HardDisk Drive Camcorder

[ScarletPica]

Hi, i'm new here in this forum.
After reading a couple of threads, Canon HV20 is highly recommended here. But i'm looking to purchase a HDD camcorder as i'll be travelling overseas for straight 3 months.

Was wondering if the experts here can recommend me a brand/model in the various price range, under $1000, $1001-$2000 & above $2000. Hopefully able to operate under low light or has night-vision.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jaegersing]

Hi, i'm new here in this forum.
After reading a couple of threads, Canon HV20 is highly recommended here. But i'm looking to purchase a HDD camcorder as i'll be travelling overseas for straight 3 months.

Are you sure a HDD cam is best for you? What happens when you fill the hard disk? If you don't have a way to clear away the files, you will be stuck. I would recommend tape or DVD based cam if you don't have a backup means for the HDD.

 

[ScarletPica]

well.. will be bringing a laptop & an external HDD as well. The storage should be sufficient as compared to DVDs & tapes.

I think if i buy DVD or tapes, i'll have a carton of tapes or so many DVDs that the customs will think i smuggle pirated DVDs. :bsmilie:

Sorry, a noob here. Want to ask.. 1GB of HDD space, 1 DVD & 1 HDV can record how long?

 

[JaPhotos]

1 mini dv tape = 60mins

1 40GB HDD = min 4 hrs of HQ MPEG4 SD video = 4 mini dv tapes

so if you know you wont shoot more than 4 tapes worth of video...yes..a HDD is suffficient and very convenient. However if you plan for editing and such...tape is still the way to go.

 

[Hobbes00]

Canon HV20. for tape.

JVC Everio for HDD. Check it out ScarletPica

 

[lwm]

You first have to ask yourself: want SD or HD camcorder? Both utilise different amount of disk/tape space.

If you intend to record on a HDD camcorder, then transfer to a PC or external HDD, there is a risk of putting all your eggs in one basket. Tapes are more versatile, and can easily purchase when you run out. After you record to tapes, you can take your own time to transfer them to your PC, no need to worry about clearing up the HDD space for future use, and can also use the original tapes as backup copy.

Both HDD and miniDV tapes have their pros and cons. Got to determine your priority and usage.

Please note that your requirement of low light or night vision. Both are different things. A camcorder that has night vision does not mean it performs better in low light condition. Personally I feel that low light performance is more important than night vision.

 

[ScarletPica]

Thanks to all for the above info.

Looks like Sony is not a brand for the experts. :bsmilie:
So many technologies, see until i blur. I guess low light is more impt than night-vision.

I read that if wan to take HD video, will require a tripod (for stability), otherwise picture will be blurred (or almost like SD)?
Since i'm on a trip, i think i'll get the one which will allow me to take videos on the move minus the tripod. Unless the camcorder has the anti-shake technology. :dunno:

My idea was to buy a HDD camcorder, transfer to ext HDD & maybe burn DVD-Rs if got time.
Cos i read tape will require real-time encoding to the PC, i think that will take a long time. :sweat:

 

[Gunbucker]

Was in the same dilemma as you.

Tape: One hour tapes need one hour to encode into your HDD.

HDD: Sorry, I've seen too many crashed iPods, if that's any indication of HDD technology on the move. Wouldn't entrust my holiday footage to be gone with a drop.

Flash: Limited pro-editing support right now for the AVCHD format. But then again, are you a video pro? I'm not, and I'm quite fine with Apple's iMovie '08

Chose for ease of workflow, reliability of media, and compactness of size. And for me, HV20 is none.