I use Mini DV format and my camera hooks right up to the computer via USB or I can record it in analog mode to the (gasp) VCR and DVD recorder that's hooked up to my TV. I find that I like the security of having an actual tape. I know some say that Mini DV is obsolete, but there are many $2k+ cameras out there (and pros) still using Mini DV format. It's generally higher resolution than any camera that burns directly to DV and last I heard/checked even higher than standard defiition camcorders that record directly to Hard Disk. (As long as you don't get the cheapie 1CCD or less models.) So you save a couple hundred bucks and end up w/ junk video especially in low light. For once in a lifetime moments, is it really worth the savings vs. heartache tradeoff if you can't get the shot? DO not get the 1CCD or less camcorders in any brand on any format if you want to be happy with your videos! I bought 2 others in the last year one was a Sony and another was a $200 cheaper 1CCD Panasonic model. They both sucked rocks.
FWIW, the big brother camcorder to the one I bought for $400 used to sell for over $1000 until HD format (I mean High Definition, not Hard Drive) came out. So I feel like I'm getting a $1k camera quality for $400 (it's even cheaper now). That's not a bad deal.
But the biggest reasons I like having the tape is so that 1) I don't have to worry about dumping the video or running out of HD space, and 2) Hard drives crash. Point 1: I do a lot of videotaping/archiving performances (often in low light or backlighted situations) for my job. (don't ask) Anyway, many times, I don't have time to sit there and dump a video before it's time to take another one. So I never have to worry about running out of space; I just have to make sure I have enough tape on hand. I almost never shoot in SP mode and I have been very happy with what I get in LP mode w/ my Panasonic gs320. Point 2: A friend of mine recently had that happen (his camera's HD froze and crashed) before he could dump his video -- and his entire family vacation was lost. (It's a computer -- they crash from time to time.) Another guy I know dropped his HD camcorder and it was toast -- unless he wanted to spend $$$$ to get some comany to try to retrieve whatever was in his cameras HD. If I drop my camera and it breaks, I will still be able to open it up and retrieve the tape. Even if the camera is toast, other than the part that is stuck between the heads (which would have to be gingerly manuvered out of the machanism), the rest would be viewable video if I just buy another camera in the same format.
Most pros will tell you to never re-use MiniDvs, but I do it all the time and haven't had a problem yet. And if I feel like keeping the tape for archival purposes, I can do that as well without worrying about running out of space on my HD. DVDs don't last forever, they scratch, skip, etc, and tapes degrade overtime as well (we're talking years). Knock wood, I haven't had a problem yet with Mini DV tapes. And I never have to worry about the HD crashing and losing all my footage.
If you're interested in Panasonic 3 CCD camcorders, here are a couple of forums:
http://www.pana3ccduser.com/
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/f25
If you check out the forums, don't get freaked out by some people complaining about their 3CCD cameras getting all pixelated. There was a known issue with a fewer older 3CCD cameras and even though they were many years out of warranty, Panasonic is offering to pay for repeairs to be done, and also to reimburse anyone who already had repairs done. How's that for customer service? Most companies would say, too bad, so sad, sorry your warranty expired 3 years ago.
I would like some suggestions for a decent video camera to take to Disney this year. Here are a few criteria; admittedely I don't want to spend a fortune as we will probably not use this camera for much else and I would like something relatively small and easy to carry around. Good quality video but state of the art not mandatory.
come on over here to my post please
