What Camcorder?

jdpd · Posted: 26.05.2005, 10:46 Post subject: What Camcorder?

OK so I'm thinking of buying a camcorder.

I've already decided that I'm not going to get the one with the mini DVD media, they're just too expensive.

There are new ones coming out with a 4gb hard drive, but the spare hd's cost about €200 & can only record 1 & 1/2 hours.

So I'm going to get MiniDv format. Now it's brand & features.

Any reccommendations?

Advertisment · Posted: 26.05.2005, 10:46 Post subject: Advertisment

Sander · Administrator Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 311

Yes: Wait a few months, a year at the most. The DVD-based cams are just so much more convenient, and a very significant price drop can be expected in the near future, placing them only marginallly above tabe based cams. Buy a tape cam today, and you'll soon regret it!
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jdpd · Posted: 26.05.2005, 13:10 Post subject:

Problem is that we want a cam for our hoildays ( in 22 days) & for a wedding in September.

We were thinking of getting a tape one, then waiting until the other formats establish themselves & going for the HD one, hopefully.

MiniDv is digital & most cams come with USB2 connectors so I can burn to DVD without much bother.

BenDaMan · Posted: 26.05.2005, 14:24 Post subject:

I don't know much about camcorders, but why buy a tape one? Why not buy a digital camcorder?
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jdpd · Posted: 26.05.2005, 15:41 Post subject:

I wouldn't even look at an analogue camcoder. Remember just because it's tape doesn't mean it's not digital.

There are a few digital media formats around a the moment:

MiniDV (small tapes 60 mins per tape relatively inexpensive about €30 for 10)
MicroDV?? (sony propriety brand, problematic)
Mini DVD (30 mins per DVD cost about €40 for 3)
Micro hard drive (only seen JVC model so far, 4gb hard drive costs €200 can only record 90 mins on the 4gb)

Sander · Administrator Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 311

It's digital, but tape is tape: It's still frustrating to wind and rewind to find something (out in the field it's also a good way to kill the battery), and it's still easy to record on top of something (and cry). The tape still turns to salad occassionally.
Essentially, it has the same drawbacks as any old musicassette.
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BenDaMan · Posted: 26.05.2005, 17:06 Post subject:

Well I think that pretty much proves how much I know about camcorders then. Zippo.

But, with the hard drive one, wouldnt there be a feature to change the resolution and the quality?
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jdpd · Posted: 26.05.2005, 17:15 Post subject:

That's what I thought, but the idiot, I mean sales person couldn't tell me.

The internet has been no help either.

I plan to record then burn to DVD

BenDaMan · Posted: 26.05.2005, 17:20 Post subject:

Well judging from this:

http://advancedmediacommittee.typepad.com/emmyadvancedmedia/2004/11/jvc_camcorders_.html

I don't think you can change the resolution and quality.
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jdpd · Posted: 26.05.2005, 17:48 Post subject:

the MC200 is really nice, it's the lower one in the picture, costs about €1,100, a bit pricey for my liking.

I think we're going to wait.

According to the idiot (sorry salesperson) the DVD format might be skipped altogether when these take off.

BenDaMan · Posted: 26.05.2005, 18:04 Post subject:

Yeah, probably best to wait. I never buy any electrical thing that is brand new on the market, because there is always bound to be bugs, plus the prices. Oye. And typically, after about a year, or when the sales drop off, they bring out special packages, which is when I usually buy things.
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jdpd · Posted: 29.05.2005, 04:29 Post subject:

I got my camcorder today. Canon something or other. €449.99 reduced from €549.99 a few days ago. more details when I'm sober
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jdpd · Posted: 30.05.2005, 11:57 Post subject:

This is what I got http://www.canon.ie/For_Home/Product_Finder/Camcorders/Digital/MV830/index.asp?ComponentID=259461&SourcePageID=26346#1
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BenDaMan · Posted: 30.05.2005, 16:19 Post subject:

Looks pretty impressive. I don't like the idea of having the flip out screen though, I'd be worried about it getting broken off.
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jdpd · Posted: 30.05.2005, 16:37 Post subject:

you don't have to flip out the screen, there is a view finder too. but it's handy if we have it set up on a tripod & use the remote control to record we can see what is being filmed
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BenDaMan · Posted: 30.05.2005, 16:40 Post subject:

Yeah, true. I can't stand viewfinders though, I need a screen. How long is the battery life? I don't think I saw that on the link.
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jdpd · Posted: 30.05.2005, 16:45 Post subject:

I think we the battery we have, 3 hours, we're going to buy another one. Plus if it's connected to the mains it doesn't use battery power, so playing around with it won't kill the battery.
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BenDaMan · Posted: 30.05.2005, 16:55 Post subject:

3 hours is pretty good. I think ours is only about an hour and a half. Which is why we don't use it really. We were watching the tapes we have the other day, and there's one tape, where someone, probably my brother, had left it on and recording, by mistake, so we have an hour long tape of a tree outside the front door Geschockt

The only activity in that whole hour, is seeing half my cats head for a second, and seeing our neighbour walk past 3-4 times.
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The best way to screw a sheep is take it to the edge of a cliff. They push back harder.