DVD Camcorder Info

A

ARYNSX

Contributing Member
Joined
18 June 2003
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Location
FAIRFAX - VA
I'm planning to purchase a DVD Camcorder soon but no clue what brand name and model is really good.
I need some info about the brand name and place to get best deal.
Thanks
 
I personally would get a Mini DV model over the DVD because of fear that you may get a write error during recording and loose all your info.
 
With MiniDV there are high end and low end camcorders. High end camcorders use three individual CCD sensors to process the image where the lower end ones use a single CCD. It all depends what your price range is and what you are looking to do with it.

For the single reg consumer camcorders I like the sony and JVC brands.

You can do price comparisons on www.Pricegrabber.com
 
I will use it inside the car with camera mount & my price range around $500-600.
For Mini-DV, which one has better options from Sony ?
For DVD Camcorder, they only record up to 60 minutes ?
 
ARYNSX said:
I will use it inside the car with camera mount & my price range around $500-600.
For Mini-DV, which one has better options from Sony ?
For DVD Camcorder, they only record up to 60 minutes ?
Click to expand...

Have you read my camera mount write up ... ok thats a diff topic

You can actually get 90 minutes in LP mode with a MiniDV cassette.

The only options I would look for is a external mic jack and maybe wind noise
reduction but other then that any camcorder will do.
 
I was thinking of buying one too, for all the car shows and events I go to:smile: . I would go for the Mini DV only because of the cost.

But then again why not go for one of those Hard Drive camcorders. Prices arent that bad. Once your done, upload them onto a comp...burn them onto a DVD and your done. No tapes, no little DVDs. I think it's perfect.
 
I would stick with a mini dv camera. It's easy to figure out how to upload the footage onto your computer(assuming the computer has a firewire port). And like Acura NSX Pilot mentioned, you can switch the speed at which the tape records info. I personally recommend Panasonic cameras. Those little consumer three chip cameras that Panasonic makes are great bang for the buck.
 
Pacemaker Kid89 said:
I was thinking of buying one too, for all the car shows and events I go to:smile: . I would go for the Mini DV only because of the cost.

But then again why not go for one of those Hard Drive camcorders. Prices arent that bad. Once your done, upload them onto a comp...burn them onto a DVD and your done. No tapes, no little DVDs. I think it's perfect.
Click to expand...

You got a link to some of those hard drive camcorders ?
 
spyderplayer2002 said:
I would stick with a mini dv camera. It's easy to figure out how to upload the footage onto your computer(assuming the computer has a firewire port). And like Acura NSX Pilot mentioned, you can switch the speed at which the tape records info. I personally recommend Panasonic cameras. Those little consumer three chip cameras that Panasonic makes are great bang for the buck.
Click to expand...

The three chip would be good but lets remember the price range here.
 
http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.asp?ref=Google-BCAU01&sku=JVCGZMG50

Thats one for you...1 grand...but it would last you for ever.

Some specs for other who want to know.

Records DVD-quality video to a built-in 30GB hard disk drive
30GB holds approximately:
7 hours 10 minutes at ULTRA (DVD movie) setting (8.5 Mbps)
10 hours 40 minutes at FINE (DVD) setting (5.5 Mbps)
14 hours 10 minutes at NORM (TV) setting (4.2 Mbps)
37 hours 30 minutes at ECO setting (Internet) (1.5 Mbps)
15X optical zoom (digital zoom to 700X)
2-1/2" color LCD cuts surface reflections and glare for clear, bright views even in outdoor recording
16 x9 Wide Mode
Digital photo mode
1.33-megapixel CCD
F1.2 Super Bright Lens for better low-light performance
Megabrid Engine signal processor for optimum video and still image quality
Frame-based 3-dimensional video noise reduction processing
Top JPEG resolution: 1152 x 864
SD memory card slot for convenient recording and transferring of still images
Dolby Digital 2.0 audio recording
Floating suspension and force sensor systems protect the hard disk from shock and vibration
Opening and closing LCD screen automatically turns camcorder on and off
Digital Image Stabilizer
Auto and manual focus
White balance control
Shutter speeds: 1/2 - 1/4000 seconds (video); 1/2 - 1/500 seconds (still photo)
9 program AE modes including sepia, black & white, classic film, strobe, and sports
Displays remaining power level and recording time with included battery
Audio/video output (including S-Video)
High-speed USB interface
Built-in video light
Direct photo printing with PictBridge-compliant printers
Dimensions: 2.64" (W) x 2.76" (H) x 4.29" (D)
Weight: 13.4 oz. with battery and media
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year parts, 90 days labor
 
Acura NsX Pilot said:
You got a link to some of those hard drive camcorders ?
Click to expand...
They start around $650. I wonder if "ULTRA" setting (which is claimed to be comparable to DVD, nearly 5 hours with 20 GB) would be comparable to DV? Even if it is, DV is hardly compressed and does not have as many artifacts as MPEG. So I would imagine DV would be better if you're going to so some editing later. This also something to consider for DVD camcorders.

I think each hour of DV uses around 13 GB, so even if a hard-drive based camcorder had the ability to capture in this format, there is a significant trade-off in space. Given the prices of hard-drives, though... It does not seem like it would cost more than a few hundred extra dollars for a manufacturer to offer one with a 150+ GB drive.

Pacemaker Kid89 said:
Most likely 800x600, 1024x768, or 1280x1024
Click to expand...
No way. Not for video. The maximum resolution would be 720x480. But, the main factor is the level of compression.
 
Ojas said:
They start around $650. I wonder if "ULTRA" setting (which is claimed to be comparable to DVD, nearly 5 hours with 20 GB) would be comparable to DV? Even if it is, DV is hardly compressed and does not have as many artifacts as MPEG. So I would imagine DV would be better if you're going to so some editing later. This also something to consider for DVD camcorders.

I think each hour of DV uses around 13 GB, so even if a hard-drive based camcorder had the ability to capture in this format, there is a significant trade-off in space. Given the prices of hard-drives, though... It does not seem like it would cost more than a few hundred extra dollars for a manufacturer to offer one with a 150+ GB drive.

No way. Not for video. The maximum resolution would be 720x480. But, the main factor is the level of compression.
Click to expand...


I know when I transfer 1hr of MiniDV footage over onto the comp in NTSC AVI format its about what you said 13-14 gigs.


Here is the specs for resolution on video and stills from JVC

High-Quality MPEG-2 Video Recording (up to 720 x 480/60i in ULTRA mode with Dolby Digital Audio (MOD file)

3 selectable digital still image sizes. (1152x864, 1024x768, 640x480)
 
Acura NsX Pilot said:
The three chip would be good but lets remember the price range here.
Click to expand...

I thought it would be cheaper, but just for reference this is what I was talking about. I myself have a one chip panny and think the quality is great for a $300 camera. Off topic but I just realized that the three chip I linked to also has a really good low lux rating.
 
spyderplayer2002 said:
I thought it would be cheaper, but just for reference this is what I was talking about. I myself have a one chip panny and think the quality is great for a $300 camera. Off topic but I just realized that the three chip I linked to also has a really good low lux rating.
Click to expand...

I would not waste my money on a 3 CCD cam unless it had interchageable lens. I think for what he is looking to do a sub $600 single ccd cam is all he needs. I myself have a low lux single CCD cam and yes the quality is great. You will find most of the new cams to be about the same low lux rating.
 

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