New to camcorders, taken a fancy to Sony DCR-SR190e

[carson321]

As above, I have never had a camcorder before. Really looking for an HDD version and after realising that all the cheapish ones are pretty crap quality (despite the woman in currys trying to tell me the everio GZMG155EK was actually a good camera and it was just the lighting in the shop, she didn't even know what a sensor in a camcorder was). Im pretty technically minded so know abit about all the specs n stuff, like the look of the sr190 and i can find it for about £350, top of my price range.

anyway! my actual question is, is this any good and is it a reasonable price to be paying for it? I've just found out that its been knocking around for a while and wanted to know if there is anything better for around my budget, can't really be swayed from HDD either, sorry!

Thanks for your time

[rhubarbe]

Recommend the HDC-SD5 high definition cam. This doesn't have a HDD but does use SDHC cards. An 8GB card will gibe you about 89 minutes in best quality and the use of memory cards means that you don't have to worry about HDD failure.

These are currently on offer at Amazon at £350 with free delivery.

[carson321]

hmm, not really bothered with the HD camcorders, dont have an HD tv yet, i appreciate this is a good price for it but do i really want to spend £15 on and 8gb sd caqrd to get me just 89 minutes recording? thats a lot of sd cards for a 2 week holiday etc! Still swaying for the sr190, any other advice???
Thanks

[redsox_mark]

SR190 is a good standard def HDD cam. Low light performance is better than the Panasonic SD5. Overall I'd rather have the SD5 for the high definition/overall performance; but if you really don't care about High Def, then the SR190 is a good choice.

[carson321]

Thanks for the swift reply mark, i think that unless someone makes a comment to make me doubt the sr190 or sway me in a different direction, i will be buying this at lunch time!. Is the £350 a good price?? It's from amazon market place, sellers feedback is good, it should still come with the docking station etc shouldn't it?

[redsox_mark]

Yes, it should come with a docking station.
It's a discontinued model, so not generally available, so there isn't a "going price"; but £350 seems a good price to me.

[lurcher]

Just wondering if you have been into any shop ( such as Jessops ) and handled a few camcorders , the model you have identified is at the top end of the SD HDD models and comes with a handy station but does not have a viewfinder , you are resticted to using the fold out LCD panel.
If thats fine then thats ok , just as a matter of interest there are several on ebay at the moment s/h & new which may be worth watching.

[rhubarbe]

And in two years time when 8GB SDHC cards cost fourpence each, and you're watching all the SD stuff on your shiny new HDTV that cost £150, you'll as like as not wonder why you did not take the advice of the pink blobby one.

[carson321]

ok, say i wanted the sd5 now instead, i've found it for £223, anyone like the look of this?!?!

http://lookangoo.com/product_info.ph...oducts_id=5510

[lurcher]

Get me one when u go there please.

[rhubarbe]

They are based in Worcester, Massachusetts, though they claim also to have a depot in Rome, Italy (hehe).

The spec says this:

"Video Broadcast Standards: NTSC (analog)"

So, if I were you, and bearing in mind you don't have an HDTV right now, I'd avoid it.

Of course, if you had an HDTV (these all work with NTSC and PAL sources), and as long as you weren't expecting to be able to make DVDs to share with friends and family, I'd say, go for it.

Editorial note:

Odd, innit, we can spell Massachusetts, yet how many Yanks you've met can spell Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysilio gogogoch?

[koolpc]

HDC-SD5 Looks the best with all the advice i have had on here. HDTV or not. This is one i would get, if i had the extra money!

[Melanie S]

Is this price at http://lookangoo.com/product_info.ph...oducts_id=5510 for the Panasonic HDC-SD5 camcorder or for a DVD writer. Has anyone bought from their? I was going to purchase the camcorder from Amazon at £349. Also does anyone know what the postage costs are?

[lurcher]

What you have to factor in to the price is any import taxes/carriage etc and decide if the savings are worthwhile.

[carson321]

I have to admit, i got swayed and went for the sd5! I managed to pick one up on ebay, as new with an 8gb card for a neat £340, and in shiny black too! lol!
thanks for all your help and advice guys, i view these forums so much to help with little decisions like this, but dont post too often. What did people do before forums when deliberating something like this! lol!