Camcorder Buying 101

[neptunestar]

I have never owned a camcorder before and wonderinf if anyone could recommend me one?

Also which is the best one:
* MiniDV Camcorders
* DVD Camcorders
* Hard Drive Camcorders

[Pete Jones]

If you've never owned a camcorder before, you can get a cheap miniDV camcorder for under $300. This will get you started and probably will have more bells and whistles in it than you'll know what to do with.

Hard disc recorders and DVD recorders are much more expensive. The initial review of them have been less than stellar. However, if you never plan to edit the video, the DVD camcorder may not be bad.

The problem with the hard disk based camcorders is that at some point, you're going to need to be able to do something with the video. It may or may not become an issue to download and convert the video after you've shot it.

Hope this helps,
--Pete

[neptunestar]

thanks for the reply Pete Jones, and I think miniDV is probably the best way to go for me too. Is there any perticular model you would recommend?

[Composter]

I have had Samsung MiniDV SC-103 entry level (great beginner) and now I have a samsung SC-DC164 DVD both are great camcorders for the options/price ratio

one of the nice features with the DVD camcorder is that once you finalize a disc ( I use rewritables) you can simply copy the disc to a full size disc and format the camcorder disc and start over again.

[eelfliw]

Go with the miniDV tape format. miniDV tapes has been around for a while so prices are more reasonable than DVD or hard drives.

Key things to look for in a good quality camera :

- 3 CCDs
- Interchangeable lens
- XLR support for external mic
- optical image stabilization (unless you plan to have the camera tripod mounted ALL the time
- external battery support
- compatiblity with steadi-cam
- low light image quality
- true HD and/or 16:9 support
- live firewire output so you can record directly to a computer with firewall jack

[tivo_box]

Composter,

I'm looking for a used camcorder too as I'm expecting my first baby and cash is tight. Is your Samsung SC-103 good in indoor light (low light)?

Thanks

[Pete Jones]

My wife wanted a simple DV camcorder and we wound up buying a Panasonic GS32 for about $289+taxes.

I'll admit, once we got it home, this was a much better camera than I expected. Had a ton of bells and whistles but in it's basic form, did the job.

The thing is, for that kind money, if you buy it and never use it, (and lets face it, who really their camcorders every day?) then you won't feel too bad for blowing the cash. On the oher hand, if you get bitten by the bug and decide you need something better, then at least you still have a "beater" that you can drag with you to situations where you'd rather not expose a really nice piece of equipment. :)

To eelfliw, I guess what you're saying is that if you can't get the best, most expensive model, you might as well not bother, right? :D

--Pete

[jaigandhi5]

dvd-camcorder = convenient, not as good quality as mini-dv, 30min dvds, dvd-r's not reusable (more $$), a ***** when it comes to editing.
mini-dv= everything is good including the price but if u ever wanted to convert to dvd ull get ownd.
hdd= some of the jvc hdd camcorders are complete crap, sony's sr100 is an awesome all around hdd camcorder. (cost+++++++++, save money on the long run, new technology, easy to use, good quality)

[BD006]

dvd-camcorder = convenient, not as good quality as mini-dv, 30min dvds, dvd-r's not reusable (more $$), a ***** when it comes to editing.
mini-dv= everything is good including the price but if u ever wanted to convert to dvd ull get ownd.
hdd= some of the jvc hdd camcorders are complete crap, sony's sr100 is an awesome all around hdd camcorder. (cost+++++++++, save money on the long run, new technology, easy to use, good quality)

Is it really difficult to record them to DVD once you get them onto your computer?

[eelfliw]

To eelfliw, I guess what you're saying is that if you can't get the best, most expensive model, you might as well not bother, right? :D
--Pete
In that respect, video cams are like wives.

[Pete Jones]

In that respect, video cams are like wives.

I love it!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Then again, isn't the cheaper model more likely to go down on you more often? :D (sorry. I couldn't resist)

And neptunestar, if you're looking for something cheap, I saw an ad in the 24 hours paper today for the camcorder I bought at Millenium 3000 and it's now at $249. (I don't work there or anything but that is where my wife bought hers) It's a panasonic GS32. You can download the manual at www.panasonic.com.
(maybe I should be getting a commission)

--Pete

[LNahid2000]

Is it really difficult to record them to DVD once you get them onto your computer?
It's not that difficult, it just takes a lot of time. I use Adobe Premiere Elements to do it. It took 3 or 4 hours to transcode 45 minutes of DV into a DVD using a 3ghz P4.

[Composter]

neither one of the samsungs I have had or have are poor quality they both work/ed great. as for DVD versus miniDV I'd go with the DVD anyday, so much simpler to edit/make copies ect ect.
1-you can continue using the camcorder while transfering content
2-no need to connect camcorder to computer
3-mini dvd's can play in most stand alone DVD players on the fly
4-takes up less room to have 10-12 hours of space on DVD disc's.

@ tivo_box yes it was good in low light, it had night vision (green lighting) for blackout conditions as well.