Panasonic TA-1 Ultrathin HD Pocket Camcorder Enabled with Skype and iFrame (Red)

Early Impressions, August 21, 2010

By 

Dino Papoutsis “Dean” (Sunnyvale, CA) – See all my reviews

  

Arrived at Amazon August 17, arrived at my house August 19. Today is August 21, 2010.

Panasonic USA website still has this new camera on “Backorder” so Amazon seems to perhaps be the first place to have this! I placed a pre-order and have been waiting weeks for this . . .

What’s in the box:

*Camera

*USB “Extension Cord” About 40-inches long

*”AV” Cable about 4-feet long (composite Video-yellow connector, mono sound–white connector)

*Attachable hand strap

*Manual, misc. addenda, warranty/return survey

Stuff I wanted to know and could not find on web:

*(Real) Compatibility with IPAD–no direct support (the highly touted Apple iFrame capability means nothing as far as I can tell as to easily shooting video and directly bringing it into the IPAD). Of course moving any video into the IPAD is a big challenge. I own the Apple CCK Camera Connection Kit and was hoping this would allow me to plug the USB plug of the camera into this CCK adapter or the SD-card itself and import the video into the Apple photo app. I did easily get the still photos into the IPAD and it seems maybe the video too–but the video won’t play (so how good is that). I believe this is because the high def 1920x1080P I was using at 12 Mbps (VBR) over exceeds the Apple allowable spec. (And it did not work with the iFrame content I shot at 960×540/30fps (approx 24 Mbps) (VBR). Perhaps if I had used the 640×480/30fps (approx 3 Mbps) (VBR) it would have worked–but who wants to save their precious moments in low def? (I believe the IPAD max bit rate is limited to 5 Mbps in the published spec). But don’t dismay, here is the workaround: you can watch your videos on the IPAD (at the highest quality setting) by bringing them in through iTunes, directly into the GoodReader app (you can buy on iTunes). It’s a fairly hidden capability of GoodReader (probably not to upset Apple too much)–but GoodReader allows you to play videos AND at higher resolutions and bit speeds than the Apple specs . . . but shhhhh, don’t tell anyone, don’t think we are supposed to know this. I was also able to import the video into iMovie and FCP 7.

[Addition Aug 28, 2010: Been using the above GoodReader technique on my vacation. It works, but is not perfect. There is an occasional stutter. If you demand perfect, stutter-free video on the IPAD, you will need to transcode the 1080P content to an IPAD compatible resolution/bit rate, then bring it into the Video area of the IPAD.]

*How long can your really shoot–apparently the references to 29min 59 sec (startlingly low) are the “single clip” time. Once you click stop, you seem to be able to continue to shoot (perhaps a total of 45 minutes as described in the manual)

[Addition Aug 28, 2010: The battery MUST be charged in the camera hooked up to a PC. Purchased a USB car cigarette charger for my road trip and it does not work. Also purchased an iGo portable USB charger and it did not work. Confirmed with Panasonic Tech Support you MUST charge the battery connected to a computer. If you choose to experiment with other in-camera charging techniques and the battery starts showing weird amounts of power in the on-screen meter, you will need to pull the battery out of the camera and wait 1 minute for it to sorta reset--before trying again.]

[Addition Oct 21, 2010: See important new info below on a .38 knock-off battery available through Amazon . . .]

*The AV out (I believe is called mini-USB connector) is only composite–no higher def cables or instructions on using it for higher def.

*There is no external microphone jack

*There is no external earphone jack

*Lens has no screw threads for attaching other lenses (see Flip Ultra HD lens wide/macro hacks on net)

[Addition October 21, 2010: Purchased magnetic Wide Angle Conversion lens from Amazon seller New World Video Direct = Panasonic TA-1 (HM-TA1) 0.45x Wide Angle Lens (HD) Black Finish W/ Macro (Modification Style) Magnetic Type. .00 Worked great. See my review on its product page on Amazon. Includes magnetic rings which have peel-and-stick super glue of some kind.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041IWMPI/ref=oss_product

*Manual does not reference any other accessories other than a spare battery and SD-type memory cards (what I still found today on the Panasonic website).

*UW Housing - I am still dying to know if Panasonic will offer a low cost underwater housing for scuba diving (100 ft.)--and as of today, there is no sign that this may be a future offering.

[Addition October 21, 2010: Discovered a cool looking Underwater Housing from Ikelite on Amazon 6.95. Have not purchased at this point. On the manufacturer's site they show you some cool looking tiny video lights which go with it.]…

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Compact yet powerful!!, October 24, 2010

Customer Video Review Length:: 0:43 Mins

Much lighter than I thought comparing with my old FLIP. I really love this color and compact design!

Powerful 4x digital zoom and LED light work perfectly when needed.

I took a sample video using 1280×720/30 fps mode and edited two files using software built-in for you. Even without selecting the highest quality 1920×1080 mode (Full HD) in this camcorder, you can see the video quality is amazing!

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“First impression best impression” does not apply to this, August 22, 2010

By 

Vishnuvardhan Muralidharan “photo_maven” (Oklahoma City, OK) – See all my reviews

  

Yes, the first impression is the best impression does not apply to Panasonic TA-1. Panasonic is known to make good quality product may not be great quality. They are reliable and easy to use. None of those is applicable to this product.

I own Flip Ultra HD and I love it. I am a new father and since the birth of baby, I have not used any other device more than Flip Ultra HD, Why? because it was just too easy for me and my family members to use it. I am a Semi pro photographer and have own some expensive gear and never used them to shoot my new born. Here is the reason why Flip was easy:

1. Simple to use, less number of buttons.

2. Software is extremely easy to use there is nothing to setup (Watch out when you update the software I did face some minor issues while updating the software).

3. It takes less than a minute for me to hook the device to my computer and e-mail or share it online with my family and friends.

4. Great picture quality.

5. Feels solid to hold.

6. Price point.

7. Even my grandma can use it in a fly.

8. Quick start up.

I am not trying to review the Flip Ultra HD or endorsing it, just providing few practical reasons why I like Flip over Panasonic TA-1. There are issues with Flip but the practical advantage points easily overshadow the issues.

Now coming to Panasonic TA-1. What will attract you about this product is its size and picture quality. It is very compact not bigger then Noika N8 mobile phone. The picture quality is also very good @ 1080P as compared to Flip @720P. The build quality is not good with plasticky and flimsy feel when you hold it. Given its candy bar size the grip is also not firm when you hold it unlike Flip Ultra HD. I like the nice LED light that does light up the subject well in dark is an advantage over the Flip.

Cons:

- Price

- Software issues and bad user interface (Took 10 minutes to figure out how to use it)

- Inability to e-mail unlike Flip’s application

- So far I have bee unsuccessful to publish anything to YoutTube as I get an Upload error after the 95% upload is complete (This could be just my issues, I am still figuring out why)

- Flimsy construction

- Pop out USB too flimsy and should be handled carefully. Can break easily.

- Battery price

Pros:

+ Picture quality

+ Picture mode features like Monochrome and Smooth skin tone etc.

+ Audio recording: Good reproduction when compared to Flip

+ Still image @ 8MP

+ Ability to expand memory but additional cost

+ Battery when compared to Flip

+ LED Light for low light shooting is GOOD

+ It’s like holding mobile phone, very light

This is not a detailed review of the product but a quick one with practical viewpoint. User experience does change and varies from person to person. I cannot give 5 star for this product but somewhere between 3 and 4. Since I cannot rate 3.5 due to limitations of staring system in Amazon, I have rated it 3.

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