Author Topic: Looking for a good camcorder, video camera (Read 455 times)

FiLtH · « **on:** September 27, 2007, 03:47:29 PM »

whatever they are called today. I have never owned one. It has to be easy to use, easy to hookup to the pc, and good quality.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2007, 04:04:36 PM »

I'd go with the Canon ZR800, ZR830 or ZR850

$265 at Newegg

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2007, 04:05:55 PM »

Do not, I repeat do NOT buy anything that writes to a DVD.

MiniDV tapes and Hard drive cams are the way to go. DVD cams suck giant donkey balls.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 27, 2007, 04:09:00 PM »

PS, they are MiniDV format. This is a tiny digital tape. You will need a firewire and Firewire card/port on your PC to download and edit. Just about any camcorder will play directly to a TV. Even the cheap ones can convert older format analog tapes (like VHS or 8mm) to digital. Get a handful of tapes and an extra battery as well.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 27, 2007, 04:13:58 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eskimo2
PS, they are MiniDV format. This is a tiny digital tape. You will need a firewire and Firewire card/port on your PC to download and edit. Just about any camcorder will play directly to a TV. Even the cheap ones can convert older format analog tapes (like VHS or 8mm) to digital. Get a handful of tapes and an extra battery as well.

True, I still prefer DV cams. Most newer computers come with a firewire port, and if it doesnt you can buy a card and cable for 30 bucks.....

DVD cams do not use firewire and suck so I won't go into any more detail.

Hard drive cams usualy allow you to transfer the video files to the hard drive through USB. These cams will kill the DV based cams eventualy I think.

You can't go wrong with Sony or Canon, JVC makes on ones too.

P.S. NO DVD cams.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 27, 2007, 04:19:06 PM »

GtoRA2,

I generally agree. However, DVD writer cams have two advantages:

If you are going on a big trip and have no chance to download and plan on shooting hours and hours of clips, 100 hours on DVD may be cheaper, less delicate and take up less space than MiniDV.

Also DVD allows you to jump directly to particular files without having to rewind or forward-fast through a tape.

I’d go with MiniDV in almost any circumstance though.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 27, 2007, 04:27:21 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eskimo2
GtoRA2,

I generally agree. However, DVD writer cams have two advantages:

If you are going on a big trip and have no chance to download and plan on shooting hours and hours of clips, 100 hours on DVD may be cheaper, less delicate and take up less space than MiniDV.

Also DVD allows you to jump directly to particular files without having to rewind or forward-fast through a tape.

I’d go with MiniDV in almost any circumstance though.

True, but I dont think you can get much on the little DVD disks they use. I think its about 40 minutes at decent res to a disk, but I could be wrong. ( have one at work, but no one uses it cause it sucks, so I will have to dig it out)

If I were to buy one today it would prolly be a mini DV cam, but mostly cause they are cheaper at this time then the Hard drive cams.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #7 on:** September 27, 2007, 04:45:58 PM »

I just picked up a nice JVC mini-DV with 16:9 viewable (and standard 4:3) for $199.95 at Circuit City.
34x zoom.
GR-D750U. Check em out online to see if they're still on sale.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 27, 2007, 04:48:45 PM »

What is your purpose?
If you are shooting movies that you want transferred over the Internet just about anything will exceed the quality that you can practically send, so don’t bother with high end or expensive.

Many digital pocket cameras can actually take movie clips that are as good as most camcorders’ clips. The advantages of camcorders are: better zoom, image stabilization and longer clips.

A little Canon Elph will take 640x480 resolution clips at 30 fps with great sound and it will slip in your pants pocket. They also have a 320x240 mode at 60 fps.

FiLtH · « **Reply #9 on:** September 27, 2007, 11:28:27 PM »

Thanks for the info!

I just want a movie camera for friends and family when we have parties etc. And want to be able to put it on pc.

LePaul · « **Reply #10 on:** September 27, 2007, 11:56:51 PM »

My brother and I talked about getting a digital video camera so we can interview some of our elderly relatives and record the history of their lives. He's a production guy, working part time at a local Fox affiliate, so he gets to play with the really expensive stuff. (Pity we couldnt borrow their toys!)

Any brand better than another?

The 16:9 is an excellent idea I wouldnt have thought of. Be fun to show off the finished product on widescreen

eskimo2 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 28, 2007, 06:36:43 AM »

You can’t go wrong with Canon; a few others are OK. There are some out there, however, that really do have an unsatisfactory image. For an interview, a cheap, under $300, Canon on a tripod would be better than a high end consumer cam being hand held.

Nilsen · « **Reply #12 on:** September 28, 2007, 06:57:01 AM »

Maybe not now (unless you already have a HDTV) , but in a few years you are gonna hate that you didnt get HD. They are not that expencive anymore either.

Check out the Canon HV10 HDV. Its cheap and has gotten some excellent reviews.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #13 on:** September 28, 2007, 08:16:07 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nilsen
Maybe not now (unless you already have a HDTV) , but in a few years you are gonna hate that you didnt get HD. They are not that expencive anymore either.

Check out the Canon HV10 HDV. Its cheap and has gotten some excellent reviews.

Hi def is nice, but $700 worth of High Def on a MiniDV camera is still a bit high for my tastes. Hi Def cameras have come down in price since inception but they still have room to move both price-wise (down) and technology (cost-efficient DVD and HDD). Personally I'd wait a couple of years for a Hi Def camera. Meanwhile, we'll have to enjoy the non-high-def look of our movies, not unlike the same experience that our parents have to put up with their old 8mm and 16mm film.

Nilsen · « **Reply #14 on:** September 28, 2007, 08:24:19 AM »

HD will be cheaper, but you wont be able to turn back time to capture those golden family(kids) moments again on HD later.

As an alternative to no cam at all a regular camcorder is ALOT better.

700 sounds abit much perhaps, and i didnt take into account the low dollar when i took HD into this thread. For us its much cheaper.