Need to buy a videocamera - gotta be digital - WTH to look for?

[MichaelD]

The time has come to buy a videocamera. Budget is $600, no more.

I know that I want a "digital" camera, for ease of transferring files and editing. I have no idea what to look for...I'm embarassed to admit that I don't even know what tape format is in use these days. I believe it's 8mm. Am I correct?

Any advice or suggestions? Thanks, ATOT.

 

[pulse8]

MiniDV is the ideal choice, but for $600, you'd probably be better off getting a Digital8 camera because a good MiniDV camera would cost you more than that.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: pulse8
MiniDV is the ideal choice, but for $600, you'd probably be better off getting a Digital8 camera because a good MiniDV camera would cost you more than that.

Thanks Pulse8. Please, what is the diff b/t MiniDV and Digital8? Thanks much.

 

[MichaelD]

I went looking at BestBuy.com, just to compare. Cheaper MiniDV cams can be had for about $100 more than Digital8. Is there that much of an improvement b/t the two formats? Thanks.

 

[MichaelD]

*tapping on screen* Uh, hello out there? Shed some wisdom on me, here. I know you guys all make your own home pr0n....help me out w/some info.....

 

[MichaelD]

[ANNOUNCER] Good afternoon. Due to overwhelming response, this thread is being bumped to the top of the heap. Thank YOU, AT, for your participation[/ANNOUNCER]


*taps screen* Huuuulllllooooooo?

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

MiniDV tapes are smaller (size) and support a higher resolution (I think) than Digital8.


I think pulse is right, tho i haven't looked at digvideo cameras in quite some time.



If you have old VCR tapes you want to convert, you might want to get a camera that allows you to input video via a coax cable (S cable?).



Also, if you think you might use the camera for stills, you won't get a good still pic quality for under $600 BUT if you still want to take still with it, make sure you get a camera that stores still on a seperate media, otherwise you have to hunt through the video for the stills.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks YamahaXS. I'm not concerned about still quality as Ihave a 2.1mp Sony Cybershot that I'm very happy with. It's got a 64mb memory stick in it...I'm fine AFA that's concerned.

I have seen some low-end DV cams for $500. I'd imagine that even a low-end DV is better than a more expensive Hi8, no?

 

[MichaelD]

*sigh* One last bump.