DVD Camcorders

[alexandra uk]

We're going to buy a DVD Camcorder for our next trip.
Does anyone have any tips or advice on what to look for or avoid when choosing one ?
I haven't got a clue about these things

 

[sharon-o]

Hi we have just bought a new camcorder (after weeks of research and searching!), we went to jessops they offer loads of advice and even set stuff up so you can have a go.

We wanted a dvd camcorder but actually went for the new sony HC22 mini dv its great, my brother even went out the next day and got himself one, they only came out this week.

The reason we chose mini dv rather than dvd was the play time facility dvd only do 30min tape's but mini dv do 60min which can be used long play approx 80 min, these can then be downloaded onto dvd through PC or dvd recorder.

So basically you need lots of dvd's with you.

Hope this helps, we are V happy with our purchase sharon

 

[FloridaSam]

My biggest tip is Jessops. We have bought our camcorder from them as well as digital cameras for ourselves and our son. They are always really helpful and don't just try to sell you the most expensive. They do not pressure you at all.

A few years ago we were prepared to buy our son a 35mm camera and had a budget of £50. They told us not to waste our money as a camera they had for £20 was just as good as those nearer our budget. Thank god they did as he dropped it at Seaworld and broke it!

Sam xx

 

[Tron[ADS]]

I did some research on current camcorder technology when I recently opted to purchase a miniDV model.
DVD Camcorders havent yet convinced me...Ok the disk format is nice, and they have a kind of cool factor, but there is one serious drawback....quality....If you look into the various quality settings of the models available, you will see that even the highest quality mode on the best model available, is still advertised as "near dv quality" in that mode. The combined issue there is that to get that kind of quality, you are looking at something like a recording time of only 20 minutes on a disk.

The bottom line here, is the word "near", which effectivley means "lower than", and for me, thats just not good enough for something touted as new technology. If the quality is not up to MiniDV standard on its highest mode, then I dread to think what lower quality (longer recording time) recordings are like.

DVD Camcorders dont offer anything like a smaller physical size of camera, so, coupled with offering less recording time, and having a lower image quality, I don't see any real reason to purchase one, given you could get a really good miniDV model for the price of the lowest of the DVD range.

Hang on for them to improve microharddrive camcorders I say.

 

[alexandra uk]

Thanks everyone for your help

After reading your replies and having a good look around we've decided not to go with the DVD camcorder after all.

I really like the look of the Sony Hc22 Sharon.
I've had a look, and the cheapest I can find it on the net is for £303 (which is considerably less than I was expecting to shell out for the DVD camcorder).

Can you tell me what its like at shooting in the dark ?
I want to film my little ones face on Pirates

 

[sharon-o]

We have only had our four days so not loads of footage! We have used it in the back garden in the pitch dark the picture was quite good but i'd imagine with a bit of background light the images would be very good!

We filmed a part of the garden that was in complete darkness and the play back was great, its a lovely compact little camcorder smaller than our digital camera!

The price you have for it is fantastic me and my brother got ours from currys 399, so that price is a steal!
Happy hunting sharon

 

[Tron[ADS]]

The HC22 has a "night shot" mode, which operates in 0 lux. You wont have any problems there.

 

[SplashMtn]

Just a note that Sony's nightshot function uses an infra red light to produce the image- Disney also use infra red cameras to monitor their dark rides and can see the light from a camcorder- I read somewhere on here of people being thrown off rides for using this because it interferes with Disney's own cameras. It might be best to leave this function off and hope that theres enough light to film normally.

 

[alexandra uk]

Thanks for the tip Splashmtn
The last thing I'd want is to be thrown off

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Just a note that Sony's nightshot function uses an infra red light to produce the image- Disney also use infra red cameras to monitor their dark rides and can see the light from a camcorder- I read somewhere on here of people being thrown off rides for using this because it interferes with Disney's own cameras. It might be best to leave this function off and hope that theres enough light to film normally.

I once got a ride stopped because they caught me filming (Jurrasic Park)...but thats another story....very embarasing, never did it again !!!

However, if the ride is lit by IR anyway, then isnt that even better ? Surely the user can stick a bit of tape over their own emitter and make use of the IR light kindly provided by Disney ?

 

[Mickey_UK]

But don't forget a lot of these night shots on the sony camcorders give a black and white picture not colour

 

[SplashMtn]

I once got a ride stopped because they caught me filming (Jurrasic Park)...but thats another story....very embarasing, never did it again !!!

However, if the ride is lit by IR anyway, then isnt that even better ? Surely the user can stick a bit of tape over their own emitter and make use of the IR light kindly provided by Disney ?

There's a good idea- as long as your're not emitting light, you could have some of the best nightshot er shots possible!

 

[IanBond]

Have you thought about buying a Standalone DVD recorder? You can get them for less that £200 and you put your tapes straight onto disc,
Youll kill 2 birds with 1 stone and even do away with your video player !