves lots of zooming and wild waving about from subject to subject).

The auto white balance was the worst of the three. We found that the VDR-D230 has a tendency to get "stuck" in a certain color temperature, even if the color is way off target. To get it unstuck, we were eventually forced to switch it into manual white balance, then back into auto. This phenomenon didn’t happen frequently, but it did happen.

The VDR-D230 also offers a number of one-touch options for image correction. The joystick menu, activated by pushing in on the joystick, includes Backlight Compensation, Soft Skin Mode (for skin tone correction), and MagicPix (a low light mode). The main menu contains Scene Modes for Sports, Portrait, Low Light, Spotlight, and Surf & Snow.

*

Overall Manual Control (6.75)*

The manual control on Panasonic camcorders are, as a rule, among the best of any camcorders. First, Panasonic packs in the manual controls, including independent aperture and shutter speed, manual gain, and focus. Also included are the one-touch correction tools described in the preceding section, including Scene Modes. The second punch in the one-two combination is the rear-mounted joystick. This control mechanism makes one-handed operation possible, sailing through the well-designed menu.

Oh dear, oh, dear… one more thing that we’re awfully tired of mentioning, but feel is our duty. All year, the Panasonic website has been stating that most of their camcorders offer a manual focus ring. We assure you that the VDR-D230 does not have this feature, nor do any of their DVD camcorders, nor do any of their standard definition camcorders have a manual focus ring! And yet, the Panasonic website states that they do. We’ve tried to get them to correct the error, but alas.

Zoom (5.0)

The zoom toggle on all the Panasonic DVD camcorders is different, and improved, from the MiniDV camcorders. Rather than a slider switch, the VDR-D230 and its siblings have a raised plastic toggle, which offers slightly better control. In all, we were able to get about three zoom speeds depending on finger pressure. The camcorder is able to produce a very slow crawl, though it gets progressively faster as you move from 1x to 32x.

Advanced shooters will appreciate that the VDR-D230 provides both a scale to tell you where in the zoom range you are, as well as an exact numerical value, something most manufacturers neglect. This can be useful if you’re setting up a tricky shot and want to get the zoom just right.

*

Zoom Power Ratio (32.0)*

The VDR-D230 features a big optical zoom of 32x. A small-scale zoom war has been raging in the last few years. Compared to other entry- and mid-level camcorders, which can up to 40x, a 32x might seem smaller. We assure you, it will suffice. It’s also good practice to use a tripod for anything past 5x or so. For 32x, it’s absolutely necessary.

The digital zoom is able to extend out to 1000x, or capped at 50x. It’s important to note that digital zoom is a distortion of the image, and will have a serious detriment on image quality.

Focus (4.0)

The manual focus is engaged via the Auto/Manual/Focus switch located in the LCD cavity on the left side. Push once towards the manual setting, then push again to activate the focus. A small icon appears in the lower right corner of the LCD, labeled MF- and MF+. You then push the joystick left and right to shift focus.

Unfortunately, the only method you have to gauge the correct focus is the small, low-res LCD or viewfinder. There is no onscreen data to indicate the exact focus length, and no tools like peaking or instant zoom to help you get a better look at your subject’s edges. This is completely inadequate for performing a tight manual focus. Except in extreme cases, we recommend leaving it to the auto focus.

Exposure & Aperture (5.64)

The VDR-D230, like all Panasonics, offers aperture control independent of shutter speed. Having direct control of the aperture is great because it gives you control over the depth of field and other "highly technical" things that you can learn about as you delve into the camcorder. What the VDR-D230 lacks is a simple exposure up/down control that you’ll find in almost any other camcorder or camera – a tool that requires no technical knowledge except "brighter" and "darker." The effect of a simple exposure tool is the same as shutter and aperture, but the latter is more beginner-friendly.

Aperture settings are located in the joystick menu, engaged by pushing in on the joystick. The camcorder must be in manual mode for this feature. The aperture settings on the VDR-D230 include: Open (f/1.8), f/2.0, f/2.4, f/ f/2.8, f/3.4, f/4.0, f/4.8, f/5.6, f/6.8, and f/8.0, f/9.6, f/11, f/14, and f/16. Each of these settings has a half-step increment in between them.

Shutter Speed (8.1)

The shutter speed can be adjusted and locked independent of the aperture, a Panasonic standard not offered by any other camcorder manufacturer. Like aperture, the shutter control is located in the joystick menu and the camcorder must be in manual mode, not auto. Shutter speed settings include: 1/60, 1/100, 1/120, 1/180, 1/250, 1/350, 1/500, 1/750, 1/1000, 1/1500, 1/1/2000, 1/3000, 1/4000, and 1/8000. Unlike Canon and JVC camcorders that offer a shutter priority mode, Panasonic does not allow for "low light" shutter speed settings slower than 1/60th. While it can produce blurring in moving objects, a 1/30th setting often proves useful.

White Balance (5.5)

The white balance options are also located in the joystick menu, and again, the VDR-D230 must be in manual mode rather than in auto mode. The choices here are few: Auto, Outdoor, Indoor, and Manual. The auto white balance is decent when the light temperature is uniform. When shooting indoors with different types of light bulbs, the camcorder can get confused and make a mess of the image. The Indoor and Outdoor settings are only meant to cover a narrow band of the wide variation of light temperatures you might encounter in "indoor" or "outdoor" environments. Making a manual adjustment is simple. Simply toggle through the white balance options until you reach the manual setting, then point the camcorder at a white or neutral grey surface and push up on the joystick. After 2-3 seconds, you’ll have your corrected white balance.

Gain (6.0)

A manual gain adjustment can only be made after the aperture has been opened all the way (the Open setting, or f/1.8). If your picture is still dark at that point, the analog options have been exhausted and you need to kick the digital enhancements (the gain) into gear. Gain is measured in decibels. Settings include 0dB, +3dB, +6dB, +9dB, +12dB, +15dB, and +18dB. Each of these settings has an unmarked half-step increment in between them.

Other Manual Controls (1.0)

Guide Lines - Located in the main menu, the Guide Lines tool creates three horizontal lines across the LCD and viewfinder to help you set up your shot. These lines are not recorded to your final footage, so no one will see them except you.

 

 

 

 

Still Features

Still Features* (4.75)*

The still features on the Panasonic VDR-D230 are exceptionally weak. Sure, the manual control set is great. You have access to same aperture, shutter speed, gain, and focus that you do in video mode. You also have the Soft Skin mode, Backlight Compensation, and Scene Mode. Undermining all these benefits, however, is the fact that the VDR-D230 only shoots at 640 x 480, approximately 0.3 megapixels. Just for comparison, the average point and shoot digital still camera is approximately 7 megapixels, more than twenty-three times the resolution of the VDR-D230. You can also take stills in the 16:9 aspect ratio at an even smaller 640 x 360, or 0.2 megapixels. Each of these still sizes can be saved in two qualities, high and low.

 

Still Performance* (7.5)*

The still performance of the Panasonic VDR-D230 was tested by shooting a GretagMacBeth Color Checker chart at a bright, even light, then ran the stills through Imatest imaging software to determine color accuracy, noise, and saturation. At best, the VDR-D230 was able to produce a color error of 8.0, a score similar to comparative Panasonics and Canons, and higher than comparative Sonys. This score was the primary factor in the high performance score. The noise measured 0.955%, a decent score. The saturation measured 96.42%. The

In order to get this best score, we set the aperture to f/2.4 and the shutter to 1/60th.

Outside of the lab, we can assure you that the stills from the VDR-D230 are laughable compared to a point-and-shoot camera. Yes, you can discern shapes and tells reds from reds and blues from blues, but at 640 x 480, it’s hardly worth it except as documentary evidence that you saw Bigfoot.

Still Resolution* (1.76)*

The still resolution was tested by shooting an Applied Image ISO 12233 resolution chart at an even, bright light, then running the stills through Imatest imaging software. At best, the Panasonic VDR-D230 produced a horizontal resolution of 359.2 lien widths per picture height (lw/ph) – with a very high clipping of 7.94% and an undersharpening of 4.48% - and a vertical resolution of 340.8 lw/ph – with clipping of 4.31% and an oversharpening of 2.36%.

Clipping occurs when Imatest determines that certain pixels are either blown out or too dark and contain no useful information. In this case, a large percentage of the black pixels, those along the edge of a slanted black rectangle, had bottomed out – all red, green, and blue channels registered zero. A clipping this high can skew the resolution score, but there was no way to avoid a high clipping percentage, though we use a variety of manual adjustments on the camcorder. This score is based on the settings that produced the lowest clipping: an aperture of f/2.4 and a shutter of 1/60th.

 

 

 

 

Handling and Use

Ease of Use* (6.0)*

While Sony caters to the most novice Point-and-Shooters, Panasonic suits those who wish to sit in the director’s chair. The VDR-D230 features a full set of manual controls, including Gain. Panasonic’s manual control arsenal is tough to beat. Shooters can access Auto mode with ease, but the VDR-D230’s automatic controls can’t trump that of a Sony. There will be instances where the shooter will need to adjust Focus or Aperture, so the VDR-D230’s learning curve is set high above the rest.

Fortunately, the VDR-D230’s menu structure is clean, well organized, and intuitive. The rear-mounted joystick functions perfectly in tandem with this straightforward design, and one-handed shooting is the name of the game. The Joystick menu is readily available in one press of a button, and all manual controls are available on the last two pages. Adjusting manual controls on a Panasonic is far simpler and more accurate than that of a Sony touch screen interface.

Now those stuck on opting for a DVD camcorder should consider the following. DVDs hold the least amount of footage, require a lengthy finalization process, and are more prone to scratches and damage than any other form of media. On the bright side, DVDs offer instant playback without having to use the camcorder as the prime source of playback control. So, it’s a toss-up. If your primary concern is shooting and watching, then go for DVD.

Handling* (7.5)*

There’s just something about this camcorder that oozes stealth. The VDR-D230 looks like an iridescent black .44 Magnum—there’s no question Dad will be envied by the entire T-Ball crowd. But aesthetics are unforgiving when it comes to comfort. Will the VDR-D230 provide an arthritis-free shooting experience? For one thing, this camcorder is larger than its competitors. The Canon DC230 and Sony DCR-DVD308 are both compact, travel-friendly camcorders. While the DCR-DVD308 specializes in a rugged, well-crafted construction, the DC230 is the most portable DVD camcorder within its class. That leaves the VDR-D230 as the largest DVD camcorder amidst its peers. But on the handling front, its size is an advantage to the shooter.

The VDR-D230’s tall disc hatch is comfortable to hang onto, but it’s not a skyscraper like Panasonic’s first-generation AVCHD beast, the HDC-DX1. The steep disc hatch also separates the fingers from the body and lens of the VDR-D230, eliminating undesired interference. When you first slip your hand into the VDR-D230, you’ll notice that the middle, ring, and pinky fingers align naturally to the glossy plastic strip running along the top of the disc hatch. The thumb falls right between the Record Start/Stop button and the Mode Dial/Joystick combo. The index finger hovers above the zoom toggle with ease.

Panasonic equips its camcorders with one of the best navigational tools in the market—the rear-mounted joystick. Sony basks in the glory of its Point-and-Shoot friendly touch screen LCD interface. This design appears quick and advanced, but the screen can cloud up with grease. This makes focusing particularly difficult. JVC employs an LCD-mounted joystick that suits two-handed shooters, but excludes those who wish to save another hand for directing the action. Canon borrowed Panasonic’s rear-mounted joystick design, yet failed to give it a sturdy design. The VDR-D230’s menu structure is a dream, thanks to the smooth, rapid response brought on by the joystick.

The VDR-D230 also features an extendable viewfinder, which is on today’s camcorder endangered species list. The option to save battery power or shield the eye on a blaring July day is essential, and most manufacturers are losing sight of that. Watch out for the disc hatch release speed, though—at times it took up to 15 seconds to open. All in all, the VDR-D230 is one of the best handling camcorders in its class.

Menu* (6.5)*

The menu system on the Panasonic VDR-D230 is simple and efficient, navigated via the rear-mounted joystick for one-handed operation. Menu options are split into two distinct sections: the joystick menu, and the main (or administrative) menu.

The joystick menu contains most of the options for controlling how the image looks. It is the only one that can be accessed while you’re recording. To activate, push in on the joystick. If you’re in auto mode, the joystick menu will be abridged. To access all of the controls, switch to manual mode. Joystick options include:

The main menu contains those options that you wouldn’t necessarily need right at hand during shooting. The main menu options include:

 

Portability* (4.75)*

Unlike Canon DVD camcorders which specialize in compact, highly portable bodies, the VDR-D230 is built for performance rather than portability. This is not a camcorder you can pocket with ease. The VDR-D230 measures 66.7mm x 91.1mm x 142.7mm (2.62" x 3.59" x 5.62") and weighs in at 510g (1.12 lbs.) without battery, lens cap, and disc. A medium size camcorder bag should do the trick, but make sure it is equipped with enough pouches to hold a backup battery, lots of mini DVD discs, and all supplied cables. The good news is that the VDR-D230 is solidly constructed, unlike most Canons which feature cheap plastic bodies and limited features. The VDR-D230 is a camcorder that can take a lickin’.

LCD and Viewfinder* (5.5)*

The VDR-D230 is equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD screen with a 123,000 pixel display. The LCD screen flips out 90 degrees from the body of the camcorder and rotates up to 270 degrees. Like most Panasonics, there are no LCD panel controls. We like the Sony design, which has zoom controls and record start/stop on most of their LCD panels. The Auto/Manual/Focus switch is the only control available, embedded within the LCD cavity. The VDR-D230 is geared toward one-handed shooting with a heavy manual control push. Beginners and two-handed shooters will not be pleased with this layout.

The VDR-D230 also touts a 113,000 pixel viewfinder that extends outward approximately one inch from the back of the camcorder. The viewfinder does not feature a rubberized eyecup, nor does it pivot upward. However, a viewfinder is better than nothing nowadays. As size and style become more of a factor than performance within the market, the glorious rubberized, pivoting, and extendable viewfinders of yesteryear are on the endangered species list. In fact, there hasn’t been a camcorder released all year with a viewfinder that features all of the three aforementioned characteristics.

**

Battery Life*** (8.3)*

The Panasonic VDR-D230 ships with the CGR-DU06 battery pack, a relatively small battery that barely protrudes from the back of the camcorder. Fortunately, the viewfinder is extendable and reaches out far enough to keep the off your cheek.

We tested the longevity of the battery by shooting continuously in auto mode with the LCD flipped open. When the disc needed changing, we shut down, replaced the battery with the DC power, and changed discs. In total, the battery lasted a meager 83 minutes and 2 seconds (1 hour, 23 minutes, and 2 seconds).

 

 

 

 

Audio / Playback / Connectivity

Audio* (3.0)*

The Panasonic VDR-D230 has virtually no audio options. There is no mic jack and no headphone jack. There’s an accessory shoe on top, but no place to insert an audio line-in if you have a mic. Neither is there a mic level control. Panasonic doesn’t leave you entirely high and dry. In the main menu, you’ll find two options for audio control. The Wind Cut feature clips some of the low-end off of the audio track – the tone that wind typically creates when it rumbles across the mic. The second feature is the Zoom mic, which works in tandem with the optical zoom. When you zoom in, internal processing shifts priority to sounds coming from the front of the camcorder rather than the sides and rear.

Playback* (4.75)*

Playing back clips is one of the definite advantages over tape-based MiniDV camcorders. Rather than having to fast forward and rewind, you can simply skip to the clip you want. When you shift the VDR-D230 into playback mode (via the mode dial), all your video clips appear as thumbnails, ten to a page. To play a clip, toggle through to the clip you want and push in on the joystick. The clip will open up to fill the entire screen. A series of icons in the lower right corner instruct on how to use the joystick as a playback control for play/pause, rewind, fast forward, and stop.

Connectivity* (6.0)*

Panasonic has been known to allocate ports in a particularly inopportune location on most of its camcorders—the battery chamber. We’re not sure what the deal is, but the PV-GS85 features DC-in, FireWire, and USB jacks all hiding out behind the battery. Luckily, the VDR-D230 escapes with only a DC-in jack embedded within its battery chamber. Still, this means that you have to interrupt a shot if the battery is running low in order to plug in the external power supply. Bye bye, continuity.

All other ports can be found on the left side of the camcorder, beneath the LCD cavity. A thin plastic shield houses the A/V port/S-Video port and USB terminals while a smaller hard plastic hinged door can be extended out and down to reveal the SD card slot. Keep in mind that the SD card door’s downward-swinging design makes it impossible to open fully if the VDR-D230 is mounted to a tripod. The VDR-D230 also includes a cold accessory shoe on top, but since the camcorder is devoid of a Mic jack, your only options for external attachments are limited to battery-powered video lights and...well, just battery powered video lights. The VDR-D310 proudly sports a Mic jack, but that’s because it’s also Panasonic’s top of the line DVD camcorder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Features

What’s in the Box?

The Panasonic VDR-D230 ships with the following items:

  • CGR-DU06 Battery Pack

-AC Adapter

  • AC Cable

  • DC Cable

  • AV/S-Video Cable

  • Remote Control

  • Button-type Battery

  • Lens Cap

  • USB Cable

  • CD-ROM

The USB cable, CD-ROM, and special AV/S-Video cable are only available with the VDR-D230 and VDR-D310, and it’s nice to have additional connectivity and editing options right out of the box. A disc or four would have been nice, though.

Other Features* (3.0)*

*Video Light - *A small LED light is located on the front of the camcorder. To activate it, push a button labeled "Light" on the back. When you push it the first time, the light will turn on and the auto gain will be enabled. Push it a second time and the auto gain shuts off, but the light remains on. Push it again to turn the light off.

*Fades - *When activated, via the joystick menu, every time you hit start and stop on the record button, the video will face in and out. You can select the fade to be black or white.

*MagicPix - *The Low Light mode on the Panasonic camcorders is a bitter more heavy handed than most manufacturers. When MagicPix is activated, via the joystick menu, the shutter speed can drop very low, seemingly as low as 1/2 a second. There is no control over the shutter speed. You are at the mercy of the camcorder’s decisions.

 

 

 

 

Comparisons / Conclusion

Comparison
Panasonic VDR-D310
Panasonic has an intriguing strategy for its upper-level standard definition camcorders. All top-of-the-line DVD, HDD, and MiniDV models are equipped with three 1/6-inch CCDs and advanced still features. Aside from interior specs differences, there are few distinctions between these and less expensive models—architecture, manual controls, and handling remain unaltered. The VDR-D310 ($699.95 MSRP) is the leader of the DVD pack, but the VDR-D230 nips at its heels with a surprisingly impressive low light performance and built-in video light. Granted, the VDR-D310’s video performance was heightened by increased resolution, truer colors, and bold sharpness. Low light was a different story, though—the VDR-D310 was one of our lesser performers this year. The VDR-D230 exhibited a significantly brighter picture at the cost of decreased resolution and detail. The VDR-D310 is worth it if you plan on shooting a lot of brightly lit video, but not low light, which is unlikely for most homeowners. Otherwise, considering saving your money and opting for the VDR-D230.

Canon DC230
We haven’t gotten our hands on the DC230 ($449.00 MSRP), but it’s safe to say that the VDR-D230 has it beat in the low light department. The step-down 1/6-inch 680,000 pixel DC220 sputtered fountains of noise when we dropped the lights, resulting in an unusable image. The DC230 crams twice as many pixels in its 1/6-inch imager, which may further hamper its low light abilities, though it would likely create a sharper picture in bright light. The Panasonic VDR-D230 features a superior rear joystick, more manual controls, an extendable viewfinder, and a video light. The Canon DC230 is strapped with a wretched viewfinder and enclosed battery design. Save $50 and go for the VDR-D230.

Sony DCR-DVD308
With the financial playing field even, the DCR-DVD308 ($399.99 MSRP) is the VDR-D230’s prime competitor, offering a 1/6-inch 1,070,000 pixel HAD CCD and stellar ease of use. We haven’t gotten a chance to test the DCR-DVD308, but past Sony models have produced a crisp picture with rich (albeit sometimes oversaturated) colors. The doubled pixel count stuffed into a 1/6-inch chip might be a detriment to low light, while the VDR-D230 stands tall in that category. The DCR-DVD308 is well designed and crafted with quality materials—these are both rugged camcorders. As far as the DCR-DVD308’s touch screen LCD, some people love it and some people hate it—we take issue with it frequently, but recognize the appeal for beginners. The VDR-D230 offers far more manual controls, a handy rear-mounted joystick, and video light. The DCR-DVD308 is equipped with a hot shoe, giving it more flexibility for accessories, while the VDR-D230 is strapped with a cold shoe. We’re tempted to take more manual controls and a joystick over Sony’s crowd-pleasing Easy mode any day. Until we complete a DCR-DVD308 review (coming soon), this is a draw.

Hitachi DZ-HS300A
The only good thing about the DZ-HS300A ($599.00 MSRP) is its hybrid functionality. This camcorder is far from being a solid video performer. Hitachi has produced some of the worst video all year, and the DZ-HS300A is no exception. Handling, video performance, manual controls, and other features are all handed to the VDR-D230 without the bat of an eye. The DZ-HS300A offers an 8GB HDD with the ability to dub footage to DVD in-camera, but bad video is bad video, no matter how big the hard drive. It’s the VDR-D230 all the way.
**

Who It’s For**
Point-and-Shooters

Panasonics are always a tricky animal for the mind of the average Point-and-Shooter. There’s more learning curve here than most camcorders. Once mastered, however, Panasonics tends to offer the best menu layout/manual control set in the business.

Budget Consumers

For some reason, Panasonic manages to crank out high quality entry-to-mid level camcorders with rather humble price tags. $400 for a second tier DVD camcorder rife with manual controls and OIS is pretty hard to beat.

Still Photo / Video Camera Hybrid

640 x 480 is the largest still the VDR-D230 can snap, which is great if all you plan on using them for is the internet (in the year 1995). Don’t bother.

Gadget Freaks

The VDR-D230’s stealthy 007 style will be the only enticing factor for even the geekiest of geeks.

Manual Control Freaks

Panasonic rules the roost with Focus, Iris, Shutter Speed, White Balance, and Gain—all controlled by the rear-mounted joystick. Let the games begin!

Pros / Serious Hobbyists

The term "DVD" does not enter a pro’s mind until after post production.

Conclusion

The Panasonic VDR-D230 has the same great, reliable manual control set and handling that we’ve come to love from nearly all Panasonics in the past few years. The video performance in bright light did not wow us, particularly the heavy artifacting we saw during motion. It managed a rebound during bright light testing, where it surpassed all other DVD camcorders in the same price class, and even some well above its class.

As a rule, standard definition DVD camcorders are called upon for a few simple tasks: mostly shooting babies and family events. That requires ease of use, versatility, and probably a low price point (those diapers don’t buy themselves, you know). Panasonics don’t excel at ease of use off the bat like Sonys and Canons, but their menu systems and handling are superior. In the long run, they are, in fact, easier to use, but require a small learning curve. As for versatility, any camcorder with good low light is worthy of consideration because it will shoot decent video anywhere you happen to find yourself. On the final point, price, you’re not going to find a better camcorder at a lower price. If $500 is your cap, definitely check out the VDR-D230.

 

 

 

Meet the tester

Michael Perlman

Michael Perlman

Editor

Michael Perlman is a valued contributor to the Reviewed.com family of sites.

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