What's a good DV Camcorder for under $550?

[RobbieBull]

I just got a Hi8 Model but I really want the PC connectivity of the DV. Anybody have any good suggestions?

 

[incallisto]

Originally posted by: RobbieBull
I just got a Hi8 Model but I really want the PC connectivity of the DV. Anybody have any good suggestions?

Try the Sony DCR-TRV140, it's $499: Hyperlinked

EDIT: And if your budget rises, check out the Sony DCR-TRV30: Hyperlinked. I bought this model a few months ago and it's excellent (530 lines resolution). I also purchased the SuperIRDA receiver that let's you wirelessly transmit the video from your Sony Camcorder to a Television.

 

[Calundronius]

About the TRV140...I'm looking to buy a DV camcordered myself, but I'm planning on getting the TRV240. It's almost identical to the TRV140, but has an accessory shoe (for lights or whatever) and AV ins/outs, two features the 140 lacks. It is $100 more than the 140, though.
Good news: Cnet claims some places are selling at for under $550 here.
But definitly go with the 140 or the 240...they're some of the least expensive Digital8 camcorders on the market, and they have more features than a lot of pricier models by other brands.

 

[RobbieBull]

I read that digital8 isn't as good as DV, what's up with that?

 

[Calundronius]

Apperently digital8 can only handle lower resolutions...most digital camcorders have around 460k CCDs, and apperently video recorded with a 460K CCD looks about the same at any standard. Newer ones have 1 megapixel CCDs or more, which means higher resolution, but apperently the digital8 standard can't do high resolutions the justice they deserve. But...miniDV is much more expensive...any <$550 miniDV camcorders you can find are probably going to be lacking in quality and features...and probably won't have a CCD bigger than 460K...which means that the quality will be about the same as a digtal8 camcorder with a 460k CCD. So unless you really want high quality/resolution for editing purposes, you'll save money going for a digital8.