Mini DV Panasonic PV-DV400 Camcorder for $439

[Free2Best]

Hi, valkyrie, Are you sure pv-dv 601 has the $100 rebate? I only saw 100, 200, 400, 600, 800 rebate here.
here.

I went to Sears yesterday, but didn't get the Pv-dv400 because camerasound.com didn't have that model in stock. The lady also said she would add up the overnight shipping fee. Is that reasonable?

 

[Hawk]

Doh, I just bought the pv-dv200 for $499 (shipped) and then I have the $100 rebate a couple weeks ago at buydig.com. It came really fast, and I didn't have to buy any extra crap, but the 200 doesn't have the infrared and the remote.

Should've searched for this first. <sigh>

 

[aic]

Hawk,

Did you get the $100 rebate?

How many weeks did it take to get it?

 

[Hawk]

Naw, I didn't get it yet. I mailed it in maybe last week, and it says 4-8 weeks (so count on 2 months).

 

[Hawk]

Oh, and sorry, but if you guys want some DV tapes, you can check egay. I just bought 5 60 minute ones for 32 dollars shipped. The 10 for $50 is cheaper per tape, but some people may not want all those tapes.

 

[aic]

Battery question:

The LIP-320 is listed as having a 4.5 hour life.

Lenmar Model # LIP320
Description NoMEM Li-Ion Camcorder Batt. PAN CGR-D320 7.2V 2400mAh
Specifications 7.2Volt 2400mAh (4.5hr.)

Has the battery life recently changed?

I believe it had a 3.5 hour life. Other web sites that sell it have the life as 3.5 hours and not 4.5.

Did they make any changes to the battery to increase its life to an hour?

Thanks.

 

[Immortal1]

The best deal I have found on tapes at BM would be at Sam's Club.
3 pack of 60 minute Maxells for $18.99
The CSR at BatteryBank told me that it was a 3.5 battery and the website had a typo.
Hope that helps

 

[dkcs]

My local costco is selling TDK 60 min 4 packs for $23.99

 

[valkyrie]

Free2Best, no there is no rebate on the 2001 models (anything ending with a -01). But you also won't get the better CCD in the camera, which is why I suggest getting it. Most other camera manufacturers use a 680,000 pixel CCD, which is why the 200,400,600,800 didn't get top marks in the image quality reviews.

Either way you'll get a very good camera, I just wanted the better image quality the 601 provides.

 

[karbon4]

hey all... i was away for the weekend.

...to answer some questions....
Sears has a 30 day money back guarantee. One of the sales persons told me that it's actually a 60 day money back guarantee which surprised me somewhat, although, I've not checked on the validity of that claim. I personally brought back the camera 32 days after I purchased it and they took it back no questions asked. I thought that was really nice. I'm almost tempted to wait until Sears has the new models in before I purchase the PV-DV601.. but that all really depends on how bad I want it.. we'll see.

Anywho, the PV-DV400, was a good camera. I had absolutely no problems with it and was fairly happy with it. What it really came down to was the image quality. A review magazine said that it had 570K but after searching the web for a little bit, I was able to find 3 references stating that it was 470K. Now, there was NOTHING wrong with the image quality as far as I could tell. The videos I had made looked great and I was happy with it, but the lure of a better image was more than my upgrade, upgrade, upgrade mind could take. So right, the PV-DV400 was a good camcorder, much better than the Sony Digi 8's for the price... but the 401 and the 601 (the latter which valk' is convincing me to buy) are GREAT for the price.

blah blah blah...hope that helps... /k`4/

 

[leena]

Great Post! I've been waiting for a cheap mini-DV with those features for a LONG time.

Leena

 

[SIGKILL]

It just occured to me that I will be charged for shipping and sales (i.e. sears will pricematch with overnight shipping from the e-tailers). I know that those e-tailers will try to hit you on up the extended warranties/accessories, but will they &quot;stall&quot;/&quot;cancel&quot; your order if you chose not to?

Can someone suggest any e-tailers that sells the DV-400 for a good price? Who are people pricematching with?

 

[emonkey]

karbon-

I called sears because i was gonna &quot;borrow&quot; this camera from them to see if its worth keeping. I expected a 15 or 30 day return policy but they told me 90 days. I dont know what is up with these people if it is 90 days because thats just nuts. Im gonna stop in there later to see if its for real (which i doubt.)

 

[SIGKILL]

Maybe the 90 days are for electronic goods excluding Camcorders/PC/etc. Did you specifically ask them about the return policy for the camcorder?

 

[cisco]

I bought two JVC GR-DVF11U in open boxes at sams club for $326 each.
how do they rate next to the panasonic?
The JVC specs say it has the 680K CCD, and I think it has fire wire too. I already had a mini DV, so I sold them, but mine doesn't have firewire and now I've decided to get one that has the firewire thingy. Some sams clubs still haven't marked them down (still at$599)
its up to the Local manager, but 3 out of the four here in central florida clearanced them out at $326..

Ques: Is the JVC DVF11U better than the Panasonic PV-DV400

 

[Polaris13]

Ordered a DV401 today from www.digitaletailer.com for $599 + 24.59 shipping. Pretty much the best price around as far as I could see. It is a NY shop though if that scares you. Try out www.shopper.com, that is how I found the best prices.

 

[valkyrie]

Just info for you all interested. I just received my DV601 from dbuys.com today. Came right on time, as advertised. It was packed well (double-boxed with a balloon to reduce motion of the smaller box inside). No visible damage on the internal box at all. I'll open it and play with it by the weekend (my miniDV tapes are set to show in a few days) to let you know what I think. All in all, I'm extremely happy thus far. Dbuys gets a thumbs-up from me.

-V

 

[aic]

I have the same problem mentioned by 1greatguy, my tape playback skips. Sort of slow motion and jerky.

 

[Jingleheimer]

<< I have the same problem mentioned by 1greatguy, my tape playback skips. Sort of slow motion and jerky. >>



It needs Head Cleaning. You can just buy a cleaner tape and play it in your machine by yourself. This will save you fortunes because you won't have to send it back to the company. Good luck.

Jon