upgrade camcorder or not?

[Rock'n Robin]

We have a 6 year old Sony digital camcorder. We bought it for our first trip to WDW.
We are debating whether or not to upgrade for our trip. We have boxes of tapes from the one we have and the 2 previous models--a VHS-C and a regular VHS. The next project is to get a DVD recorder and transfer all of them (we have WAY too many to pay someone to do this). I am not really interested in putting videos on the computer, adding music, etc. My house is messy enough!
Should we upgrade? And if we do, should we get a mini-DVD or a regular DVD recorder, or stick with Digital 8? Have that many advances been made in 6 years other than a smaller size? If we do this, I don't have the time to do my usual research since we leave in 19 days.
Robin M.

 

[SC Minnie]

I don't really have an answer but you might have better luck if you ask this on the Photography board.

 

[mylilnikita]

Hi
I had to mini cassette and then went to a Sony mini dvd, OMG, I love it! You just pop that puppy into the dvd player or whatever, it is great, easy to use. Good luck with whateve you choose!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Thanks--I know if we upgrade I will probably go with a Sony because I have had such good luck with the digital 8 I have. I can't believe that somewhere in my pile of digital 8 tapes are the record of our first trip, with the kids being 2,5 and 8 and DS (2) saying "lookit, lookit!" at the MSEP and at the characters. Now DS will be 8 this trip! We didn't even tape our last trip down, but this time I definately am.
Robin M.

 

[WDWguru]

I transfer all my video to my iMac and make cool edited videos and DVDs, so I went with a camcorder that records digital files (in HD even!) directly to a memory card. That way I don't have to re-record onto the computer - I just drag and drop files, ready to edit.

Since you aren't doing any of that and are already having to go through the hassle of transferring to the DVD format, I'd say spring for a new camcorder that records directly to DVDs. Sony was the first to have this technology and I've always been a fan of their equipment.

Cameras are smaller and better every year, so you'll notice a dramatic difference in functionality with a new camcorder. Most also come with a built-in still camera that records images to a memory stick, so you only have to carry one camera with you. It will likely be much smaller and lighter than what you have now, too. Just invest in lots of blank media (DVDs) and an extra battery.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We just did this very upgrade this week! After countless research online we went with a minidv (little tapes). The dvd sounded like a great idea, but in reality is not for many reasons. The video quality on them is poor, from what I read. They don't hold much, and dvd's degrade. Plus you can't edit them (except on computer) Tape is still the best choice. I thought of hard drives, but you would have to get them onto something else and I read the quality on the video is still lacking. We did get widescreen option on ours, that is a newer feature. You can record in regular or widescreen format. We went with a Canon Elura 100. Our last 2 cams have been Sony.

Just do a lot of reading. I did some on this board, but got more info on a couple other sites. They all said minidv is still the way to go for now.

ETA-I can burn dvd's to our dvr or computer with my new camcorder. BUT, I will keep the tapes too.