[Solidstate]

I've been asked to recommend a camcorder by my employers. They are looking to buy 2 or 3 camcorders - but they are really tight with money.

They don't know what they want - but knowing the type of people who will be using them I decided that it would be best to suggest models with non removable memory - hence the Hard Drive requirement. The only specification that they have stipulated is the ability to plug in a microphone. They don't need or want HiDef.

I imagine that these will be used indoors - but these are well lit offices. So any suggestions for the cheapest simplest Hard Drive camcorders that have a mic socket?

[senu]

Most HDD camcorders dont have mic in.

The provision of mic-in kind of assumes the user has slightly more than casual needs
Sadly most HDD camcorders at the sub £500 are aimed at non hobbyist "serious" users
The Canon HG10 does have mic in but does not do SD
Mic in is more likely to be found in tape camcorders (DV or HDV) if spend is to be kept at a "minimum"
HDD with mic in would be "high end consumer" .. nothing cheap there
Why did you specify non removable memory? would the users no know how to insert a tape?
For transfer to PC , HDD is defintely more newbee friendly but in terms of use there should be no difference in the actual shooting and transfer by firewire isnt rocket science

[A n d r e w]

JVC Everio GZ-MG575.
SD, HDD, Mic in, approx. £400.
Not the sharpest kid for the money, though.
http://www.jvc.co.uk/product.php?id=...K&catid=100094

[Solidstate]

Thanks,

I thought the JVC 575 looked the best too.

As far as the Hard Drive requirement - this is for use in an office on standard Office PCs (no firewire in) - also people would want immediate access to a specific scene and the people using these would most likely be be complete 'tards.

I'm going to suggest the JVC 575, its £393 at Misco.

Thanks again.

[A n d r e w]

No worries - but I would emphasise that in my opinion, unless a mic input is a must-have, there are better cameras around that price point than the Everio.

[redsox_mark]

Agree; though it is maybe the only standard def, HDD cam with mic input. (I can't think of any others). And it's not a bad camcorder.

[A n d r e w]

When I was looking around only very recently for a camera circa 400 squid, I could find nothing other than the MG575 that combined mic-in with HDD. If that's your bag, then it's probably the one.

When I first got my hands on one I might have argued that the only way in which it wasn't "bad" is that it could've been worse . . . I have since lowered my expectations .

[senu]

Originally Posted by Solidstate

Thanks,

I thought the JVC 575 looked the best too.

As far as the Hard Drive requirement - this is for use in an office on standard Office PCs (no firewire in) - also people would want immediate access to a specific scene and the people using these would most likely be be complete 'tards.

I'm going to suggest the JVC 575, its £393 at Misco.

Thanks again.

I know my post isnt what you wanted to hear but I would think carefully about recommending the JVC to your employers just because it is "affordable", is HDD and has mic-in . It is perhaps rare in that but how good is it?

My experience with other JVC Everio ( and indeed many other pocket friendly brands of HDD camcorder ) is the rather disheartening video ( and audio) quality particularly when the lighting is not ideal. Well lit offices indoors may not qualify as ideal lighting

Mark seems to think it is not bad, so that could count for something
If you did get them and find they satisfy your aspirations , do let us know

[redsox_mark]

The ones with larger sensors (like the 575) aren't so bad. It's the ones with small sensors (like the MG130) which are pretty dire. Still, when you can get a Panasonic SD5 for less money, it's not exactly good value.

[A n d r e w]

For what it's worth, I agree completely. If you simply must have an external microphone input, then you have a reason for getting the Everio. But if mic-in isn't an absolute and incorrigible essential, then I doubt the Everio represents great value for money. The picture quality is miles off (well, relative to your expectations and what you're willing to settle for, of course) what the same money can buy elsewhere, as Mark suggests.


It was me that suggested the Everio in the first place, wasn't it? (Checks earlier postings.) Oh yes, it was. (Slinks off into the background.)

[Solidstate]

Well I passed the reluctant recommendation on (with a warning that they should spend more and/or reconsider their requirements).

The reply I got back was - oh that sounds like too much!
As mentioned before - these people are complete buffoons - I don't know why I even entertained their question - I should have just said that I have no idea.

So I'd suggest that everyone just forgets the whole thing - that's exactly what I'm going to do.