Would you recommend a Sony digital camcorder??

[TwingleMum]

*DISCLAIMER* I am not very technical and just an average camcorder user so the following is my interpretation. I also don't want to spend more than $500 if I can help it. I have been researching buying a new digital camcorder. I think the miniDV makes sense for me rather than the DVD format. It seems the tapes last longer and have a longer record time. Plus I recently saw an inexspensive machine you can buy that is around $150 that transfers minitape to miniDVD. It requires no computer its almost like a docking station. So if need I could transfer to miniDVD to share with others. I think the Sony products have gotten very good reviews from Consumer Reports but what do you think??? Thank you so much in advance.

 

[TwingleMum]

Bump...Anyone?????

 

[handicap18]

I've been using a Sony HI8 video camera since March of '01. Works just as good now as it did when I got it.

If I were going new right now I would probably lean towards the Mini-DV. They seem to get lots of good reviews and recommendations and also have less compression which in the grand scheme of things is better.

 

[Johnfish]

I purchased a sony minidv camcorder for disney this summer and all I have to say is WOW. I love it. Very easy to use. If you do decide to create dvds with your computer make sure to use firewire for transfering the video. It gives a far superior quality over the usb cable. I made some dvds of this years WDW trip and they look as good as dvd movies on my HD tv.

John

 

[ndelaware]

I think Sony makes the best camcorders. And if you buy MiniDV you can transfer to normal size DVD on your computer as long as you have a DVD burner.

 

[dbenlee]

I have had a Sony miniDV camcorder for 3 years and wouldn't trade it for anything. I would recommend getting the miniDV camcorder instead of the DVD camcorder. The image quality of the miniDV is much better than the DVD and the tapes for the miniDV hold about an hour of video and the DVD camcorders at highest quality only hold 20 to 30 minutes.

For the price you are looking at spending, you can get a good Sony miniDV camcorder.

Good luck in your search!!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I have the same type handheld they use on Jacka$$ and the Osbournes it's a miniDV tape and is a great Cam.I think it's a DPC120bt . Just a great all around Cam I have had it for a few years now.

Some of the harddrive models are getting better .

 

[Groucho]

I've been using a Sony HI8 video camera since March of '01. Works just as good now as it did when I got it.

Similar story here. I "inherited" an older Sony 8mm camcorder when my parents bought a miniDV and it works as good as new. The only reason I'd seriously consider upgrading is to have a smaller one (and it's not all that large, either.)

 

[mlill]

We're an all-Sony family and we have two miniDV (tape) video cameras. The one DH & I use is a TRV-80 and we just bought our daughter a DCR-HC36 for her birthday over the summer. Both cameras are great! You can't get the TRV-80 anymore, but the DCR-HC36 is still on the shelf at Best Buy. I wouldn't get a miniDVD camera because the video is compressed to mpeg before it's written to the miniDVD. I also wouldn't buy a hard drive camera for fear of a write error if it gets bumped too hard! Hard drives are very sensitive. I made the mistake of buying a microdrive that fits into our Sony F828 digital camera, and it was clicking and whirring (drive failure) within two days! Luckily, I returned it and am sticking with my trusty 2 gig Compact Flash & Memory Sticks! Sorry to run on! Hope this helps a bit!

-Michelle

 

[ndelaware]

Michelle, I too have a TRV-80. It is a awesome camcorder!

 

[allyn]

my opinion is that sony camcorders are fine, but are usually overpriced and/or underfeatured compared to the competition. i typically recommend panasonic or canon camcorders. i have a panasonic.

 

[Groucho]

Michelle, I too have a TRV-80. It is a awesome camcorder!

I remember using a TRV-80 back in grade school... even back then we thought it was a lousy computer... What was Tandy thinking?

Oh wait, that was the TRS-80. Never mind!

 

[mlill]

I remember using a TRV-80 back in grade school... even back then we thought it was a lousy computer... What was Tandy thinking?

Oh wait, that was the TRS-80. Never mind!

Someone's showing his age! Tandy who? Ha! Ha! We had one when I was little. (very little - very, very little) I'm not THAT old, ya know!

 

[Anewman]

I remember using a TRV-80 back in grade school... even back then we thought it was a lousy computer... What was Tandy thinking?

Oh wait, that was the TRS-80. Never mind!

TRS 80, I remember. 1.77 MHz processor and 4k(not 4mb) of RAM.

 

[TwingleMum]

Just an update~ I decided to stick with a miniDV and not go with the hard sell for the miniDVD. I got the HC26 for a really good price. The 36 is the same but $50 more b/c it is also a still camara, which I don't need. Also the 36 wasn't in stock and I needed the camcorder for Fri b/c my twins are in a preschool Thanksgiving play.

I was thinking of buying the Sony DVDdirect anyone familiar??? Its a device that you don't need a computer your camcorder hooks directly to it and it burns a dvd from your tapes. Its around the size of a taper rewinder. My PC also would burn a DVD but I thought this might be more portable and easier to use.