camcorder minidv suggestions?

[brucefl]

I think I am going to break down and get a camcorder, most likely a mindv.
It was suggested in another thread, because I still use a vcr to transfer video to the coputer for editing in vs9 to buy a camera that has a through put?
Any suggestions on a good camcorder, not too expensive? with ieee also?
thanks Bruce

[Sektionschef]

Hi
Go to the forum of www.camcorderinfo.com.
Do not forget to post what you want to do with the camcorder, what is important for you and how much you want to spend.
I am sure that you will get much help there.
Regards
Sektionschef

[DiscCoasterPro]

Hi Bruce, my suggestion would be this Panny GS300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 830180052R

It does not have analogue to digital pass-through (which is actually not so bad) At this price, for this camcorder, pick up a PYRO LINK firewire converter or a Canopus 110 converter and you will be ahead of the game in my opinion.

I like the idea of not having to power on the camcorder to may conversions so long as the total price of both pieces are about the same either way.

Thats a very nice camcorder. My friend just picked one up and the color and clarity are great. Not too bad indoors either.

For one with the pass through The Sony HC96 is very nice, but as you will see, I think the overall cost will be about the same.

dcp

[Joe Louvar]

Hi
Go to the forum of www.camcorderinfo.com.
Do not forget to post what you want to do with the camcorder, what is important for you and how much you want to spend.
I am sure that you will get much help there.
Regards
Sektionschef

And Bruce while you're at camcordinginfo be sure to checkout the camcording rating page too - http://www.camcorderinfo.com/ratings.php

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Bruce

Where are you in this big wide world.

I could advise you to go to my local shop. But if you are in the US that would be no good as I am in the UK.

I use through-put for Vhs capture with very good results.
Afaik all digital camcorders have DV-out (ieee)

Trevor

[Ken Berry]

Trevor -- just a comment on your last comment, viz "Afaik all digital camcorders have DV-out". I think that you are referring only to mini DV models. AFAIK, digital cameras using mini DVDs or hard discs don't have firewire. But I could of course be wrong...

[sjj1805]

Just to add a bit more to it all. All digital camcorders have DV out but not all camcorders have external input thus enabling you to use the throughput method. You have to check the specifications of each individual camcorder to see if it supports this or not.

[brucefl]

Not quite in the UK, though does New England count Maine in the U.S. actually is where I am.

Looking for the easiest solution, thought if I am going to buy, misewell buy a camcorder with something I can just plug something into, and use the firewire feather. I have a Nvidia Geoforce 6800. If I had thought about it, I would of included the capture card when I got the computer.
Talking to a salesman, he was steering me to the mini dv. Said the hd's and recordable disc ones, aren't quite as sharp?

Bruce

[DiscCoasterPro]

If I had thought about it, I would of included the capture card when I got the computer.
Talking to a salesman, he was steering me to the mini dv. Said the hd's and recordable disc ones, aren't quite as sharp?

Bruce

Hey Bruce I'm from CT. almost neighbors. You don't know how lucky you are not including a capture card with your PC. Those things are junk. You want something that captures to the DV-AVI format via firewire. (wow, this topic is coming up alot recently)

MiniDV is absolutely the way to go. Primarily because editing mpegs is not the hot setup. Think of mpegs as a viewing format and think of DV-AVI as a great editing format. Also know there is a huge difference between an AVI file and a DV-AVI file. The "DV" is a specific codec that most all editing softwares can work with seamlessly, while the AVI file type is merely a container of sorts that can store any rogue file that can make editing programs go NUTS!

I really do believe an external capture device like the ones I suggested are far better than ANYTHING else, and I also think not having to wear your camcorder out making analogue to digital conversions is a good idea if the price is the same in the long run when you consider both.

[brucefl]

Thanks,
Though, I think I might be able to get somewhat less built into a camcorder. Depending on what I would want for a camcorder.

Question on ieee, not having used it before, and looking at the canoppus card. The ieee is used just for the video portion of it?

It also says it works with ulead media studio, I assume that it will work with VS9 or 10? (I haven't ordered 10, but will soon)
thanks
Bruce

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Bruce

Ieee Firewire is a means to import/capture the video data to your PC.
Similar to the USB transfer but is (Afaik) much better for video.

It should work, will work for all your video programs.

You capture to Dv-Avi which is a bit like copy and pasting the data, but in real time.
There is no re-coding of the video data during transfer, what you have is what you get. (Dv-Avi)
I agree with DiscCoasterPro reply above. Re Avi/Dv-avi

You need a Digital camera with a DV-Out connection. All Mini Dv camcorders have this connection.
Providing the camera has A/V-in and supports ‘through-put’ then you should be able to connect your VHS recorder and capture the footage.
Your camera is acting as an AV to DV converter.

This takes us back to your original post, I am sorry but I cannot recommend a model, but if you are using purely for transferring the video data, buy the cheapest model that does the job. (personal opinion)

Trevor

[DiscCoasterPro]

Yes, ALL miniDV camcorders are equipped with IEEE or Firewire, and they are for video captures/transfers out to PC from miniDV cassette as well as read back to tape transfers of DV-AVI files in the opposite direction. ( I do that often as a backup of completed and edited projects as it can hold 3 times the DV-AVI information that a DVD-R can and is supposed to have a better shelf life, but I won't live long enough to know for sure)

The USB connection on the miniDV camcorders are primarily for transfer of stills only. If you attempt to transfer video to PC from your miniDV camcorder using the USB interface, you will get a multitude of problems from frame drops, to audio sync and drops, to Windows not recognizing your camcorder.

There are only a very few miniDV camcorders that actually are able to use the USB in its high speed video standard 2 mode in order to make video DV-AVI transfers to PC . But even these camcorders have an IEEE port. On most miniDV camcorders, even though the PCs USB port can accept the needed high speed transfer, the camcorders are not designed to provide it.

Using the DV-AVI type to send and receive video format information to your PC from miniDV camcorder or capture device via firewire will result in great compatability with just about any video editing software.

Still the best way to go is to capture your DV video with the same program you intend to edit it in. (Although I do use the WinDV program a lot to capture DV and no matter what program I open it in, theres never been a problem. Its a very nice freeware program with some extra options) http://windv.mourek.cz/ should you want to try it.

[brucefl]

I have been scanning the boards a little. Do I need to be concerned with compatibility problems with vs9 or 10 ,with camcorders or boards I want to input from analog to the computer, then edit?

[DiscCoasterPro]

bruce. First, I’d like to apologize for my passionate answer. LOL I can’ think of many other things that frustrated me as badly as learning this the hard way.

There are converters and there are converters. It doesn' really matter what brand you choose. IMO the following is the most important.

Choose a converter that takes the analogue signal and hardware converts it to DV-AVI. Not mpeg-2, not mpeg-1, not even AVI !! Just DV-AVI

Some converters rely on the video editing program's software encoders, or they rely on their own proprietary software encoders. DO NOT CHOOSE THESE. These type converters are where your compatability issues come in. You want hardware encoding by the device to DV-AVI.

Then... you want the converter to output this via firewire to your computer. IMO not USB2, not even PCI. HEY sorry, NUTHIN will change my mind since my 100% instant success with my Canopus 300 after trying all these others. I didn't give myself the screen name DiscCoasterPro for nuthin

Any miniDV camcorder with pass-through will do this for you. Or, you can elect to purchase a dedicated analogue to digital converter that does it.

Pyro AV Link is a lower end choice among these types. Also are the IMO better Canopus line of 110 or 300. Another nice unit with full frame TBC is the DATAVIDEO TBC-1000.

If you select a DV-AVI converter such as the above, you won't have any compatability issues. (which btw will end up being the least of your problems)

Yes the DV-AVI file type is larger than the mpeg capture in size. So what, they work, you can work with them and there will be no issues.

I like an external converter with its own power supply also. You are going to get what you pay for, but saving $100 bucks to get $1000 dollars worth of aggravation isn't the hot setup.

I'm no video editing expert or engineer, but I'll tell you, I've been through the ringer with this bunch of garbage BIG TIME. Either the camcorder or the dv-avi converter will give you TROUBLE FREE compatability with any of the video editing programs.

Remember, if you buy a real converter, it will hold its value also.

[brucefl]

Thanks, I kind of decided I wanted to get a camcorder. I also need a better process than hooking my vcr to my intel cs430. I like video studio, though I was vaguely thinking of the movie studio program. If I get the camcorder, it possibly will cost me less than separate units. I posted to the camcorder group, and someone gave me a good list of camcorders with thru-put. I don't need a lot of bells and whistles for the conversion, but firewire is a must. And unless someone can give a stronger reason for another format other than dv-avi.

One reason for asking so many questions is to TRY and get it right the first time. Which I don't always do.
thanks