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Thread ID: 38815 2003-10-19 07:03:00 Digital Video Cameras caffy (2665) Press F1
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184830 2003-10-19 09:59:00 Yes if the video camera has a tape in it, then converting the data from the tape to PC will use up a lot of space. I wonder how the Sony Video Cameras get by with only their 128mb+ sticks of ram? They must have pretty good compression algorithms, or only hold a small amount of video.

If you don't want to be waiting all day to get the data off the camera to the pc, then get a Firewire 800 compatible one, and a firewire controller for your pc (if it isn't on the motherboard). If I remember correctly Firewire, is like 800Mbits/sec transfer and USB 2 max's out at 480Mbits/sec
PoWa (203)
184831 2003-10-19 10:32:00 >Sony Video Cameras get by with only their 128mb+ sticks of ram?

The memory stick is for low resolution still photos only. It uses a tape to record video.

It has a record button for video and a separate photo button for photos.
Heather P (163)
184832 2003-10-19 10:42:00 > Uh oh, I may have to take that back since The Expert
> has said otherwise

The modern "USB 2 . 0" port actually supports 3 specific transfer speeds:

A "low speed" USB 2 device transfers data at 1 . 5 megabits per second .
A "full speed" USB 2 device transfers data at 12 megabits per second .
A "high speed" USB 2 device transfers data at 480 megabits per second .

So when you next see "USB 2" question which one it is . The "USB 2" designation simply describes the electrical and mechanical standards, not the speed .

And re the Sony and Memory Sticks, you can store 20 minutes of low quality video on a 128MB stick . Realistically you would use the Mini DV tape .
My Fuji S602 Digital (still image) Camera will record 30 minutes of video on the CF memory card (1 GB) .
godfather (25)
184833 2003-10-19 10:52:00 >The memory stick is for low resolution still photos only. It uses a tape to record video.
>It has a record button for video and a separate photo button for photos.
>> And re the Sony and Memory Sticks, you can store 20 minutes of low quality video on a 128MB stick. Realistically you would use the Mini DV tape.

Good to know :) Thanks. It also makes sense that you can step down the speeds of the USB2, for example you don't want or need your mouse running at 480Mbits do you? ;)
PoWa (203)
184834 2003-10-19 11:13:00 My Fuji S602 Digital (still image) Camera will record
> 30 minutes of video on the CF memory card (1 GB).

Which happily brings us to an interesting question:

Is it now sensible to buy a good spec digital camera (such as your Fuji) and forget about camcorders?
What about sound?
Might have to download often but it is rare that I would ever film more than 20 minutes at a time.

Cheers
Winston001
Winston001 (3612)
184835 2003-10-19 23:01:00 > The modern "USB 2.0" port actually supports 3 specific transfer speeds:

.....

> So when you next see "USB 2" question which one it is. The "USB 2" designation simply describes the electrical and mechanical standards, not the speed.

Thanks for that Godfather, that's my "something new learned" for today. It would also explain why we had problems getting an external CD writer to work with the USB ports on a five-month old computer - it must have been a slow version. Had to swap the external writer for an internal in the end.
Susan B (19)
184836 2003-10-20 00:36:00 > Is it now sensible to buy a good spec digital camera
> (such as your Fuji) and forget about camcorders?
> What about sound?

Its horses for courses though.

A digital video camera that also takes stills, will do a great job of video, and mediocre of stills.
A digtal still camera that also does video will do a great job of stills and a mediocre job of video.

In the case of the S602Z, the video is VGA 640 x 480, at 15 minutes for a GB. With sound, and limitations are that it will not refocus while recording, and will pause every 30 seconds or so to store.
The pause is dependent on the speed of the memory card, some may allow continuous.

At QVGA settings of 320 x 240 its 30 minutes for 1 GB with sound. Recording seems continuous, never tried more than a few minutes. While the Video at this resolution sounds low, it would be useable in most cases. Still will not automatically re-focus or re-adjust while recording.
godfather (25)
184837 2003-10-20 07:30:00 I'm still playing with my new toy, or rather not playing due to lack of time lately.

One small point though. If you go with Sony take a powerful magnifying glass to read the computer system specs required!

They list 2 minimum specs. The slightly larger type refers to the photos, the smaller type refers to the video and is a much higher requirement.

Has anyone else noticed that manufacturers are trying to compress instructions to fit, unnecessarily, on a postage stamp? Miniaturization gone mad.
Heather P (163)
184838 2003-10-20 08:49:00 Hi. I use a Sony DCR-TRV340E Digital Handycam. I use firewire to transfer data from handicam to pc. I use Ulead VideoStudio 6 SE DVD to edit the video. I find my 30gb hard drive potition plenty of space to work with. I find I can get about 18-23 minutes of video onto a 700mb cd. If you want more, why not consider a dvd writer as they are quite reasonable now. I hope this is of help to you. Stick (204)
184839 2003-10-20 17:59:00 Hey Stick, thanks for clearin up a few things :)

They've decided to buy a JVC model at duty free, in the airport. its like $1049 or something, and they will get 5 mini DV tapes with it, a bag and second battery. good deal i think, considering that at Harvey Norman it was $1299, and no extra stuff given....

Will post back here, if any problems arise with burning data onto cd or whatever :)

caffy
caffy (2665)
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