Panasonic VDR-M53 DVD Camcorder w/24x Optical Zoom
By: Panasonic Average Rating: 3.0 Total Reviews: 9
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 On: 2007-06-26
Ive owned a VDR-m53 for 20 months. I have lost at least 4 event DVDs (birthdays, holiday pageant, vacation) to disk errors even when using the correct media, being incredibly careful with this camera, and following all relevant instructions. According to panasonic my camcorder is in good working condition, and the problems Im having are due to "bad media". Ive purchased the appropriate type of mini-DVDs from various major brands at several chain stores, and Ive had these problems (corrupted disks/disk erros/disks in need of repair/camera unable to read portions or all of disks/video freezing) on every major brand, even on brand new disks used the day of purchase.
Im not a clueless, reckless consumer. I was duped into buying a product that is utterly unreliable. Im sending it back to Panasonic. Not because I want a new one (or a credit toward a Panasonic product, as they have been horrendously unhelpful with customer service and tech support), but so they understand Id rather never see this terrible piece of equipment again.
If, in fact, they are correct and my camcorder works fine, then the DVD media is so horribly unreliable that I can assure you I will NOT buy another DVD-recording camera. So much for the convenience of recording right onto a DVD. Id rather pay a professional to transfer my precious videos, because at least Id HAVE them.
On: 2006-11-22
If I could, I would give this camcorder a 0 of 5. Since I now have to search for a new camcorder, from reading other Panasonic model reviews, I am convinced I did not just get a lemon, but the Panasonic brand is bad.
We bought this camcorder 18 months ago at the birth of our son. It has had problems from the beginning. First, I could not finalize the disk. I called Panasonic support, who basically told me the problems we were having were because the camera was not being held still while recording. This is ridiculous since I often set the camera down on a countertop so I can be in the video. Then I finally got someone to tell me that I needed to be recording on Panasonic mini-DVDs. The best it has worked have been on the Panasonic DVDs which are some of the most expensive, and even that is no guarantee that you will be able to watch the DVD after finalization. I still have freezing of the picture and sparatic playback when trying to watch. It has skipped over whole sections. I have 3 DVD players in my home (all different brands) and the disk works on none of them.
I finally got an address to send it in for repairs. I was not happy to be without my camcorder for an extended period of time. I was told they would look at the camcorder, see if there was a problem and call me. I waited a week after I knew it was in the shop to check the status. Panasonic FAILED TO MENTION that I would need to pay $207.50 UP FRONT for them to look at it, then if any repairs were needed, this cost would cover them as well. SO, I have been without a camcorder for 3 weeks while waiting to see if it needed fixing, and the company I sent it to has not even looked at it because I have not paid them! This is crazy since I can get a brand new miniDV camcorder for $225.
The only reason it has taken me so long to take drastic action is because we are military living overseas and bought it at Best Buy. So you see why I couldnt just take it back to the store (or I would have a long time ago)! Also after spending over $500 on this piece of junk, I could not afford to just replace it. Sending it in was not an option when my son was a newborn, because I didnt want to miss any precious memories (which I ened up missing anyway!). So now the holidays are upon us, and I will be forced to purchase another camcorder, since I dont know if they will send it back to me in time for Christmas. I will not pay the $207.50 for a camera that hasnt worked well out of the box. I also had to pay shipping both ways for nothing!
Plus another thing, the still picture is bad quality. Very grainy and you can actually see pixels when you print it. We only used that function once.
I have lost so many disks, and have so many others that only play part of the DVD that when I think of it I cry. I have also wasted so much time trying to figure out how to fix the problem with a customer support that is useless. I wish I would have never bought this camcorder! IF YOU ARE BUYING THIS CAMCORDER TO CAPTURE MEMORIES, BUY ANOTHER! I will not buy Panasonic products again!
On: 2006-11-21
If I could, I would give this camcorder a 0 of 5. Since I now have to search for a new camcorder, from reading other Panasonic model reviews, I am convinced I did not just get a lemon, but the Panasonic brand is bad.
We bought this camcorder 18 months ago at the birth of our son. It has had problems from the beginning. First, I could not finalize the disk. I called Panasonic support, who basically told me the problems we were having were because the camera was not being held still while recording. This is ridiculous since I often set the camera down on a countertop so I can be in the video. Then I finally got someone to tell me that I needed to be recording on Panasonic mini-DVDs. The best it has worked have been on the Panasonic DVDs which are some of the most expensive, and even that is no guarantee that you will be able to watch the DVD after finalization. I still have freezing of the picture and sparatic playback when trying to watch. It has skipped over whole sections. I have 3 DVD players in my home (all different brands) and the disk works on none of them.
I finally got an address to send it in for repairs. I was not happy to be without my camcorder for an extended period of time. I was told they would look at the camcorder, see if there was a problem and call me. I waited a week after I knew it was in the shop to check the status. Panasonic FAILED TO MENTION that I would need to pay $207.50 UP FRONT for them to look at it, then if any repairs were needed, this cost would cover them as well. SO, I have been without a camcorder for 3 weeks while waiting to see if it needed fixing, and the company I sent it to has not even looked at it because I have not paid them! This is crazy since I can get a brand new miniDV camcorder for $225.
The only reason it has taken me so long to take drastic action is because we are military living overseas and bought it at Best Buy. So you see why I couldnt just take it back to the store (or I would have a long time ago)! Also after spending over $500 on this piece of junk, I could not afford to just replace it. Sending it in was not an option when my son was a newborn, because I didnt want to miss any precious memories (which I ened up missing anyway!). So now the holidays are upon us, and I will be forced to purchase another camcorder, since I dont know if they will send it back to me in time for Christmas. I will not pay the $207.50 for a camera that hasnt worked well out of the box. I also had to pay shipping both ways for nothing!
Plus another thing, the still picture is bad quality. Very grainy and you can actually see pixels when you print it. We only used that function once.
I have lost so many disks, and have so many others that only play part of the DVD that when I think of it I cry. I have also wasted so much time trying to figure out how to fix the problem with a customer support that is useless. I wish I would have never bought this camcorder! IF YOU ARE BUYING THIS CAMCORDER TO CAPTURE MEMORIES, BUY ANOTHER! I will not buy Panasonic products again!
 On: 2006-07-13
Ive bought this camera about a year ago and I am very happy with it. The batery charges fast and lasts long, the movies are good in quality (clear, not blured, the colors come out exactly the same) and the camera is light enough. The only problem Ive had so far is that you cannot record in the dark - the movie comes out darker than it seemed and you can hardly see anything. Otherwise I am more than happy with the camera.
 On: 2006-01-30
If you buy this camera, remember to buy also additional DVD copy software (IntelVideo Copy - around $70), plus only Panasonic DVD-Ram mini DVD disks (also expensive). Also, after my experience, if you erase one DVD-ram disc at least twice, on the third use the movie will have many video or audio problems. Not knowing this problem, I ruined my friends baby shower video. Panasonic customer service is not helpful at all. A representative was even surprised that my camera does not have USB cable!!! Other then that - lets say, once you cannot return this camera to the store, because I opened it and used it, you can still enjoy lightness of the camera. One more thing: you need to purchase the light also; this camera does not have built-in light - you will need it. ... So, how much does the camera cost after all???
 On: 2006-01-06
I bought this camera because of consumer reports great reviews. But Im bound and determined to get my images onto my PC. I purchased a DVD-RAM compatible drive for my PC and still cant get it to recongnize either DVD-RAM or DVD-R disks. Do I need special software? And if so what? Roxio DVD builder is not doing the trick.
Other than that, the camera works great, images and sound are clear, and camera is easy to opperate. If you figure out a new cell phone, you can figure out this.
On: 2006-01-05
I bought this camera because of consumer reports great reviews. But Im bound and determined to get my images onto my PC. I purchased a DVD-RAM compatible drive for my PC and still cant get it to recongnize either DVD-RAM or DVD-R disks. Do I need special software? And if so what? Roxio DVD builder is not doing the trick.
Other than that, the camera works great, images and sound are clear, and camera is easy to opperate. If you figure out a new cell phone, you can figure out this.
On: 2006-01-01
Has good features, but the biggest downsides are it does not have a USB port and it uses DVD-RAM discs (re-writable) which do not work on most of the DVD players.
Note that it does not use DVD-RW discs that come with most notebooks and desktop computers and allow re-writing.
So there seems to be virtually no way to transfer your videos to your computer, other than buying a DVD Multi drive that can read DVD-RAM discs.
On: 2005-12-18
It does not have any USB connectivity. There is no way to hook this up to your computer except through the TV type of hookups. Other than that it works great.
You need a software to convert the DVD to something els to be able to edit it on your computer though (to edit movie and make copies)
I like that it write direct to DVD so if you dont want to edit it, there is no need to bother with the computer.
Be aware it only works with certain types of DVDs. Wont work with DVD-RW. Has to be DVD-r and only a certain typre of RAM disk.
 On: 2005-09-01
Purchased this Tuesday from another store since I needed it before it could be delivered. I completely agree with the previous reviewer on the ease of use of this camcorder. The battery charged in less than an hour and I was ready to go, except I failed to notice they did not include a DVD-R disc. :( So, I had to wait but was not disappointed. I was able to format the disc while using the battery, not the A/C adapter like the previous user, and it took all of 5 seconds. I cant wait to use the camcorder for my daughters soccer tournament starting Saturday. Go Mustang Fury 96!!!
On: 2005-05-01
I just bought this camcorder and am not a good reader of manuals. I had it recording in a matter of minutes. You do have to format the mini dvds, but that is easy to find in the manual. The quality of the recording looked great on my computer screen. I bought office depot mini dvds and they worked fine, for the great price. This Panasonic is great and recording straight to mini dvds is a wonderful idea. I would have given it a 5 star rating, but the finalizing of the mini dvd took a while and you have to plug it in, you cant do this using the battery. Also I was warned, that if you use the dvd-ram instead of the dvd-r, they will not work on all players and they prefer to work on Panasonic equipment. This is why I opted for the non re-writable mini dvd-r from office depot. I also bought the PNY SD card from them and the card reader, all very affordable and easy to use.
On: 2005-04-30
I just bought this camcorder and am not a good reader of manuals. I had it recording in a matter of minutes. You do have to format the mini dvds, but that is easy to find in the manual. The quality of the recording looked great on my computer screen. I bought office depot mini dvds and they worked fine, for the great price. This Panasonic is great and recording straight to mini dvds is a wonderful idea. I would have given it a 5 star rating, but the finalizing of the mini dvd took a while and you have to plug it in, you cant do this using the battery. Also I was warned, that if you use the dvd-ram instead of the dvd-r, they will not work on all players and they prefer to work on Panasonic equipment. This is why I opted for the non re-writable mini dvd-r from office depot. I also bought the PNY SD card from them and the card reader, all very affordable and easy to use.
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