[DpM]

Hi all, I have been looking at getting a camcorder over the past few weeks and will make a purchase in the next week or two.
I was looking at the HC47E as it has full/true widescreen (I really would like this feature). Does anyone here have it, could you give me some thoughts on it. Or has anyone tried it and gone for another make/model, if so why?
I have almost made my mind up on mini DV as I think it will give a better quality picture at this sort of price. I borrowed a 1 year old JVC hard drive camcorder the other week and was not impressed with the results. mainly the alising on stright lines, like the frame around my patio door. Would this be any better on the newer models?
I do not want to spend a huge amount and around 250 is my max (bar the extras like tapes, cables and a bag) as I want to see how much use it will get over the next year or so, then if im using it lot I will look to splash out on a HD model of some kind. The main uses for the camcorder will be to film my cat and kitten (nice to have him growing up over the next year), holidays and get togethers with the boys.

Any advice\thoughts would be good.

Cheers

[redsox_mark]

Agree with you that in your price range miniDV is best. HC47 is a solid performer; also consider the Canon MD160 which is also true widescreen, has DV input, and I think slightly better video quality.

[DpM]

Thanks Mark. Thing with the Canon is im really worried that ill end up with the dreaded motor noise. Trust me everything I buy has something wrong with it to begin with!! My mate says I should be a quality tester for all the tech companies!
Would the Canon be worth a risk, I would hate to have to argue the point to get it swapped after buying if I do get the issue.

[redsox_mark]

You can listen to the noise from a MD110 (which is similar to the MD160) here
http://www.magazinevideo.com/video-d...hp?videoId=245

Depending on how good your French is you can read their summary

Bruit perceptible. Dans une ambiance sonore courante, cela peut présenter un risque de légère nuisance. Nota Bene : l'image n'est là qu'à titre de témoin

I think this says there is perceptible noise, which could be an issue in a quiet environment.

[DpM]

Thankyou sir, I will take a look when im home from work.

[jetinder]

I'm still the same shoes as you, the HC47E looks good but its out of my budget of £210, i looked at HC45 in low light i wasnt impressed with the image as it looked very grainy.

Looked as Canon MD160 but all reviews hate its very grainy low light performance.

Have got my eye on JVC GRD770 as that had a better picture, but still need to make my mind up ..................

[DpM]

Originally Posted by jetinder

I'm still the same shoes as you, the HC47E looks good but its out of my budget of £210, i looked at HC45 in low light i wasnt impressed with the image as it looked very grainy.

Looked as Canon MD160 but all reviews hate its very grainy low light performance.

Have got my eye on JVC GRD770 as that had a better picture, but still need to make my mind up ..................

To be honest in low light at the price were looking to spend I bet every camcorder is grainy.
The cheepest I have seen the HC47 for is £240 which is slightly over your budget. Can anyone comment on if it would be better than the HC45 in low light? I would think they would be the same bar the 47 has true widescreen, correct me if I am wrong.

Im going to try and find a shop that has the canon's as id like to look at the menu system and hold it. I have been to comet and held the Panasonic and it seemed a bit plasticy in comparinson to the Sony, plus I personaly found the menu system more of a mare to navigate. Could not for the life of me find the widescreen off/on option.

Cheers for the link Mark, tbh i could harldy hear the motor noise. Mind you that was on crappy laptop speakers!

[DpM]

Well I had a look at the Canon and have opted for the Sony as I find it more comfortable to hold. Ordered it today should have it in the next day or two. i will post my thoughs on it when im back from visiting mates and testing it out in Bristol.

[DpM]

Had the 47 since last Thursday and am very happy with it so far. The first recordings I made had a horrible judder when panning around, I looked through the settings and found one called colour slow shutter, when I swiched this off is stopped the issue.
The only other issue I have had is upon playback one scene has been split into 8 strips 4 of them have the picture frozen in them and the other for strips continue to play fine. Anyone have any reasons why this may have happened? I thought it may be the tape, Although the next day I had a tape head needs cleaning message on the screen, I ignored it and switched the cam off and back on. I have not seen it since. Could the problem I had been due to dirty heads? I would have hoped not as the cam is brand new.

Otherwise I am very happy with it and am looking forward to editing the footage on my laptop once I have re-built it .