Need Advise! HD video camera !

[mikeyparkster]

Guys I really need help very fast with choosing a suitable HD video camera

requirements

it has to be HD

i want you to list the available recording length and battery life

can someone explain what is the crack with HDD vs miniDV's

i want to spend about £800-950

thankyou in advance

it's for my old man he's 60 this saturday and he's going on holiday soon after.

[redsox_mark]

HD on tape (HDV) uses the same tapes as MiniDV. You get 1 hour on a normal 60 minute tape; there are also 80 minute tapes. The format is MPEG2, it's relatively easy to edit with lots of software support.

HD on HDD uses compression called AVCHD (except the JVC HD7, which has it's own format). AVCHD is more highly compressed, so harder to edit (editing software just recently released). Picture quality is good, but generally not quite as good as a HDV cam in the same price range. The amount of time you can fit on the HDD depends on the model and the quality setting, but generally it is several hours.

Battery life - they all come with a standard battery which lasts a hour or 2; you can buy longer life batteries. I wouldn't make this a factor in your choice.

Canon HV20 probably has the best picture quality. Sony HC7 is close, and feels a bit more solidly built. These are HDV models.

Will your Dad want to edit on a PC? If so I recommend HDV. If not, then AVCHD may be the ticket, as he could simply select the clips off the cam and not need to edit on a PC.

[mikeyparkster]

thanks for the reply..

i dont think my dad will want to edit himself

and he would need to get a new pc..

saying that he would probly make his tech sons (me and my brother to do it for him) but not sure..

anyway i doubt he will want to video edit...

Can you kindly recommend me some models (with direct link to buy)
i'd be grateful

[redsox_mark]

Sony SR1 - AVCHD-HDD.
http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/pl/8-68...Compare-Prices

Or Panasonic SD1 which uses memory cards
http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/pl/8-87...Compare-Prices

I suggest these even though personally I prefer the HDV models (and like to edit)... as if he doesn't want to edit with these it is easy to remove clips from the camcorder itself - i.e. do simple editing on the camcorder.

You still need to think about what you are going to do with the footage; how you want to play it.

[Parklife]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

Sony SR1 - AVCHD-HDD.

You still need to think about what you are going to do with the footage; how you want to play it.

Ok so if you go for the panasonic with the SD cards.....how can you play this on a PC?

[redsox_mark]

Originally Posted by Parklife

Ok so if you go for the panasonic with the SD cards.....how can you play this on a PC?

Copy the files to the PC, and play. I believe the Panasonic comes with software. You can also play in Windows Media player with the right codec.

[Deemac]

Don't buy a Sony HDR-HC1E.

Can't get the HD recordings off the camera in HD format!!!!

DV format is OK (SO WHAT WAS THE POINT IN THE CAMERA BEING HD???)

Sorry for rant - battling with this just now!!

[redsox_mark]

I have the HC1 and it works fine.

Your problem is most likely a software problem with your capturing application, or a Windows issue (if you are running something pre Windows XP Sp2).

[mikeyparkster]

i went with the panasonic one mentioned above

thanks for help shall hope it all works out

[senu]

Originally Posted by Deemac

Don't buy a Sony HDR-HC1E.

Can't get the HD recordings off the camera in HD format!!!!

DV format is OK (SO WHAT WAS THE POINT IN THE CAMERA BEING HD???)

Sorry for rant - battling with this just now!!

That is a rant:
I also have the HC1 and can get the HD recordings... It might mean just having a play with the menu for out put options as Auto doesnt always work; It could also be the capture software that isnt being friendly
If and when you want to give it a go: feel free to post what you have ( or haven done ) so far

PS: Ive just seen your other thread; You will have the same problem even with the FX1 til yo suss Premiere Pro out
To date Ive captured HD material off both cameras with
Adobe Premiere elements 3
Avid Liquid 7
Sony Vegas 6/7 and Movie Studio
Ulead VS 10plus
and Pinnacle Studio 10+
HDV Split mentioned by Mark and CapDVHS are probably worth trying

[Deemac]

Originally Posted by senu

That is a rant:
I also have the HC1 and can get the HD recordings... It might mean just having a play with the menu for out put options as Auto doesnt always work; It could also be the capture software that isnt being friendly
If and when you want to give it a go: feel free to post what you have ( or haven done ) so far

PS: Ive just seen your other thread; You will have the same problem even with the FX1 til yo suss Premiere Pro out
To date Ive captured HD material off both cameras with
Adobe Premiere elements 3
Avid Liquid 7
Sony Vegas 6/7 and Movie Studio
Ulead VS 10plus
and Pinnacle Studio 10+
HDV Split mentioned by Mark and CapDVHS are probably worth trying

Yes, I've now sorted out my problems with this camera & premier. Appears I had lots of "broken" codecs and to cap it all my tape had been recorded in DV instead of HDV!!!! Apologies to Sony - It really is a rather nice camera. My HD captures are fabulous quality. Thanks to all who gave suggestions/advice.

[mikeyparkster]

is it possible to buy sdhc cards for my panasonic camera mentoned above which hold more than 4GB? or is it limited at 4GB due to sd-1?

sd-2 on its way? is it available?

[Parklife]

Originally Posted by mikeyparkster

is it possible to buy sdhc cards for my panasonic camera mentoned above which hold more than 4GB? or is it limited at 4GB due to sd-1?

sd-2 on its way? is it available?

I have seen 8GB SDHC cards, not sure if they go any bigger than that at the moment. They should work on the SD1. No SD2 but the SD3 is out in Japan.

[a_friend]

Just picked up my Canon HV20 after saying I'd go for the Sony SR7.

[senu]

Originally Posted by a_friend

Just picked up my Canon HV20 after saying I'd go for the Sony SR7.

Why???...
I think the HV20 is excellent and a Great choice .. just curious