What persuades you to to purchase?

[rabrose]

What do you look for when deciding to purchase a camcorder? I ask the question because I can see little difference between the lot of them.

I know firstly you must decide which format to have. But once you have chosen the format what persuades you to purchase? Is it the style, brand, features, price or reviews?

Yesterday I took delivery of a Sony DCR-HC62E camcorder (reading through the manual I could learn to fly a plane quicker). My only reasons for purchasing this camcorder are that I wanted a Mini DV format that had DV in and out as I do a lot of video editing and I wanted to be able to copy my videos from my PC back to a DV tape to keep as backups.

What do you look before purchasing and are you happy once you purchased?

[rhubarbe]

I'm looking for the smallest, upright format HD PAL cam that takes solid state memory and takes excellent video in very low light.

My problem is that there isn't one.

Thereafter the consideration is which is the lesser compromise.

It driving me mad, I tell you.

[slowpoke]

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

I'm looking for the smallest, upright format HD PAL cam that takes solid state memory and takes excellent video in very low light.

My problem is that there isn't one.

Thereafter the consideration is which is the lesser compromise.

It driving me mad, I tell you.

its rhubarbs very own holy grail

[rhubarbe]

Oh, it is, it is.

[redsox_mark]

Is it the style, brand, features, price or reviews?

For me, first on the list is how it performs (that I base on reviews, looking at actual footage, and where possible trying some out), followed by features. Brand and style is less important. Price is a special one. I would start with price as the first criteria to an extent (i.e. I would have a broad price range in mind, and only consider models in that range). But within the price range, performance and features are more important to me than small differences in price.

The last camcorder I bought was a Sony HC1, which I was (and still am) happy with.

I've had several Sony camcorders and I don't think much of any of their user manuals...

[senu]

I just put my hand in to a hat!

Seriously It is a mix of good quality and "Value for money". Costly kit that cannot justify the price ( to me) get passed by quickly!
Good quality refers to build, access to controls, "videographer friendly" features and of course impressive video and audio quality

I have been fortunate to be "invited" to Places like CES or go myself to other such shows which showcase manufacturers and their kit. I've also been able to trial stuff I could not buy myself ( limited funds) or hire them for projects at clients cost ( client here being my "boss")
but
reading respected reviews ( Like Mark above) is really not to be sniffed at. I have used more recent camcorders but my last purchase was the Excellent HC1 which I got within months of the FX1 ( which like the vx2100 is not "small")
The likes of the HC1 were the last of a "dying" breed


Sony's user manuals ( like most others TBH) usually remains in the box and many 3rd party Book/ DVD tutorials exist ..!!

[rhubarbe]

This brings up the subject of what was wrong with the HC1 that I had. If I take a clip and put it up somewhere will you two have a look at it for me and let me have the benefit of your wisdom, please?

It really was minging.

[senu]

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

This brings up the subject of what was wrong with the HC1 that I had. If I take a clip and put it up somewhere will you two have a look at it for me and let me have the benefit of your wisdom, please?

It really was minging.

Oh dear!!.. what, pray is "minging then?"

[rhubarbe]

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=minging

You'll be telling me next that you don't know what "mither" means.

[redsox_mark]

Thank you for increasing my vocabulary...
Sure, I'd be happy to look at the clip.

[senu]

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=minging

You'll be telling me next that you don't know what "mither" means.

I do ( isnt that something wives do ?? ) but thanks anyway..

For absolute clarity I can assure you that My HC1 clips dont have an odour of any sort.. Good or Foul!!

[rhubarbe]

Thanks guys. I'll cut some out of my worst offender. It's a clip taken in my back garden looking out over fields and woodland. It looks like the Incy Wincy Spider has climbed all over the inside of the lens.

Yuk.

It's on a PC at work, so I'll put it on megaupload tomorrow.

[rhubarbe]

Here you go:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HEMKTGYP

I exported it from m2t with Nero Vision 5 into mpeg2 HD 1080i.

The odd effects and just general yukkiness are exactly the same on the m2t file as they are on this, just as it came off the tape.

Note to other users: this is not an interesting file for you to download.

[rhubarbe]

Pls have a look at my footage from the HC1.

[senu]

ok..