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Thread ID: 86085 2008-01-03 02:58:00 Digital Camera Recommendations SolMiester (139) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
626937 2008-01-03 02:58:00 Hi all, happy new year......I thought with a new bubby coming along in a couple of weeks, I might take advantage of Harvey Norman 2 yr, no deposit, no interest deal currently available.
So, I would like a new video camera, digital of course, but I know next to nothing re: the in's and out's of these bad boys.....I friend recently got one, and as he isnt the most technical minded, I had to show him around the gadget from what i managed to work out. Now he had memory on the unit, and after such time he could cut to mini cd, but it was very slow.

So, do these camera's come with big memory, from which you can just insert to your pc, or do we have to go through some rigmarole of uploading to pc...etc....

What should i be looking for in a new digital camera....


Ta guys....

Greg
SolMiester (139)
626938 2008-01-03 03:45:00 Well for me these are the points I take into consideration:

1) Keep away from dvd cameras ie record straight onto mini DVD's. I just don't like the idea of a moving DVD recorder running while the camera is moving around as well. And the mini DVD's are bloody expensive.

That leaves mini DV tape (which is what I have) or hard drive based cameras (which is what I would have if they had been out when I bought my camera). Advantage with hard drive based cameras is no swapping tapes, rewinding, carrying numerous tapes around etc etc.

2) Go for a camera with 3CCD's. They record a much better colour range and a finer picture result (IMO).

3) Check out how much it will cost for an extra battery. The ones that come with the cameras generally don't last long - especially as most cameras are always running with the LCD on.

4) Size - only way to know about this is to go and try them in the hand.

5) Brand - not too important - most of the major brands will do. I have a Panasonic and it has been a sweet wee digital video camera. Have an aversion to Sony because I think they overcharge for the name.:2cents:

Can't think of anything else at this stage.

Don't forget to factor in the extra costs ie bag, extra battery, tapes (if Mini DV), etc etc.

Hope this helps.

Check out these two.

First one is miniDV based
panasonic.com.au

Second one is hard drive based
panasonic.com.au

Check prices on pricespy and then See what Harveys will do (probably not a great deal on price if you are going to put it on terms)
Tukapa (62)
626939 2008-01-03 08:23:00 Thanks Tupaka, some great points, I will look at all you said! SolMiester (139)
626940 2008-01-03 08:51:00 I confess I also know little about digital video camera's but I find that my 2 digital still camera's take video which is fine for our use. I did have an early 90's Sony analogue 8mm camera which I used previously until it broke (I still might buy a second hand digital 8 camera to get those video's onto computer before its too late).

I have wondered about getting a digital video but at this point am unconvinced that a dedicated unit would be that much better (I await to be converted :D )
dolby digital (5073)
626941 2008-01-04 05:03:00 Well, just about unpacked everything......got the JVC Everio GZ-MG275 $1500...its HDD 30Gb. Got this over the panasonic because the one above is only 2 generation, where the JVC is 5th, has very good lens too for low light levels.
Havent got past page 2 on the manual. these things are complex!! The JVC also comes with allegedly $400 software for editing, blah blah.

Hehe, also got a 37" Plasma Viera HDMI to view the recordings......its been a great day....
SolMiester (139)
626942 2008-01-04 10:56:00 Good stuff. JVC make a good unit and I'm sure you will be happy with it. Tukapa (62)
626943 2008-01-04 16:59:00 Well, just about unpacked everything......got the JVC Everio GZ-MG275 $1500...its HDD 30Gb. Got this over the panasonic because the one above is only 2 generation, where the JVC is 5th, has very good lens too for low light levels.
Havent got past page 2 on the manual. these things are complex!! The JVC also comes with allegedly $400 software for editing, blah blah.

Hehe, also got a 37" Plasma Viera HDMI to view the recordings......its been a great day....

Such a pity pay day has to come.
Cicero (40)
626944 2008-01-05 01:27:00 Must admit I am puzzled by the number of people who buy Plasma TVs.
When I watch them in a shop I can see they are jerky - miss some (pixels??), and the shop generally has them showing cartoons. Obviously the use of cartoons does tend to hide the Plasma failings.
Then I read consumers reports that seem agreed that if you get 3 years plus out of them you are doing well.
So you have to pay an enormous amount of money to buy something that produces an inferior picture for a short time.
So what is the attraction?
Tom
Thomas01 (317)
626945 2008-01-05 03:03:00 Until recently (the last year tops) a plasma would almost always give a better picture than LCD when you are looking at 42" or bigger.

LCD were decidedly average at 42" or bigger - pixels stood out and fast moving scenes showed a large amount of lag due to the response time. That has been remedied to an extent lately as response time in LCD tecnology comes down.

However, if you were going to watch sport the plasma was the better option because blurring very quickly bacame annoying!!

The thing with electrical stores is they are playing high definition DVD's on their screens so they all look the ducks nuts - get them to put Sky on and then you will really see the shortcomings in the display (just as much to do with Sky as the TV unfortunately).

If I were buying a big screen TV now I would be doing a lot more in the way of reviewing before I bought. When I bought a 42" screen 18 months ago plasma was the only realistic choice due to the reasons above.

However, back to the OP - 37" plasma is very rare (but I see Bond & Bond have one, as does DSE) and I had to go have a look to make sure you could get them. Generally plasma are only 42" and above.
Tukapa (62)
626946 2008-01-06 02:10:00 Hi, yes this is the baby sized / mid range option model, just a few extra input etc...I dint need a big screen, I have a projector connected to the same system. But this makes everyday viewing much better. I have been pestering the wife for one for quite some time, so have done some homework on these plasma's.

Did you know Sky was looking to introduce 720p HD this year, maybe as early as Apr/May?
Component leads give 4x the picture quality as standard connections from your DVD player also.

Anyway, the laptop plugs in, so does the digi cam, console etc... HD does look fantastic, i saw a HD input demo in the shop.....

I'm very pleased with the purchase..
SolMiester (139)
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