[ali5]

Please help a complete novice

Going on holiday in a weeks time, for three weeks (holiday of a lifetime) to Florida and have just started getting everything sorted i.e. batteries for camera, new memory cards etc and tonight have discovered that our old camcorder, Canon MV600 is totally dead. Tried all sorts to get it going, changed battery, re-charged batteries and then dear OH announced "Didn't it die on us on our last holidays" !!!!!!!

Haven't looked at camcorders since 2005 and normally would trawl the internet for reviews, recommendations etc but simply don't have the time.

So who can recommend a good model camcorder. Can pay up to about £400. We have HD TV with Sky HD. It will be used for family holidays, childrens sports days etc, sons footie etc.

Please please can anyone help. Do I go for HD camcorder? Are they any good? We would obviously not be able to download footage whilst on holiday so need additional tapes / cards etc.

Thanks Ali

[redsox_mark]

I suggest a Panasonic SD9 or SD5.
The SD5 is discontinued, replaced by the SD9. In terms of quality, very little difference, the main difference is the SD9 has a progressive mode.
SD5 is available for £350 from Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-HD...6543190&sr=8-1

Or SD9 for £40 more
http://www.purelygadgets.co.uk/showp...=07-64845394-2

These are high definition cams using SDHC cards, and the AVCHD format.

[nerdherd]

Hi there , Just got back from florida myself a couple of weeks ago.

I found myself in the same situation , my 2004 mini dv cam was dead so I started doing some research. Eventually I went for the sony sr10e which is a fantastic camcorder.

I filmed over 7 hrs of hi def footage and it was all perfect.

The camcorder has a great fireworks setting perfect for Disney's fireworks and shows and it also has a great water setting which is perfect for Sea World.

The cam also accepts memory stick pro duo's.

It records in 8 different qualities , either HD or SD in long play , standard play , high quality or full quality.

All look great ( even in sd) but the HD is amazing.

I have edited a great 2 1/2hr movie using final cut express 4 on a 2ghz intel imac with no problems.

Only one note : If recording in Full HD the video will stutter when editing and will not flow naturally , also if editing into a movie , the full hd comes out wider then the high or standard qualities so could look out of place.

I used it on HD SP and everything looks and sounds great!!

This cam is now under £500 on amazon with a £30 cashback offer and will suit your needs fully!

You will need an additional battery as the supplied is only 99 minutes long but the FH70 ( nearly 3 hrs) is $99 in best buy and circuit city and will work perfectly.

Can I also recommend the LCS SRC carry case as it is excellent for this type of holiday. It costs $50 in the sony shop in the florida mall.

If you have any more Q's pm me!!

Have a great holiday!

Edit : The 40gb hdd is more than enough for your needs. It will record up to 15 hours.

[ali5]

Thanks nerdherd

Glad to hear you had a great holiday.

We finally opted and purchased a Panasonic SD9 and have been practicing in the garden. The write-ups were positive all except the night-time filming but we are happy with the filming we have taken at night !!!!

Editing the tape when we get home is another issue as I am not at all computer literate - neither is OH - so may well be shouting for some help then.

Thanks for your reply - We did look at the Sony sr10 but it was out of our price range really as we had not anticipated having to purchase new corder for our hols.

Ali x