Panasonic HDC-TM90 HD Camcorder

[kevinsmellls]

Hi there I was just wondering about the camera's low light performance, sound quality and battery life? Do you think it'd be suitable for filming say, bands playing in dimly lit venues?

Sorry for all these questions but could I also get a PM on your opinion on the camera?

I've read good things about it so far but I just really want to see what someone with hands on experience with it thinks.

[ragnal82]

whats the different between yours cam and sd90? Is it only lack of memory? regards

[johnnyjohnson]

@ragnal82 Yes, the only difference is the lack of internal memory.

[john0270]

I have the same camera, recently I noticed that it has a rattle to it when its shut off, or the screen is closed, just wonding if yours does the same?

[johnnyjohnson]

@john0270 I haven't noticed a rattle on mine. I'll have to listen closely the next time I use it to see if I hear anything.

[sdktgrant]

I've been having problems trying to get my videos from the camcorder to a DVD disc. I've downloaded the HD Writer AE 3.0 software. I've put the videos onto my PC, but get error messages trying to transfer to the DVD disc. I've tried directly from the camcorder and that doesn't work at all. It's too late to return it, so I have to figure this out. My daughter had a project to do, and I spent a lot of time on this and am very frustrated! Do you have any tips or instructions?

[johnnyjohnson]

@sdktgrant What is the size of the video file that you've copied to your PC? Depending on the length and size of the video, it may not be able to fit on a single-layer DVD.

[chelseaRinsane]

does this camera do 60fps? i have seen that people say it does 60p, is there a difference? and some say that it wont work with mac imovie at that frame rate, but i have another cam that does 60fps and that works with my mac imovie.. so i don't know what to think..please help.

[johnnyjohnson]

@chelseaRinsane The camera does record 60fps. I haven't tried it with iMovie; however, according to the user manual, when recording in what is called iFrame (which is suitable for iMovie), 1080/60p is not compatible. Not sure if there's a way to import 1080/60p into iMovie, as I do not own a Mac. Sorry, I'm sure that didn't help much. :)

[chelseaRinsane]

@johnnyjohnson ok, thanks anyway man :)

[MercuriousH]

please tell me how do you feel about this camera ? pm me or anything

Thanks

[jibzko]

Hi, now that you've had the camera for approx. 6 months, what do you think of it? Do you still like it? I'm asking because I'm planning to buy this type. Thank you

[johnnyjohnson]

@jibzko I'll send you a PM.

[1337jo1337]

@johnnyjohnson send me the PM to me too please i also wanna know it.

[BoomerMyBaby]

May be an obvious question but can you zoom in while recording because so many cant

[johnnyjohnson]

@BoomerMyBaby Yes.

[JCRecords95]

does it have manual focus????

[johnnyjohnson]

@JCRecords95 Yes.

[johnnyjohnson]

@cdlaffer Only a little in my opinion.

[johnnyjohnson]

@cdlaffer 1hr 20min.

[ipod242]

@johnnyjohnson will the tm90 work in australia seeing as the us version TM90 is 1080\60p and the australian version (sd90) is 1080\50p ??? because i live in australia and i am looking to buy this off amazon.

[johnnyjohnson]

@ipod242 I'm not really sure. I'll have to do some research and see if I can find out any more information on that.

[ipod242]

@johnnyjohnson okay thank you, that would be much apreciated :)

[airlinemovies]

@ipod242 Its strange but Panasonic said on their website that 1080/60p is for the NTSC area. Unfortunately I live in PAL area and my SD-90 is 50p. Don't understand why there is a difference.

[jayhop1]

as a lad always wanted to go to the moon-but someithing inside said you'll probably need some instructions on how to get there--needless to say i never made it--nowadays as an ole fat middle-aged hillbillie all i want to do is transfer the 16 flash to my pc--but this dag-gone manual and me are fighting tooth and nail--my pc is mighty and so is the tm-90--i say much of this in jest--but i'm scared to take the test--oh look at the time i'm unable to make another rhyme--night ---and i will be back

[johnnyjohnson]

@jayhop1 I'll send you a PM right away, to hopefully make your day. LOL!

[harry1989ization]

@johnnyjohnson how much did you pay $ US ?

[johnnyjohnson]

@harry1989ization I payed about $480. It has come down in price since then. I think you can get it for less than $450 at Amazon now.

[jayhop1]

for the what it's worth department--to scroll through the comments and not have to deal with all that f-word and just crazy talk on about 80 percent of things one sees on youtube--a site that has reasonable and rational folks juist gives me a doggone calming effect--i actually believe there should be a "you tube 2" of sorts--sorry to rattle but the tm-90 is my real issue and am tickled to death there are people who have interest in helping an ole hillbillie from the mountains of east TN -jay

[johnnyjohnson]

@jayhop1 Thanks for the comment. I agree with you. It's always refreshing to find a "family-friendly" channel on YouTube. :) Were you able to get the video transferred to your computer, or did you still need help?

[TheIVGamer]

Does it come with a different plug in for the power adapter (is that the charger) see my plugs are a different shape to that end :/

[johnnyjohnson]

@TheIVGamer Do you live in the UK? I imagine it will come with the proper plug depending on what country you purchase it from. Looks like Amazon UK has the SD version of the camera (the one without internal memory).

[TheIVGamer]

@johnnyjohnson ok, thanks!

[jayhop1]

you've no idea mr johnson how much i appreciate just that you took the time to respond--i'm still a skeardy cat though---the 157 page manual quickly turns into a thousand page novel---with each instruction refering one to another page--and for a beginner it is overwhelming---and i can't cry about it being wrtten in japanese or having six models to deal with--only a few references to the SD-90--i spent $700 on the camcorder and $300 to upgrade my xp to 7 premium- i'll need more help thanx- jay

[jayhop1]

oh please give me a tuturial on how to finally put my footage onto the pc --my ae writer is installed but i'm still afraid to go it alone---i've owned many analog cam's--and always dreamed of getting my first digital---i bought the tm90 in april --took me 2 months just to charge the battery ---and another couple months just to start footage process--now i think my 16 thing in full --grandson football game and grand daughter two year old stuff---etc---please help if you have time thanx jay

[johnnyjohnson]

@jayhop1 You should have received a USB cable with your camcorder.  You want to hook the small end of it to your camcorder, and the other end to your PC. Turn the camcorder on and make sure that the switch on it is set to review mode. The PC should automatically detect the camcorder and open the AE Writer program. From there you should be able to import the video files directly to the PC. If you have further questions don't hesitate to ask.

[Ozzi4Japan]

Good video, very informative. Hey I have been watching and reading a few reviews on this camera and I heard a couple of complaints about occasionally getting too much of a green/blue tint in footage? Have you experienced anything like that?

[johnnyjohnson]

@Ozzi4Japan Thanks for watching! I haven't experienced that yet.  My latest video is the first one filmed with this camera if you're interested in seeing what the video quality is like.

[RoyWriter]

how do i change the date man? please reply.

[johnnyjohnson]

@RoyWriter Make sure the camcorder is set to either still picture or video mode. Once the LCD display is on, arrow over on the display until you see the Menu option. Press Menu, then Setup. You should see the Clock Set option. Choose that to set the date and time.

[caregato10]

i tried to found on google, but doesnt work. =S

[bubbah]

I'm torn between the Canon M40 and the Panasonic SD90... The M40 supposedly has much better low light capabilities.

Have you compared them?

Also, beware that when you upload 50p/60p videos, YouTube can't handle them properly, so the animation becomes choppy. I've seen this with numerous other videos here uploaded straight from a 50/60p camera.

Better convert to 25/30p before uploading.

[JQuoix]

@bubbah You can now upload 1080/60p videos to Youtube without a problem. I've tested it several times with videos from the TM90, and it works perfectly.

[caregato10]

You know where i can find the HD Writer AE 3.0 if i lost?

[johnnyjohnson]

@caregato10 Have you tried doing a Google search to see if it's available for download online? If not, you could probably call Panasonic and they will ship you out a copy if you tell them you've lost yours.

[beigemore]

Looking forward to seeing the video quality with this.

[raphaelfns]

Hello,

Do you like it better than than Canon m40?

[johnnyjohnson]

@raphaelfns The Canon M40 has a better sensor than the Panasonic, so technically, it is a better camcorder; however, it does not record in 1080p. I haven't used the Canon, so I am unable to compare the two. I can send you a link to some spec comparisons if you're interested. Thanks for watching!

[raphaelfns]

@johnnyjohnson I would appreciate your help, I'm really interested on buying a hd camcorder, but as I live in Guatemala currently, I can't try any of them, I have to rely on video reviews

[johnnyjohnson]

@raphaelfns I'll send you a PM with a couple of links. Good luck!

[raphaelfns]

@johnnyjohnson Thank you for your links, it really helped a lot. I appreciate it.

I'm definitely getting the tm90.

[johnnyjohnson]

@raphaelfns You're welcome. Let me know how it goes. Take care!

[bubbah]

@johnnyjohnson Doesn't the M40 record in 1080/60i or 1080/30p (or 50p/25p for PAL)?

[canastero56]

Hi will it also shoot in 1080/30p and 720/30p , 720/60p,,, also can you record to the Sd card without going thru the built in memory. thanks

[johnnyjohnson]

@canastero56 1920x1080/60p

AVCHD - 1920x1080/60i, 1920x1080/24p and 1440x1080/60i

iFrame (Mac compatible) - 960x540/30p

So to answer your question, it does not record in 720p; however, by using video editing software you will be able to encode the video at that resolution.

Hope that answers your question. :) Take care!

[tb46667]

Have you ever thought of doing commercials or Documentaries.

You have a soothing calm voice for those.

[johnnyjohnson]

@tb46667 Thanks for the kind words Tom! :)

[TheBratterz]

I have the TM10 (which is pretty similar) and I'm really happy with it considering the price I paid. Nice choice johnny :]

[johnnyjohnson]

@TheBratterz Thanks man!

[retroswede]

It seems like a really good camera. I've been thinking about getting a Panasonic myself.

[johnnyjohnson]

@retroswede I think it's a very good bang for your buck so to speak. Thanks for watching buddy! :)

[lvpepe38]

Awsome camera dude.

[johnnyjohnson]

@lvpepe38 Thanks Louis!

[themegamancave]

great new camera man, going to be looking good now!

[johnnyjohnson]

@themegamancave Thanks man!

[marauderNOR]

Looks like a nice camcorder. What were you using before?

[johnnyjohnson]

@marauderNOR Thanks! I was using a Sony DCR-TRV25.