Digital Video Camera..

[Ernest Buckley]

Looking to get one for Christmas for the family. I already have a MAC with Final Cut Pro. Just need a camera. I`m looking to spend about $500 max. What features should I be looking for? We are looking to use it for basic family gatherings, etc... nothing of major proportions. Thanks in advance for the advice.

[offramp]

I would go with the Sony TRV series. I have one I use with my G4 and FCP, and it's pretty flawless. You even have machine control from the keyboard, so when the camera's plugged in the FW port, you can run it without touching it.

[Ernest Buckley]

I have an old analog video camera, would I be able to use the TRV to transfer over my old footage to FCP?

[offramp]

Yes. I do this from time to time. You take the RCA or S-video output of your analogue camera into the corresponding jacks on the side; the camera does the conversion for you, and throughputs to Firewire. After that, simply edit and burn in iDvd (you should make sure you have iLife '04, as that version of iDvd allows for burning DVD's longer than an hour.

 

Make sure the TRV model has the necessary jacks (most all do, but check anyway).

[theblue1]

An alternative -- but not without compromise -- are some of the newer digital cameras that feature sound movies along with still pictures.

 

I just bought a Nikon Coolpix 3700 that records 640x480 30 fps movies (with decent, but certainly not hi fi, sound through its built in mic [no audio in]). It's a very small camera with a 3x optical zoom and a number of "scene overrides" as well as the ability to set your own white balance. It can hold about 14 minutes of full quality video (in QuickTime format) on a $60 1 GB SD memory card. The USB connection from the camera is very, very slow -- but a $20 card reader shoots rignt around that by giving you virtually instantaneous access to the contents of the memory card.)

 

After rebate, the cam was only $150. And it takes fine stills, too.

 

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/CP3700/CP37A.HTM

 

This model is on sale, I'm thinking, because of its 'small' 3.2 megapixel count and because of its USB 1.1 port. (Like I said, the card reader is a complete end run on that, even a huge movie is available as soon as you plug the card reader into a USB 2 port.)

 

There are a number of other models from other manufacturers out there, too. Just make sure you get the features you want. There's a big diff between 640x480 30 fps and the much more common 320x240 15 frps.

 

For some stuff, you definitely need a dedicated video cam. But for a lot of folks, a combo may be just the ticket.

[Ernest Buckley]

Yes. I do this from time to time. You take the RCA or S-video output of your analogue camera into the corresponding jacks on the side; the camera does the conversion for you, and throughputs to Firewire. After that, simply edit and burn in iDvd (you should make sure you have iLife '04, as that version of iDvd allows for burning DVD's longer than an hour.

 

Make sure the TRV model has the necessary jacks (most all do, but check anyway).

Offramp,

Thanks, you have been very helpful. Now one more question...of the TRV series, which one would you recommend or are they all good? I guess I should just go with the one that is maxing out my budget and I should be set. (?)

 

Thanks.

[deanmass]

I have a ZR60 Canon I am selling. I am just upgrading to a smaller one, but this one is in damn good shape. Email me if you are interested. I was thinking $250.00

[offramp]

Well, I have a TRV27, but I don't know if that designation has been discontinued. Try to find a good compromise between lens size and LCD screen size; mine has a 30mm lens vs. a more standard 37mm, but the trade-off was made for a larger LCD screen.

Manufacturers, I think, LOVE to sit around and find ways to terrorize us like this.

 

That Canon is a pretty nice deal. Personally, the CCD is too small for my tastes, and the form factor is kinda awkward to me. That does not mean it won't be a great thing for you or someone else.

Truth be, if you have a Best Buy anywhere near, go and actually handle the cameras to get a feel for what's right for you. You may save some money buying the used Canon, but if it doesn't feel good in your hands or is not intuitive, then you won't be quite so inclined to use it, and it'll be a sore spot on your conscience. Same with the Sony.

On my camera, 80% of the functions I use all the time I can operate with one hand...the same hand that's holding the camera. I can shoot 1.1 megapixel stills and switch to DV with my thumb. Zoom/Wide, etc...all one hand.

My recommendations are based on experience both in use and service. In my case, a Sony is much easier to work on than a Canon. No slag on Canon at all...just a matter of design, form, and function.

[Ernest Buckley]

Truth be, if you have a Best Buy anywhere near, go and actually handle the cameras to get a feel for what's right for you.

Thats exactly what I`ll do. Thanks again to all who have participated. This has been on my mind for some time and I`ve been itching to make home movies for the rest of the family. We`ve got vintage material on these old tapes and I`d love to make DVDs for everyone to have for their own keepsakes.

 

Peace.

[teh dri]

the thing is, you cant really "go wrong" with the entry level consumer digital video cameras. they are all battling for the same market share and are all pretty much identical as far as the simple "filming stuff" criteria goes. personally all the fancy digital zooms (yuck) and slightly different battery lives, gimmicky features etc... that stuff is just candy.

 

id recommend picking one that FEELS GOOD, as theres something to be said for the ergonomics of interaction with the unit itself. dont skimp on a tripod, they are inherently useful and very cheap... just dont go "paris hilton" with it. actually i should also say dont go "severina" with it, but maybe only the Balkan guys on here would get that one

 

have fun!

[offramp]

Well, sure...I can pick a camera that feels good[i/], but that's not all there is to it.

 

"Functionality" and "image quality" play the same cards as "feels good". The manufacturers figured this out some time ago. Don't just gravitate towards the one that feels the best without checking the lens size, CCD quality, and operational ergonomics. Yes, it's a lot of research, but it pays off.

For example: Out of all the research I did, I settled on the TRV27. Makes great video, takes decent pics, but if I need to change a tape during a shoot--and it's mounted on a tripod--forget it.

One thing I COMPLETELY forgot to include in my checklist of desireables was tape access/interchange. In many cameras, you can change the tape without disturbing anything else. Not so in mine, and I overlooked it. I have to take the thing off the tripod in order to change tapes, and that will destroy a carefully-constructed shot.

 

The upside is that it makes me a better planner. The downside is that it doesn't "go with the flow".

[Super 8]

Originally posted by offramp:

Yes. I do this from time to time. You take the RCA or S-video output of your analogue camera into the corresponding jacks on the side; the camera does the conversion for you, and throughputs to Firewire.

I'm liking the sound of that!

 

I recall Craig talking up some of the Panasonic cams. But that was about a year ago. I don't know what they've got going today.

 

I'd love to get a DV cam. Probably not going to happen for a while though.

[The Soundsmith]

I just got the Panasonic GS400 - not cheap, but it's my second mini-DV camera, I wanted to be able to do 2-camera shoots for music videos of our band. Eventual plan is a DVD of music videos, done amateur but quality/concept competitive (jazz, not rock so I need WAY less budget - which is good, I spent the whole wad on the cameras!

 

But their GS120 is also a 3-CCD camera, so it has great color, but below average low-light videos-that tradeoff again... I think you can find one for $500 if you were interested.

 

Dasher