Camcorder Advice - Help Please!

[Mom2Ashli]

I am looking to buy a new Camcorder in the next day or so. But not sure what type is the best right now. DVD vs. Digital or stay with the 8mm or
VHS-C......

What kind do you have and what do you recommend?

 

[Donnask8pro]

I have the Sony 301. It burns right onto the disc. No more tapes. I love it. Its small and easy to use. And cd's take up less space. Good Luck

 

[manticore]

I am looking to buy a new Camcorder in the next day or so. But not sure what type is the best right now. DVD vs. Digital or stay with the 8mm or
VHS-C......

What kind do you have and what do you recommend?

Newer DV is much better quality than old VHS-C or 8mm, and the prices are not to bad on the entry level cameras. Either DV tape or DVD really depends on your preference. If you are not going to edit your tape and burn to DVD then a DVD camcorder makes sense, if you edit then I would go with the tapes because your media cost are a bit less.

I have the JVC DVP-9 DV camcorder. It is very small and easy to use. I tried carrying a larger camcorder around before and found it cumbersome, so I bought this one. It came out with a list price of $1,299 and sold for around $900 street. It is currently available for $549.00. It is a good choice in the ultra compacts. I have no problem carrying this one around. It stores the first frame of each chapter on an SD card for editing right in the camera. It has video in to transfer older video onto DV for burning later. It can record in 16:9 mode for widescreen viewing. It also works as a really nice webcam. Another good choice is the Panasonic GS series camcorders which have 3 CCDs one each for red, blue and green. These start around $650 street, or you can buy last years GS120 for $550 @ B&H Photo.
My suggestion is to get an idea of two or three you really feel fit your needs and check them out on the web and then in the store. Good luck in your search.
The following link is to my camera @ B&H photo a good reputable NY company.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=279282&is=REG

 

[wicket2005]

I have just bought the Sony DCRHC18 which is very small and takes mini dv tapes. Well impressed with it. Cost £235 which I think would be $470.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Thank you very much.
I have narrowed it down to a MiniDV type camcorder.

 

[Donnask8pro]

Check out.. http://www.steves-digicams.com/ good luck

 

[manticore]

Thank you very much.
I have narrowed it down to a MiniDV type camcorder.

From www.techbargains.com

FYI Dell is having a sale on Canon DV camers 25% off

25% off select Canon Digital Camcorders Coupon
Code: B27LM6NV?7P40B Exp 4/21 Wed 5:59am CT or after 1000 uses

Canon ZR100 mini DV Camcorder $349.00 - 25% off coupon = $261.75.

Canon ZR200 mini DV Camcorder $399.00 - 25% off coupon = $299.25


Hope this helps

 

[fantavet]

Another thought to all this. Should you EVEN take a camera. Here is a thread I started.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=790280

 

[dzneprincess]

I have the Sony 301. It burns right onto the disc. No more tapes. I love it. Its small and easy to use. And cd's take up less space. Good Luck

Are you able to play your discs in regular DVD players?

 

[brer rabbit 28]

question for wicket. does your camera let you take still photos too?i want to get one for my hols but am concerned i will miss still photo chances while filming!can't have it all i s'pose!
Also where did you buy your sony from?

 

[Mom2Ashli]

I have a question for those of you that do your own video editing.

What kind of software would you recommend for a beginner?

I would love to start doing some video editing with my New Camcorder but I don't have a clue on where to start or what I need. Any help would be Wonderful.

Thanks.

 

[lsteadman]

Another good tip - Now follow along when you get to the store:L

1) Turn the palm of your hand up

2) Put the "prospective" new camcorder in you hand

3) Is it bigger than the palm of your hand

4) Yes... PUT IT BACK ......try again until your find one that isn't bigger than the palm of your hand

5) No.....Now you have found the right rize...now look into features.

DO NOT BUY A CAMCORDER THAT IS BIGGER THAN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND!

Happy tapping!!!! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Donnask8pro]

dzneprincess, Yes it plays right in my dvd player. You just have to remember to finalize the disc when finished recording. Never has this been easier for me. I have a jVC thats records onto tapes. I have tapes in a big bag, they take up so much room. Have fun and good luck

 

[dzneprincess]

DOnna, thanks for answering, I was just curious how that worked since the discs were smaller....does your DVD player have a thing in the tray that will hold the DVD before it slides in? All my DVD players I think, do not have that thing in the middle ( you know like what holds the DVD in a movie case) I think all my players just slide in or out.

 

[dbenlee]

dzneprincess, every DVD players tray I have seen has a small indented circle in it that is made to hold the small disk's. I don't imagine your DVD player will have problems with them. My Dad has a Sony that uses the small disk and he loves it.

Mom2Ashli, I still consider myself a learner when it comes to editing my home videos on the computer. I use Pinnacle Studio 8. It is pretty straight forward and easy to use. Its not very expensive. It doesn't do as much as some of the more expensive software.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Mom2Ashli, I still consider myself a learner when it comes to editing my home videos on the computer. I use Pinnacle Studio 8. It is pretty straight forward and easy to use. Its not very expensive. It doesn't do as much as some of the more expensive software.

I looked at some of the different softwares out there yesterday. They all state they are easy to use. So thanks for letting me know what you use.