Please help with camcorder choice

montybaber · 28-12-2008, 10:38 AM

Hi there

My other half and I have decided we want a camcorder, we have never owned one before and are completely in the dark on the different types models etc.

It will primarily be used to record my dogs at shows etc, so I suppose a decent optical zoom is important as is light (as the NEC is very dark and id love to record my other half handling our dog at crufts this year).

Im confused at the different types, we have a laptop and we will probably keep the files on our hardrive to convert to DVD, i have read a bit on here and it looks like mini DV may be a pain due to sixe and time taken to upload ( I am willing to sacrifice quality) I have also looked at DVD type and this looks good but what are the benefits over SD?

Finally i'd like to say that I am crazy on AV/gadgets etc but unfortunately not rich so please can any recommendations be real world, i'm thinking 1-200 pound ideally but cheaper the better, there is a sony model on offer at argos for 99 (mini DV) and I would be over the moon to spend that but wiling to spend more if worthwhile (for example a Hard drive one to save buying disks etc) please dont think im tight ..just poor

I respect you guys having the best

I'd really appreciate your expert advice as we are getting ready to go and find one

Thanks

chrishull3 · 28-12-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montybaber

Hi there

My other half and I have decided we want a camcorder, we have never owned one before and are completely in the dark on the different types models etc.

It will primarily be used to record my dogs at shows etc, so I suppose a decent optical zoom is important as is light (as the NEC is very dark and id love to record my other half handling our dog at crufts this year).

Im confused at the different types, we have a laptop and we will probably keep the files on our hardrive to convert to DVD, i have read a bit on here and it looks like mini DV may be a pain due to sixe and time taken to upload ( I am willing to sacrifice quality) I have also looked at DVD type and this looks good but what are the benefits over SD?

Finally i'd like to say that I am crazy on AV/gadgets etc but unfortunately not rich so please can any recommendations be real world, i'm thinking 1-200 pound ideally but cheaper the better, there is a sony model on offer at argos for 99 (mini DV) and I would be over the moon to spend that but wiling to spend more if worthwhile (for example a Hard drive one to save buying disks etc) please dont think im tight ..just poor

I respect you guys having the best

I'd really appreciate your expert advice as we are getting ready to go and find one

Thanks

If they are within your price range i would suggest a hdv cam of which there is only 2 models now the canon hv30 and sony hc9,tape cams are far easier to edit with,but there are a great number of non tape hd models which you can find more about on this site.

montybaber · 28-12-2008, 11:21 AM

Thanks for your help but way over my price range im afraid, not too worried about HD (although would love one) just want something of decent quality that will do the job

chrishull3 · 28-12-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montybaber

Thanks for your help but way over my price range im afraid, not too worried about HD (although would love one) just want something of decent quality that will do the job

A canon or sony mini dv cam may suite you otherwise a hard drive or dvd cam but i prefer tape to non hd hard drive cams.

*A n d r e w* · 28-12-2008, 12:12 PM

For the money you're looking at spending, mini-DV is going to give you the best picture quality. The price of convenience (with, for example, camcoders like the Canon FS100 or Samsung MX20 which record to memory cards) is quality, unfortunately: so that's the balancing act you'll have to perform. The other advantage of camcorders like those is fewer moving parts: tape transports can be fragile, although I've not heard any reports of any failing especially prematurely.

Andrew.