[rich hard]

Bear with me please...
I have a JVC mini-dv camcorder and because it takes so long to convert via dazzle I'm looking at changing to a different medium.
I'm looking at a JVC HD type but have also looked at the "flash drive" type.
What I'd like off of you "pro's" if possible is genuine feedback good points,bad points,anything relevant really.
It may help, if I state what I think;my dv takes a long time due to the fact that it's analogue therefore has to play it's duration,where as digital files can be dragged and dropped.
Would I need to get a certain viewer or would the files be viewed on any computer and also on dvd players once burned.
I spoke to 2 people today one ahd the hdd Jvc type and said it burned with a one touch system once wired in,another praised his direct to cd(disc)camera.
I'm currently viewing a JVC dcr-sr 35 30 GB hd...
Any help would be nice...

[rich hard]

..and of course as I've trolled through some posts and I see people are recommending the alternative of the SD card type camcorders,are they preferable?any specific make better than the rest,what sort of spec should I look for?..
Errrr thanks..

[senu]

Originally Posted by rich hard

Bear with me please...
I have a JVC mini-dv camcorder and because it takes so long to convert via dazzle I'm looking at changing to a different medium.

Why Dazzle with mini dv?
Seriously wrong choice. DV from tape to PC is real time requiring only a firewire card. Dazzle tends to be for analogue camcorders and should not be used for MINI DV which is digital. Using dazzle defeats the aim of easy PC trasfer via firewire with intact quality

. DVD encoding from MiniDV to DVD is software dependent it is not that long. ..and can be left overngh if need be but not with curent computers.

I'm looking at a JVC HD type but have also looked at the "flash drive" type.
What I'd like off of you "pro's" if possible is genuine feedback good points,bad points,anything relevant really.

The HDD or SD card types are largely equivalent but SD card types are preferd as they are "expandable)" ie buy more cards , and no HDD to fail and les power consumption. Otherwise Pros generally dont use them ..yet. They still use tape or costly camcorders with specialised non tape media

MiniDV was said to have the best starting quality and was best able to withstand dgrdation duron editing. Nowadays Mpeg2 video ( from HD snd SD card ( when well implemented) are quite good

It may help, if I state what I think;my dv takes a long time due to the fact that it's analogue therefore has to play it's duration,where as digital files can be dragged and dropped.

They are actually digital files , (DV = Digital Video) and once on the PC can be dragged and dropped too. HDV ( hi def on tape is like that) . That you have to capture them in real time is well known and is a one off process.

Would I need to get a certain viewer or would the files be viewed on any computer and also on dvd players once burned.

Can be viewed on a PC ..Most have mpeg2 decoder codecs ..or there are free capable media players .
mpeg2 fils are not playable on PC as such .. You still have to use DVD creating softwre ( DVD arthoring software) to make them compatible

I spoke to 2 people today one ahd the hdd Jvc type and said it burned with a one touch system once wired in,another praised his direct to cd(disc)camera.

You dont really need that unless you seriously want to avoid the PC

I'm currently viewing a JVC dcr-sr 35 30 GB hd...

Pocket friendly, but not much else IMHO

I can relate to the real time capture of tape being a problem but I wonder if using dazzle is not a problem m in itself
The Major disadvantage of the camcorder you have listed is that your current MiniDv is better video quality and if you wish to get simialar quality from a non tape model, you need to look at better ( costlier ) models
JVCs Pocket friendly Everios have (in the past) left me very unimpressed for quality, lowight and poor handling of movt. I would be pleasantly surpried if that has changed ( and not just JVC , mind)

PS : SD card models are not better quality than HDD at the same price point but offer other advantages, , size ,better power consumption , ect.

[rich hard]

Thanks very much for the time taken in replying,very informative.
I bought the Dazzle as I haven't got a firewire card,the real bug-bear is the time taken to transfer,this leads to lack of use.
As you say the picture quality is fabulous and the kit was very expensive when I bought it.
I think I'll go for an SD card unit,any suggestions on make model,I'll put the mini in the sales section soon.
Again thanks for your help.

[senu]

You are welcome
As for makes
There are Panasonic and Canon models doing the rounds and Im less familiar with them than some newer owners but you could do worse than look at a few current threads on the new Canons and recent Panasonics

[rich hard]

I've bowed to your greater wisdom and bought a Firewire card,after reviewing my previous downloaded footage,the quality is amazing,thanks for the advice...

[senu]

Well done