Video or Camcorder- need help

CR83 - 12-20-2006 at 03:24 PM

We are in the market for a video camera. There are a ton to choose from. Some that make mini dvd's, they contain hard drives and others that use mini-tapes.

Any recommendations?

Voodoobillyman - 12-20-2006 at 03:30 PM

I have one that uses the little tapes. Bottom line was it's cheaper. Not too much of a pain in the ass but if you have the money to spend i would go with the dvd one.

CR83 - 12-20-2006 at 05:11 PM

Good to know. Thanks Bud.

BDx13 - 12-20-2006 at 05:49 PM

obviously, spend some time reading through reviews at cnet.com and camcorderinfo.com.

i also recommend this site:
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/photo_and_video/digital-ca...
they pour through reviews from all over the web, then offer a quality summary and highlights.

the tape vs. dvd. vs. hard disk debate is a tough one. you really need to consider not only the limitations of each format (recording time, cost of media), but also how you will use your footage after it's been shot.
- dvd is great cause you can throw it right into the player when you're done.
- hard disk is great for editing, cause you simply drag and drop you file to your desktop and get to work.
- if you wanna watch your footage on TV when recording with tape, you have to run a line from your camera to your tv. for editing, you have to playback the footage so your computer can capture it. BUT, it's cheap, proven, and you can get up to 120 minutes on a tape.

BDx13 - 12-20-2006 at 06:09 PM

Afer exhaustive research, I bought the Panasonic PV-GS250 ( review, review, review ) in 2005 for three main reasons:

1. I greatly prefer the traditional, horizontal body. This camera is still small, but those super-tiny vertical models don't fit in my hand well.
2. It's a three chip camera, which will capture better color than a single chip camera.
3. It got consistantly good reviews, and fell right within my price/feature requirements.

BDx13 - 12-20-2006 at 06:19 PM

a few other thoughts...

- don't fall for that 1,000x digital zoom bullshit. digital zoom is almost completely useless. optical zoom is the only way to go if you want footage you can actually stand watching.

- use a digital camera for stills, a digital camcorder for video. period. if you want a quality image, do not rely on a still camera for video or a camcorder for stills. in a pinch, yeas, each can do both, but with the exception of Samsung's funny looking and now discontinued D6040, no camera can do both well.

joemaconmovies - 12-20-2006 at 11:06 PM

i have a $3800 camcorder that uses mini dv tapes. the next step up is a hi-deg camera that uses a hard drive, no tapes. i'd go with hard drive if you can but as duane said, research it. ones with a hard drive are nice.

CR83 - 12-21-2006 at 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BD
a few other thoughts...

- don't fall for that 1,000x digital zoom bullshit. digital zoom is almost completely useless. optical zoom is the only way to go if you want footage you can actually stand watching.

- use a digital camera for stills, a digital camcorder for video. period. if you want a quality image, do not rely on a still camera for video or a camcorder for stills. in a pinch, yeas, each can do both, but with the exception of Samsung's funny looking and now discontinued D6040, no camera can do both well.

BD, as always, THANK YOU!!!