Need Advice For a camcorder

Hello

I'm interested in buying a new Video camera.
I want to buy a MINI-DV and i checked some cameras.

My budget is 1000$
I need the cameras for home use (Children, family, events, trips etc' )
It doesn't have to be with a good still resolution

I would be thankful if you can point on some issues :
General video quality
Video at dark places quality
Still quality
Sound quality
Editing options

What I had in mind :

Panasonic NVGS 500 (PAL Or NTSC)
Canon Optura 600
Sony HDR-HC3

If you think of another type, i would be happy if you write it for me.
Thanks in advance for your reply

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Lior,

Note this is a UK based forum, so some model numbers are different here, as well as prices...

But you've got 3 good models on your short list. The Canon Optura 600 is the Mvx4i here, and that is discontinued... not sure about in the US. You might also want to add the Canon HV10 to your list - it is their new HDV camcorder, similar in price and cost to the Sony HC3; similar in looks/feel to the Optura 600/MVX4i.

A good place to look for answers to your questions is here (which is US based), all 4 of these cams are in the top 8:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/ratings.php

The HD models (HC3 and HV10) have the edge in picture quality, especially if you have (or will ever get) a HD TV/display. They are very close in general video quality; the HC3 has a big edge in low light. For stills, the HC3 is the clear winner. Audio: The HC3 can take an external mic (though only one which supports the Sony AIS shoe), the HV10 can't take an external mic at all. The GS500 has a standard mic jack so wins here. Editing: HDV (HC3 and HV10) is "harder" (in terms of PC requirements) to edit than DV, though with a resonsbly fast PC (Pentium 4 3.0 Ghz) you can edit it directly. You can edit on a slower PC using a "proxy" or "intermediate" (i.e. it can be done but requires an extra step). But I think the extra requirements or hassle of editing HD is worth it.

Between the HC3 and HV10 it is a close race... but as it has the edge over the HV10 in:
Video at dark places quality
Still quality
Sound quality

I'd recommend the Sony HC3.

Mark,
Thanks for your reply.

as i can see Sony HDR-HC3 has only one CCD.
Isn't it better to have 3 CCD's rather then only one ?

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Originally Posted by Lior

Mark,
Thanks for your reply.

as i can see Sony HDR-HC3 has only one CCD.
Isn't it better to have 3 CCD's rather then only one ?

Yes, all being equal 3 CCDs is generally better. But as well as the number of CCDs you need to consider the physical size of them, and in comparing SD to HD also the resolution.

Of the list of 4 (including the HV10 which I added), only the GS500 has 3 CCDs - it has a 3 small (1/6") CCDs. The HC3 uses an excellent 1/3” CMOS sensor. The HC3 will produce better video than the GS500. Or to put it another way, I'd rather a single large High Def CMOS than 3 small CD CCDs.

If you go to a 3 CCD HD camcorder like the new Sony FX7 (which has three 1/4" CMOS) than that's even better... but that is $3500.

The number of CCDs is only one factor. You need to consider overall performance.

I've been told that I will need a special TV in order to play the HD Format.
Is it true ?

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Originally Posted by Lior

I've been told that I will need a special TV in order to play the HD Format.
Is it true ?

Yes... but.....

The HC3 outputs HD video in 3 different ways: HDMI, Firewire, and Component. To play this signal you need to have a TV which can accept these inputs and the 1080i signal. It doesn't neccessarily need to be a High Definition TV to work - I have a SD plasma screen which accepts the 1080i and downscales it.. still looks great to me, but it would be better if/when I get a HD screen.

The HC3 (and also the Canon HV10) can also downconvert in the camera, so they can output in SD format that can be played on any TV. The quality of this is as good as a good SD camcorder like the GS500. But the advantage is that if/when you get a HD display in the future (eventually these will become the norm), you will already have the HD footage to show.

When editing you can also convert to SD Mpeg for ordinary DVD which you can play on any DVD player/TV.

In summary: If you only have an ordinary SD TV, then you won't get to appreciate the HD quality today. But you'll get very good SD. There are other small advantages when editing; the greater resolution allows you to zoom and retain high quality, and you can extract high quality stills from the video.