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

Arrived at Amazon August 17, arrived at my home August 19. Right now is August 21, 2010.

Panasonic USA website still has this new camera on “Backorder” so Amazon appears to perhaps be the very 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 four-feet lengthy (composite Video-yellow connector, mono sound–white connector)
*Attachable hand strap
*Manual, misc. addenda, warranty/return survey

Stuff I desired to know and could not uncover on web:
*(Genuine) Compatibility with IPAD–no direct assistance (the very touted Apple iFrame capability means nothing as far as I can inform as to effortlessly shooting video and straight bringing it into the IPAD). Of course moving any video into the IPAD is a big challenge. I personal 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 quickly get the nevertheless photographs into the IPAD and it appears possibly the video too–but the video won’t play (so how great is that). I believe this is because the high def 1920x1080P I was making use of at 12 Mbps (VBR) over exceeds the Apple allowable spec. (And it did not operate with the iFrame content I shot at 960×540/30fps (approx 24 Mbps) (VBR). Perhaps if I had employed the 640×480/30fps (approx three Mbps) (VBR) it would have worked–but who desires to save their precious moments in low def? (I feel the IPAD max bit rate is restricted to five Mbps in the published spec). But don’t dismay, here is the workaround: you can watch your videos on the IPAD (at the highest good quality setting) by bringing them in by way of iTunes, directly into the GoodReader app (you can purchase on iTunes). It’s a relatively hidden capability of GoodReader (almost certainly not to upset Apple too a lot)–but GoodReader makes it possible for you to play videos AND at larger 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 capable to import the video into iMovie and FCP 7.

[Addition Aug 28, 2010: Been employing the above GoodReader strategy on my holiday. It functions, but is not excellent. There is an occasional stutter. If you demand excellent, stutter-totally free video on the IPAD, you will require to transcode the 1080P content to an IPAD compatible resolution/bit rate, then bring it into the Video location of the IPAD.]


*How lengthy can your truly shoot–apparently the references to 29min 59 sec (startlingly low) are the “single clip” time. The moment you click stop, you appear to be capable to continue to shoot (possibly a total of 45 minutes as described in the manual)

[Addition Aug 28, 2010: The battery Need to be charged in the camera hooked up to a Pc. Bought a USB car cigarette charger for my road trip and it does not operate. Also purchased an iGo portable USB charger and it did not work. Confirmed with Panasonic Tech Help you Should charge the battery linked to a pc. If you decide on to experiment with other in-camera charging tactics and the battery starts showing weird amounts of energy in the on-screen meter, you will want 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 critical new information below on a .38 knock-off battery obtainable by way of Amazon . . .]

*The AV out (I feel is referred to as mini-USB connector) is only composite–no larger def cables or instructions on making use of 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) .45x Wide Angle Lens (HD) Black Finish W/ Macro (Modification Style) Magnetic Kind. .00 Worked excellent. See my evaluation on its item page on Amazon. Includes magnetic rings which have peel-and-stick super glue of some sort.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041IWMPI/ref=oss_item

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

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

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

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Consumer Video Assessment Length:: :43 Mins

Much lighter than I believed comparing with my old FLIP. I really adore this color and compact design!
Potent 4x digital zoom and LED light operate completely when necessary.

I took a sample video utilizing 1280×720/30 fps mode and edited two files employing computer software constructed-in for you. Even with out picking the highest high quality 1920×1080 mode (Complete HD) in this camcorder, you can see the video high quality is wonderful!

I have been wanting a video camera for years to record and share performances and shows. Numerous of my buddies have the Flip UltraHD Video Camera – Black, eight GB, 2 Hours (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL and I was excited to evaluate the two cameras. When I finally got my camera, I was disappointed to learn that I had to get a particular kind of memory card to go with it (I purchased the Transcend 16GB Class ten SDHC Card (TS16GSDHC10)). This would be slightly annoying soon after already paying so significantly for the camera itself. Incidentally, there is no clear indication on the item page that a card HAS to be purchased (unlike with the Flip camera that comes with eight GB memory in the camera already) or ideas for a person like me who isn’t that familiar with memory cards on which variety is best to purchase Just before you get the product house. So — with out that memory card, the camera can not be utilised directly out of the box.

When I was finally in a position to commence playing close to with the camera I found that it was a bit far more difficult than the Flip, nonetheless Panasonic’s buttons are clearly labeled and it is simple for anyone with some technical understanding to use. As for the filming good quality, for daily filming the picture is really clear but when filming with vibrant stage lighting, the figures appear a bit washed out and fuzzy. I did notice that the Panasonic camera did a have a slightly greater video top quality than the Flip.

Overall I am extremely pleased with this camera — it is tiny, has full HD, is effortless to use, has a flashlight on the front, tiny but clear viewing screen and decent on camera volume. It is capable of taking each videos and pictures. It also has YouTube, Facebook, and Skype interfaces. A nice additional touch would have been if the item had come with a felt bag or protective case of some sort.