digital camcorder

[buzz2400]

Need help. Want to buy a digital camcorder. The one I was looking at had the minidv cassette. Can you re-record over this, ie if you tape something that you decide you don't want, can you rewind and tape over it like you could with the vhs-c. I know you can get the program where you can edit on computer but I don't think I would ever do this. If you can't re-record, is there any digital camcorder type that could. Thank you for any help. Tried talking to a store associate and no one seems to have any idea.

 

[elgerber]

Yes, a mini-DV works like any other cassette recording camcorder. They are excellent for editing on the computer as well.

Erika

 

[jcandtjsmommy]

We just got a digital camcorder. It takes the minidv cassettes and yes you can re-record over previously taped material. Just rewind like you do on the regular camcorder and begin taping again. We love ours and can't wait to use it at WDW in April!

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi!
I also looking for a new camcorder.
The VHS-C is the cheapest but are being phased out because DVD camcorders are now available.
I own a broken HI8 and will cost $180 to fix it.
I need a HI8 to play old tapes but would like image stabilization because the power digital zoom magnifies the jitter.
The Sears rep told me that the DVD is still evolving .
the problem of the DVD camcorders is the limited time per disk but , in the near future the lazer is going to be a blue lazer instead of a red lazer like the ones now being sold.
Remember to buy the extended warranty.
I'm as confused as I just wrote deciding which model to purchase.
"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!"

 

[marcyinPA]

We just purchased a new minidv camcorder from Amazon and we are waiting to receive it...we got a good deal on a Sharp. The reviews were good on it for what we need it for. No professional shooting going on here!

Amazons prices were very good compared to other retailers...And the Sharp had a rebate too.

Our old ancient Sony HandyCam from 1994 died a few months ago, with a tape stuck inside. We got lazy and never recorded those tapes onto VHS...so unless I can find a local place to copy them onto tape for me, (for a good price!), those memories are gone forever...

I can't wait for our new camcorder to come!! YIPEE~

 

[MK Familystone]

Try Rent-a-center for a hi8 machine to put olld films on vhs that way you can cut down on the amount of film in storage at a lower cost than sending it out.
"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!"

 

[Minnie's Mate]

I have a Canon Elura 50 and love it. It uses the re-usable DV cassettes and fits nicely in my "fanny" pack with my digital camera. I have Pennicle editing software also. I admit I haven't become proficient with that yet, but there is a very good program on DIYnet titled "Making Home Movies" that covers the basics of editing digital video on computers very nicely; good pointers, too. They use a MAC but the similarities to the PC are so close that there isn't any difference for the user.

Get the extended charge rechargeable battery. The battery that came with mine will record about 20 minutes before dying. Using the view-finder instead of the LCD view screen will prolong the charge of the battery, too. The extended will supposedly go for about 2-1/2 hours. This has been the only real limitation has been the length of battery charge. I haven't bought a rechargeable yet, but plan to purchase one before our next trip to WDW in June.

Most come with a a-c adapter and cables to hook directly to a TV. Newer TV's have the a-v ports on the front so you can view your video when you get back to your hotel room or as soon as you get home.

I also plan to get a wide angle lens. I didn't think I would need one, but on our most recent trip, I set up the camcorder on a mini-tripod ($5 from WalMart and also fits in fanny pack with DV camcorder and digital camera) on the table at character meals so I could also take stills and the character's heads got chopped off or both of my children weren't in the shot at the same time. This is the only time I plan on using the wide angle lense.

When purchasing, I wouldn't recommend buying a video package. I was offered one and figure there was about $50 worth of items for a special price of $109. Of course there were things in it I already had like a full size tripod and lense cleaning kit and things I wouldn't use. Plus three tapes (less than $20) and extended charge battery (have seen generic for under $10 on e-bay).

Having experimented with mine on a recent trip I would be glad to answer any questions you have if I can.

 

[FatCow]

Okay, let's get things stright here.

1. VHS and VHS-C have the lowest picture resolution of them all
2. Hi8 is the higher-up in terms of picture resolution
3. Followed by miniDV, DV, MicroMV, DVD and D8 (they are all the same resolution level)

If you have Video8 and Hi8 movies and your old machine is broken, get Sony's D8 format. If you buy the second lowest end and higher, you can play all of your Video8 and Hi8 tapes. Please note that the lowest end model does NOT play Video8 and Hi8.

D8 uses Hi8 tape and recorded using Motion JPEG format (just like MicroMV, MiniDV, and DV). Each 120min Hi8 tape can record 60 minutes of D8 recording. The tape is more durable than MiniDV but miniDV is half the size of D8.

Transferring Hi8 to VHS is a no-no, not only it's a step down in resolution (about 25% loss in picture quality), it mixes the chroma and luma information so the picture colour will tend to bleed out. Especially if you're watching it on a larger screen TV.

The most, if you want to transfer, is from Hi8 to S-VHS. Of course, you'll need S-VHS tape to record and S-VHS machine to playback S-VHS tapes (although the machine can also play regular VHS tapes and VHS-C tape in a cartridge).

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Your best bet, and maybe least confusing, is to take your old vhs-c, etc., to a reputable camera shoppe and have them transferred to DVD. I'm not sure of the cost, but what are the memories contained on those tapes worth vs. never being able to view them again? The life span of DVD is virtually unlimited but the life span of vhs is about 10 years before the image begins to degrade. The degradation will probably be imperceivable at first but will eventually worsen.