Video Cameras Vs Picture Cameras

[BeckWhy]

Well, based on my last trip (which just my sister), I don't think I will be bringing my video camera again. Maybe it's because I've been to Disney so much that there isn't anything there that I haven't seen before or don't already have pictures of. But I did realize something interesting, most of the rides and attractions either didn't specify or didn't care if you recorded the show.

Though I think if I went to Disney with a bunch of people that I was friends with and realized there would be a lot of moments that I'd want to "cherish" forever, then I would bring my video camera.

My last trip I only took a few pictures (my sister bought like enough disposable cameras to last two trips). The only pictures I took was with some of the characters (because my camera is a much better quality, and those pics are for my boyfriend). Despite that fact, I didn't take many pictures because my sister said she was going to give me her doubles (which is why she flipped on me when I used my camera), but of course, when we got home, she wouldn't give me any doubles, let alone look at the pictures. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

 

[nativetxn]

I would take the still camera over the video cam, it's smaller and easier for me to handle

 

[FatCow]

What she said... plus how often are you going to plop a DVD recording of your trip to watch from beginning to the end?

 

[seashoreCM]

You and your sister don't get along? What a pity.

If you want both motion pictures and sharp pictures, you need both a video camera and a still camera. I still believe that the cheapest cheesiest disposable camera gives a sharper still frame than the best upscale video camera.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I'll have both in May- Ive filmed almost all the WDW shows and parades except 3 (Wishes, Jammin and Stars/Cars) which i'll hopefully get-

But if I could take only one then It would be still as I look at those 10x as often-

-em

 

[QuickGold]

I've done both and I think the Video camera is only a good idea if you dont mind lugging it along and you plan on videotaping ALOT. Meaning, you're one of those guys(or gals) that you usually see taping every aspect of their family's life. It's great for memories and looking back on years from now, and is better at that than regular cameras.

However, still cameras are easy, compact and quick.

 

[BeckWhy]

Its kinda funny, my video camera is only a little bit bigger (dimension wise) than my snapshot, and it weighs the same.

 

[My2Girls66]

We just bought a Sony HC 20 video camera- its tiny! 13 oz.
Its 3"x 2" x 4"- Its mini DV format- we are taking both video and still this trip. We haven't taken video in a few yrs because of the carrying it around factor but this one is so small its going everywhere. We skiied with it last month- just kept it in my ski parka pocket- in Disney my DH is going to carry the video camera- I'll carry the 35mm. I don't go anywhere w/out my still camera. If I had to make a choice- I'd take stills over video.
This camcorder can take stills- but at 1 megapixel- they won't be very good quality.

 

[Castillo Mom]

We're getting the Sony HC30. I love the size!

 

[My2Girls66]

Originally posted by Castillo Mom
We're getting the Sony HC30. I love the size!

Its unbelievably small, isn't it??
When you get it, look in the literature. There is a coupon(its actually a code) that you can use to get 20% off accessories at sony.com. I bought a spare battery for it and a head cleaning tape. The batteries are expensive so the 20% off is great. I had been looking at the camcorder for weeks on their site before I bought it. I got it the day the stores got them in so they had no accessories for it in stock. Worked out good because I ordered thru the Sony site and saved $$.

 

[FatCow]

do these camcorders (HC20 and HC30) have an auto-date feature?

 

[My2Girls66]

yes- they do.

 

[sm4987]

I have a comcorder that has a memory card for me to take pictures. This way I only have to take one small (it's the size of a small camcorder) with me. I love my sony viewcam.

 

[My2Girls66]

After watching a DVD we just made- the date did not appear on the DVD. It is on the tape- you can see it when you playback the tape inside the camcorder. From what I've read in the manual- they make 2 types of mini Dv tapes- one with memory one without. It says if you use the ones with memory you will get the date and time to record on the DVD or video you make.
I'm going to call Sony to verify this because I've yet to see tapes with memory chips in the stores. And I'll bet they cost more.

 

[FatCow]

Would you kindly let me know which model that does output the date in iLink/USB mode? I know most of the camcorders don't output the date when you're using digital output.

Which model did you have again? THe HC20 or the HC30?

How did you put the date in the first place? Did you need to push a button every time you want the date to be stamped or the camera does it automatically? Also, does the date showed up on your screen all the time or only for the first few second of each date?

 

[My2Girls66]

I have the HC 20- you program the date into the camera- when playing back- the date seems to stay there. My old Sony- it just stays for a few seconds(which I like better).
I didn't know that digital output didn't record the date. Thanks for the info. We use the firewire, the camcorders come with USB, too, but I believe that is for uploading pictures only not video. I'm just learning this new camcorder. I'll let you know more when I call Sony. From what the manual was saying- it will transfer the date with the tape that has the memory chip.
Except for the memory card for taking stills- I couldn't find any difference in the HC20 and the HC30. Besides the $100 in price, that is. We have a good 4 megapixel digital camera and the 1 megapixel shots you get with the camcorder probably won't be very good so that feature didn't appeal to me.

 

[FatCow]

Originally posted by My2Girls66
My old Sony- it just stays for a few seconds(which I like better).

That's what I'm looking for! I used to own a Sony Hi8 (it was the highest end at the time) with that feature.

My D8 doesn't have auto date. I have to manually type the date as subtitle to do it. The higher end D8, supposedly can do the date automatically, but AFAIK, it doesn't stream through ILink (firewire) connection.

I'm hoping a DV camcorder can do this.

I'll await for your info from Sony.

 

[My2Girls66]

I found this on sony.com--

The time and date information cannot be transferred from a Sony® digital camcorder using a USB or i.LINK® connection. The information for the time and date are recorded on the data code track of the digital tape. This data portion of the tape is not transferred through a USB or i.LINK® cable. Time and date information can only pass through the audio/video (A/V) outputs of the camcorder which can be superimposed and displayed with the video on a television or computer monitor.

 

[FatCow]

Have you tried the 16:9 mode? Would you kindly check whether steady-shot can be activated when using 16:9 mode? Also what's the difference between 'normal' and high-quality' 16:9 mode?

The reason being is I only have 16:9 displays around the house and I'd rather use the entire 16:9 plane rather than 4:3. However, my current D8 recorder can't have steady-shot work in 16:9 mode. Also there is no quality choice for the 16:9 mode, just 'normal'.

I want to buy a camcorder which can take 16:9 properly with steady-shot activated while taping 16:9 (JVC GL-2 is way out of my league.... tee hee)

 

[My2Girls66]

Honestly- I have no idea what 16:9 mode is!