DVD Format
The VDR-M30 combines all the technological benefits of the rewritable DVD-RAM format with the compatibility of write-once DVD-R media. DVD-RAM offers the highest quality in digital imaging, huge storage capability--capturing up to 120 minutes of digital video and 1,998 still images to DVD media--and rewritability up to 100,000 times, with virtually no degradation of picture quality no matter how many times the disc is played back. The DVD-R format offers the ability to record onto affordable DVD-R discs for sharing with friends and family, and archiving memories for everyone to enjoy.

With the DVD-RAM format, you can access recorded scenes without the hassles of searching, fast-forwarding or rewinding. Indexed thumbnails are displayed on the 2.5-inch color LCD. In addition, the camcorder will automatically find blank space on the DVD-RAM disc whenever a recording begins, eliminating the possibility of recording over what you've already shot. Camcorder editing features include delete, rearrange, fade in/out, wipe, divide, and splice.

Recorded video and still images captured by the VDR-M30 can be played back on DVD-RAM and the majority of DVD-R compatible MPEG2-conforming devices. Just slide the disc out of the new disc cartridge and place it into the DVD recorder or player, or into a PC or laptop computer equipped with DVD playback. The camcorder has a USB port for easy direct connection to a PC.

Optics
The VDR-M30 is equipped with a 12x optical zoom, and also features a 240x digital zoom that allows you to zoom in on incredible close-ups.

Digital Stills
In addition to moving pictures, the VDR-M30 can record still images (640 x 480 pixels) onto a DVD disc or SD Memory Card. A DVD-RAM disc can store JPEG photo data and video together on the same disc. The VDR-M30 lets you keep family memories, in both still and moving pictures, on a single disc. You can also save still images to an optional Secure Digital (SD) memory card

More Features
The XTRA mode uses an advanced MPEG2 data compression technology called VBR (variable bit rate) to record high-quality images. Real-time VBR controls the rate of MPEG2 compression in real time, depending on scene complexity, varying it to enable more efficient recording. In XTRA mode, the VDR-M30 can record continuously for 36 to 120 minutes on both side of an 8cm DVD-RAM disc.

Other features include:

• 800K pixel resolution
• 2.5-inch LCD screen
• 5-mode Program auto-exposure (AE)
• USB 1.1 connectivity
• S-Video and A/V output
• Stereo microphone

Size and Contents
The camcorder measures 2.25 x 3.5 x 5.3 inches and weighs 1.1 pounds (without battery). This package includes the VDRM30 camcorder, AC adapter, battery pack, shoulder strap, A/V cable (M3-RCA), lens cap, USB cable, DVD-R disc, and video editing software.