Digital Camcorder - whats best?
 

Looking to jump into digital camcorders but have not got the slightest clue what's good and what's bad.

Ultimately I intend fitting a bullet cam, so the only real requirment is that it has AV in/out facility

As the camera is primarily to be used to get decent travel video, I don't mind spending a bit extra to get a good un. Size is an issue but quality of end results is more important.

Finally, I have heard there are now some cams that record directly onto CD/DVD? Are they worth having, or is a memory stick or even tape still the best option as I fully intend to edit foorage on the PC.

Dunno much about this Yeti to be honest, although I remember Hitachi did one of the first DVD cams a few years ago, I nearly bought one but reading the reviews they were getting slated, really unreliable, poor battery life etc.

I know Sony are pushing theirs at the moment, maybe they've managed to improve on this, I'd imagine it would be quite fragile though trying to burn data to a disc which is moving/vibrating constantly? Unless it caches x minutes via some internal memory before burning

I've got a Sony - very pleased with it and had no problems, Go for one with Auto and Manual focus, some only have auto.

Mine uses digital tapes, not DVDs.

When I was after one I bought a decent Camcorder mag, there's always a guide in them telling what to look for, for your intended use. And it will be a proper guide rather than that stuff you get in Argos type catalogues.

[Edited on 1-7-2005 by Steve M]

I can only tell you that if you get the "straight to DVD" type then you need some other facility like a PC with the right software to edit the video, whereas if you get the "digital tape" version then you have some control before you burn it to VCD (video CD) or DVD.

Oh, and Sony do one that also (happens) to play the earlier analogue Hi8 tapes too, which is a bonus if you have old tapes. SO I guess that was 2 things then I knew. :)

Take a look at either

JVC GR D290

Sony DCR-HC32

Both should fit the bill, and not cost the earth. Like JPM's suggested, the direct to DVD isn't ideal for the high vibration environments you may be using it, and they cost more too....

I can help you out with software John. The real issue is finding a cam with Av in as not that many have it.

I may be wrong but i also believe they only handle 30 mins at a time, however working with DVD writers for a living, i would say your lazer would be miss alined within a very short space of time.

Your better off going for a tape or SD card type, many do both, if using bullet cam then naturaly AV in is requierd, Most come wth the software you need to edit\compile any film you make, however to write the finished film to CD disc or DVD disc you may need another convertng software such as AVS Vidio Converter. http://www.avsmedia.com

I have a Canon MV730i, has AVin & SD card as well, will be using it with a bullit cam at Track Attack 4 at Cadwell this month.
Got it from this site, it is a company that sells all the refurbished Canon products that are returned for one reason or another & also all the demo camera's camcorders etc etc that you see in Comet stc, the are all refurbished, given new software instructions etc etc then put onto this ebay shop site for a 24 hour only auction, picked mine up for £145 if I remember

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Canon-Outle...eNameZl4QQtZkm

Canon's camcorder page
http://www.canon.co.uk/For_home/Prod...rders/Digital/


Chris:burn:

ps, you still get a full one years warrenty with canon. :D


Chris:burn:

Yeti I suggest you get one thats shock resistant:lol:

'koff

What one do you use then Jon? :lol:

SInce I'm still on a Sony Hi8 cam and Sony floppy disc still digital - I was looking for a 'all purpose' digital camera for going on holiday with as many of the newer cams now seem to do video as well....

I had been looking at either the Konica/minolta Z3 or Z5 but sadly funds ran out before we even got on holiday.

However I did have a mootch while in florida - sadly I cant remember the model I was looking at - but it had a 1GB memory installed for about 60mins worth of video and used an SD memory card to take pics at about 1.5M pix if I recall right.

I might be looking up some of those Canon ones though - lol.

Good luck

My JVC camcorder takes DVD quality movies but the still shots it can also take are about as good as my camera phone|!

So, once one has purchased the camcorder, any recommendations on a bullet camera to go with?

Check with Guido or search for some of his posts - he uses these and I'm sure he has posted details in the past.

Frank

RF Concepts http://www.rfconcepts.co.uk/ are the popular ones.

Keyword missing from all this A/V input stuff......ANALOGUE ;)

AV input means anaologe video input!!

Not having DV in is not the end of the world as you can get a widget to convert out to in and back again.

I have a fairly bulky Sony TRV digital 8 camera and a bullet cam from RF concepts. 2.9mm lens.

Greats results for in car stuff but the older camera is maybe a bit bulky for the bike. The bullet cam is easy to use and set up andf includes a Mike. I does seem to go through batteries.

Get a Spare battery for the camera as well.

Whatever camera you go for try and get as big a optical zoom as poss as this helps pic quality. (or so I am led to believe.

Ray.

Well I'd read AV as Audio/Video :)

You'd think so wouldnt you but they can't take audio in via the same socket.



AV is analogue video
DV is digital video

I'm heading in the direction of a Sony DCR HC90E at the moment. Anyone got anything to add to this?

Its your lucky day Yeti.............
 

Expensive, already up to £138 and reserve not met. You can buy em from Ireland for £130!

Thanks for flagging it up tho :sing:

I've "aquired" an ex cctv mini camera that i'm going to use. Its got adjustable iris, its colour and it runs directly off 12 volts. Just need to find somewhere to mount it on the bike.

I have a Sony DCR-18E, very good, easy to use and well made.
Make sure you by a head cleaning tape. :D :D :D