Best Type of Camcorder to Get?

Q. I have a broken down vhs c camcorder that I got about 8 or 9 years ago (about $500 then I think), after my first kid was born, so I figured it was time to upgrade. I have been looking around online and it looks like I have been out of the game too long, because now there are a hundred different types from a hundred different brands. The minidv, the dvds, the minidvds, the hard drive ones, the flash ones, on and on. I just want a cheap camera where I can record my kids growing up and maybe be able to transfer them to my computer so I could splice stuff together and record it all on a DVD. But not so cheap that like the audio and video don't sync you know? I have seen some real cheap ones for like for $100, but I don't know if that means they are garbage or if camcorder prices have just come down that far. After reviewing what everyone else says, all I get are opinions from people who love to digitally edit and put stuff on youtube, and I don't care about that, just want to record my kids, vacations, special moments, and watch in on TV sometime in the future. So what do all yall suggest? Thanks in advance.
wow dude, that is exactly what I was looking for! It sounds like the miniDV is the type I want. Thanks for your super explanation. 10 pts coming your way.....

A. The difference in consumer digital camcorders is the file formats/types that are written to the specific storage media and how that digital information can be transferred to a computer.

Digital video compression = discarded video data = reduced video quality

Standard definition consumer DVD based camcorders store to VOB/VOR/VRO format. These are the most compressed file types. This assumes your computer has a drawer loading DVD drive and you have downloaded and installed a DVD ripper like HandBrake to get the video off the DVD. High definition stores to AVCHD (MTS, MT2S) file type. These camcorders assume you do not want to edit the video or transfer to your computer for uploading. Is it possible to transfer to your computer to edit? Yes - but expect challenges. Typically, discs have a short record time. Consumer DVD based camcorders barely make useful doorstops.

Standard definition consumer hard disc drive (HDD) and flash memory camcorders use the same files formats - very highly compressed MPEG2 files. Under certain conditions, a translation utility like StreamClip might be required so your video editor can deal with the video. High Definition consumer HDD and flash memory camcorders store to AVCHD (MTS, MT2S). Editing this video requires current versions of video editors that can use AVCHD - MovieMaker is not one of them. HDD camcorders have known issues with vibration from loud audio and high altitude - in both cases, the hard disc drive heads can park and the camcorder will not record/capture video. Flash memory and miniDV tape do not have these problems. In order to create a back-up/archive of the video from HDD or flash memory camcorders, there is an extra step to create data file DVDs or copy the video to another hard drive for storage. Transferring video from HDD or flash memory camcorders uses USB.

Standard definition consumer and professional miniDV tape based camcorders store to DV format video. High Definition consumer and professional miniDV tape based camcorders store to HDV format video. DV and HDV are the least compressed of the available consumer video storage types. Most video editors can deal with DV and HDV format video (though older versions of MovieMaker won't deal with HDV, the current version under Vista should). If you do not re-use the miniDV tape, that tape is your archive/backup so there is no "extra step" to create data file DVDs or copy the video to another hard drive for storage. Transferring video from miniDV tape camcorders uses Firewire - also known as i.LINK, IEEE1394 and DV. If your computer does not have a firewire port, hopefully it has an available expansion slot so you can add one.

At a high level, regardless of media storage type, the camera $ ranges are:

Toys: less than $250
Entry level consumer: up to $500
Mid range consumer: up to $1,000
None of these will do "Good low light video quality". Their lenses and imaging chips are too small.

Larger lenses and imaging chips are in:
High end consumer or prosumer: up to $2000
Prosumer or pro: $3,000 and up.
The big lenses and big imaging chips used will result in good low-light video capture.

ALL camcorders' video can be edited on a computer - the trick is getting the video into the computer and into a format the video editor can use - this might be by direct connection between the camcorder and computer or additional hardware or software for converting video.

Step 1: Set your budget.
Step 2: Identify the camcorders that fit your budget.
Step 3: Learn what format the camera captures to.
Step 4: Understand how the video will transfer to YOUR computer.
Step 5: Learn how that video will work with YOUR video editor.
Step 6: Buy the camcorder.

Go out of order and you are setting yourself up for frustration and failure.

You did not tell us your budget or what computer you will edit on. In the cases of miniDV tape, flash memory and DVD based camcorders, you do not need to edit... just use the camcorder as the playback "deck". When the miniDV tape, flash memory and DVD fills, pop it out and put in a new, empty one. With hard drive based camcorders, when you fill it you either need to transfer to a computer so you can delete what is on the camcorder's hard drive or you stop recording on it and get another camcorder. Of the three, miniDV tape, flash memory and DVD, miniDV tpae is currently the most affordable and provides best available video quality - and digital tape is an acceptable form of long term storage (DVD and flash emmory are not (this is from my previous life as an IT manager).

Original Question

Any ideas on a good LITTLE camcorder to shoot special events in my children's lives? (concerts, x-mas, etc)

Q. Hi guys! I want to purchase a camcorder to capture those special moments in my kids' lives. It would be used RARELY, as I'm more of a digital cameral 'picture taker'. lol. I am very comfortable with my PC and have no problems burning DVD's if need be--I am not technologically impaired just yet.

Any ideas? I own an older one, but it has no lights on it so I can't shoot in low light :( Looking for a camera that brings it all and is okay on auto settings. (lol)

A. low light is always a problem for camcorders
look at the reviews over at www.camcorderinfo.com

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Transferring home videos to anything other than a memory card?

Q. First, I would like to say that I am completely lost as far as anything digital goes. I'm just not good at it. So please, in answering, do not assume that I know what you're talking about. Cuz I probably don't. Lol. Anyway, I take an awful lot of video with our digital camcorder, but I have been unable to burn a playable dvd. I don't know if the camcorder is really just that cruddy, or the computer, or if I'm doing something wrong. It plays ok on the computer when I transfer it from the memory card, but anything after that is just terrible. I record on superfine, and while it was a fairly cheap camcorder, it didn't get horrible reviews, and I would assume I would at least get something a little better than the horrible unplayable mess I keep burning. So anyway, I'm not sure what to do with my videos after I record them. I end up just buying new memory cards when I fill one up. I want these videos to last forever, they're videos of my kids, so I can't just transfer them to the computer and erase them from the memory card. My question is, does anyone know if I can take my card somewhere that will hopefully make a playable dvd? Or flash drives, I've heard people talking about them, will that be something that will be around for a while to keep my videos on? Or any other suggestions?

A. Have you gone to the maker's website and looked at your model's 'Help' section?
Sometimes the 'FAQ" section has helpful answers.

Many cams I've worked with use a cable, going from the cam to the computer; then you turn on the cam.
Using Windows, the camera should then be recognized, and it may have the "drivers" already; but it may have to "Use the Internet to find and install the drivers".
(The camera may also have a CD which should contain the 'drivers'.)
When those are installed, the computer can 'talk' with the cam.
You should then be able to 'open' the file system on the camera, then find the image section and 'copy' that directly to the computers hard drive.
Note: Use the 'Copy' and 'Paste' function, not the "Cut" and 'Paste. If you make a mistake you may loose the files all together. 'Copy' at least leaves the original images on the cam.

Your very next steps after getting the files onto the computer would be to MAKE A BACKUP copy of all those files, then migrate them to a CD-RW. You then work with that original file.
That way you don't loose the 'raw' data.
As you learn how to use all these things in unison, you can gain confidence, and cut corners to save time.
On the files on the hard drive, you'd use some software package to edit the images; perhaps making them more like a movie, add sound, and so on.

Start with the website, and follow along as best you can, then repost another Q when you get stuck.
Make sure to state what cam model, and what operating system your computer use.

Original Question

what kind of tablet or device would you recommend?

Q. I need it for reading books, games, videos, netflix. Which would be best perches for general audiance? For kids which would be best perches? what do you like about the one you have and don't like? Do any of them assist kids with reading? There are so many different kinds I'm lost. Thanks

A. I have an ipad mini. I love it. It's like having a small computer that you can carry in your purse ( I don't have a smart phone). It does anything & everything. The Apple itunes store has thousands of apps. It works as a reader (Kindle, etc.) I subscribe to a 2G data plan so I can use it wherever there's no WiFi. I never watch movies on the data plan. I occasionally use it as a GPS when traveling. However when I'm at home, I always use WiFi (because it's free!). I used to wonder how I could use a tablet. Now I am lost without it!

For kids, I cite the results of Consumer Reports evaluation. They reviewed five 7-inch "real" tablets made specifically for children: the Arnova ChildPad, Fuhu Nabi Tablet, KD Interactive Kurio 7, Oregon Scientific Meep! Tablet, and Toys "R" Us Tabeo 7 Tablet. All of the tested models run the Android 4.0 operating system. Each of these tablets has a multitouch display and features preloaded child-friendly games and apps, some of which are trial versions only. Each but the Childpad includes a protective silicone bumper or sleeve, and all have a memory-card slot, a built-in rechargeable battery, Wi-Fi connectivity with parental filters and monitoring, and a built-in app store for downloading more content. And each has a music player, video player, camcorder, photo editor, and art app.
And the results:
The Fuhu Nabi Jr was rated best for younger kids. 3+
The Fuhu Nabi XD was rated great for older kids. 11+

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