Camcorder Recommendations Please

[maximus01can]

G'day All,


I¡¦ve been looking through the posts and trying to get some answers on which way I should go in purchasing a new camcorder as mine was recently stolen on a trip abroad. I previously owned a Sony DCR-PC9 Mini DV camcorder which I purchased around 5yrs ago and liked it very much. In reality I would still be using it and not looking for another format if it wasn¡¦t stolen. I¡¦m really confused with all the options out there, but I think I¡¦ve narrowed it down to 2 formats anyway. Those are sticking with Mini DV tape (be it HDV or just regular) or the newer HDD camcorders. I¡¦ll list a few things that might help you folks help me make a decision. I did read Dennis Vogel¡¦s blurb in this thread it seems like mini DV tapes are still the way to go even though that technology seems to be getting left behind by the rage of HDD etc. but I¡¦ll wait for the reply¡¦s to make my decision. While we¡¦re on the topic this may also help in making my decision. When I do my video editing I capture the video of the DV tape and then do the editing etc. and make an .AVI file which is then imported and used to make a MPEG2 video to later put to a DVD. Would purchasing a HDD camera that records in MPEG2 format eliminate the first step of making an AVI file? Can that MPEG2 Video format just be inserted, edited and be ready for DVD file burning?


http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t138915.html

1. Price range would be up to $1400
2. Video quality? Is Mini Dv better quality than HDD?
3. I do use Ulead Video Studio editing software and do work to most my video when converting it to DVD (Adding transitions, music, stills text)
4. Is Mini DV AVI format easier to capture and edit than HDD format?
5. Size¡K¡K.my Sony would fit into my pocket with a little tweaking
6. My sony had a digital pass through capability which was really handy for capturing video from external sources such as VHS etc.
7. If Mini DV again should I go with Mini HDV? As I don¡¦t really know the difference.
8. Storage? Mini DV tape is still a pretty solid media that should last a long time, does this give it an edge?


I have been to future shop and looked at their selection of Mini DV units and to me they all seem like cheap plastic versions of the sony camcorder I had previously. Even the most expensive camera the Panasonic PVGS320 for $699 seemed kind of cheaply made. Are there any high quality mini DV tape cameras out there that Future shop or other stores of that variety are not carrying?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Max

[skier-hughes]

1. Price range would be up to $1400
2. Video quality? Is Mini Dv better quality than HDD?
3. I do use Ulead Video Studio editing software and do work to most my video when converting it to DVD (Adding transitions, music, stills text)
4. Is Mini DV AVI format easier to capture and edit than HDD format?
5. Size¡K¡K.my Sony would fit into my pocket with a little tweaking
6. My sony had a digital pass through capability which was really handy for capturing video from external sources such as VHS etc.
7. If Mini DV again should I go with Mini HDV? As I don¡¦t really know the difference.
8. Storage? Mini DV tape is still a pretty solid media that should last a long time, does this give it an edge?

Max

2. Yes, but in the end mpeg2 is what dvd is, so not a great deal of end difference.
3. Mpeg was really a watching format, but can now be edited with ease. You will lose a littel quality when editing mpeg, but unless you are super critical and/or own the latest tv's/monitoring equipment, then I wouldn't be too worried by this.
4. No. HDD is move from one hdd to another, so quicker.
6. You may be able to find a cam with av-in and hdd.
7. hdv is high definition, dv is standard def. If you have a high def tv then you could watch your movie direct from cam to tv in hidef, but unoless you have a hidef dvd burner, you'll make dvds in sd. I'd go for hidef now.
8. True, but hdd's are really cheap, so you could buy a 500gb one for ¢G60, and store 125 hours of filming on it, buy two and you have an immediate back up.

I'd also look at solid state cams, as this will be the way forward.

[sjj1805]

Please also view:
Preserving Your Recordings.

[maximus01can]

Thanks Graham, would there be any particular makes of HD HDD camcorders that you could recommend in that $$$ range I spoke of?

thanks,
Max

[maximus01can]

If I were to go with a HDD camcorder will the process of going from HDD Camcorder Mpeg2/4+Editing>DVD Files>Burn be easier than DV.AVI+Editing>MPEG2 File>DVD File>Burn? and would upgrading to ULVS 11+ handle these new camera formats easily for editing purposes?

Cheers,
Max