Camcorder, What kind to buy?
- Thread starter jdw1
- Start date
I'd do a SD memory card just because you can plug it directly into an HD television if it has an SD card slot. I plugged mine in and watched full 16:9 last night. Quality is great for being a non HD camcorder and on a 50" screen. I have the Canon FS100. Only $300 and takes 10x's better quality film than my 10MP Canon camera. The FS100 can do 1024X768 at 30fps in 16:9 mode and has 37X optical zoom. Panasonic and JVC also have very good camcorders in the same price range. If you are planning on uploading HD quality then get an HD camcorder but the cheapest I've seen on those is $550 (JVC) with only 10X optical zoom though. You need 1280X720 to upload HD quality on Vimeo or else it will cut it down to standard def and 4:3 with 640X480, which will make a 1024X768 16:9 movie look like crap and you will have to change the camcorder settings to 4:3 640X480 to look its best while uploading to vimeo. Then it doesn't look good if you plug the SD card into a 50" TV... So it's a trade off. If you don't plan on uploading to vimeo/you tube then a standard def camcorder in 1024X768 @ 30fps in 16:9 mode puts out pretty good quality on a 50" TV. If you want the best of everything go HD but plan to spend 2X's as much and have much less optical zoom capabilities.....you want as much optical zoom as possible when filming a bro sledding from far away.
just bought the sony 60 gig HD takes 10.2 meg p stills and 150x zoom, HD wide screen picture is awsome on plasma playback.
I am leaning towards the sony hdr-sr10 with a 40gb hard drive, the one guy at a regular camera shop said the Hard drive was the way to go, the girl at Best buy said to go with the flash memery card because of no moving parts, ie: dvd or Hard drive. What do you all think?
Thanks
Thanks
Camcorder
1) If you want to put a helmet cam on make sure you get one with a/v in on it most camcorders don't have this option anymore
2) hd and dvd cameras are no good if you plan on using the camcorder for anything while your moving as any bump will stop a hard drive or dvd from recording
usualy the best cameras for multi use are SD carded camera or Dv lots of dv cameras have a/v in to hook up helmet cams ect
if your just getting a camcorder to film stuff right off the camera and not move while trying to film buy a Hard Drive Camera
I have a sony dvd camera and wouldn't buy another one
1) If you want to put a helmet cam on make sure you get one with a/v in on it most camcorders don't have this option anymore
2) hd and dvd cameras are no good if you plan on using the camcorder for anything while your moving as any bump will stop a hard drive or dvd from recording
usualy the best cameras for multi use are SD carded camera or Dv lots of dv cameras have a/v in to hook up helmet cams ect
if your just getting a camcorder to film stuff right off the camera and not move while trying to film buy a Hard Drive Camera
I have a sony dvd camera and wouldn't buy another one
I went with the canon hv20. it is an hd camera, captures amazingly well. as good as most prosumer cams EXCEPT the mic is still a compact camera mic. I spoke with friends that shoot hours and hours of vid and they convinced me that dv is the sefest way to go. it takes a touch more time in editing, but the security of a tape is proven......dvd's are lame and hard drive just takes one wrong move and your footage is history.
I got a JVC mini dv. Its small and light, although older but still works well. Thus I also dont worry about damaging it. If I were to get a newer one I would go with something that has a fish eye lenz. I know back when I was into editing in school the holy grails of video cameras was the Sony VX 2000 and 3000. But now I am sure there is something way better, just not as into it as I once was.
I've been checking out the canon hv30. Looks like the best bang for the buck for riding. Tape seems to be the way to go in the cold.
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shwee
Well-known member
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duch17
Member
I bought a panasonic HDC-HS9 HD Camcorder that uses S/D cards, be aware that you cannot just put the card into any tv and it will work. Panasonic TV's are fine and if you have a ps3 you can use it but the compression software( AVCHD) used for recording video isnt reconized on all TV's. You can hook up the camera to any TV using HDMI or Comp. cables and the same goes with downloading the video off the card onto a computer, you have to use Panasonic Video software. I dont know if all camcorders work the same way as the panasonic and there compression software but its something to think about when buying or asking questions. On the other hand the camera is super small and light, and the video's that i have taken are awesome.
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Sleddingfarmer
Member
Ive got a mini dv panasonic pv-gs36. Bought a couple yrs ago off ebay and its been a great camera for sledding. Small,lightweight, super easy to use/run, starts up quickly if something goodhappens.
The only problem ive run into w/it recently is I had to get a new laptop and its vista. Panasonic didnt come out w/ a vista driver for this particular camcorder,and the laptop doesnt have a firewire port so attm I have no way to capture video.
The only problem ive run into w/it recently is I had to get a new laptop and its vista. Panasonic didnt come out w/ a vista driver for this particular camcorder,and the laptop doesnt have a firewire port so attm I have no way to capture video.
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bradburck
Well-known member
sony hc-46-
I would stick with mini-dv as well... very light weight, always work and they're basically the only ones that you can import video onto a mac and edit it for quick and easy home movies... as stated above, takes good enough quality for home video. Best of luck!
Burck
I would stick with mini-dv as well... very light weight, always work and they're basically the only ones that you can import video onto a mac and edit it for quick and easy home movies... as stated above, takes good enough quality for home video. Best of luck!
Burck
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shortstop20
Well-known member
I've got a Sony DCR-SR45. Haven't used it on the snow yet but the couple times I have used it I really like it so far. I had some concerns over the hard drive but I hate tapes so we'll see how it works.
Looked at the canon hf-100 today and it seems to be the best for me. I was going to go with the hv30 but I've been sold on the flash memory aspect.
