[chrisflak]

This will be my first venture into camcorder territory, very tight budget, only needed for filming recent addition to family and holidays etc. Seems to be a choice under this price, but which is best ?
http://www.asda-electricals.co.uk/sh...2/silver.html?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-DCR-HC2...6441881&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/JVC-GR-D720-...442103&sr=1-34

Any of these any good ?

Thanks

[redsox_mark]

I'd avoid the Samsung... the JVC or the Sony are OK... or also consider the Canon MD101.

[senu]

Love your AV kit...
You do get what you pay for as well in the world of camcorders.. Id suggest you up your budget a bit more (maybe £300) to give your self more choice.
Even if you only use it 3-4x a year you would love the footage to look good on that Lovely Samsung HDTV wouldnt you?
I agree with Mark though, Samsung certainly make fantastic displays but their camcorder dept is still in slumber..

[jonesey68]

noticed in the paper yesterday that Asda are selling the JVC GR DA20 for £114 cant find any reviews of it though. Anyone have any views on this?

[gario]

I started a new thread earlier, about the JVC GR DA20.

I have since found this review/

http://www.digipedia.info/2007/09/03...eview/#more-42

And this http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=2&gl=uk

Looks ok for the price, but any opinions would be helpful

[chrisflak]

Senu
unfortunately due to the recent splash of cash on the AV gear, which I have to say is just amazing, I really can only spend max £150 and dont really want to spend that much. To be honest, looking on various sites I am leaning towards the JVC on offer at Asda, I know you get what you pay for but this seems as good as any at that price !! Also has the 16:9 option.

[jonesey68]

Popped into Asda at Burgh Heath earlier today and bought the JVC. Camera is a bit plasticy but then it is made of plastic! Hav'nt had a chance to try it out yet as it does not come with a free tape. did anyone else take advantage of this deal?

[chrisflak]

Hi Jonesey,

yep I went into Asda and bought one yesterday as well !! I cant see this being beaten to be honest, not at this price and as Im only using it for family occasions I think it will be perfect, but until my tapes arrive and I try it, who knows !! I have also bought a larger battery and seperate charger on fleabay that will give over 5 hours of use, will let you know if this is any good to !!

[senu]

Originally Posted by chrisflak

Hi Jonesey,

yep I went into Asda and bought one yesterday as well !! I cant see this being beaten to be honest, not at this price and as Im only using it for family occasions I think it will be perfect, but until my tapes arrive and I try it, ... ..will let you know if this is any good to !!

Do by all means
It may be plasticity and have a so so lens but perform where it matters most..What may be instructive is to not challenge its low light abilities and perhaps track fast movt with it.
MiniDV is intrinsically very good quality and the lower prices now seen may reflect the fact that it is establish technology and all the R & D costs have been recouped, ( plus the asembled in China economics),
Good Luck
If however it fails to thrill, you will need to spend more
: Do you use your Record deck ( 2008 name for turntable) to play an old collection or are you to be found in Sunday Car boot sales looking for choice vinyl pressings?
I was at a 39 year Olds Funeral recently. He had over 2000 vinyl records and I just wondered what would become of them

[chrisflak]

I use the deck only to play my small collection of vinyl from the 80`s, I dont use it as much as I should tbh !

[gario]

Have any of you guys tried out your JVC GR DA20. yet?

I am very interested to hear your opinions

[jonesey68]

Gario, yes I bought a tape yesterday and wandered round the house to see how it performed and to familierisemyself with it. I watched it backon my TV and was quite impressed with the picture, admittedly I have never owned a camcorder before so I do not have anything to compare it to but for £114 cant go wrong, only grumble is I had to turn the sound right up on my TV to hear the soundtrack, is this usual with camcorders? Only reason I bought it is missus is expecting our first child in a fortnight. Before anyone asks-no I'm not taping that bit

Chrisflak have you got a link to the charger and battery on fleabay?? I have bought the camera from asda aswell. I cant find any extra batteries and charger for it.

Also soes anyone know what remote will work with it??

[Jamesemt]

Originally Posted by jonesey68

Only reason I bought it is missus is expecting our first child in a fortnight. Before anyone asks-no I'm not taping that bit

I was in exactly the same position a year ago. Bought a cheapie off ebay...it lasted 9 months!! I decided to bite the bullet and bought an HV20 HD Canon.

Finished (burned to DVD) footage looks a lot better than the preview you see in the software...

Oh and enjoy Don't know where the last year has gone - although I do have two hours of footage and 6,000++ photos I found that as my daughter got older, I was taking more footage. I'm using about one tape a month now.

[bigbaz]

JVC GR DA20 - £114.00. Any one had any experience with Sonys DCR HC 27 - £129.99 ? Just wondered would this be a better alternative to the JVC, is it worth the extra £16.00 ?

[Google eye]

Hi redsox

Your right about avoid the samsung.

I had a freind who brought a really cheap camcorder from curry's it was about kust over £100.

I saw the picture quality and it was awful.


I did have a JVC 340, and it was great I gave it to my wife's niece and her kids. But the quality was great for the price and the audio was impressive too.

Dave