#1933240 - 04/27/08 03:32 PM
O/T Digital Camcorder
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Greg B.
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Registered: 12/28/04
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Loc: Tulsa Oklahoma
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We're looking at buying a digital camcorder and I don't know crap about them. My wife wants one that records directly onto a DVD, I am more interested in something that is fairly small. But we both want one that is a good value. I'm not opposed to spending a few bucks on one, but I want a decent one. We mostly will be using it to record family events, etc. Putting video on the computer will be nice, but not really something that is a primary concern. Any opinions or suggestions?
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Avoid playing the amplifier at a volume setting high enough to produce a distorted sound through the speaker-Fender Guitar Course-1966 http://www.myspace.com/tentcityallstars1
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#1933301 - 04/27/08 06:32 PM
Re: O/T Digital Camcorder
[Re: Greg B.]
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stamplicker
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Just picked one up for $250can. Sony hadnycam with 2000x digital zoom and night vision.. the thing just rocks! DCR-DVD108 check some out on youtube and you can see what certain cameras will do.
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#1933351 - 04/27/08 08:15 PM
Re: O/T Digital Camcorder
[Re: stamplicker]
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A String
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Two things you need to consider. one, what will you be viewing the image on and two, how much are you willing to spend.
A camcorder will run you anywhere from $150 TO $3000, depending on what you want.
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#1933381 - 04/27/08 10:17 PM
Re: O/T Digital Camcorder
[Re: A String]
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Fumblyfingers
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Loc: Los Angeles, California.
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I do not know why, but I am just not enthused about camcorders that record to DVD. It seems wrong to me. Nobody in my industry uses a unit like this. The standard for video is Mini DV and obviously some of the camera's are ridiculously expensive with lenses many times the price of the camera.
Many low budget shoots use 3 chip camera's, commonly Canon or Sony.
There are good consumer grade Mini DV camcorders.
I have two Canon Mini DV camcorders, a ZR-60 and a ZR-30. I like the idea of running the video into the computer and editing and that the tape is reusable.
Again, I am not familiar with the DVD one's.........maybe they are good, I don't know.
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#1933440 - 04/28/08 05:52 AM
Re: O/T Digital Camcorder
[Re: Fumblyfingers]
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A String
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I think the ones that are able to record at 1080i/p are the way to go. With most folks having an HDTV or planing on getting one when their CRT breaks, you might as well have one that is "with the times" so to speak.
I think it's better to save up and grab the HD one that looks amazing on your TV rather then buy an SD one and then when you upgrade your TV, be disappointed with the quality.
As Fumbly said, Canon and Sony are the best brands if you can afford them.
The one I would check out is the Sony Handycam HDR-SR11. It has a 60GB Hard Drive. The price is just under $1000. Hard drives and memory sticks have really replaced cassettes and DVDs because of the quality you can capture.
DVDs are limited to 720 where as with a harddrive, you are only limited by the cameras abilities (in the current situation, that is 1080).
Make sure that it says HD in the information and not just hdd (hdd is hard disk drive which is good, but does not stand for high definition). Also, make sure you see 1080 in the description as well. 1080 will usually be in the "video capture resolution" and be part of the resolution eg. 1920 x 1080.
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#1933489 - 04/28/08 08:03 AM
Re: O/T Digital Camcorder
[Re: A String]
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Greg B.
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My wife likes the DVD ones because of being able to pop out the DVD and play it on any DVD player, not having to take the disk out and burn it onto the computer, etc. The main thing that we do with it is video the kids...birthday parties, Christmas, vacations, etc. So while I don't mind spending the money, we don't really need something high end, just something that is reliable and easy to use (cause I will be the one running it most of the time  ). Thanks for your help.
_________________________
Avoid playing the amplifier at a volume setting high enough to produce a distorted sound through the speaker-Fender Guitar Course-1966 http://www.myspace.com/tentcityallstars1
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#1933493 - 04/28/08 08:10 AM
Re: O/T Digital Camcorder
[Re: Greg B.]
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A String
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My wife likes the DVD ones because of being able to pop out the DVD and play it on any DVD player, not having to take the disk out and burn it onto the computer, etc. The main thing that we do with it is video the kids...birthday parties, Christmas, vacations, etc. So while I don't mind spending the money, we don't really need something high end, just something that is reliable and easy to use (cause I will be the one running it most of the time ). Thanks for your help.
You can get an HD camcorder that burns to Blu-ray. If you have a blu-ray player, you can pop out the disk and play it right away.
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#1933494 - 04/28/08 08:12 AM
Re: O/T Digital Camcorder
[Re: A String]
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A String
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Short of that, try to stick with Canon or Sony with whichever media format you choose. They are reliable and provide the best quality image IMO.
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