Panasonic VHS-C Camcorder $99.99 Circuit City

[allisolm]

From 11/23 circular.

Circuit City in-store. Item is available for information purposes online for $199.99 but only available for purchase in-store. You can check local availability online.

Quasar by Panasonic VHS-C Camcorder with Viewfinder VMD52
$199.99 less $100 MIR = $99.99

 

[alkemyst]

I want a vidcam that interfaces digitally, however I am thinking about this one now....can't beat capturing live moments for under a C note.

Å

 

[Silex]

Haha, I just watched Oscar an hour ago and found out what a "c note" was. Good stuff. Good deal too...

 

[SimMike2]

You should really spend more and get DV or at least Hi-8. One of the worst things about VHS-C is that the vast majority of them have lousy mono sound that is recorded on a thin track on the edge of the tape. This yields really terrible sound. My sister recorded her daughters wedding on VHS-C. Later she wanted me to edit it on my computer. While the picture wasn't very good, I was willing to work with this flaw. What I couldn't deal with was the lousy sound.

 

[Cybernaut]

I picked up one today here in southern California.

For $100 AR. I have 14 days to try it before possibly returning it

Seems to have generally good reviews as an entry level camcorder

on circuitcity.com. Good buy for those on a budget.

 

[corinthos]

is the sound really that bad? how much more for hi-8?

 

[SimMike2]

Originally posted by: corinthos
is the sound really that bad? how much more for hi-8?

I've seen Hi-8 camcorders for around $200 on super special. You not only get much better sound with Hi-8, you get much sharper picture. VHS-C is just that, VHS. Hi-8 is similar to S-VHS, which is noticably sharper than VHS. All this being said, I still recommend Mini-DV. Sometimes you can get these for around $300 AR. These give you the ability to do editing on your computer.

VHS-C owners invariably end up with a pile of these little unedited VHS-C tapes which you are lucky if you watch one time. After this, nobody can stomach watching unedited home movies. At least with Hi-8, the picture and sound are decent. VHS-C has neither of these things going for it. The only positive thing VHS-C had going for it was the ability to put the tape in a VHS adapter and play in your regular VCR.

 

[pxc]

Originally posted by: SimMike2
You should really spend more and get DV or at least Hi-8. One of the worst things about VHS-C is that the vast majority of them have lousy mono sound that is recorded on a thin track on the edge of the tape.

No, there is no thin track at the edge of the tape. That is how some old film cameras with sound stored audio, not VHS/8mm/Hi8/DV tapes. VHS, and the majority of other tape formats, store video and audio as interleaved data and video sectors using a helical record/playback head to get longer stripes per inch of tape (i.e. to increase the speed of data read/writing without increasing the speed of the tape too much).

Audio quality doesn't necessarily have to be bad on VHS or VHS-C (stereo and Hi-Fi are possible), but on cheap consumer cameras the recording feature is limited to a mono microphone. I'm not too excited about the Quasar brand, but looking at the features shows it to be a pretty usuable camera for $99 AR.

Image Stabilization Yes
Built-in Light Yes
Optical Zoom Length 20x
Digital Zoom Length 700x (not an interesting feature, just listed it for completeness)
Instant Zoom Yes
# of Digital Effects 15
Built-in Date/Time Marker Yes
Manufacturer Lux Rating 0.8
Battery Type NiCD
Manufacturer's Battery Life Rating 1 hour, 10 minutes
Included Accessories Removable Lens Cap and strap, AC Adapter with DC Power Cable, Shoulder Strap, A/V Cable, Clock Battery, Battery Pack
Other Features MotionSensor, One-touch auto fade (black and white), Black and white viewfinder, Tape and battery remaining indicators, Stand-by release, High speed shutter, Programmed recording, Full-size video head cylinder

These are probably mostly gone by now, but not bad for $99AR though. If the choice is no camcorder or something like this for $99AR, it's easy to choose this one, IMO.

 

[Cybernaut]

I have the November 2003 Consumer reports magazine and....

The Canon Elura50 or Elura40MC (miniDV format) is rated tops
at $750 street price followed by the Panasonic PV-DV73 and PV-GS50
at $700 each (miniDVD)

They list the Sony DCR-TRV350 or DCR-TRV250 ( D8 format)
at $500 as the "Best Buy" in the same field of 23 digital camcorders

The top rated Analog camcorder (Hi8 format) is the Sony CCD-TRV318
at $300 street price.

Any good Black Friday deals?

 

[SimMike2]

Originally posted by: pxc

Originally posted by: SimMike2
You should really spend more and get DV or at least Hi-8. One of the worst things about VHS-C is that the vast majority of them have lousy mono sound that is recorded on a thin track on the edge of the tape.

No, there is no thin track at the edge of the tape. That is how some old film cameras with sound stored audio, not VHS/8mm/Hi8/miniDV tapes. :

You are wrong. Non Hi-Fi VHS does record a thin analog track on the side of the tape. Regular VHS always has been recorded this way. The first "stereo" VHS recorded two of these thin analog tracks. It was only with the advent of Hi-Fi recording that the sound quality of VHS got decent. All the other formats you mention, 8mm, Hi8 and mini-DV do have good sound. Maybe this $99 camcorder is "Hi-Fi," but I doubt it. Unless the VCR or camcorder specifically mentions "Hi-Fi" sound, it is extremely likely that the sound is being recorded on the thin analog track.

http://www.megadv.com/Pages/pgs_Special/pgsFAQs/VHSAudio1.html Here it is described fairly well.

http://videoexpert.home.att.net/artic2/211vcrw.htm This site has a good diagram if you scroll down the page. You'll see that VHS had a control track on one edge and an audio track on the other.

 

[Cybernaut]

Any good Black Friday deals?


I'll try and answer my own question...checking my list of BF rumored deals
the Canon ZR60 (miniDV format) digital camcorder is rumored to be on sale at Best Buy for $300 After rebate.
on the 28th.

It is listed #10 out of 23 digital camcorders rated by Consumer Reports Magazine in the
November 2003 issue. might be a hot deal

 

[coomarlin]

Originally posted by: Cybernaut
Any good Black Friday deals?


I'll try and answer my own question...checking my list of BF rumored deals
the Canon ZR60 (miniDV format) digital camcorder is rumored to be on sale at Best Buy for $300 After rebate.
on the 28th.

It is listed #10 out of 23 digital camcorders rated by Consumer Reports Magazine in the
November 2003 issue. might be a hot deal

Sounds like a good deal for a MiniDV camera. Thats the cheapest I've seen. Also Amazon has the JVC GRD30 for $359. Last week you could've gotten a free 10 pack of DV tapes if you bought that camcorder. I was pissed that I missed out.

 

[Basilisk]

buy.com has the Samsung SCD-27 mini DV camcorder for $370. Sunday, I ordered the SC27 after deciding: (1)VHS-C is handy for passing tapes around, but suffers in resolution, sound and up-loading for editting; (2) Hi-8 is being dumped at stores, and seems an exhausted technology that's run its course -- hence the low prices; (3) mini DV combines high-quality and dropping prices.

An argument can be made for Hi-8 if the tapes aren't an archive form: you'll transfer images to DVD and you won't care if you can't get another Hi-8 five years in the future.


Wish I could find my November CR -- maybe I'm going to regret my selection in a day or two!

As for owning a slew of min DV tapes: maybe I'll understand that later, but it strikes me that when DVD-RW's are cheap, you only need a few tapes for a trip since you'll dump them to DVD-RW when you get home since who wants to use the camcorder as a tape-deck, trust it to kids to play with, or tote it to friends and relatives when a DVD will suffice. (Yeah, not everyone has a DVD on the TV, but those folks aren't worth knowing anyway. ) This -is- the winter of the DVD writer: several combo (-+RW) writers are below $100, and the media is reasonably priced ($65/50pk @ NewEgg).

 

[corinthos]

Cybernaut how do you like it so far? how much are VHS-C tapes?

 

[pxc]

Originally posted by: SimMike2
You are wrong. Non Hi-Fi VHS does record a thin analog track on the side of the tape. Regular VHS always has been recorded this way.

Yes, you're right about that. But you completely ignored how Hi-Fi records audio in your first post.

I looked at the 2 Panasonic VHS-C ($249 and $299) and $99AR Quasar VHS-C cameras last night at CC. All 3 use the the same recording mechanism, but the 2 more expensive models support digital stills (with a 270K CCD? bleh!) and have color viewfinders/LCDs. It's clear that all 3 models use mono sound recording along the edge of the tape (the tracking and audio head is plainly visible and Panasonic's manual confirms it), as SimMike2 explained above (i.e. those 3 are not hi-fi models, although Panasonic does make hi-fi VHS-C camcorders). CC didn't have any tapes in the camcorders, so I couldn't listen to the sound. I couldn't find any professional reviews, but I did read a couple of user reviews. Only one had a comment about the sound and he described it as "acceptable". Not exactly an endorsement.

There is going to be a $129 AR Hi8 camcorder on sale BF, but I still don't think this is that bad of a deal.

 

[Cybernaut]

Originally posted by: Basilisk
buy.com has the Samsung SCD-27</A> mini DV camcorder for $370. Sunday, I ordered the SC27 after deciding: (1)VHS-C is handy for passing tapes around, but suffers in resolution, sound and up-loading for editting; (2) Hi-8 is being dumped at stores, and seems an exhausted technology that's run its course -- hence the low prices; (3) mini DV combines high-quality and dropping prices.
Wish I could find my November CR -- maybe I'm going to regret my selection in a day or two!

Prepare yourself for bad news. The SamsungSCD27 (and SCD23) are listed at the bottom of the ratings
in the consumer reports article. Number 23 out of 23 digital camcorders.:Q The image quality and audio quality are both rated "fair".

The sony DCR-TRV350, Canon ZR60 and the 2 panasonics I mentioned earlier in the thread were listed as quick picks. The best digital camcorder values.

 

[Cybernaut]

Originally posted by: corinthos
Cybernaut how do you like it so far? how much are VHS-C tapes?

I just returned from my local circuit city store, bought some VHS-C tapes and
noticed they still have one of the cameras left in the glass case. The deal is not
dead for some.

Tapes run about $2.50 to $3.00 each for a length of 30 minutes or
90 minutes of recording time in EP mode. I'm about to open the Quasar
camcorder box and charge the battery. I may report back in a few hours.

 

[pxc]

Originally posted by: Cybernaut

I'm about to open the Quasar camcorder box and charge the battery. I may report back in a few hours.

Sweet. Let us know.

 

[alkemyst]

To all you guys harping 300+ DV recorders.....we are talking $99 bucks here, not 3-4x the cost. There is a big difference.

It'd be like saying you can pick you a VW GTI VR6/Sentra V Spec/etc for $10k and someone saying for $30k they can grab a WRX STi/EVO/IS300/etc ... difference price levels totally.

 

[Cybernaut]

Originally posted by: corinthos
Cybernaut how do you like it so far? how much are VHS-C tapes?

Okay here's my scoop on this Thing after alot of testing. The audio to me isn't a concern.
I can narrate the picture with my own voice or easily record a person's speech from close or faraway.
No distortion. Video is also good. Camera's Built in light works fine indoors.
If the house lights are on indoors the camera gives good pictures without the camera's built in light
being turned on (saves the battery)

I hooked the camera directly into my TV (requires RCA plugs in TV)) and the recorded image and sound was good.
I could not get the image stabilization to work yet. The sun went down an hour ago so I ran out of
time testing that feature. Again The quality of the image is good but not cutting edge. I plan to use this
to record family get togethers and similar exciting events. The image quality is basically what the original full size VHS camcorders would produce.

You can also copy your video recording from the camera directly to a VCR tape
(VCR needed) Circuit City also sells the VCR tape adapters for $20. Just pop your
little VHS-C tape into the full size VHS adapter and then into your VCR.

I give it a thumbs up for $99 after Rebate.:beer:

After I upgrade to MiniDV someday soon the Quasar goes to my Brother-in-law

 

[pxc]

Image stabilization is only for small movements, like an unsteady hand. It's a very subtle effect, NOT like a true pro steadycam. I noticed how it worked on my miniDV camera only after reading up on it. But it does work very well, especially with 20x zoom. It's not perfectly steady, but it reduces the apparent movement a lot.

I kind of expected what you said about the sound. There aren't much tracking and sound problems unless there's 1) dirty heads or 2) well worn tapes. Those 2 problems don't exist with brand new tapes and a new camcorder.

 

[coomarlin]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
To all you guys harping 300+ DV recorders.....we are talking $99 bucks here, not 3-4x the cost. There is a big difference.

It'd be like saying you can pick you a VW GTI VR6/Sentra V Spec/etc for $10k and someone saying for $30k they can grab a WRX STi/EVO/IS300/etc ... difference price levels totally.

You are correct in that he is referring to a $100 analog camcorder, not a $300 digital. I kind of got OT when someone else mentioned miniDV.

I have a Panasonic VHS-C camcorder that I bought a handfull of years back. When I was using it without any digital asperations in mind I loved it. Now that I want to transfer the movies to DVD I absolutely hate it I've been capturing to mjpeg and Huffy, editting and converting to mpeg2. It's a time consuming nightmare with subpar results. God I wish I had a DV cam. lol The $300 canon seems like a good deal for an entry level DV cam.

 

[batmanuel]

I am sort of temped just to get a crappy camera I can abuse in order to get some cool shots (tie it to the bumper of a car, throw it off of a bridge on a bungee cord, stuff like that). If the deal isn't dead in my area I may go for it, or I might just wait a little bit longer until they are basically paying you to take a HI8 off of their hands when the stores eventually go all digital.

On a related note, I have heard OM will have a cheap analog video capture card for FAR starting Sunday (11/30). I forget the brand, but it does capture at full NTSC resolution. This might be a good buy for someone who got in on this camera deal.

 

[Basilisk]

Originally posted by: Cybernaut

Originally posted by: Basilisk buy.com has the Samsung SCD-27</A> mini DV camcorder for $370. Sunday, I ordered the SC27 after deciding: ... -- maybe I'm going to regret my selection in a day or two!

Prepare yourself for bad news. The SamsungSCD27 (and SCD23) are listed at the bottom of the ratings in the consumer reports article. Number 23 out of 23 digital camcorders.:Q The image quality and audio quality are both rated "fair". The sony DCR-TRV350, Canon ZR60 and the 2 panasonics I mentioned earlier in the thread were listed as quick picks. The best digital camcorder values.

Were I picking this strictly for -my- use, I buy a pricier unit than these Samsungs; alas, primary use of these will be by boys with established habits of leaving equipment outside in the rain and in pathways where things get kicked or stepped on. Pricy units are thus questionable. [I need robotic cordless phones and boom-boxes so they could come back inside on their own.]

I'll find my CR issue ASAP and check their comments, but I'll note that the Canon ZR60 has problems in low light (indoors w/o an assist light) and with audio buzz/noise (w/o an external mic') according to many user "reviews". My personal use will be indoors taping a little old lady's recollections, so I'm sensitive to both issues, although maybe I should calculate the costs of light and mike.. I'm a Canon fan myself [having Elan and G3] and would choose an Elura if I didn't think it'd die an early death in the boys hands!!

 

[SPECY]

Originally posted by: pxc

There is going to be a $129 AR Hi8 camcorder on sale BF, but I still don't think this is that bad of a deal.

Hi, where will the $129 AR Hi8 be available? Any more info? I've looked thru all (that I could find) of the BF ads, but couldn't find this one listed. Please let me know, we're looking to go to Sears for their (199) Hi8 on Friday and this one sounds like a better deal-- Thanks in advance!