which camcorder to buy?

[jeanie]

I"m thinking of a camcorder and had filter down to sony and canon.

there are so many models out there, so i'll need advise as to which is suitable for me.

basically, i just want one for family events as well as for tours.dont intend to go professional and shoot weddings.

with the sony HDD recording, you guys reckon the HDD will go kaput after some time?

please advise.
thanks

 

[baggiolee]

i have the current sony high defination HDD based sr7e 60gb which allows 8hrs max of highest quality recording (AVCHD format). the video quality is very sharp and clear only when under bright environment. im not sure about the other camcorders...if u budget is 2k+...go high defination. if u dun mind the real time encoding part, u can consider the HDV format tape-based type like sony HC7 and canon HV20, they produce better videos. For HDD, it is easy to access the videos as u can play/delete them on the spot by juz tapping on the clip on the LCD without rewinding/overwriting the tape, but there's lots of restriction in editing as AVCHD is still quite a new format. there r pros and cons so u hav to decide which type suit u most.

 

[jeanie]

i have the current sony high defination HDD based sr7e 60gb which allows 8hrs max of highest quality recording (AVCHD format). the video quality is very sharp and clear only when under bright environment. im not sure about the other camcorders...if u budget is 2k+...go high defination. if u dun mind the real time encoding part, u can consider the HDV format tape-based type like sony HC7 and canon HV20, they produce better videos. For HDD, it is easy to access the videos as u can play/delete them on the spot by juz tapping on the clip on the LCD without rewinding/overwriting the tape, but there's lots of restriction in editing as AVCHD is still quite a new format. there r pros and cons so u hav to decide which type suit u most.

thanks.
what's real time encoding btw?
i'm so sorry.i'm a noob.
i dont really intend to upload into computer and edit them into a movie.

i just wana capture memories, in raw footages, and store them as long as the storage media allows.so should i go for dvd, HDD or mini dv tapes IYO?

appreciate the reply.

 

[baggiolee]

thanks.
what's real time encoding btw?
i'm so sorry.i'm a noob.
i dont really intend to upload into computer and edit them into a movie.

i just wana capture memories, in raw footages, and store them as long as the storage media allows.so should i go for dvd, HDD or mini dv tapes IYO?

appreciate the reply.

tape based camcorder records videos in raw...so when u upload to pc, u need to encode them. If ur videos is 60min, u need 60min juz to encode them into pc(real time encoding). there r programs tat can do like 2x encoding but the quality will suffer. for hdd, it's juz like copy and paste them into pc, but if u dun move ur clips to pc, the hdd will soon run out of space. If u dun plan to upload(to pc), then i guess HDV tape-based format suits u more as u can buy as many tapes as u wan to store and play them on tv like a player. As for DVD camcorders, i hav no idea as i dun like the looks of them...too bulky and ugly to carry around haha.

 

[jeanie]

tape based camcorder records videos in raw...so when u upload to pc, u need to encode them. If ur videos is 60min, u need 60min juz to encode them into pc(real time encoding). there r programs tat can do like 2x encoding but the quality will suffer. for hdd, it's juz like copy and paste them into pc, but if u dun move ur clips to pc, the hdd will soon run out of space. If u dun plan to upload(to pc), then i guess HDV tape-based format suits u more as u can buy as many tapes as u wan to store and play them on tv like a player. As for DVD camcorders, i hav no idea as i dun like the looks of them...too bulky and ugly to carry around haha.

got it.thanks.
so, your sony camcorder, when you want to transfer to PC, it will be very fast is it?

and when your HDD is full, all you need is to reformat it and you can use it all over again?

 

[baggiolee]

got it.thanks.
so, your sony camcorder, when you want to transfer to PC, it will be very fast is it?

and when your HDD is full, all you need is to reformat it and you can use it all over again?

yes it's quite fast but u dun wait for the hdd full already then u start to upload all the videos...then it will take very long of coz. btw, it only through usb2.0...

u can format ur hdd also but for me i always left a few clips tat i wan to be play them on my hd ready TV. the camcorder hdd is juz like pc's, u can format/delete selective clips then it free the space again...and so it can be use all over and over again wif the same hdd. it's definately very easy and friendly to use.

 

[baggiolee]

u can check out the sample videos i took below...but it downgraded from 1440x1080 resolution AVCHD format to 720x576 mpeg 2 format.
http://baggiolee.multiply.com/video

 

[lwm]

If you are interested in a mini-DV HDV camcorder, take a look at Canon HV20 at pricejapan.com. I know at least a few people from Singapore have ordered from them and paid around S$1200+ for one. Can't beat that for a HD camcorder. Once you have seen the HD video, you won't want to go back to SD.

 

[jeanie]

thanks for information.

 

[jeanie]

u can check out the sample videos i took below...but it downgraded from 1440x1080 resolution AVCHD format to 720x576 mpeg 2 format.
http://baggiolee.multiply.com/video

poorrr gal.she looked sooooooooooo uncomfortable in that vidz of yours...sigh.

 

[baggiolee]

poorrr gal.she looked sooooooooooo uncomfortable in that vidz of yours...sigh.

becoz there r lots of guys surrounding the gals...haha. :bsmilie:

 

[zaree77]

Very Simple. What others have tried to explain to u might be overwhelming. Here goes.

1) If u don't know editing and just want the final product after capturing: Mini DVD Camcorder
2) If you want to edit: Mini DV Tape Camcorder
3) If you want to edit and clearer video through PLASMA and LCD (Big Ones): HD Camcorder

Note: Normal Mini DV tape still as crystal clear as DVD quality. HD is just a new thing. When u edit in HD, it will be too overwhelming for you due to rendering and hard disk prob. Stick to Mini DVD or Mini Tape. HD not so impt if you take family video. Still clear. Very clear even.

Which brand? Sony. Why? Idiot proof. I started from this. The easiest gadget. :thumbsup:

 

[jeanie]

Very Simple. What others have tried to explain to u might be overwhelming. Here goes.

1) If u don't know editing and just want the final product after capturing: Mini DVD Camcorder
2) If you want to edit: Mini DV Tape Camcorder
3) If you want to edit and clearer video through PLASMA and LCD (Big Ones): HD Camcorder

Note: Normal Mini DV tape still as crystal clear as DVD quality. HD is just a new thing. When u edit in HD, it will be too overwhelming for you due to rendering and hard disk prob. Stick to Mini DVD or Mini Tape. HD not so impt if you take family video. Still clear. Very clear even.

Which brand? Sony. Why? Idiot proof. I started from this. The easiest gadget. :thumbsup:

thanks for the input.appreciated.

 

[davidhiten]

Please think this through -

1. If you go Sony you are locked into the proprietary bubble where you get Sony "magic gate" sticks etc. It really is not the way to go. They even put tags on their files in HD to try and keep it from been edited in other software apps. I prefer to just pick up a generic SD card when I need.
2. Sony use a CMOS sensor which is a one chip system. I have to tell you that as much as they try to hype this idea - all their high end pro cameras use a 3CCD technology (which is one sensor for red - one for green - and one for blue) This gives a much better color rendition and makes the final image that much cleaner. Panasonic's consumer cams have 3CCD standard.
3. As an editor we like to look at picture quality/ color etc and looking forward if I was going to be capturing memories I would use the highest quality available at a reasonable price. AVCHD is the best foot forward. DO NOT think DV tape will be ok quality. Compared to AVCHD it is the difference of VHS to DVD or better.
don't go out shopping for a new camera thinking DV will be ok - you are gonna be throwing money away!

I still work on DV Tape as an editor alot of stuff is still on DV but if I was buying a new camera today I would grab the Panasonic AVCHD camera - currently the SD1 is available in Singapore and it rocks!

Apple just announced support on iMovie so if you have an Apple computer (fairly recent one)
you could be editing your HD material yesterday!

Have a look here for more reviews :

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

 

[jeanie]

quick question.

if i get the sony HDD model, how do i 'play' what i've recorded on my plasma tv?
i have to burn the footage onto a dvd(vcd can?) and pop into the dvd player which is connected to my tv right?how do i know what format i should burn to since some dvd players cant read certain formats?(i'm using bose lifestyle 35 for my room).

i read somewhere that there's no USB port on the sony model?and you'll have to dock it on the docking station whereby the port is found?is it true?

lastly, anyone know the price of the 40GB 60GB and 100GB sony model?
i'm really worried the HDD get conked out after a few formattings.:what:

again, appreciate all inputs.

 

[jeanie]

davidhiten,

thanks for the inputs.

so in your opinion for a casual user like me, what really should be the model i should be looking at?
personally, i dont really like DV tapes because of storage purposes.
i dont like the real time transfer into PC, and i dont like to store the tapes.(i'm running out of space in my 2 dri-cabis).

thanks for reply.

 

[lwm]

davidhiten,

thanks for the inputs.

so in your opinion for a casual user like me, what really should be the model i should be looking at?
personally, i dont really like DV tapes because of storage purposes.
i dont like the real time transfer into PC, and i dont like to store the tapes.(i'm running out of space in my 2 dri-cabis).

thanks for reply.

If you get a HDD model, do you want to transfer the video to a PC to free up the space when camcorder HDD is full, and to make another backup copy in case the HDD crash?

If you get a mini-DV model, you can use the firewire cable to connect to those standalone HDD/DVD video recorder, and cut a DVD from there. Very simple to do. Can even do simple editing on the recorder. Idiot proof. Better quality than transfer using analog cables from DVD or HDD models.

I got a HD camcorder recently. I was using a SD model previously. The difference is so great that I can't tahan using the SD camcorder anymore

 

[baggiolee]

quick question.

if i get the sony HDD model, how do i 'play' what i've recorded on my plasma tv?
i have to burn the footage onto a dvd(vcd can?) and pop into the dvd player which is connected to my tv right?how do i know what format i should burn to since some dvd players cant read certain formats?(i'm using bose lifestyle 35 for my room).

i read somewhere that there's no USB port on the sony model?and you'll have to dock it on the docking station whereby the port is found?is it true?

lastly, anyone know the price of the 40GB 60GB and 100GB sony model?
i'm really worried the HDD get conked out after a few formattings.:what0:

again, appreciate all inputs.

u dun neccessary hav to burn a DVD to play on ur TV....u can connect ur camcorder directly to ur TV through component, HDMI or A/V cable depending on ur TV compatibility. HDMI is the best. i have not try burning into DVD so i can't really ur Qs. But sony claims tat for the AVCHD format (high defination)to be burn into DVD, tis DVD must be played on blue ray player(eg.ps3)...if play in dvd player, it may jam. maybe any1 here can comment about tis?

for the lastest high defination HDD flag ship are the sr8e(100gb) and sr7e(60gb)...they retail at $2999 and $2799 respectvely. specs wise they r the same. i haven try formatting yet...delete is good enough for me. and both of tis model have their usb on the docking systems...so have to dock to upload to pc.

 

[baggiolee]

If you get a HDD model, do you want to transfer the video to a PC to free up the space when camcorder HDD is full, and to make another backup copy in case the HDD crash?

yes....tis is quite bothersome for me....end up hav to buy more pc hdd. actually video takes up lots of hdisk space no matter wat the media is when u upload to a pc. Juz tat the tape based camcorder already 'back up' for u permanently for u once u record...and u dun hav to delete them.

 

[jeanie]

u dun neccessary hav to burn a DVD to play on ur TV....u can connect ur camcorder directly to ur TV through component, HDMI or A/V cable depending on ur TV compatibility. HDMI is the best. i have not try burning into DVD so i can't really ur Qs. But sony claims tat for the AVCHD format (high defination)to be burn into DVD, tis DVD must be played on blue ray player(eg.ps3)...if play in dvd player, it may jam. maybe any1 here can comment about tis?

for the lastest high defination HDD flag ship are the sr8e(100gb) and sr7e(60gb)...they retail at $2999 and $2799 respectvely. specs wise they r the same. i haven try formatting yet...delete is good enough for me. and both of tis model have their usb on the docking systems...so have to dock to upload to pc.

holy moly,
luckily i havent jumped into getting one over lunch just now.

phew!

i dont have PS3.