[SideWays]

I'm guessing the regulars on here are proabably sick of these kinda questions, but im desperate and need help quickly.

I need to buy a camcorder by next Sunday (23rd Nov) because its my bros wedding then, and i guess what better place to start off using a brand spanking new camera than a wedding.

I have roughly £500 to spend. I've read a little about different camcorder formats and the pros & cons of each but still a little confuzzled. Whats the best format to buy? Which ones got the best picture quality?

Mainly: Whats the best camcorder I could get for this price tag?

I guess my only requirement is great picture quality and probably ease of use/editing after capture. (Currently using Corel Ulead VideoStudio! I've got a blu-ray rewriter [i hope thats what is called!] on my Vaio laptop that im yet to try out aswel!)

I'd be really grateful if any of you camcorder buffs could make some recommendations or point me in the right direction. Need to get buying soon!

Thanks a million!

[tianuk]

Originally Posted by SideWays

I'm guessing the regulars on here are proabably sick of these kinda questions, but im desperate and need help quickly.

I need to buy a camcorder by next Sunday (23rd Nov) because its my bros wedding then, and i guess what better place to start off using a brand spanking new camera than a wedding.

I have roughly £500 to spend. I've read a little about different camcorder formats and the pros & cons of each but still a little confuzzled. Whats the best format to buy? Which ones got the best picture quality?

Mainly: Whats the best camcorder I could get for this price tag?

I guess my only requirement is great picture quality and probably ease of use/editing after capture. (Currently using Corel Ulead VideoStudio! I've got a blu-ray rewriter [i hope thats what is called!] on my Vaio laptop that im yet to try out aswel!)

I'd be really grateful if any of you camcorder buffs could make some recommendations or point me in the right direction. Need to get buying soon!

Thanks a million!

Canon HF100

[dave_bass5]

Originally Posted by tianuk

canon hf100

+1.

You might first want to check the spec of your Laptop to see if its up to playing back AVCHD files though.

[stu.artd]

Canon HF100 or Sony CX11.

[A n d r e w]

Do you require any justification for posters' claims about which is best, or is this just a straight shoot-out?

[Orwella]

At the moment it is an easy choice, the HF100.

HF100 is just £478 @ Amazon and only £428 after Canon's £50 cashback which is being offered until Jan 2009.

If they were the same price I would have opted for the CX11. As it is the CX11 is £80 more expensive (after Sony Cashback) and requires more expensive Pro Duo memory sticks (£30 for an 8GB Pro Duo vs £20 for a 16GB SDHC).

[K77SH C]

Hi Im new here and have also been searching for a camcorder. Im trying to decide between the HF10, HF100 and HV30. I have tried to read up on each camera, but I am more confused than I was when I started.

Am I right in thinking the HF100 is better than the HF10 as it has a solid state drive or is the extra memory option and speed (transfer rate??) of the HF10 better.

Also the HV30 uses tape which I believe is cheaper, but does it have superior picture quality over the other two? How will having tape affect video editing if at all?

My final question is whether it is worth paying the extra for the HV30 or is it wiser to get away from tape at a cheaper price?

[dave_bass5]

Originally Posted by K77SH C

Hi Im new here and have also been searching for a camcorder. Im trying to decide between the HF10, HF100 and HV30. I have tried to read up on each camera, but I am more confused than I was when I started.

Am I right in thinking the HF100 is better than the HF10 as it has a solid state drive or is the extra memory option and speed (transfer rate??) of the HF10 better.

The HF100 and HF10 are exactly the same other than the colour and the HF10 has 16Gb memory built in. Both take SD cards.
The main problem with the HF10 for me is that you have to have it hooked up to the mains to transfer footage from the built in memory. That can be more of a pain than taking a SD card out and putting it in a card reader. For that reason i tend to shoot mostly on to SD card and keep the internal memory as a back up. Also the HF10 is a bit slower accessing the internal memory.

Oh, and hi, welcome to the forum.

[K77SH C]

Thanks for the reply and welcome Dave. I was leaning towards the HF100 over the HF10 and your advice backs that up. Especially when I can match the size with a larger card. Shame its not black though

Having seen so many video clips from HV30s I have been very interested for quite some time. Il await some more responses though so Ican make the best decision.

[K77SH C]

Can anyone else provide anymore advice with regards to which of the HV30 and the HF100 provides a better picture. From what I have read AVCHD has been a bit shaky, but with the HF100 this is fine. Any opinions?

Also how much should I read into the 2xoptical zoom difference?

Thirdly, Amazon doesnt seem to offer an extended warranty. Is this something I will be able to get from Canon?

Please soeone, help so I can make a decision between the two

[stu.artd]

From what I've read video quality is pretty much even between the HV30 & HF100. Your real decision is tape vs memory card, and I'm sure you know the pros and cons of each

The 2x optical zoom difference doesn't eman much in my opinion, it's importance does depend on whether you plan on using the camcorder at max telephoto a lot though. Personally I'd have preferred camcorders to have a wider angle lens, but that's maybe just me.

I'm not sure whether Canon offer an extended warranty, it's something I've never been interested in as I view them as little more than a rip off unless they're very competitively priced. Most house insurance policies should provide adequate cover..

[A n d r e w]

Originally Posted by K77SH C

Can anyone else provide anymore advice with regards to which of the HV30 and the HF100 provides a better picture. From what I have read AVCHD has been a bit shaky, but with the HF100 this is fine. Any opinions?

Take a look at camcorderinfo.com.

[senu]

Originally Posted by A n d r e w

Take a look at camcorderinfo.com.

They rate the HV30 higher but that is because they rate they absolute quality and ease of manipulation of HDv over AVCHD for Pros and serious Hobbyists
The fun factor, easy USB transfer and tape is soooo 90s , they dont bother with

[K77SH C]

Thanks for your advice guys. Very helpful indeed.

I think the HF100 may be the best option pound for pound so that is the one Im going to go for. I was looking to get an extended warranty for piece of mind, but will probably look down the home insurance route as Stu suggested.

Thanks for your help chaps

[SideWays]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I'm deffo leaning towards the HF100 at the mo. (unless someone really wants to talk me out of it!)

Just got a few more questions:

How easily will I be able to edit this footage? Also will my laptop be able to cope with it. (i really hope so, cos it set me back a lotta monies!) Here are the specs:

VAIO : VGN-AR31S : United Kingdom

Will the quality of the footage be dramatically effected if I covert and burn the footage to DVD? Is it easy to convert the footage in the first place?

Ill be using the camera at my brothers wedding this weekend. What size/ type memory card will i need to get with it?

Thanks again for all your help guys!

[A n d r e w]

Originally Posted by SideWays

Ill be using the camera at my brothers wedding this weekend. What size/ type memory card will i need to get with it?

Get at least a couple of these - Amazon.co.uk: Transcend 16GB SDHC Class 6 Memory Card: Electronics & Photo. 16GB equates to roughly two hours' recording at the highest quality setting.

EDIT: You might want to shop around for better deals - I note that link has a 4 to 6 week delivery turnaround. Yikes.

Andrew.

[SideWays]

Thanks for the recommendations Andrew.

I placed an order for the HF100 last night! Finally took the plunge! I just need to get the memory cards now. I went some shops on Tottenham Court Road this morning, and WOW, they mark up the prices big time! Cheapest i found was 12gb for £30.

The guy at one of the shops said that i shouldnt get the cheaper memory cards because they freeze and take ages to process a clip if its lengthy....Is this true?? Can i get a class 4 SD card instead of a class 6? is there a big difference in performance?

Also, do i need to buy any extra cables to view the HD footage on my HD tv?

Again, thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

[tianuk]

Originally Posted by SideWays

Thanks for the recommendations Andrew.

I placed an order for the HF100 last night! Finally took the plunge! I just need to get the memory cards now. I went some shops on Tottenham Court Road this morning, and WOW, they mark up the prices big time! Cheapest i found was 12gb for £30.

The guy at one of the shops said that i shouldnt get the cheaper memory cards because they freeze and take ages to process a clip if its lengthy....Is this true?? Can i get a class 4 SD card instead of a class 6? is there a big difference in performance?

Also, do i need to buy any extra cables to view the HD footage on my HD tv?

Again, thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

I think you mean 16gb ;-)...

The guy in the shop is probably right, if you want the best quality video/imaging get the Class 6 SDHC card as otherwise it COULD be choppy.

Also am I the only one who doesn't want to trust Transcend or whatever they are called? I'm about to go on a year and a half trip, and I know that Sandisk Extremes are about 5 tiems the price, but there I have heard from the Amazon.co.uk reviews, that they are not the best or most durable cards (random data losses.etc)

You will need an HD cable to connect your camcorder the your HDTV, yes.

[dave_bass5]

The faster the card the quicker the transfer to your PC. I seriously doubt the speed will make any difference to play back in the Cam.
If you use Class 4 and above you can record at full resolution, anything lower than class 4 and the cam wont even let you select the highest res.

Canon recommend class4 and above in the manual so no need for a class 6.

[dave_bass5]

Originally Posted by tianuk

Also am I the only one who doesn't want to trust Transcend or whatever they are called? I'm about to go on a year and a half trip, and I know that Sandisk Extremes are about 5 tiems the price, but there I have heard from the Amazon.co.uk reviews, that they are not the best or most durable cards (random data losses.etc)

No problems with my two Transcend's.
If you are going abroad maybe it will be cheaper to by your SD cards while you travel than get them over here.

[SideWays]

Originally Posted by dave_bass5

No problems with my two Transcend's.

Yeah I think i'm gonna go for a couple of the Transcend 16gb cards (cos I really can't afford to spend any more monies!)

I was supposed to get my HF100 today, but turns out my payment didn't go through. HSBC student overdrafts suck! Had to use my dad's card for the payment. Expecting it tomorrow...hopefully!

I just have one problem now. Where am I going to get some Transcend memory cards before Sunday? Amazon "usually dispatch within 4-7 weeks"!!!

Can anyone suggest any other trustworthy online sites that'll deliver in 1-2 days or maybe a shop in London some where?

[A n d r e w]

Transcend are absolutely fine - at least, the four 8GB Transcends I own have given me no problems so far. Class 4 is the bottom limit for speed, but Class 6 cards appear to be more or less the standard now, meaning you'll be hard pressed to find a wide selection of Class 4 cards.

I prefer the 8GB cards as it means I'm hedging my bets when it comes to the possibility of a card failing - means I lose no more than an hour's recording. I have a couple of 4GB cards, too (a Sandisk and a Panasonic) but rarely use them.

As for quick turnaround: try a search with google shopping and see what you come up with. There are other vendors on the Amaz*n site (the Amaz*n Marketplace) which you could check. I doubt there are any which will supply you within a day or two, though.

Also try a search on the forum here, as there have been a few threads dedicated to SD cards and supply questions.

Andrew.

[dave_bass5]

I normally use picstop or play. both deliver very quickly.
If you order today you will get it by Friday at the latest IME.

The 16GB ones are out of stock unless you get one with a reader but 2 x 8GB seems to work out cheaper.

Secure Digital SDHC Card Memory - 4GB/8GB

[A n d r e w]

Thanks for the link: pretty fair prices there too.

@ SideWays: A reader's a good idea, in my experience. I'd recommend you get one, as it's easier to chuck the card into a USB reader than hook the camera up to your computer when preparing to import your clips.

Andrew.

[dave_bass5]

Originally Posted by A n d r e w

Thanks for the link: pretty fair prices there too.

@ SideWays: A reader's a good idea, in my experience. I'd recommend you get one, as it's easier to chuck the card into a USB reader than hook the camera up to your computer when preparing to import your clips.

Andrew.

yeah, i agree. In fact its an even better idea with the the Canons as you also have to have them plugged in to the mains to transfer footage, at least with my HF10 I do. Can be a pain if the PSU is plugged in somewhere else.

[SideWays]

Thanks for the quick responses Andrew and Dave.

I checked out picstop. Their 8gb are in stock, but only for 4-7 week delivery!!

I think i'll have to opt for the 16gb with the reader. I have a SD reader on my laptop, built in, so I don't really have a use for it. I guess i can always sell it on eBay.


I'm also gonna ask my mates Dad, who works at a Snappy Snaps. He might be able to get me some SanDisk 8gb cards. Hopefully with a discount...or maybe the cost price....yeah, i wish....

[dave_bass5]

Thats very strange. Its showing in stock (live) but when you go to order it its showing out of stock.
Have you called them?

what about looking at the Kingston cards? Ive been using them for years in my cameras and never had one go wrong.
They do seem to be in stock.

[Mr Lazy]

Originally Posted by SideWays

I checked out picstop. Their 8gb are in stock, but only for 4-7 week delivery!!

I think i'll have to opt for the 16gb with the reader. I have a SD reader on my laptop, built in, so I don't really have a use for it. I guess i can always sell it on eBay.

The card readers built into some laptops tend to be much slower than a dedicated reader, so do some transfers using both methods before you sell it.

Have you looked here:
http://www.mymemory.co.uk/SDHC
Ordered some cards from them in the past and they were fine. Standard P&P is free but they offer special delivery at 5.99.

I have a couple of Kingston cards and they've been fine.

[dave_bass5]

Originally Posted by Mr Lazy

The card readers built into some laptops tend to be much slower than a dedicated reader, so do some transfers using both methods before you sell it.
.

I agree, and also some older card readers dont support SDHC cards either. My two year old Dell at work doesn't. It takes standard SD cards but wont recognise the SDHC ones.

[senu]

Originally Posted by SideWays

I think i'll have to opt for the 16gb with the reader. I have a SD reader on my laptop, built in, so I don't really have a use for it. I guess i can always sell it on eBay.
.

Dont .. it might come in very handy if you need to transfer stuff to a PC which doesn't have one built in ( eg Friend ,Relative , newer PC ect)