Need a Digital Camcorder Recommendation

[westytoploader]

Hi everyone,

Before the Convention, I'm probably going to upgrade my camcorder. My 2000 JVC works fine and, for the most part, hasn't been used much (which means it's in like-new condition), however, it is the dreaded and WAAAYYY outdated analog VHS-C format. I've been looking into MiniDV, Digital 8, CD-R, and other formats, and for a consumer-grade camera, which brand should I lean towards?

From my own experiences, the Panasonic digital I used for an 8th grade GT project did not produce good quality both on tape and after editing on the computer, so I'm trying to steer clear of that brand.

So now I'm asking everyone who has a digital video camera, what brand and format is it and how satisfied are you with it? (Robert...the "action" WMV's always turn out great...what do you use?)

 

[parunner58]

Westy,

I have a Sony TVR720 digital camcorder, I is about 5 years old now and I love it. It was almost the TOL camera at its time. What i was told by a co-worker was get the one with both a tape and memory stick for media. So I did. I use the tape for the video and memory stick for the stills. My 64 meg stick can hold over 900 picture on it. The drawback I have found was the digital tapes only hold 1 hour where my analog 8mm were 2 hours. I have had both Sony and Ricoh 8mm and stuck with the 8mm. My old camera only had 2 hours of battery life and I now have a 3 hour and a 12 hour battery for this one and have super night vison for almost o lux recording, that is good if you like looking like you are watching "desert storm" movies. But even with no night vison I can record most night time events outside. I still have to plug the camera into the tv or copy to a VHS to watch. If I were you I would go to a mini dvd recorder. I plan to get one later this year or early next year before our next big vacation.

What i really liked about going digital is my camera came with fire-wire so I can plug it into my Macintosh and edit the videos with Imovie then put them onto a VHS tape. I do not have a DVD recorder yet. When I get one I will be able to send the files over my network to my Real PC and make my own DVD's

Good luck on your purchase, you seem to be a very inteligent and level headed young man, so I feel you will make a good choice. go digital, go dvd and go Sony

Mike

 

[ironrite]

I've got a Sharp ViewcamZ, mini DV. I got it last year to tape my nephew's wedding. One thing you may look into is floor model or clearance type units. The store I got it at was R C Willey. Not sure if they're in your area. But check Best Buy and Circuit City as well. Just double check the store's warranty and return policy. This one was a demo model and around $150.00 at the time. It's very basic, but it does a very good job indoor and outdoor and has a good sound quality

I edit the movies on a Sony Vaio laptop, also bought at the same time, on clearance. I use Ulead Video Studio 8 and I'm trying the demo version of Pinnacle 9. You can download demo versions from their websites.

If you have the DYI Channel, on Sundays, they run a show on home video. I've learned few things by watching it.

Happy shopping!

 

[jasonl]

One word

SONY

I have a Sony Digital 8 camera which works fine. But if you really want quality, get a MiniDV camera. Sony uses Zeiss lenses on their DV cameras which takes an excellent picture.

 

[cadman]

Westy, I've had excellent luck with Canon DV cams. You simply cannot go wrong with iDVD or iMovie if you dabble with the Mac. Pro quality results and fun to boot! One thing to watch out for, regardless of video quality, is motor noise. Do some internet searching before hand to determine if motor noise may be a problem. With the actual imaging components getting to the size they are, this is a legitimate problem.

Hope to see everyone at the convention! Cory