Digital Video Camcorders?

[ThatDumbGuy]

I know that this isnt the something we normally talk about here, but I need some advice. I was thinking of buying one for my wife, the sony dcr-pc100, should be able to pick it up for about 1000 on ebay if not less, 13something brand new. Anyone have any experience with this camera? It looks great. Anyone recommend something similar? Also, I suppose I'll need to buy a firewire card, anyone recommend a cheap reliable one?

I know computer hardware, but peripherals this type of video are something new to me. What kind of video card would be best for editing/viewing streaming video like this? Right now I have a Radeon 32mb ddr retail, and ill prolly have an nForce board once they come out. Also, can anyone recommend any easy to use software? She's really interested in being able to take footage of our kids, and have it on the computer, be able to possibly edit it, put it on cd's, and maybe even make some little mini indie movies...

Will she be able to do all of these things on an athlon 4, nForce, DDR based system(2x 128mb memory), or should I look at Pentiums and Rambus (i have a 1.3 on a d850gb and 128mb rdram now)...

Any advice, insights, links would be helpful, thanks for your time.

 

[LintBalll]

I personally would not buy a camcorder off eBay. Possiblity of returned, greymarket, etc. Manufacturers might give you a difficult time on the warranty if it is not from a legit reseller or if it is greymarket.

 

[ThatDumbGuy]

i might buy it new, i don't know yet... well see
you always run that risk when you buy just about ANYTHING off ebaby.
Even still, thanks for the input.

 

[TimeKeeper]

<< What kind of video card would be best for editing/viewing streaming video like this? >>



Any TI chip firewire card will do.
Ulead VideoStudio 5.0 is a easy software I have used...support Mpeg4, VCD, etc..
I don't think there will be much different in performance between P4 or Athlon4, or current T-bird. Unless you like to invest in hardware encoder, your video encoding process will be limited to your IDE HD performance.
If your video clip is generally more than a hour long, then you really should consider SCSI set up first.

 

[ThatDumbGuy]

I was gonna sell my p4 system to buy a ddr/athlon 4/nforce system, glad I still can. Just have to add a firewire card, no problem at all. I'll be sure to look into ulead, as my wife liked their photo editor. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Muadib]

I saw Studio DV in the paper today for $99 and a $50 rebate. I think it was Ciruit City that has the sale, but
I'm not sure, and my gf took the paper with her. If she brings it back I'll check tonight.

 

[WhatWasIThinking]

Yeah, that was Circuit City. That rebate's been going for at least a couple of weeks