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.....
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).
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).
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)
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
look at the reviews over at www.camcorderinfo.com
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