Camcorder help

[jockey]

I am in the market for a new camcorder but just dont know what to buy! I have looked at the HDR-SR1 AVC HD 30GB Handycam by sony but do i really need High definition? Sony seem to be the only company producing a High Definition HDD model.


Should I just go with a HDD type only? At the moment I am using a JVC mini DV, will I notice a difference in quality with a HDD? TIA

 

[Happy Day]

It all depends on what you're looking for. While the mini DV format is a little long in the tooth, it is still digital. But Sony is noth the only company out there pushing new formats.

JVC? (shudder) well, I'd stay away from blueray for now, but High Definition is the wave of the future so if you purchase something HD, you'll be ready for that next wave. The more important question is how much do you use it, do you edit your projects and on what software.

Many of the problems at this point revolve around audio. Most HD cameras use surround sound and alot of the editing software programs have trouble coping with that. In alot of cases, you'll have to "process" the audio in order to edit with it.

Some things to think about anyway.

Cheers

 

[jockey]

Thanks for the info, you have given me a few things to consider. I only use the camcorder for familiy videos, holidays etc. I use Final cut pro for editing

 

[Amy]

Just jumping in here - I was looking at camcorders at Best Buy this morning. Our old Sony (uses Hi-8 tapes) died almost 2 years ago; DH keeps trying to fix it, but he finally admitted that it can't be fixed.

Anyway, we're probably going to go with either a Sony or Canon mini-DV model. We've never edited any of our tapes before, just played them on the tv and/or copied to VHS tape (yes, we're still on the Stone Age when it comes to camcorders).

The sale clerk at Best Buy told me we'd have to upgrade our computer if we wanted to edit our tapes - we'd need Fire-something?? He said our computer needs something that looks like a small USB port to be able to connect with the camcorder. What's he talking about and how much $ are we talking about if I want to start editing our videos?

 

[Happy Day]

"The sale clerk at Best Buy told me we'd have to upgrade our computer if we wanted to edit our tapes - we'd need Fire-something?? He said our computer needs something that looks like a small USB port to be able to connect with the camcorder."

Yeah Firewire, be very careful! There is a 4 pin (small) firewire and 6 pin (larger) connector for firewire. The larger pin connector usually goes into your computer and the smaller into the camcorder. The difference in the 2 extra pins is power. If you use a 6 pin to 6 pin (though uncommon) be very careful.

But as for upgrading your computer, that's probably true. Editing video requires a great deal of computer power, a good video card, firewire, and a decent amount of ram.

 

[Happy Day]

Thanks for the info, you have given me a few things to consider. I only use the camcorder for familiy videos, holidays etc. I use Final cut pro for editing

Final cut pro will do more than you ever want to for editing home video. It's been used in television stations for quite a few years now and is becoming an industry standard. The only problem you may run into is drop frames, and handling still images in a smooth transition. But to get to those problems you'd have to be into a pretty heavy edit, and there are ways 'round them.

Happy Editing

 

[Groucho]

I doubt you'll need a PC performance upgrade to edit tapes, after all, people have been editing miniDV movies on their PCs for several years, you don't need the latest and greatest. If you only have 256 megs, you should probably upgrade though, but that's true whether you're editing video or not.

A firewire card should be a cheap add-on - like probably around $10 for the card, and they often come with the cable you need. Check NewEgg or similar.