Thinking of purchasing a camorder

[blazerazor]

I am wanting to get a video camera, anybody have experience with them? I am wanting to keep the cost as low as posible, just for shooting the little one growing up. How good are the dvd +r versions? I have used mini dv's, but am worried that it is a dated technology. Also see harddrive versions, but they are pushing my buget.
Which should I buy?

 

[mrSHEiK124]

IMO, MiniDV > *. Others will disagree, and I still love it because it makes NLE so easy. I probably would go with it anyways though if that weren't a factor, I wouldn't want to deal with DVDs that small for storing video, and I can imagine running out of space on the HDD cam can be annoying; I've usually got 3 or 4 blank tapes with me.

EDIT: Go HDV

 

[LegendKiller]

We purchased the Sony 308 last month and love it. It's a great little camera and the mini-DVDs are nice. Some prefer MiniDV but we don't.

 

[Revolution09]

I'd go HD MiniDV. It all depends on if you plan on editing the video, however... DVD +R is obviously alot easier if you'll just shoot, watch and store it. If you plan on editing the video afterwards DVD is a pain- definately go with MiniDV.

 

[AlienCraft]

IF the dvd can be played back within a PC drive, then this is the way to go, as sooner or later, that tape head will die and when it does, you can't play back your stuff untill you get another machine. With the dvd recorder, you'll always have redundant playback possibility.

<---currently saving his allowance for a Sony Digital8 machine for that very same reason.

 

[GeekDrew]

I'm also looking for a digital video camera. I've never edited video, but I do have friends that compile DVDs from quite a few people for various reasons. They all insist that direct DVD records are spawn of Satan, and they greatly prefer tape. They actually won't accept video from anyone that was recorded directly onto DVD.

*shrug* /me goes to look at professional reviews

 

[NetGuySC]

I recommend the camcorder with the hard drive on it. It is more expensive than most but we have one at work and it is a dream. Will hold 20+ hours of video, easily transferred to PC then burnt to DVD, and it is easily and quickly viewable on a PC.

IMHO Minidv has everyone beat with long term storage, but with proper planning you will be able to backup the hard drive camcorder to a hard drive or two on your computer and put one of the drives in a safe place (safety deposite box).

I was all the way minidv, until I experienced the camcorder with the hard drive. Minidv are great but they aren't easily viewed later which is a drawback.

My next family camcorder will be the one with the hard drive.

Sorry but i just do not remember the model of the one at work, it is a sony

Good luck with your decision

 

[gsellis]

I recommend tape for the simple fact that you can put it on a shelf in the least compressed mode for awhile (10 years). HDD means it is on your hard drive taking up space and prone to a head crash. Best backup for 13GB at a time? Tape.

DVD is compressed MPEG and editing it can be a chore, but new editors can edit MPEG-2 without lose. But, you need to get one that edits natively and not use a copy that you have had for 5 years. DVD is prone to skipping in extreme conditions, so handheld is OK, but handheld in the roller coaster would probably have issues (regardless of the vendor letting you on with a camera).

HDD AVC and AVCHD... just note that compression is way up and they are not yet using data rates that get the whole picture that they could. HDV (a tape format) does not compress as heavily.

The Canon HV-20 is a good price and a great picture. HD, but you can shoot DV IIRC. I recommend shooting HD and if you just want DV, let the camera do the downconvert to edit. Tapes are $ each time, but you have a copy.

 

[alfa147x]

Mini DV FTW!!