Educate me on Camcorders

[Brad J]

Our 10 year old 8mm camcorder has finally died So this year I'm asking Santa for a new camcorder but I'm clueless on them. I really don't like having tapes to then convert to DVD's. I have seen some camcorders that people are using that use small or normal size DVD's. That seems like the easiest way to go from recording to watching and storing them. I don't have much space left on my PC also so I would need to get a bigger HD ($$$) and ghost the current image to that one if I was using tapes.

Any recommendations on type, brand, or model #'s that work good for the price? Are those small DVD's expensive and hard to find? I'm trying to keep it at or under $300 if that's possible.

Thanks, Brad J

 

[Caleb]

what's your plan with the video? Do you want to just record it and then store it? Do you want to be able to easily edit it on the computer? If the first is your plan then there's nothing wrong with the DVD camcorders, they are a dieing technology but they do what they say they do. If you want to be able to easily edit the video then I'd go for either a MiniDV based camcorder (tapes) or HDD based. The HDD based ones are actually a pretty good idea but you would have to use your computer in order to be able to keep the video around (by transerfing to be stored on the computer or burned to disc).

 

[Brad J]

what's your plan with the video? Do you want to just record it and then store it? Do you want to be able to easily edit it on the computer? If the first is your plan then there's nothing wrong with the DVD camcorders, they are a dieing technology but they do what they say they do. If you want to be able to easily edit the video then I'd go for either a MiniDV based camcorder (tapes) or HDD based. The HDD based ones are actually a pretty good idea but you would have to use your computer in order to be able to keep the video around (by transerfing to be stored on the computer or burned to disc).

My original plan was to just record and store and edit when I find the time I have been looking at the reviews on amazon and it looks like MiniDV is much better video quality than MiniDVD's. The other downside w/ MiniDVD's is the compatibilty w/ DVD drives and players, and extra software from camcorder vendor to get it onto your PC (w/ Panasonic at least). One camcorder needs to be plugged into AC to finalize the DVD I have used Dazzle & ADS Analog/Digital boxes to get video onto my PC but the quality is horrible and the picture is a small 2"x3" in Windows Media Player so that has worried me. Is that normal??

MiniDV tapes are more expensive but record for longer times. The MiniDV camcorders are also cheaper so it does seem like a better way to go. One person mentioned that all but 1 MiniDV camcorder have excellent reviews but all MiniDVD camcorders have some problems. Can a program as simple as Nero burn the captured video directly to DVD to view from any DVD Player?

Thanks, Brad J

 

[spencurai]

My big problem with the mini DVD setups is that they CAN skip! We do a lot of offroading and I would rather not have the stupid camcorder skipping on me while I am trying to get a cool shot.

There are some pretty cool hard drive camcorders out there but they are pricey. They can skip too but they are a little better than the optical issues of a DVD.

 

[Meat_]

...Can a program as simple as Nero burn the captured video directly to DVD to view from any DVD Player?

Thanks, Brad J

Yes, if you have the full Nero suite ie Vision Express.

 

[Brad J]

Yes, if you have the full Nero suite ie Vision Express.

Thanks, I'll have to see if I have that one.

I found this info to be very helpful

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DCR-HC36..._bbs_sr_1/103-3123190-2365411?ie=UTF8&s=photo

(Addendum: Why not DVD? DVD camcorders offer similar features, however you must pay hundreds more for a DVD camera than a similarly-featured MiniDV cam. They're also noticably larger, and DVDs aren't nearly as easy to work with - You must format a DVD before using it, which requires setting the camera on a steady surface and waiting several moments. Recording at the highest quality setting, a camcorder DVD will hold only 20 minutes, and then you must "finalize" the disc before playing it in any other DVD player. Should you need to replace the DVD during an important timely event, or forget to finalize the disc before giving it to someone or storing it, you're pretty much out of luck. Because the DVD camcorder system is set up to just play the DVD as-is, editing or getting the video on computer can be a long and very complicated process. Whereas MiniDV tapes last an hour, were made for editing, and offer slap-it-in-and-go convenience. If you have the extra money and just want to play back video as you shot it, a DVD camcorder is a possibility, but at a fraction of the price and complication, the MiniDV cam is the bang-for-the-buck convenience-is-king winner.)

Right now I'm really liking the Sony DCR-HC26 ($280) & 36 ($325). The problem is "you get what you pay for" and the image quality doesn't sound the best from this one. Maybe those reviews are from those w/ HDTV's We'll see what Santa ends up bringing.

Thanks, Brad J

 

[Jay5.9L]

Good thread, I was just about to start reaseaching camcorder. Sounds like MiniDV is the way to go for cost/use/size/etc. Has anyone found a simular break down for Mini DV vs. Hard drives? Does anyone make a model that is semi weather resistant for use in a open top rig?