Help: Which format for camcorder?
 

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a camcorder. The one we have is about 20 years old, and I don't know how to use it, or how to get the movies off the tapes, so I'm going to buy a new one.

Are the mini DV format ones easy to get the movies off of and onto the computer? I don't want to reinvent the wheel each time I want to save or use what I've recorded. I know there are also hard drive formats and memory stick ones. It seems that the ones with the memory stick are going to be hard to use if you want to save a lot of movies on them at one time? Also, the 8gb chips are around $80 each.

I have a computer with the IEEE 1394 (firewire?) port. If the mini-DV is easy to use with the firewire would that be a good choice? The ones with the hard drive are quite a bit more money. I think I know which features I need except for the format.

I also take it that Sony has about the easiest to use. :confused:

Well, Wiz, I am a Canon devotee nowadays. I used to be a devoted Sony customer but their stuff just isn't delivering the bang for the buck anymore in my opinion.

I faced the same decision a couple of years ago and chose the mini tape version for these reasons:

- The tapes are cheap and hold a lot of footage
- I like to make story movies that often require dozens of hours of raw footage to get a final product and I don't edit until all the shooting is finished (storing footage)
- If I trash or lose a tape, I won't be suicidal
- I can get 2-3 uses out of each tape with no loss of quality, then I use them to archive a hard copy of the final cut.
- The camera cost only about $350 compared to the newer formats at $700-$1200+ at the time.
- Loading the footage onto my computer is easy (Firewire) and in real time which gives me a chance to take notes as it loads.
- For me, it's a toy with long-term value, not an art form or a part of my work.
- Output/input options of Firewire, S-Video, DVI, and RCA.

Beware of the cams that come loaded with too many bells and whistles. If you do your editing on your computer (like most of us) why the heck would you pay hundreds more for little toys you won't use?

Know what you want to accomplish with it, if zoom is important to you, go for the max optical zoom and ignore the digital zoom claims.

Here's the main list of perks I like in my little Canon:

It's not heavy, even with a 9-hour battery which weighs about 4 additional ounces.

I can review my shots manually and leave a blank patch between shots (harder to do with card or DVDs).

A 12x optical zoom!

I can choose time code or no time code, plus day and date or no day and date with one button.

Big buttons for my dumb fingers.

It has a good tripod seat in an intelligent location.

Excellent audio pick-up and with an external mic jack.

Great, true colors and automatic white balance.

Remote control came with it.

Open/close 2x3 LCD display with actual, non-adjusted feedback (if the camera is upside down, so is the feedback).

Variable-speed zoom (a big one for artsy-fartsy shots).

I really have been extremely satisfied with my little Canon. It's the third one I've had. My first one was a Sony (years ago) and I never loved it as much as the Canons.

There's more, but this is enough for now.;)

Thanks AMN! :)

You answered my question perfectly. ;) I have two firewires on the back of my Dell, but I've never had anything to hook up to them. I think I'll go for a lower end mini-DV. I want image stabilization (cause I'm not always steady handed). I've seen some lower priced ones that have as high as 40x optical zoom! :)

I also need a night or low light mode, and maybe a macro setting too. I like easy, reliable and low prices. I'm going to give the Canons a second look.

I have a Sony camera and it has such an awesome lense. It's getting old now though and the USB is only compatible up to Windows 2000. :rolleyes:

I don't think I want the camcorder with the camera feature though. They typically only give you 1mp quality and cost $50-$100 more.

Wiz, those lightweight cameras will give you a sloppy shot no matter how hard you try to stabilize them. You might consider a monopod or a tripod, it makes a HUGE difference in your image quality.

Now, if you had a Mac, you'd have iMovie and would be able to pull stills right off of any frame in your footage. ;)

A 40X OPTICAL ZOOM???? Ruh roh....

Ya'll are making my head spin. I started out looking for a camcorder about two years ago and gave up. I still have my old 8mm. I don't use one enough to buy.

So I go spend on digital cameras instead!

Good luck Wiz!

I am with AMN when it comes to Sony (for now)

they have gone down hill cause I think they got cocky. But I think once they are down in the dumps, they'll go back up again. It happens in cycles especially when it comes to electronics.

Of course, since I was told that I go on and on and on and on and on...LMAO...;)

I was just going to say that firewires are safe, fast, transfers bits more accurately. But USB 2.0 compatible are just as good (although folks on both side will argue)

mac prefers fire ports anyways...but this isn't about Mac...LOL

what software you choose to edit after you've download the vids will probably matter more and that's what happens to most people. So do spare youself those "extras" up sales whenever you go buy them

I would go to a brick and motar store, hold one in your hand play with it. Try to play with it without the sales person being there to give you pressure. But then come back on the internet and do a search on line. If they have it at amazon or buy.com I am almost willing to bet that it will be cheaper for the same exact model...

anyways, just my 4000.00 bucks thoughts. LOL

great thread.

before lil'monkey's next performance i need a dependable camcorder. i have a sharp, which is worthless. her last 2 performances it messed up. i got no recordings. :Sob:

i still have a big ole rca camcorder that uses full size vhs tapes. :D works like a charm, just weighs like 40lbs. hehehe..i've had it since the 80's.

Thanks WM,

I'm going over to Wally World to try the models I'm considering. I don't want a lot of bells and whistles cause I know I won't use it constantly. Also, they have a 30 day return policy for any reason without a restocking fee.

I really want one for tonight. Our son's band is performing and I want to be there with a working camcorder, lol.

I'm leaning toward the Sony model though. I really like the Carl Zeiss lens, and this one comes standard with it.

I'm going to try out the Canons in the same price range too and compare the picture quality of what I record.

Hi Curious,

That sounds like our dinosaur. :D Although it wasn't advanced enough to record on vhs, they had to be transfered over somehow. :cool: :confused:

I'll post here when I choose a model.

AMN,

I plan to get a tripod and carrying case. I'm going to be prepared. :)

i have a tape of our wedding. a friend took it. i have never seen it. :( we could never find a way to convert it. our sharp uses a different size. those i just plug the camcorder into the tv and play them.

now i just need to figure out a way for our busienss to pay most or part. i know i will be using it to add a virtual tour of the club. plus new members have asked for dvd's of our new member oriantation...hmmmm :wink: