Need camcorder help!!

[cindermomma]

Hi there. I have been looking at a Samsung mini-dvd camcorder and a JVC hard-drive camcorder at Walmart. They are both around $200. Anyone have these? (I think the JVC one is the one that was on their black friday ad). Anyone like one type over the other? Any info and ideas would be great! Thanks!

 

[nessz79]

I don't have them, but I've been looking at these, too. Subscribing.

 

[cindermomma]

Anyone?? Thanks!

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

I have a Sony Handycam with a 60 GB hard drive in it and I absolutely love it. I don't have to worry about taking any discs of any type with me or running out of space while filming something or changing a partailly full disc out for a brand new one "just in case". It's so easy to use and I just hook it to the computer and copy the files over. It records in MPG format and each time I hit record it starts a new file name. I dont' have to convert anything in order to play it on the computer or upload to youtube or anything. It also has a dock with a "burn to DVD" button on it that is supposed to make it very easy to burn the clips to DVD when you are ready, but I haven't used that yet (although I have had it for over 2 years now). Mine also has the hot shoe attachment on it and I have Sony's bluetooth microphone for it, so I can clip a wireless microphone to the kids clothing while they are going to see the characters, in a play at school, etc and the camera picks up what they are saying instead of what you are saying. Can't wait to use that in Disney this year!

On the downside, you do have to consider that if the hard drive goes, the camera is useless (not sure if it could be replaced or if the cost of replacing it would be worth it) and if you have not backed up your videos all is lost. I still prefer it to the mini-dvd and just try to make sure all my data is backed up.

HTH!!

 

[VeroBeachGirl]

What a timely thread. We're looking into new video cams! How many hours of footage does your 60 gb hard drive hold?

 

[OmahaNEDad]

I am shopping for a new camcorder for our WDW trip too! I like the hard drive camcorders but I worried that we would run out of space while on vacation.

I really dont want to take a laptop just to off load my video's from the camcorder to make room.

So I am looking at the camcorders that write to HD SD memory cards. Still in research mode atm.

 

[StinkerbellsMom]

I just ordered a new camera to add to my collection and I think this will be the last one we get for awhile. We have the mini DV cameras, mini DVD cameras and mini casette camera too (my favorite as it isn't digital and takes the best footage). But anyway, we just ordered a new Hitachi Hard Drive camera but it has a button on it that you can burn right onto the DVD from the camera. It is supposedly capable of holding 27 hours of footage and you can create still photos from any of your video footage if you so choose! I am super excited about it and hope it is as good as it is played up to be! Good luck with your decision, I am anxious to get this one because, as you said, lugging around the laptop just to upload was a pain the keister! LOL

 

[mnasmom3]

Get the hard drive.

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

What a timely thread. We're looking into new video cams! How many hours of footage does your 60 gb hard drive hold?

My 60GB holds 14 Hrs if shooting in "high quality" format or 41 Hrs in "long play" format.

If I emptied it before leaving for vacation I would never have to empty again to free up space before returning, so lugging the laptop around is not an issue.