Posted on 03/11/2009 11:00:23 PM PDT by This Just In
This story begins with a plan. Like my brother-in-lay, my plan was simple. Go out and bag a new camcorder in my front yard. Well, except my front yard is actually my computer monitor when hunting for electronics.
So, I start shopping around. Should take me just a few minutes because I'm not looking for a 7 point buck (or 500 bucks!). Just a simple camcorder, right. WRONG!
I've recently discovered that coffee isn't the only thing out there that requires a tutorial on whether you'd prefer a latte', mocha, mocha latte', mocha java, Chai, Espresso, Cappuccino, or Barrista (What's with the Barrista anyway?).
When choosing a camcorder, I must now decide whether I'd like a Mini-DVD, MiniDV, Flash Drive, Hard Drive, HD.... The list seems endless.
Now, I could spend countless hours in my "front yard" weighing the pro's/con's of each type of camcorder, choosing a model, then reading reviews for days on end before making a final decision...
Or, I could seek the expert advice of Techies. So, for any hobbyists (not to be confused with lobbyists), novices, professionals in FReeperland, I kindly request your assistance. Please, give it to me with both barrels.
Okay, if you insist. I have absolutely no desire to know what a "brother-in-lay" is.
Neither do I, and I wrote the bloody post.
I must learn never to sip while reading posts from FR.
The CORRECT spelling should read, “brother-in-law” That’s LAW with a “W”.
Ha! We’ve all done that a time or three!
Carry on!
After hitting the ‘post’, I realize that this detail should have been included:
We are looking for a camcorder in order to create homegrown films. Low budget, homegrown films, that is. Nothing fancy. Just trying to introduce the family to another creative project to develop.
We are unable to afford anything over $250.00. I have been looking at refurbished camcorders as well as new at DellOutlit, eBay, Newegg, TechForLess, TigerDirect, RefurDepot, CNET, etc. (I discovered many of these sites through FReepers).
I prefer the flash-card approach myself since it will be easiest to transfer footage from the camera to the computer with. That said, I haven’t researched this area at all and have no idea what you can get for $250 these days.
MM
I’m partial to Canon myself. Their 2009 lineup will be available to purchase next month. I’m selling my Canon SD DV Tape Camcorder and going for a Canon VIXIA HF20 HD.
I might wait a bit to see what the actual street prices comes down to. 900 smackers is a bit rich for my blood though I do fancy myself an amateur auteur.
I’ve been reading about the new line.
Why did you chose a DV tape camcorder? Is there an advantage, besides price, compared to a flash card? Can you plug the cam directly to your PC and download film? Is this feature standard on all models?
Why would you prefer the flash memory over the HD MiniDV? I am assuming ease of use/download(?)
Meant to say upload rather than download.
Personally, flash memory has two advantages.
1. Hard drives are fragile. Flash cards can be run through the washing machine.
2. You can always buy more flash memory. If you have a 30 gig drive in your camcorder, that is the max space you will ever have.
I got a JVC Everio 30 GB HD last year on sale for $199. Been working fine. Lets you record in widescreen format. Low light conditions aren’t the greatest, have to make sure enough lighting in the room. Most low-end ameras will be likre that. Plus when you buy a cam, they only supply the low capacity battery. Usually only lasts about an hour. Better to pick up the higher capacity. Only cost me an additional $40.
In terms of record time, 30 gig will give me?
Yes, we don’t have the luxury of spending a lot of time creating/developing our projects.
Would you say that most films that are recorded using flash memory are grainy, or would it depend on pixels, HD, quality of cam, etc.?
The Flip MinoHD and Kodak Zi6 will do 720p, so should look decent on any digital TV. Kodak has an SD slot, so if you want to record soccer/football/basketball games, that might be a better choice. Kodak is a little bigger overall, but also has bigger viewing screen and replaceable batteries. The Flip is more of a go anywhere camera.
Depends on the resolution you record at. On mine it has ultra fine ( use if have an HD tv ), fine ( the one I usually use ), normal and economy.
Ultra fine gives about 7 hrs, Fine about 10.5 hours, Normal about 14 hours, Economy about 37 hours. With each of these you can also insert a SD card which gives additional space. For a 4 GB - Ultral 1 hour, Fine 1.5, normal 2, Economy 5.
Of course before all you space is used up, yo can upload what you did to the computer and then delete what you used. These are all record time though, not battery time
Very helpful, TheCipher. You guys are making the job easier.
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