I need camcorder suggestions!

[LynnTH]

You would have two options...

One would be to buy different memory cards, using those to record for different purposes. That could get a little more expensive, but not too different from using minidisks.

Two would be to just record using the internal memory (or a single large memory card), and using your computer to download the movies. When you download movies to a computer from a harddrive camcorder, they come over as separate files for each time you turned off the camcorder then turned it back on, or each time you hit 'stop' then record again (as opposed to 'pausing' recording, which continues to save as a single file).

You then piece together the segments that are all for the same movie or segment using the simple supplied software from the camcorder, and burn it to a DVD. That allows you to separate all the different 'movies' you've saved on the harddrive and burn to their own disks.

Many camcorders will come with the ability to download files directly to a DVD burner - and will allow you to download multiple files as a single movie...or keep other files separate to download as a separate movie.

As for easy or not...that depends on you! For me, I don't find it too hard, but I've been copying movies through my computer and editing them for a while, even with my MiniDV camcorder. Rather than transferring directly to VHS or DVD, I always preferred to load the movie files to the computer, edit the way I like it, add transition effects or music, then burn to DVD.

Thanks. That helps alot. I kind of thought that was the 2 options but was not sure. It would be easier to just use the hard drive and then transfer over.

Another question for you. Say I am using the hard drive to record my son's football game and then I download it on a DVD. Then later I record my daughters gymnastics - can I download to the same DVD without going over what I previously put on there??

And is 10X optical zoom good on a camcorder??

 

[zackiedawg]

You can re-record to the same DVD, if you leave the DVD open when you burn. That is usually an option with your DVD burning software, where you can 'finish' the DVD making it so you cannot add anything more to it, or leave it unfinished so you can. The only downside is that some home DVD players might not be able to play the unfinished DVDs...you might have to experiment there.

As for zoom - 10x is a pretty good range, though some camcorders go much more. I think you might want to find out how wide the camcorder starts at on the widest end as this can be just as important. Whenever you see those multipliers (10x, 15x), to know just how far that really is you have to know what the wide setting of the lens is, as the multiplier is based on that starting figure (usually the manual will tell you the '35mm equivalent' wide and telephoto range in mm). For example, if the lens starts at 24mm on the wide end, and has a '15x' zoom, the maximum 15x zoom will give you 360mm. If the camera starts at 36mm, and has a '10x' zoom, the maximum 10x zoom will give you...360mm as well! So the two cameras will end up zooming in on distant objects to roughly the same size in the frame, despite one being a 15x and one being a 10x. Of course, the camera that starts with the wider angle can fit more into the frame when subjects are closer. The same goes for camcorders as with cameras.

 

[LynnTH]

Thanks so much for all the info. That gives me a lot to go on. I appreciate it!!

 

[Disneyfn420]

I have a DVD camcorder that is not working. It is not recognizing the disk for some reason. I'm thinking of getting a new camcorder with more features and I'm leaning toward a hard drive camcorder. When you transfer the stuff from the camcorder to your computer, is it all one file? I liked the fact with a DVD model I had 5 little DVDs of my trip. I don't want one HUGE 5 hour file on my computer. How easy is the editing software for these camcorders. Sorry, I'm clueless on this stuff. Any info would be appreciated. I also would have issues with the images freezing at times with the disks. Not sure if it was because of the disks I was using. Another reason I may get a hard drive one. I just have no idea how they work. I'm going to WDW in December so want something by then.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

With hard drive camcorders, you'll have the opposite problem of one giant file. Instead, you get a different file every time that you stop and start the camcorder. So you will have lots and lots of files.

Before you get a hard drive camcorder, make sure that you have a plan for how you will store your video for the long term. Just having a single copy of each video on your computer is risky because if your computer ever dies, gets attacked by a virus, etc, you might lose everything.

 

[shafke]

For our camcorder after I copy the files to my computer I first burn the original files to a DVD.
Once this is done I use a program like Windows Movie Maker to create DVDs that will play in a standalone player. With most of these programs you can create basic menus and insert transition effects between clips.

 

[Disneyfn420]

With hard drive camcorders, you'll have the opposite problem of one giant file. Instead, you get a different file every time that you stop and start the camcorder. So you will have lots and lots of files.

Before you get a hard drive camcorder, make sure that you have a plan for how you will store your video for the long term. Just having a single copy of each video on your computer is risky because if your computer ever dies, gets attacked by a virus, etc, you might lose everything.

Ok thanks! I was planning on ultimately burning them to a DVD but wanted the freedom to not need the disks with me when I was filming. I'm also looking into the SONY Direct to DVD thing they sell. Looks pretty small so could keep it at hotel and make DVDs at the end of the day. I was looking into Sony SR47 but been reading that the video quality is poor. I'm not looking for high def, but would like something that is good.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Sounds like it will be a good solution. You might check out http://camcorderinfo.com to see what they say about it. I like the concept of a hard drive based solution, but I always get nervous about people not doing adequate backups.

Some people shy away from hard drive solutions because of the tendency for hard drives to crash. I think that they are more reliable that tape or disk writing mechanisms in camcorders. I've never seen actual data on the subject, though.

 

[Michele]

Sounds like it will be a good solution. You might check out http://camcorderinfo.com to see what they say about it. I like the concept of a hard drive based solution, but I always get nervous about people not doing adequate backups.

Some people shy away from hard drive solutions because of the tendency for hard drives to crash. I think that they are more reliable that tape or disk writing mechanisms in camcorders. I've never seen actual data on the subject, though.

Yea, I wouldn't get a hard drive camcorder without planning on backup to your computer, external hard drive and DVD. I bring mine home and transfer to computer ASAP after recording. It takes me a little longer to get it to DVD. You can never have enough backups IMO. In fact, I haven't even deleted anything off the camcorder yet, so I've got about 3 of everything so far.

You'd be amazed how much they can hold. I've a 120 GB and I have recorded 30 high school football games so far, plus some partial games and other misc family videos. I believe I staerted with ~1300 hours available and still have 921 min left.

 

[disneyfanUSA]

I bought this Polaroid video camera at target today. Is it any good? I feel unsure....I tried to put a memory card in from my old digital camera but it did not go in smoothly and it was REALLY hard to pull it out. Do i need to buy special card it said it need a SD card and that's what i tried to put in....anyone know what works for sure with this and how many hours of video does it hold? Also, does this video camera even work at night and can you record long videos? Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated

 

[lap3]

I don't know the answer to your question but I bought one too today as a gift. I'd be interested to hear anyone's experiences with this camcorder...

 

[disneyfanUSA]

anyone??

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

anyone??

I haven't heard anything about this camcorder. You may want to do a google search for camcorder reviews and see what comes up.

 

[saturndb]

I do not have this camcorder, but based on the specs and it's price, I would think night video would not come out good. Also the amount of video depends on the SD card you are using. I would think it would be hard to pull out the card unless it has a eject button.

I found this review on Amazon and I think it sums up this product:

"At such a cheap price, it is really surprising how great this camera really is. The stills are clear, video is pretty good, and once again, the price is unbelievable. If you are looking for a camera that you could tote around in your purse (or "man bag") to capture those unforgettable moments, I highly recommend that you purchase this little jewel!"


Dave

 

[disneyfanUSA]

After testing it out it did not take good videos at all....it was all grainy. If room is not well lit video came out black and white. I took it back to target today. Can anyone recommend a different camera that takes nice video and doesn’t cost a lot? Thanks.

 

[saturndb]

How about a flip?

http://www.amazon.com/Flip-Ultra-Ca...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259800119&sr=8-4

What type of video are you looking at taking? Do you plan on up loading it to youtube or a website? Do you need DVD quality, the answer will help you figure out what type of camcorder you will need and of course affect the price you will pay.


Dave

 

[disneyfanUSA]

How about a flip?

http://www.amazon.com/Flip-Ultra-Ca...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259800119&sr=8-4

What type of video are you looking at taking? Do you plan on up loading it to youtube or a website? Do you need DVD quality, the answer will help you figure out what type of camcorder you will need and of course affect the price you will pay.


Dave

I would like Dvd quality...will that make it alot more?

 

[saturndb]

I would think you would be looking at a 200 -300 price range. Check Amazon to get a idea of what is on the market.


Dave

 

[disneyfanUSA]

I would think you would be looking at a 200 -300 price range. Check Amazon to get a idea of what is on the market.


Dave

I How would the flip ultra or ultra HD burn onto a disc? Is that possible? Also, do you know if the HD is worth the extrs $$?

 

[saturndb]

I How would the flip ultra or ultra HD burn onto a disc? Is that possible? Also, do you know if the HD is worth the extrs $$?

i have not used these. I would think once you have it transferred onto your pc you can burn it onto a cd or dvd. The hd will give you better image quality.


Dave