which camcorder to buy?

[baggiolee]

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

phew!

i dont have PS3.

but the given software allows u to convert to mpeg2....then mpeg2 should have no problem. tink maybe u ask the stuff at different sony gallery bah...juz to make sure as not every1 of them know. DVD only around 640 x 480 resolution only mah.....i prefer HD...view it through camcorder solve all problem but takes up space haha

 

[jeanie]

but the given software allows u to convert to mpeg2....then mpeg2 should have no problem. tink maybe u ask the stuff at different sony gallery bah...juz to make sure as not every1 of them know.

i've long ago gave up on sales people's knowledge of the products they are selling.
that's why doing own homework now...:embrass:

 

[davidhiten]

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.

I would seriously look at Panasonic - it is priced for the consumer but the quality is really up there. As mentioned the AVCHD - SD1 is available in Singapore. If you can wait there are some newer models available in Japan - SD3 & most recently the SD5. (The only big difference the frame size)

The SD-1 is 1440 x 1080
The SD-3 is 1920 x 1080

They usually bundle a 4GB SD card which can do about 40 mins of Video. I would grab about 3 of these babies and you have 2 hours of recording time.

The thing to remember which is vital is that these files can be transferred faster than real time e.g. 40 min of video can be transferred in less than 5 min. This makes this format so exciting for everybody from professionals to the casual user. You are going to really start enjoying taking video when you can get the video backed up quickly.

I want one of these cameras so badly!!! I mean think of it - the SD-5 is $999 on Amazon which is about SG$1500 for a video quality you would have paid $50,000 for 5 years back!!

Consumers should be taking advantage of this becasue you cant rewind memories - except of course if you have one of these babies!!

N.B. I don't work for Panasonic - I have just been around long enough to trust them.

 

[lwm]

They usually bundle a 4GB SD card which can do about 40 mins of Video. I would grab about 3 of these babies and you have 2 hours of recording time.

The thing to remember which is vital is that these files can be transferred faster than real time e.g. 40 min of video can be transferred in less than 5 min. This makes this format so exciting for everybody from professionals to the casual user. You are going to really start enjoying taking video when you can get the video backed up quickly.

I saw one 4GB SD card costs about S$50. One good mini-DV tape costs about S$5. How often do we transfer video from camcorder to a PC? I find it acceptable to me if I have to wait one hour to transfer from mini-DV tape once a week. And you get to archive the mini-DV tape as master and backup copy, but too costly to do similar for SD cards.

Anyway, there are pros and cons of getting a HDD or SD camcorder, likewise for a mini-DV camcorder. Just have to see what you want to do and your priorities.

If order from Amazon, also got to consider the shipping charges+GST to send here, and in case of any problem (touch wood), the method and shipping charges to send back to US for servicing.

 

[jeanie]

whole night i thinking of what kind of camcorder i should be investing in.

i like the portability of SD, the easy 'keep as backup' of minidv, and the hassle free build in HDD.so hard to decide.

but i thought of a disadvantage of the HDD.
if i bring it for tour, and my HDD gets full, how?
also, if i record everything into the HDD and if it crash, how?
seems like miniDV and SD is still the way to go.

i hope they do make one that can use CF card as i have many of these for use on my dslr.

 

[eel]

CF card dun have but SD card one have. Panasonic GS NV-320 does both tape (mini DV) and SD shooting in Mpeg4

 

[yap18]

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

Hi, maybe you wan to check this review on HD video cam.....http://www.camcorderinfo.com/conten...Sony-HDR-HC7-Panasonic-HDC-SD1-JVC-GZ-HD7.htm

Anyway, i am using Sony AVC-HD UX5 using mini DVD and the result is very good especially during poor lighting...:thumbsup:

 

[spheredome]

whole night i thinking of what kind of camcorder i should be investing in.

i like the portability of SD, the easy 'keep as backup' of minidv, and the hassle free build in HDD.so hard to decide.

but i thought of a disadvantage of the HDD.
if i bring it for tour, and my HDD gets full, how?
also, if i record everything into the HDD and if it crash, how?
seems like miniDV and SD is still the way to go.

i hope they do make one that can use CF card as i have many of these for use on my dslr.

There are also cheaper, smaller and much lighter models like sanyo (hybrid) and panasonic, they run on SD but their output is only mpeg quality (normal TV quality), can't compare with those higher end models mentioned. These are useful as all time camcorder where image quality is secondary.

If you are just thinking of using your vcam to playback to TV and not thru computer, SD is not that bad as 1GB cost as lesser than S$19, 4GB will need SDHC reader. So these cheap SD is good for short films and you can buy SD pouch to store them.

 

[tchoonyong]

I would seriously look at Panasonic - it is priced for the consumer but the quality is really up there. As mentioned the AVCHD - SD1 is available in Singapore. If you can wait there are some newer models available in Japan - SD3 & most recently the SD5. (The only big difference the frame size)

The SD-1 is 1440 x 1080
The SD-3 is 1920 x 1080

They usually bundle a 4GB SD card which can do about 40 mins of Video. I would grab about 3 of these babies and you have 2 hours of recording time.

The thing to remember which is vital is that these files can be transferred faster than real time e.g. 40 min of video can be transferred in less than 5 min. This makes this format so exciting for everybody from professionals to the casual user. You are going to really start enjoying taking video when you can get the video backed up quickly.

I want one of these cameras so badly!!! I mean think of it - the SD-5 is $999 on Amazon which is about SG$1500 for a video quality you would have paid $50,000 for 5 years back!!

Consumers should be taking advantage of this becasue you cant rewind memories - except of course if you have one of these babies!!

N.B. I don't work for Panasonic - I have just been around long enough to trust them.

i agreed with you as their camera dont last more than 4 yrs.They will die exactlly. i will recommend getting sony or canon as they are leaders in the lead of the hd market. Since they developed it.

 

[Hobbes00]

Hi Jeanie, heres a list of camcorders thats worth considering at all.

Canon HV20
Panasonic DVX102
Canon XH-A1

Higher End ones.
Panasonic HVX202

Go by the budget you have.
If you're a consumer and you're not doing this as a profesional, get the Canon HV20.

Let me repeat, HV20.

 

[donvito]

whole night i thinking of what kind of camcorder i should be investing in.

i like the portability of SD, the easy 'keep as backup' of minidv, and the hassle free build in HDD.so hard to decide.

but i thought of a disadvantage of the HDD.
if i bring it for tour, and my HDD gets full, how?
also, if i record everything into the HDD and if it crash, how?
seems like miniDV and SD is still the way to go.

i hope they do make one that can use CF card as i have many of these for use on my dslr.

I suggest you get a miniDV. I got a pre-owned Panasonic GS400 and I'm very happy with its quality. Maybe you can look for one as well. The GS500 is not bad too but I think it lost some of the GS400's manual controls. Happy hunting.

 

[Hobbes00]

HV20.
Let me tempt you with pictures..

 

[ParadiseStudios]

I have an entire set of equipment to sell, please visit thread for more information:-

http://forums.clubsnap.com/showthread.php?t=327840

Hope you are able to offer something!

Cheers!

 

[engr]

HV20!! Or the HC1e 2nd hand..

 

[hpi3evo]

HG 10 will have better & clean images in AVCHD format.You can consider this baby.

 

[lwm]

HV20!! Or the HC1e 2nd hand..

HC1 2nd hand was bought in Mar 2006, so probably no more warranty. HV20 can get around $1200 new from mail order. If spoil within one year can spend about S$100+ for shipping to service with warranty. So I think it depends on how attractive is the price of 2nd hand HC1. I would think HV20 has better video quality based on reviews.

 

[lwm]

HG 10 will have better & clean images in AVCHD format.

Is this a fact backup by some source?

 

[Hobbes00]

HV20.

You have a huge user community all around the world - that means alot of support and help you need online. For example www.hv20.com

Check out the number of films shot on HV20 and how even professionals emself uses them.

 

[hpi3evo]

Is this a fact backup by some source?

Yah, from camcorderinfo.com, but still you have to test the real thing when arrive these it show.

 

[tommon]

I think this thread has went overboard. The poor fellow only asked for a simple camcorder for family stuff and some of you are showing off.

No one answered his real question.

I think the real soluion is in the following points:

- What's the budget?
- If it's just for record sake keep to HDD, it's cheaper on the long run
- Your handling preference, you must feel comfortable using and having fun with it or else it will end up in some storage box becos to "lay-chey" to use it.
- Also remember to budget in some simple accessories; good smooth tripod, extra battery (note some long life batts are so bulky for those tiny cams that the stop you from using the viewfinder or cause in-balance while handling / holing the cam), wide angle attachment for great scenery movies.

Don't buy DVD type as you may have compatability problem with the media (seen too many of them) and they don't last forever.

As a rule of thumb; go for the best or highest resolution you could afford after those considerations. Brands are secondary to everything as a consumer.