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Thread ID: 90336	2008-05-30 23:17:00	Digital Video Camera/Camcorder recommendations	Lizard (2409)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
674137	2008-06-01 23:36:00	Lizard: Meant to mention one other point: Were you thinking of buying a video camera that can do stills as well? If the camera that you do buy has that function, then ok, but don't spend extra money - if you have to - buying one one that can do stills. My camera will take stills. I used it when I first bought the camera, but never have done since. It's not that the stills are no good - that's not the case - but when you take a still, like any other still camera, you take what you get and if you don't like it - tough. That's usually the only chance - and shot - that you get. If you have a video of a person - in particular - you can use your editing programme to move on frame by frame until you find the frame that looks the best, with the nice cheesy smile that you may have missed with a still camera. You have 24 frames per second, so you can usually find a good shot. Your editing programme should allow you to take a still either directly from the camera or from the material you have uploaded to your PC. The end result is usually so much better than what you may have achieved with a still. Hope you have fun. I'm certain you will.:thumbs:	Roscoe (6288)
674138	2008-06-02 00:48:00	Lizard: Meant to mention one other point: Were you thinking of buying a video camera that can do stills as well? If the camera that you do buy has that function, then ok, but don't spend extra money - if you have to - buying one one that can do stills. My camera will take stills. I used it when I first bought the camera, but never have done since. It's not that the stills are no good - that's not the case - but when you take a still, like any other still camera, you take what you get and if you don't like it - tough. That's usually the only chance - and shot - that you get. If you have a video of a person - in particular - you can use your editing programme to move on frame by frame until you find the frame that looks the best, with the nice cheesy smile that you may have missed with a still camera. You have 24 frames per second, so you can usually find a good shot. Your editing programme should allow you to take a still either directly from the camera or from the material you have uploaded to your PC. The end result is usually so much better than what you may have achieved with a still. Hope you have fun. I'm certain you will.:thumbs: This post is timely for me; as I'm still agonising over what to buy, myself. Since getting our large LCD TV, I've become very keen on looking at our holiday movies. But, I also like taking stills, they're good to view on the computer etc. (I've just been given a subscription to D-Photo which is stimulating my interest). At present I have a Pentax Optio MX4, which takes 4 mp stills, and a JVC mini DV video camera. We're going on an overseas trip in a few weeks and I'm wondering what would be the best way to go, to just carry one camera, charger etc. But still have the opportunity to get reasonable stills as well as video. I've looked at the Sony SR11 and it gets reasonable reviews, but it's pretty pricey. Roscoe, would you have some thoughts on this one?	jcr1 (893)
674139	2008-06-02 01:06:00	A Hidef camcorder will do all you want. That is all I have used for nearly 2 years. The Hi Def video is stunning and the stills are sharp and brilliant colour on a LCD Tv that has HDMI inputs. I have always had Sony stuff so that is all I can recommend. Always been good gear in my mind. A tape one is what I would buy. Cheap and safe archiving factor! Thats my :2cents: worth Ken	kenj (9738)
674140	2008-06-02 05:09:00	If any of you are really interested in Video making and live in Auckland there is the Auckland Movie Makers club that meets monthly over near MOTAT. They also do trips to likes of Panasonic and other suppliers that do evenings and show you new products etc. The group are very helpful in helping newbies.	Bantu (52)
674141	2008-06-02 06:45:00	jcr1: Wonder where you are headed? I travelled to LA, UK, France and Germany a few years back and, because there are different voltages and different plugs, I found that taking a car charger was a good idea . They all use 12v . It did not matter that I did not have a car . I asked the hotel if there was a cigarette lighter that I could use and they were happy to oblige . (They apparently receive that request quite frequently . ) They put it in one of their cars overnight . I found that left-hand-drive American 12v were compatible with right-hand-drive NZ 12v . Good, eh? Rented a car in UK and Europe so no problem there . Found that it was not all that necessary to have two batteries as you could charge overnight . With Lithium-ion I did not have to worry that they were not completely discharged . I've had my present camera for about eight years now, so I'm not so familiar with the later models, but I would agree with Ken (isn't he a clever fellow!) and recommend tape . My reason is that I have heard that although the quality of DVD is good, there can be a delay in their starting and in some situations, immediate startup could be critical . Besides, I have no concerns about the quality of tape, in fact I continually say, "Will you look at that quality, dear . " BIG SIGH! "Yes, I know, you've said that so many times . " (SWIMBOs are so understanding . ) And the quality of tape does no appear to diminish . As far as brands are concerned, I have a Sony camera, DCR-TRV8E that I bought in 2000 . I have cleaned the heads a few times, but apart from that it has performed well over the years . I have other Sony equipment and have had very few complaints about any of their gear . Whatever you do decide to buy, keep it simple . You can do so many clever things with software these days that all you need think of is picture composition and keep that bloody camera still! If you can and if you think you will need it, buy a camera with a good optical zoom . I can see no reason at all for a digital zoom - it does nothing constructive and lacks any sort of even slightly reasonable quality . Don't believe the so-called "steady shot" or any other name they might use . My Sony has "steady shot" but it certainly does not hold anything steady . Better for you to do the job . Follow what I said in my previous post and lean up against something . It costs nothing and does a much better job . So far as stills are concerned, I also import stills into my video programme (Pinnacle Studio 8) and find that I can line them up, put nice dissolves between them, add commentary and/or music and make a very good picture show . Always looks and sounds good . I really hope that you enjoy your trip . I'm certain that you will . Don't worry that you have used much too much tape and have hours to edit . As long as you are fairly brutal with your editing it should turn out ok . Remember, though, if you are doing it just for yourself then include as much as you want - hours if you like, but if you are doing it for showing to others, keep it brief - you may want to invite those people around again! One example: I shot two and a half hours of the Thames Miniature Railway recently . I edited it down to two hours . For those among us who have little or no interest in small trains: BORING! But I have edited it with the enthusiasts in mind and have had good reports back from everyone . The only slightly negative comment I received was, "We did not know there was that many versions of Chatanooga Choo Choo . " (I used three . ) Hope that all helps . :thumbs:	Roscoe (6288)
674142	2008-06-02 06:55:00	Besides, I have no concerns about the quality of tape, in fact I continually say, "Will you look at that quality, dear." BIG SIGH! "Yes, I know, you've said that so many times." (SWIMBOs are so understanding.) And the quality of tape does no appear to diminish. Ha ha ha Roscoe.. sounds like you and I have similar SWMBO's!! Tell me, do you have compulsory "For heavens sake, sit down and look at my handiwork woman!!" sessions? Used to have to do that with my slide shows years ago. Lots of mumbling and discreet "...hope this doesn't take too long" whispers. Ken :banana PS. The Thames Miniature Railway footage sounds fascinating.	kenj (9738)
674143	2008-06-02 06:59:00	Check out this website as it gives all digital cameras reviews & previews http://www.dpreview.com/ The previews are very comprehensive with comparisons and a pro's and con's summary:2cents:	ooh yeh (2935)
674144	2008-06-02 07:10:00	Ha ha ha Roscoe.. sounds like you and I have similar SWMBO's!! Tell me, do you have compulsory "For heavens sake, sit down and look at my handiwork woman!!" sessions? Ken: The words are different but the meaning is the same! Not quite "OMG, not more!", but close. I can't understand why SWMBO can't come and watch this exciting shot, now! This is the good part! One of the best. Come on!	Roscoe (6288)
674145	2008-06-02 11:18:00	Roscoe, We're heading to see our youngest son & his wife who've just bought a house in St. Albans, UK. We're going via Tokyo; then after we leave our son, we head to Prague where we meet up with friends, stay there for a few days, then to Amsterdam where we cruise up the Rhine and down the Danube, to Budapest, then home via Singapore. Should be very interesting. When we first started travelling on these large trips about 3 years ago, it was enough just to go and see things and just take photos as a record of where we'd been. But as I've developed an interest, it's now, a big part to record our travels with good photos and video. Hence the queries about cameras.	jcr1 (893)
674146	2008-06-02 23:42:00	jcr1: Sounds fantastic. You'll need someone to carry your camera and give advice as to how to use it etc. I don't eat too much or take up a lot of room and fortunately for you I am available. You will love the cruise on the Rhine. What a marvelous way to go. I was surprised how many barge operators carried their cars on their barges. Not something you would expect. The other surprise was how so much of the countryside and the cities, in particular, showed little or nothing of the effects of WWII. The Allies flattened Köln (the natives pronounce it 'kern' we call it Cologne) and yet it is not obvious. Most people in the tourist industry speak English, so not too much of a worry there, but don't try English with the French man-in-the-street. They don't want to know! On the other hand the Germans are only too happy to talk to you although they do appreciate your attempts at Deutsch. Be aware that the shops in Germany close at noon on a Saturday. We arrived Saturday afternoon and found it most difficult to buy provisions. Bis bald.	Roscoe (6288)
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