At 22/3/06 1:07 PM, wingéd densetsu said...
I reply here cos i wanna post a long 'comment' ^^.
Just wondering, do you have any recommendations for dV camcorders? I wanted to go dvd-camcorders, but there seems to be some pros and cons, the cons are quite horrible actually, like sound and vid out of sync, and can't edit (??? I have no idea why they say this...but why I can't I rip from the dvd & edit...so many people does that esp for amvs etc.) and the technology is not that good yet.
On the other hand, if i buy those mini dv cam corders, i need to buy tapes ($8 ea around there). and i need to get firewire...cos last time i tried to link up this dv cam thru usb and it didn't work, even tho i already downloaded the driver and rebooted my pc. also i dunno whether the firewire will screw up my pc..i wonder if my pc even have more slots left...-v-; Also, i extremely extremely hate exporting vid from dvtape to pc cos the length of time takes as long as the duration of the footage.
I'm looking for prosumer kinda of cam (holiday/event/music vids with light to medium editing) and my budget max only $1500. how??
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I am writing here coz i think i would go on and on... Lol...
Ok, i did some research for you and here are my opinions. To get the best camcorder, you would 1stly need to determine wat are your needs in priority...
For Dvd Camcorders, there are basically a few points to note.
1) The image quality losses out compared to MiniDV, which excels in superior image clarity and longer recording time
2) Editing can be proven to be a chore
3) Media storage (mini dvds) costs more than MiniDV tapes in general
The only advantage of dvd camcorders:
Faster transfer and instantaneous dvd play back in a normal dvd player
For the editing part, you can do some basic editing in your camcorder before you finalise it... But some camcorders protect the clip after being finalised, so you cant rip it... Which of coz, unless you haf some power softwares to rip it (which i haf no idea)... However, obviously, there mus be a way, otherwise, there woudnt be a thing called Piracy...
Also imptly, some dvds once finalised, it may not be able to play on normal dvd roms...
If u can still read e finalised dvd, you could rip the footage from your finalized DVDs and then convert the DVD codec into something editable, but to be honest this type of method is unlikely to be undertaken by the casual user... Probably might drive u crazy findin out how to do it...
For some dvd camcorders, there is a bundle of softwares (in e package) that allows u to edit (basic) your clip before finalising it... But of coz, make sure u find out enuff, before buying tt model...
Dvd camcorders are for ppl who wans a faster transfer, and ppl who almost dun edit their clips... There are also some freewares on the net (i heard) tat converts the videos to other formats, but obviously, the quality would be sacrificed again...
For me, image quality is very impt, i wouldnt wan to see lousy videos tt i tediously n lovingly shot and i also wan to haf full capabilities in editing them... Tats if i am not lazy... But its always gd to noe u can be in control of things...
So to me, it doesnt make sense yet (even though i am entised by their designs) to get a dvd camcorder, perhaps later yrs when their technology becums on par wif mini dv camcorders... Becoz, dvd camcorders costs much more than mini camcorders but performs far less as compared...
So in your case, i guess you do edit your clips alot, so i would suggest you go for a gd mini dv camcorder... I believe you would be happier wif the image quality and control, than get frustrated figuring out all the misc stuffs about the video input of dvd camcorders...
According to your budget, there are some relatively ok dvd camcorders from Sony... Sony has a wide range of dvd camcorders...
Sony DCR-DVD703E - $1399
Sony DCR-DVD7E - $1359 (I personally find tis interesting coz of e shape... I am a sucker for designs... Lol)
Sony DCR-DVD101E - $1499
Btw, all prices quoted are launch prices, i haf no idea how much they costs now...
Now we move on to mini DVs... Your budget of $1500 is actually quite restricted, coz while i tried to look for gd camcorders for ur consideration, i haf to think of the price... But as all gadgets, u pay for e quality... Your budget might limit you to lesser manual settings...
Jus a note, for e quality of video image of wat dvd camcorders produces, u can get a similar range in mini dvs under $1000... But lets not go there, since i personally find those under 1000 are craps... And most video capture only 320 X 240... Its like WTH?
For me, my budget for camcorders is between $1500 to $2000, becoz tts where all the relatively gd enuff camcorders belongs... Or u can consider doing installments, get anyone u noe whos working and owns a credit card...
I dun think u need to get firewire, coz its provided most of the time... But i think u may be refering to firewire port, if its so, u need to get the port... No choice, i think my pc doesnt haf firewire port as well... Urrgghh, another thing again!
Anyways, i would reccomend Canon, Panasonic and Sony...
However, i do not favor Canon, coz they are lousy in indoor shoots and low lit environment... Also, their softwares are usually problematic and unstable...
Canon MVX200i $1499
They haf very few range to choose from as well...
Panasonic are generally the better brand, especially in these 2 yrs... They are coming up with an amazing new lines of series... And their image quality is still the best ard...
But then i had prob finding a gd one within $1500... No matter, here are some gd considerations...
Panasonic NV-GS55 - $1299
Panasonic NV-GS120/150 - $1599/$1699 (I would reccomend tis series, it has got very gd reviews... And it excels Sony within the same price range...)
Even though i favor Panasonic, Sony had a wider range... But i chose 2 for your consideration...
Sony DCR-HC30E - $1299
Sony DCR-HC40E - $1449*
*I strongly reccomend tis model... And also the Pana GS150, if you would go slightly above ur budget...
All in all, i hope tis helps u in ur consideration... But of coz, my research is only limited to wats available on the net... There may be more newer models on the market... The best is still make a trip down to their shops and ask the sales person for live demo and do the comparison between the brands...
Even so, jus remember, dun believe watever the sales person say... Lol... Trust your own eyes for decisions, a live demo is very important...
2 comments:
*hugs*
ooohh thanks for your help. so i'll try to look for panasonic camcorders then. Maybe during the expo IT fair, should be sometime end of this year i think...usually they're cheaper at fairs (in terms of freebies :P)
Do you have any tips for checking whether the cam is good or bad? if going to their shops that is...
There should be a PC Show on june, Comex on august and Sitex on November, so look out for them.
Sony haf came up wif new series so its gd if u go to IT shows, can compare the 2 brands, more options.
I think Sony cams generally look better whereas Panasonic may be better in performance in e same range. But im not sure for all models, so check them out.
You may wan to check Sanyo brand too, seems quite popular.
Tips arh, hmm...
I think:
1) Video Quality
2) Image Stabilization (bonus)
3) Video Inputs: How easy is the transfer to PC(if they can show)
4) Any manual settings
5) Low light shooting conditions (unless u pay 3000-7000 bucks, if not usually the cams r quite bad for low lit, jus tt u wouldnt wan to get one tts too bad)
6) Optical/Digital Zoom
And some other mundane stuffs like isit too light or heavy to carry, is the grip comfortable. You wouldnt wan a cam tts too light, coz it'll shake.
I think its not so much of gd and bad, coz unless u haf 4000 bucks, if not theres always a limit to where e cams can go... Most imptly, compare between the models u like and between brands and see which performs better.
Sometimes on paper, a cam's pixel may be more than another model but that doesnt mean tt e image quality is sharper. So got to see the results.
Hope u can find one ideal camcorder... I also wan, but now no money, look for full time job 1st... Lol
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