The new user-friendly interface makes recording easy, without having to scroll through menus. The SVAV30 features enhanced picture quality with an MPEG4 frame rate (15 frames per second) for video and 640 x 480 resolution for JPEG still images. A swiveling 2-inch LCD screen and two record buttons allow you to shoot comfortably with the unit in either the horizontal or vertical position. A new 2x digital zoom helps bring subjects into closer view.

The SVAV30 includes a built-in flash for taking digital still pictures in low-light situations. A built-in USB interface makes it easy to transfer music from a PC to an SD Memory Card for playback, while the included SD Jukebox software provides a simple way to catalog and save numerous digital music files in a single database on a PC. The SVAV30 is compatible with the MP3 and AAC formats. A built-in speaker lets users listen to any recorded audio.

Improving on its counterpart, the SVAV20, the SVAV30 features a unique A/V docking station that connects to a TV for viewing video and still images, or to a VCR for recording favorite TV programs and viewing them on the go. The docking station also includes a built-in battery recharger to power up the player.

• 64 MB Secure Digital memory card
• Weighs just 3.25 ounces
• 2-inch LCD screen
• Software includes SD Jukebox 3.0 and SD MovieStage 2.0
• Compatibility with Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, and XP
• Packaged with AC adapter, USB and A/V cables, handstrap, carrying case, remote control with earphones, and rechargeable battery

The Digital Tapeless Format
Tapeless camcorders make use of the compression power of the MPEG-4 file format (often called the MP3 of video) to allow you to record directly to memory cards, dispensing with the need for tapes altogether. They may require slightly more computer savvy than other formats, but are more user-friendly than you might expect and allow for the most compact camcorder body sizes ever made.

Customer Reviews Average rating - 3.5

Rating - 1 Date: 2004-08-27
Content: Before you buy Panasonic, check out their customer service number at (800) 221-7262. My experience with Panasonic Customer Service is very poor starting with an average of 26 minute wait times (6 attempts). I bought a Panasonic SVA V30 that had a internal battery charger problem. After waiting for someone at the Panasonic call center to answer, I was referred to All Electronics Services in Bozeman, Montana for warranty repair. I sent the camera to them in April. In June I spoke with Josh there who said he was working on my repair after he had all the accessories. In July, Josh told me they sent the camera to Panasonic and he would check the status. In August, Josh told me All Electronics was no longer working on this camera, that there were many problems with it, that they had 20 bad returns and that Panasonic had returned my camera back to All Electronics. He indicated he was sending me the camera back without repair and told me I had to deal with Panasonic.
After several long waits, Panasonic told were checking the problem and that they needed their rep to see if the camera could be repaired. Bottom line is I still do not have the camera. Panasonic may make good cameras but their customer support is terrible. Their customer service reps were rude and indignant that I was bothering them with my problem.
Summary: Very Poor Warranty Support

Rating - 5 Date: 2004-03-27
Content: this is the coolest thing you get four great things in one, although i cant print out the pictures because my mom lost the product key

a retard could figure this out it's so easy,but if you are going to buy this buy an extra card for recording because they dont hold very much. well, you should still buy this because instead of buying those expensive video camera, or mp3 players, or digital cameras it's all in one and VERY COOL
Summary: VERY GOOD

Rating - 3 Date: 2004-01-16
Content: I really wish I had read some of the reviews before buying this camera. It is small, has tons of features, and is really fast, not to mention makes everybody around you, strangers or not, stop to look at it and ask questions. But the pictures it takes are just not a high enough quality to make it worth it. You could buy a cell phone that can play mp3's and take pictures as good as this camera, and thats a phone too. The zoom was terrible and lost all focus when used, and the mp3 player would be cool if there weren't so many restrictions on how to get music on there. All in all, I was really excited to receive, and really disappointed as soon as I tried to print my pictures, so I returned the product.
Summary: A great gizmo, a substandard camera

Rating - 4 Date: 2004-01-04
Content: When reading these reviews prior to purchase, I got nervous that I would recieve a piece of garbage that didn't live up to the curiousity surrounding it.

I was wrong!

This is a great gadget for on the go, making home movies, anything. When taking a picture, if you are too close with the flash on, all you will see is a flash of white light. Just don't take it less than 1-2 feet away from the object.

I was very impressed with the video aspect. The sound was very impressive and I was able to watch the videos immediately after taking them, and the picture quality is impressive considering how small this is.

Overall, I'm really glad I bought this. The voice recorder is reliable, I haven't checked the Audio player, but I mostly bought it for three out of four purposes. It is absolutely worth it, especially to slip in your pocket and make videos/take pictures on the go.

TIP: The SV-AV30 comes with a 64MB Memory Card. If you are planning to use this full-time, or are taking this on a trip, buy an additional card. 64MB is really not a lot of room, especially if you will be using all of the options offered (Voice/Audio/Camera/Video). The memory cards are somewhat expensive, but if you invest in a high MB card, it will last you for a while.
Summary: Not bad at all! Recommended.

Rating - 1 Date: 2003-10-29
Content: Sorry guys... I saw this gizmo and thought as many do.."wow.. a video camera and digital camera in one and in a small package" (I didn't really care about the mp3 player and voice recorder).

I was/am willing to sacrifice some quality because of the size but this thing is ridiculous. Unless you are in DIRECT sunlight taking a picture of something 2 feet in front of you then this thing is worse than anything I can imagine (and even then the pictures are terrible).

The video camera recording/reproduction is useless...I have never got a decent recording.

If you have to use the flash (which seems like all the time) then all you get is bright white pictures.

I can't express how disappointed I was with this product. A friend of mine just got a digital camera for 25% the price and the pictures are 10 times the quality and it is only slightly bigger than this.

The only positive things I could say is that it is a great conversation starter at bars..etc.. since it is a cool package and draws a lot of attention (but dont try actually show it off by using it because it is pathetic) and that the software isnt "terrible" (although has failed to work a couple of times on XP but pretty solid for the most part).

My opinion---a waste of money--novelty wears off after 24 hours and then you look at what you have which is picture quality 10 times worse than a picture booth and a video camera that you can't use.
Summary: NOT Worth it