Series LXI VHS Camcorder value?

Q. I have an old probably at least mid 90s Series LXI VHS Camcorder in the basement with all the components (Carrying case microphone, etc). It's basically a tv news style camcorder that takes VHS tapes. Anybody know if anything like this has any value at all? It's in Good condition I'd say not great at all but good.
Don't be ignorant to the obvious. I know people don't use those anymore I was thinking for the value as a collectible if it is. And somebody who actually knows.

A. Trash it. As no one caries VHS tapes any more, and no one uses a VHS VCR on their TV any more, it will be of little use to anyone. Your cell phone takes better quality movies than a 20 year old VHS camera. I did find an online auction for a similar camera. The starting bid was $1. There were no bids on the product. http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Series-LXI-VHS-Camcorder-13207811.html

Original Question

What camcorder is best value for the quality?

Q. I would like to purchase for family use....vacations, new baby, sports. I would like HD.
Is Flip good for TV viewing? Want to watch clearly on TV and computer.

A. You can consider buying
Flip Ultra Camcorder 2nd Generation, 120 Minutes ..
Easy-to-use, pocket-sized camcorder featuring one-touch recording and digital zoom
Captures 120 minutes of full VGA-quality video on 4 GB of built-in memory; no tapes or additional memory cards required
Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your computer to launch FlipShare software
Built-in FlipShare software lets you easily email videos, edit individual clips, and upload video to sharing sites like YouTube and MySpace
Large 2-inch color LCD screen to play back and delete videos
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00280M1FC?ie=UTF8&tag=bdd-linking-005-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00280M1FC

Flip MinoHD Camcorder 2nd Generation, 2 Hours
All-new MinoHD is the world's sleekest HD camcorder
Captures 120 minutes of stunning HD video on 8 GB of built-in memory; no additional memory needed
Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your PC or Mac to launch pre-loaded FlipShare software
FlipShare software makes it easy to email videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, capture still-image snapshots
Large, 2-Inch anti-glare color display to play back and delete videos
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002R5AM7C?ie=UTF8&tag=bdd-linking-005-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002R5AM7C

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574865779&toolid=10001&campid=5336689820&customid=car-cycle-20&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fphotography.shop.ebay.com%2FCamcorders-%2F11724%2Fi.html%3F_trkparms%3D65%25253A15%25257C66%25253A2%25257C39%25253A1%26rt%3Dnc%26_nkw%3Dcamcorder%26_catref%3D1%26_dmpt%3DCamcorders_Professional_Video_Cameras%26_sc%3D1%26_sticky%3D1%26_trksid%3Dp3286.c0.m14%26_sop%3D10%26_sc%3D1
$$$

Original Question

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What camcorder is best value for the quality?

Q. I would like to purchase for family use....vacations, new baby, sports. I would like HD.
Is Flip good for TV viewing? Want to watch clearly on TV and computer.

A. You can consider buying
Flip Ultra Camcorder 2nd Generation, 120 Minutes ..
Easy-to-use, pocket-sized camcorder featuring one-touch recording and digital zoom
Captures 120 minutes of full VGA-quality video on 4 GB of built-in memory; no tapes or additional memory cards required
Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your computer to launch FlipShare software
Built-in FlipShare software lets you easily email videos, edit individual clips, and upload video to sharing sites like YouTube and MySpace
Large 2-inch color LCD screen to play back and delete videos
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00280M1FC?ie=UTF8&tag=bdd-linking-005-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00280M1FC

Flip MinoHD Camcorder 2nd Generation, 2 Hours
All-new MinoHD is the world's sleekest HD camcorder
Captures 120 minutes of stunning HD video on 8 GB of built-in memory; no additional memory needed
Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your PC or Mac to launch pre-loaded FlipShare software
FlipShare software makes it easy to email videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, capture still-image snapshots
Large, 2-Inch anti-glare color display to play back and delete videos
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002R5AM7C?ie=UTF8&tag=bdd-linking-005-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002R5AM7C

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574865779&toolid=10001&campid=5336689820&customid=car-cycle-20&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fphotography.shop.ebay.com%2FCamcorders-%2F11724%2Fi.html%3F_trkparms%3D65%25253A15%25257C66%25253A2%25257C39%25253A1%26rt%3Dnc%26_nkw%3Dcamcorder%26_catref%3D1%26_dmpt%3DCamcorders_Professional_Video_Cameras%26_sc%3D1%26_sticky%3D1%26_trksid%3Dp3286.c0.m14%26_sop%3D10%26_sc%3D1
$$$

Original Question

What happens when a camcorder requires 7.9volts and you plug in a 7.5 volt adapter?

Q. Its a Panasonic PV-GS31 camcorder.

A. You need to know what AMPERAGE - milliamps the Camcorder is rated for at the 7.9 listed voltage. Adapters almost NEVER give the voltage that the label indicates - if you have a digital multimeter and look at the voltage, you will usually find that 7.9 volts actually reads 14 or 16 volts with no "load" ( not plugged in ) as the camcorder uses power the
voltage will drop, and the Amperage will increase - different
functions on the camcorder such as rewind, zoom, playback etc. will use different motors and chips, and therefore use different amounts of power. Some adapters use cheap
single diode converters from AC ( Alternating current input of 120 volts, which goes from zero to 167 vots in one direction, back to zero, then to 167 volts in the other direction, and back to Zero ) If there is little or no CAPACITOR value in MicroFarads, then the output is a choppy
jagged pulse. The Output rating of 7.9 volts at xxx milliamps ( one thousand milliamps is one amp ) is an AVERAGE only - at one specific amperage listed !
NOTE - you also need to know the center tip and outer
adapter plug poarity ( Positive and negative ) of the
replacement 7.5 volt adapter ! ! ! make certain that the
positive and negative match the required 7.9 volt inputs.
If you use a 3 AMP ( 3000 milliamp ) 7.5 volt adapter,
it may work much better than a 1100 milliamp 7.9 volt
adapter, since when the Camcorder uses a lot of power, the
7.9 volt may drop to 7.3 volts under heavy load, but the
7.5 volt ( "RATED" ) adapter may actually put out
9 raw volts, and NEVER drop below 7.5 volts with the
3000 milliamp ( "power output " ) it is capable of supplying. Unless I find a computer grade switch mode power supply rated a 5.0 volts, xxx amps, I rarely find any
adapter that actually puts out the VOLTAGE that is listed
on the label. Ten different adapters, by ten different
companies, all with the same output label ( 7.5 volts at
1000 milliamps ), will actually give 10 different voltages
at any given load ( Current draw in milliamps ).
Just make certain that the polarity ( Positive and negative ) is correct, and try the 7.5 - if the adapter gets too hot in a few minutes of use, then it is too small in its Amperage output, and you could burn it out. If it has an equal, or higher amperage than the original 7.9 adapter, and it remains cool running, and the camcorder works perfectly, then you are probably ok.
Summary - check the polarity and the amperage required. If your 7.5 volt adapter is labelled 200 or 450 milliamps then you are probably in trouble - the adapter is for a tiny device that uses little power. If the camcorder label states
1.6 amps ( at 7.9, or " 8 " volts ) then you are better off to try to find an adapter with similar or HIGHER amperage output, at, or near 7.5 to 8 volts, for example 2 amps ( 2000 milliamps ). If you had 2 electrical meters, one set to amperage, the other set to votlage, you could see the actual voltage of any adapter drop from, for example, 12 vots raw output, with no load, to 7.9 volts under heavy camcorder load when plugged in.
NOTE 120 Vots is not 120 volts of anything - it is an AVERAGE of the curve going up and down from zero to about 167 vots at the peak of each "hill" in the center. The wave form of 120 volts looks like a bunch of hills, alternating
with identical valleys, so the average "real" power is
about 120. If you look at an oscilloscope you see a sine wave, which looks like the side view of ripples in water.
If you had to say how high the water level was, and there were waves comming in on the beach, you take the average between the tops of the waves and the bottoms, and use that as an average. Similar to "120" volts, or 7.9 volts Direct current ( Direct Current is exactly the same a a battrey output - just a single voltage with no waves - just a straight line, like a water level on a day with no wind - flat ) Most adapters put out some form of ripple or waves caused by the 120 volt input's huge waves.
So, 7.5 and 7.9 "could" be almost identical, depending on
how well the adapters were made, and what electronics were used inside the adapters to change 120 volts down to " 7.9 ".
FINALLY, if I haven't bored you to death already, the CAMCORDER itself usually has a power regulation circuit
built into it as well ... This means that the Camcorder takes in the raw "7.9 volts" and has circuits to change the power to charge the camcorder's batteries ( high current, probably about 6 volts ), to run the motors ( probably
various tiny motors running 6 volts, 5 volts, 3 volts etc
depending on how powerful they need to be ), to run the memory and controller chips, (5.00 volts, 3.3 volts, 1.5 volts, etc. ) and to supply the mini liquid TV viewer screen's backlight... SO... This means that even a 9 volt
power supply with a correct polarity, and similar Amperage rating may work just fine, IFF the power converter circuits in the Camcorder itself can handle dropping a bit of excess voltage from the 9.0 volts ( rated, but putting out 12 vots raw power easily under no load ) to 8.0 ( or 7.9 ) volts rated by the Camcorder manufacturer. Again Amperage rating is a huge factor to consider...

Hope this helps

ROBIN

Original Question

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Series LXI VHS Camcorder value?

Q. I have an old probably at least mid 90s Series LXI VHS Camcorder in the basement with all the components (Carrying case microphone, etc). It's basically a tv news style camcorder that takes VHS tapes. Anybody know if anything like this has any value at all? It's in Good condition I'd say not great at all but good.
Don't be ignorant to the obvious. I know people don't use those anymore I was thinking for the value as a collectible if it is. And somebody who actually knows.

A. Trash it. As no one caries VHS tapes any more, and no one uses a VHS VCR on their TV any more, it will be of little use to anyone. Your cell phone takes better quality movies than a 20 year old VHS camera. I did find an online auction for a similar camera. The starting bid was $1. There were no bids on the product. http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Series-LXI-VHS-Camcorder-13207811.html

Original Question

What camcorder is best value for the quality?

Q. I would like to purchase for family use....vacations, new baby, sports. I would like HD.
Is Flip good for TV viewing? Want to watch clearly on TV and computer.

A. You can consider buying
Flip Ultra Camcorder 2nd Generation, 120 Minutes ..
Easy-to-use, pocket-sized camcorder featuring one-touch recording and digital zoom
Captures 120 minutes of full VGA-quality video on 4 GB of built-in memory; no tapes or additional memory cards required
Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your computer to launch FlipShare software
Built-in FlipShare software lets you easily email videos, edit individual clips, and upload video to sharing sites like YouTube and MySpace
Large 2-inch color LCD screen to play back and delete videos
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00280M1FC?ie=UTF8&tag=bdd-linking-005-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00280M1FC

Flip MinoHD Camcorder 2nd Generation, 2 Hours
All-new MinoHD is the world's sleekest HD camcorder
Captures 120 minutes of stunning HD video on 8 GB of built-in memory; no additional memory needed
Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your PC or Mac to launch pre-loaded FlipShare software
FlipShare software makes it easy to email videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, capture still-image snapshots
Large, 2-Inch anti-glare color display to play back and delete videos
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002R5AM7C?ie=UTF8&tag=bdd-linking-005-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002R5AM7C

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574865779&toolid=10001&campid=5336689820&customid=car-cycle-20&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fphotography.shop.ebay.com%2FCamcorders-%2F11724%2Fi.html%3F_trkparms%3D65%25253A15%25257C66%25253A2%25257C39%25253A1%26rt%3Dnc%26_nkw%3Dcamcorder%26_catref%3D1%26_dmpt%3DCamcorders_Professional_Video_Cameras%26_sc%3D1%26_sticky%3D1%26_trksid%3Dp3286.c0.m14%26_sop%3D10%26_sc%3D1
$$$

Original Question

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Needing help knowing the value of my camcorder?

Q. Sony
Carl Zeiss
Vario Tessar
Optical 20x
800x digital zoom

DCR-HC21 NTSC

A. The DCR-HC21 Sony Handycam is a standard definition video, miniDV tape based, entry level consumer camcorder. Found two in eBay. One for $6 one for $40. Assume you have ALL the parts listed on page 9 of the manual - maybe more than was included in the box...

Link to the manual:
https://docs.sony.com/release/DCRHC21.pdf
One very interesting feature:
Nightshot plus. This means it has a built-in infrared emitter that allows monochrome (green/white) video capture under zero visible light conditions.

Original Question

Whats fair market value for this Panasonic AG-100 camcorder?

Q. I have an AG-100 Panasonic Camcorder Pro-line which works perfectly from around circa 1981- complete with carrying case and extra batteries and looking to find someone in the know who can tell me what a fair market value would be now! I understand someone pseudoname in here by Lare can help so please>>

A. Ok, i remember the AG-100 "reporter". It was Panasonics first attempt at a VHS professional camcorder. it was widely sold to Universities and Schools that typically buy upscale, durable equipment. It would not have much value now, except possibly as a collectible if you have the complete package. the main problem with the AG-100 was it came out before Panasonic got its CCD license from RCA (1984) and has a tube imager. RCA was so impressed with Panasonic's VHS camcorder that besides granting them a CCD license, they partnered, along with Ampex to make the first broadcast camcorders. Panasonic built the decks, RCA supplied the CCDs and Ampex had sales access to the broadcast market. Panasonic called theirs M (for Masushita, parent company of Panasonic) RCA was Hawkeye (for the CCD imager) and Ampex was Recam. it used ordinary VHS tape but ran at a higher speed. It was not a hit. Sony came out with Betacam a year later and was very successful even though it did not have a CCD license at first.

The Panasonic Pro-line "reporter" series was very successful, the best selling was the AG450, its first S-VHS unit, which i liked except for the poor audio. it was mono linear track only. The pro-line combined economy with good quality optics and features.

Top price now would probably be $50.

Original Question

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need help knowing the value of my camcorder?

Q. This is what is written on the camcorder:

Sony
Carl Zeiss
Vario Tessar
Optical 20x
800x digital zoom
DCR-HC21 NTSC

A. No one can even venture a guess without knowing the model #.

Original Question

Can anyone recommend a camcorder that is a good value?

Q. I am in the market for a camcorder. I am preferably looking for the best value. I want the best picture for the lowest price. I am not too sure about price at the moment I am just looking for suggestions.

A. If you want good video quality I would suggest get good HD camcorder.I would suggest Canon VIXIA HG21 AVCHD 120 GB HDD Camcorder with 12x Optical Zoom,good video quality and good price now.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DTXK8G?ie=UTF8&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001DTXK8G

Original Question

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Needing help knowing the value of my camcorder?

Q. Sony
Carl Zeiss
Vario Tessar
Optical 20x
800x digital zoom

DCR-HC21 NTSC

A. The DCR-HC21 Sony Handycam is a standard definition video, miniDV tape based, entry level consumer camcorder. Found two in eBay. One for $6 one for $40. Assume you have ALL the parts listed on page 9 of the manual - maybe more than was included in the box...

Link to the manual:
https://docs.sony.com/release/DCRHC21.pdf
One very interesting feature:
Nightshot plus. This means it has a built-in infrared emitter that allows monochrome (green/white) video capture under zero visible light conditions.

Original Question

Whats fair market value for this Panasonic AG-100 camcorder?

Q. I have an AG-100 Panasonic Camcorder Pro-line which works perfectly from around circa 1981- complete with carrying case and extra batteries and looking to find someone in the know who can tell me what a fair market value would be now! I understand someone pseudoname in here by Lare can help so please>>

A. Ok, i remember the AG-100 "reporter". It was Panasonics first attempt at a VHS professional camcorder. it was widely sold to Universities and Schools that typically buy upscale, durable equipment. It would not have much value now, except possibly as a collectible if you have the complete package. the main problem with the AG-100 was it came out before Panasonic got its CCD license from RCA (1984) and has a tube imager. RCA was so impressed with Panasonic's VHS camcorder that besides granting them a CCD license, they partnered, along with Ampex to make the first broadcast camcorders. Panasonic built the decks, RCA supplied the CCDs and Ampex had sales access to the broadcast market. Panasonic called theirs M (for Masushita, parent company of Panasonic) RCA was Hawkeye (for the CCD imager) and Ampex was Recam. it used ordinary VHS tape but ran at a higher speed. It was not a hit. Sony came out with Betacam a year later and was very successful even though it did not have a CCD license at first.

The Panasonic Pro-line "reporter" series was very successful, the best selling was the AG450, its first S-VHS unit, which i liked except for the poor audio. it was mono linear track only. The pro-line combined economy with good quality optics and features.

Top price now would probably be $50.

Original Question

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What is the best camcorder for fast clips?

Q. I need a camcorder that does the following things:

1.) portable
2.) could recorder good quality videos while running
3.) smallish
4.) hd
5.) comes in different colors
6.) not that expensive
besides the flip camcorder

A. Flip Ultra Camcorder 2nd Generation, 120 Minutes (Black)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0023B14U4?tag=dcmb-20

Review:I bought family members first generation Flips some time ago, and they were so impressed by their simplicity and convenience that I had to get one for myself. I justified it by explaining to my wife that it would make Amazon reviews so much easier (I haven't once used it in that way), but really I saw it as a new toy. Sometimes less is more, and that certainly seems to hold true in the camcorder world -- at least as far as the Flip is concerned. While there are certainly bigger, better, and far more professional solutions about, the real value to the Flip is that it can go with you anywhere, and you can forget all about it until a shooting situation comes up. We've used ours to record press conferences, and post the same online for others to see. We've created our own virtual tours of homes we were interested in. We sent it to Princeton for my grandfather's 65th reunion, so I could at least enjoy the festivities from a distance. We've used it far more often than we ever imagined we really would, and it's proven to be as much a real tool as a novelty. That you can hand it to someone who has never seen it before, and instruction can be limited to "on/off here, start/stop recording there," means that it's near universally accessible, and fun even for those who might otherwise be somewhat technologically averse.

I grabbed the 2d gen Ultra because I wanted the additional storage space. What I didn't expect was to enjoy a larger view screen, a better (by my eye) on/off toggle (a simple push button, rather than a slide), higher quality audio, and a number of functional enhancements on the software side, such as mass delete with confirm.

Curiously, I no longer seem to be able to just pull the .avi files from the Flip into the Movie Maker software that comes bundled with Windows Vista, but I'm not prepared to actually complain about that fact, as it may be as easy as saving them in another format before pulling them in. If someone else has a meaningful solution here, I'd love to hear it.

That aside, I'd be hard pressed to come up with a single complaint about this generation of the Flip. Unlike hauling around a 'real' camera or camcorder, you can toss this one in your pocket and forget all about it until you need or want it. You can teach others to use it in under 30 seconds. Uploading to services like Youtube is easy even for those who have never done it before, with or without the software bundled in the camera itself. I couldn't be happier that I took the leap from the basic first generation to the Ultra 2nd.

Original Question

What camcorder should i get for amateur movies?

Q. a few friends and i want to start filming some short movies and such but we need a camera... what is the best camera you think we can get for about £1000 - £3000...

we are looking for value for the money as well as getting the best spec we can. We want the picture to look as good quality and professional as we can.

thanks

A. Sony DCR-VX2100E Professional Digital Camcorder
3CCD Imaging System
2 Lux Minimum Illumination
58 mm Lens
12x Optical Zoom / 48x Digital Zoom
Optical Super SteadyShot
530 TV Lines Camera Resolution
Precision Colour Viewfinder
i.LINK (DV in/out)
Analogue in/out
Exposure Dial
Powered Zoom Ring
2.5" Precision Colour LCD
Memory Stick Slot
Intelligent Accessory Shoe
STAMINA 9h (with optional battery)

£1,739.45 + £3.48 shipping
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-DCR-VX2100E-Professional-Digital-Camcorder/dp/B00022LTXI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1237739686&sr=1-5&tag=winkkk-21&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=6738

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What is the best affordable camcorder in quality?

Q. I am looking for a good value camcorder. Any brand or type is alright with me. Any recommendations will be much appreciated. Thank you. :)

A. What is your budget?

What do you need the camcorder to do?

Who is your audience?

"affordable" means different things to different people.

The "best" and no stated budget?

High end? Red One. Maybe Silicon Imaging.

Pro grade? Sony XDCAM series, HDCAM series; Canon XLH or XH series; Panasonic AG-HVX series; JVC GY-HM100.

Prosumer? Sony HDR-FX1000... or jump to the higher end of the HVR series.

Consumer? Canon HV40.

If the above are to much, then consumer cams in the standard definition Canon ZR960 or FS100 are decent.

As the cameras get less expensive, the lenses and imaging chips get smaller and their low-light behavior diminishes. Manual controls get buried in a menu and audio control is lost.

Pocket cams less than about $250 can work well IF you stay within their limitations... Always under good light, always with audio that is not loud and not soft, always on some sort of steadying device (tripod, chair, table, whatever) and never handheld. Never use digital zoom. Stray from these recommendations - or try to make a camcorder work outside its specifications - and any cam will not provide acceptable results.

Original Question

What is the best type of Camcorder to use?

Q. I need a good quality camcorder for shooting videos. What kind should I use and how much? Thanks.

A. What other requirements do you have?

What environmental conditions do plan to be under - or do you want to plan for as many conditions as possible? Poor lighting? High audio levels? Commercial, prosumer or home-video?

What kind of quality are you expecting?

What is your budget?

Will you be editing? What with (application) and on (computer)?

Overall, in the consumer space, the Canon HV30 and HV40 are probably the best value and most flexible, but assume your computer has a firewire port and your editing software can deal with HDV format video. The HF S series for tapeless - they are flash memory based are next in line.

Then the "prosumers"... Sony HDR-FX1000 and HDR-FX7...

The the Pros... Canon XH and XLH series, Sony HVR-Z1, Z5, Z7; Panasonic AG-DVX and HVX series; JVC GY series... there are many more, but this is a good starting point...

Pocket cams up to about $250.
Consumers up to about $1,200
Prosumers up to about $3,000
Pro... above that.

Mics? Cases? Tripods? Video lights?

Original Question

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What is the best affordable camcorder in quality?

Q. I am looking for a good value camcorder. Any brand or type is alright with me. Any recommendations will be much appreciated. Thank you. :)

A. What is your budget?

What do you need the camcorder to do?

Who is your audience?

"affordable" means different things to different people.

The "best" and no stated budget?

High end? Red One. Maybe Silicon Imaging.

Pro grade? Sony XDCAM series, HDCAM series; Canon XLH or XH series; Panasonic AG-HVX series; JVC GY-HM100.

Prosumer? Sony HDR-FX1000... or jump to the higher end of the HVR series.

Consumer? Canon HV40.

If the above are to much, then consumer cams in the standard definition Canon ZR960 or FS100 are decent.

As the cameras get less expensive, the lenses and imaging chips get smaller and their low-light behavior diminishes. Manual controls get buried in a menu and audio control is lost.

Pocket cams less than about $250 can work well IF you stay within their limitations... Always under good light, always with audio that is not loud and not soft, always on some sort of steadying device (tripod, chair, table, whatever) and never handheld. Never use digital zoom. Stray from these recommendations - or try to make a camcorder work outside its specifications - and any cam will not provide acceptable results.

Original Question

What is the best type of Camcorder to use?

Q. I need a good quality camcorder for shooting videos. What kind should I use and how much? Thanks.

A. What other requirements do you have?

What environmental conditions do plan to be under - or do you want to plan for as many conditions as possible? Poor lighting? High audio levels? Commercial, prosumer or home-video?

What kind of quality are you expecting?

What is your budget?

Will you be editing? What with (application) and on (computer)?

Overall, in the consumer space, the Canon HV30 and HV40 are probably the best value and most flexible, but assume your computer has a firewire port and your editing software can deal with HDV format video. The HF S series for tapeless - they are flash memory based are next in line.

Then the "prosumers"... Sony HDR-FX1000 and HDR-FX7...

The the Pros... Canon XH and XLH series, Sony HVR-Z1, Z5, Z7; Panasonic AG-DVX and HVX series; JVC GY series... there are many more, but this is a good starting point...

Pocket cams up to about $250.
Consumers up to about $1,200
Prosumers up to about $3,000
Pro... above that.

Mics? Cases? Tripods? Video lights?

Original Question

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