Reviewed by Harry Eaton

The VDR-M10 DVD camcorder records high quality digital video and still images onto removable 8cm optical DVD-RAM discs. The technology used in the unit is based on the DVD-RAM and Video Recording formats approved by the DVD Forum. Panasonic is also making available at the same time the Panasonic 2.8GB recordable DVD - RAM disc, model VW-HB28.  The DVD format allows for great expansion of digital media applications in the home environment.

 For consumers, the VDR-M10 offers all the benefits of the DVD-RAM format  exceptional digital picture quality for both moving and still images, space-saving storage, and virtually no degradation of picture quality even when played back thousands of times. A built-in 1.1 megapixel CCD array renders an effective resolution of 720,000-pixels for video and approximately one million pixels for still images. 

The still-shot feature can capture up to 1,998 JPEG images on a single disk. The rewritable 2.8 GB disc (1.4 GB each side) offers up to 60 minutes total MPEG-2 video recording time in the Fine mode and up to 120 minutes in the Standard mode.   

The VDR-M10 makes disc navigation and editing extremely simple. Users will be able to instantly access favorite recorded scenes without searching, fast-forwarding or rewinding. Initial images of video scenes are indexed and displayed as thumbnails, making it fast and easy to search and preview material.  When beginning a new recording, the camcorder automatically finds blank space on the disc, so there’s no danger of accidentally recording over previously recorded scenes.  Users can also select from multiple playback options:  select one or multiple images for selective playback; repeat a range of images; flip through still images every 3 seconds; skip over images.  Editing features include delete, rearrange, fade in/out, wipe, monotone effect, divide and splice.

Recorded video and still images can be enjoyed on a wide range of MPEG2-conforming devices: a DVD-RAM recorder, like the Panasonic DMR-E10; the new Panasonic DVD/DVD-RAM players DVD-RP91; or a PC or laptop computer equipped with DVD-RAM playback capability. (DVD RAM Drive Required)   The 7 Composite Video jack and Audio jacks.

Other features include a color viewfinder, large 3.5” color LCD monitor, digital electronic image stabilization, built-in flash, 12x optical zoom and 48x digital zoom, and USB interface.