Video clips for use in e-commerce sites - camcorder advice please

[gecko]

Hi - let me say first off that I'm a newcomer to planet camcorder. IT and digital SLR's I can deal with but I'm out of my depth here and need the advice of people who know what's going on.

I have various websites selling mainly silk textiles. While still pics are very good, putting short video clip on the site will let me really show off the products and hopefully cut down on wordy descriptions. Here's what I'd like to achieve:

• high quality footage and sound (HD?)
• most shooting will be done outside, inside with natural light or occasionally with small Bowens Unilite setup
• portability not too much of an issue - the footage is for web use mainly but I dare say the camcorder will be used socially sometimes
• easy transfer to pc
• easy editing (I'm used to Photoshop)

So far I've been looking at disk drive and memory card camcorders. It seems that tape and DVD is regarded as 'old' technology - am I right?

Finally, I have a budget of around £400 but I've bought enough digital SLR's to know what I want is probably going to cost tons more

Sorry to ask such basic and wide ranging questions and thanks for any advice.

[senu]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by gecko

Hi - let me say first off that I'm a newcomer to planet camcorder. IT and digital SLR's I can deal with but I'm out of my depth here and need the advice of people who know what's going on.

I have various websites selling mainly silk textiles. While still pics are very good, putting short video clip on the site will let me really show off the products and hopefully cut down on wordy descriptions. Here's what I'd like to achieve:

• high quality footage and sound (HD?)
• most shooting will be done outside, inside with natural light or occasionally with small Bowens Unilite setup
• portability not too much of an issue - the footage is for web use mainly but I dare say the camcorder will be used socially sometimes
• easy transfer to pc
• easy editing (I'm used to Photoshop)

So you need a " high quality" non tape camcorder mainly for outdoor use :Posssibly Hi def?

So far I've been looking at disk drive and memory card camcorders. It seems that tape and DVD is regarded as 'old' technology - am I right?

Tape is less available now but it isnt "old" in the sense of best quality video at lowest cost. DVD camcorders and tape should not be used in the same sentence

Finally, I have a budget of around £400 but I've bought enough digital SLR's to know what I want is probably going to cost tons more

Good thinking

My suggestion would be to have a litle look at a few threads below here where HDD /SD card camcorders are being discussed, and think of a little shortlist if you can Qite a few would fit your requirement especially if you are not rigid on cost
Saying that with some canny seraching you can get good quality for £400 , High quality is a matter of who is judging, given that it will stil be compressed for web use

[gecko]

"Tape is less available now but it isnt "old" in the sense of best quality video at lowest cost. DVD camcorders and tape should not be used in the same sentence"

I just knew I was going to say something stupid!

Thanks for the reply. I'll probably repost asking for more advice when I've reached a shortlist.