Panasonic SDR-H18 Camcorder - Norm's Review

[HapFletcher]

I have that same SDR-H18, This "bleepin' blip blip" camera SUCKS.

This is not conclusive to a average home video guy. its too difficult to edit. I want to use movie maker but it wont recognize the .MOD format. its really just taken all what fun i hope for out of this camera and made it a pain in the ass!

why don't these video makers understand..keep it simple so more anyone can use it? I get .MOD files AND .moi files .i don't understand any of it...and trust me I have tried

[AgentCarver]

Can this work on Pinnacle Studio 14?

[thekastone]

Thanks for your solid input and good luck!

[fafafanta]

what is a camcorder u reccommend that isnt too expensive

[westheritageskate]

this one.

[bumblebee561]

can you edit it on movie maker????

[graffitiking100]

so i cant use pinaccle studios to edit

[CartoonZack]

I record videos on the SD card, and just put the card into the computer when I'm done recording. It's as simple as that.

[westheritageskate]

how big is ur card?

how mnny hours can

it record?

[CartoonZack]

-8 GB

-Many

[bobjr94]

FYI: For everyone talking about the video files being saved as .MOD, just rename them .MPG and you can edit the videos with almost any program. I have never used or even installed the editing software that comes with it. When you plug the camera in, it shows up as an external hard drive, just drag and drop the files to any folder on your computer and rename the .MOD files. You can delete the small files,they were just thumbnails used by the video camera and are no longer needed.

[normspace]

Thanks for your input, bobjr94. I checked your site out nice work on the cars.

[westheritageskate]

hi, i plug the cam in with the usb.

the camera is off because of the battery

being off. and nothing happens.

i can never upload to the pc?

can u help?

[bobjr94]

You need to plug the power adapter into the camera, you should have a cable from the battery charger to the camera when the batter is off.

[westheritageskate]

is the power adapter the one that

goes in behind the battery next to the

usb port? so if i have the power adapter

in, and the usb connected, it shuld work?

[bobjr94]

If the wire is connected from the charger to the camera then it should power on, then select PC CONNECT on the camera, then it should appear as a removable drive on your computer.

[westheritageskate]

where do you get pc connect on

the camera?

[SHAYLAANDKATIE]

yeah I'm trying to figure it out too

[westheritageskate]

its like impossible to find

the right charger for this camera,

so might as well get a memory card

like me

[badfbdy78z28]

Do you know how to recover videos you deleted from the hard drive, plz help!

[normspace]

Sorry for the delay on response badfbdy78z28. I would check into recovery software. Google this "recover accidentally deleted files"

[bunbunPRODUCTIONS]

Question: I have this camera, and I want better audio quality. is it possible to hook up a microphone to this camcorder??

[normspace]

I am actually checking into that now to see if there is 3rd party companies that make an external mic for this as soon as i find one I will email you.

[DrewLaughlin]

Did you ever find an external mic for this camcorder? That is my only frustration with this unit.  Thanks!

[UnknownEdge]

I freaken hate how you just can't get the files from using windows explorer. you have to you the freaken software that takes forever to load up all the vids and upload them to your com -_- 1 thing i HATE about this cam...

[skatehabitat84]

are there any cheap alternative editing softwares to movie maker? because i dont wanna spend much money

[LifeTech101]

Sorry for the late response, When I started making videos I started with Pinacle and Unlead, then to Vegas Movie Studio. I shopped on ebay to get the best prices. Also search Google there is some free beta applications out there.

[skatehabitat84]

how do you change the format to put it in windows movie maker?

[normspace]

This has been one other issues I had with this camcorder. it saves in MOD Windows movie make cannot see this format even when I installed the Panasonic drivers. With this camcorder I recommend getting a basic video editing software, find application that can read MOD. I found that Windows Movie Maker can be selective on formats.

[zondervan123]

Actually, the second film from the Panasonic looks better than your first. Just my opinion

[fabrigb]

Hey norm nice review I got 500 bucks for a camera and a case, i have a band and i need to record the rehersals in a high quality video but specially hogh quality audio, im deciding between Sony DCR-SR65 1MP 40GB and the SDR-H60 or SDR-H18 what do you think master?

[LifeTech101]

Sorry for the late reponse. I just created a new series and my next video will be about Hard Drive Camcorders. I will answer some of your questions on video. From the reviews I have read from the models you list the Panasonic Models have more positive reviews. Please watch the show I am creating on Hard Drive Camcorders it will be focused on the Pro's and Con's of a Hard Drive Camcorder before you purchase.

[DrZarkloff]

Nice camcorder, but I need a camcorder that I strap around my head or hat. It's a real pain to work with one hand and hold the camcorder in the other hand. What do you have?

[normspace]

Look at the flip ultra LOL. The have a accesories that should work.