Desperate for advice on camcorders

[mom23sweetgirlies]

I need some advice about camcorders, hope this is the right place for that!
We are taking our first WDW trip in December and want to get a new camcorder for under $350 before we leave. I have been reading a lot of reviews but they just left me totally confused.
We have a nice 42" flat screen HDTV that we will use to view the videos we make, not sure if that matters, but I would think it would. Our only DVD burner is on our PC which I don't think has enough memory for uploading the mini DV tapes to or a firewire port for that matter. So I'm thinking our best option is going to be a DVD type camcorder, not sure. I know the HD camcorders are all the rage and as much as I'd love to have HD home video, I don't think it's feasible for us right now as we don't have a ton of money to spend on the extras we'd need to actually watch those videos. I am not tech savvy at all, I just want something simple to use, that takes really good video and has good sound. Please help, thanks!

 

[drcandon]

There is a sticky on this thread area about camcorders -agreed most of it is about HD...I never was a fan of dvd camcorders..I prefer tape or a HDD and then edit on youy PC. However, since you stated your pc is inadequate for the task and you want to have some kind of editing ability with a cheaper price then DVD camcorders are an option. Just to point out that a decent price non-HD hard drive camcorder can be had for about the same price. And you can do in camera editing ( simple editing only). Of course then you will have to dump it down to a VCR or a home DVD recorder. Again that is extra expense..DVD recorders ( non PC based) are still about $100.00 for a decent name brand one.

So probably a DVD camcorder will give you what you need - record, simple editing, finalyze the video and pop it into a DVD player...

BUT...you must be aware that a DVD player/recoder/camcorder is not HD and even with the moderate size of your new panel which will display at least 720p the most you will get from your camcoder is 480 (p or i - depending on make)..and with grain etc..so if the flat panel is a good make you might be abel to see all sorts of artifacts upon playback.

As far as the requirements for HD, well no matter how you cut it you are into that mess for about $2000.00 - by the time you get the camcorder, by a player that will play high def format ( like a PS3 or a bluray player) and maybe even upgrade your PC to handle the stuff (editing). It is a never ending battle...

And not that I want to cast a grey cloud on things, but with the economy the way it is ..larger budget purchases like this might be out for you...

So back to you question..I just hope the bit of info I gave you helps..now as for brand - if you are going to buy a DVD camcorder..then reliablilty is the big factor - all of them have the same features...JVC, Sony and Canon ( in no particular order) are the top of any list...

But ( yes another but) even with an economic crisis going on manufacturers still try to make us buy things..and to do that they discontinue other items ..so I will imagine that sooner or later the DVD camcorder will disappear..probably to ber replaced by a bluray one

Hope this helps

 

[budmonster]

I was in the same position as you last year, I had family coming down for the holiday and wanted a new camcorder, but didn't want to spent a fortune. I looked and while the mini DVD and etc. were cheaper to buy the future cost down the road were expensive. Buying tapes and mini dvds and so forth would just turn out to be to much money. Plus they don't hold that much recording. I ended up gett a HDD Sony SR200, while it cost more to begin with I am still happy with the decision today. I have a 50 plase hdtv and the videos turn our great on there, I can edit on my pc if I want to or I can burn it right to disk from the camcorder. Check out www.bhphoto.com they have a pretty good selection and their prices are reasonable. I looked briefly and they have some HDD for under $400.00.

 

[Rob_Drebel]

I recently purchased a JVC MG330 which is around $400 and works good for a Hard drive camcorder at lower cost. Quick direct to DVD button as well.