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Thread ID: 81255	2007-07-22 02:31:00	Camcorder Buying Advice	infinix (5274)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
571330	2007-07-22 02:31:00	I'm looking to buy a digital camcorder for a trip overseas, and I'm a bit stuck between two particular models: - Sony DCRSR82E - Sony DCRSR200E The 200E has CMOS and in general better image quality that the 82E. But the 82E uses the 60GB HDD instead of a 40GB one, hence more recording. I want the most recording time possible, but don't want too bigger drop in quality. Also, I notice there are different recording modes: HQ / SP / LP. Does anyone know how these affect quality, as LP (I assume means long play) has much higher recording times. I know this setting was a feature on tapes, but how would it work on a HDD? Basically I want image quality and recording time, so am torn between them. Any advice?	infinix (5274)
571331	2007-07-22 03:12:00	Always go for image quality over recording time. You can't improve poor quality images once you have recorded them but you can always get more storage space. A lot of what you record will get edited anyhow. Most cam corders are now recording straight to HD rather than tape. Also make sure that it has a quality optical zoom rather than digital zoom since digital zoom only enlarges the pixels. Make sure the cam corder comes with Firewire transfer ports. Also if you are able to you should plan to take your laptop away (if you own one) with you so that you can edit the footage and add audio tracks to it while on holiday. I have found that while it looks cool to record the whole 20 minutes of a demo at Water world, when you actually sit back and show that to other people, it can get very boring waiting for the exiting bits of the demo to happen- where as if you just include the good bits in your final cut, you can get a very funny/exiting Water world demo video down to just 3-5 minutes of action to be included with the rest of your holiday video. Note: I am just using the Water world as an example.	winmacguy (3367)
571332	2007-07-22 03:29:00	Do a google for reviews of the two models, With a bit of luck you will find a site that has reviewed them both, That usually makes for a better comparison. Either way you will be informed of the pro's and cons of each by someone who (hopefully) knows what they are talking about.	Metla (12)
571333	2007-07-22 03:49:00	Are you planning in the next 5 years to go HiDef or large screen TV?? If so if the budget will let you get a HiDef camcorder..	paulw (1826)
571334	2007-07-22 03:57:00	It's the fact that I don't have (and unfortunately cant afford) a laptop, that makes the choice difficult. I'm going to be away for about 4 weeks (to the USA, so won't be able to offload content anywhere, hence it needs the space. I would definitely like the better image quality one, but not sure if 9.5 hours (at best quality, HQ) will cover the whole 4 weeks. If the quality loss by using the other recording modes is small, I could use that instead. For instance SP gives 14.5 hours of recording. LP gives 28 hours. I want to record as much raw footage as possible as it means there is more to work with when editing. Finding reviews on the net is a difficult task, as all search brings back are sites to buy camcorders or "buyer reviews" which are always empty. The proper review sites don't have these models either. Nor do they seem to go very in depth, as to the specs.	infinix (5274)
571335	2007-07-22 03:59:00	Are you planning in the next 5 years to go HiDef or large screen TV?? If so if the budget will let you get a HiDef camcorder.. I'm just doing it for personal home movies, so HD is definitely not an issue with me. After my holiday, the camera will probably hardly get used. It's just I would like resonable quality, but going 4 weeks without being to offload the footage means I'll need a reasonable amount of space.	infinix (5274)
571336	2007-07-22 03:59:00	If a laptop is out of the question then you might want to consider pricing up some portable HD options as there are a lot of choices in the 300GB and 500GB range. Bearing in mind that the HD will remain being useful after your 4 week holiday. You would be surprised what things you use your cam corder for after you return. I take mine skiing and on family vacations.	winmacguy (3367)
571337	2007-07-22 04:05:00	If a laptop is out of the question then you might want to consider pricing up some portable HD options as there are a lot of choices in the 300GB and 500GB range. Bearing in mind that the HD will remain being useful after your 4 week holiday. You would be surprised what things you use your cam corder for after you return. I take mine skiing and on family vacations. Funny you should mention that. I have plans to purchase a new HD for my next computer. Was going to buy a straight 320GB internal SATA hardrive and then get an external enclosure for it (like the Vantec Nexstar, I think it's called). But will the camera be able to transfer it's data to it, without a computer in the middle?	infinix (5274)
571338	2007-07-22 04:09:00	Yes. External HDs should all come with both Firewire and USB2.0 ports for data transfer to both PC and Mac or directly from a cam corder. The Firewire port is the faster sustained transfer rate of 400Mbs for video transfer against the USB2.0 which has a burst speed of 480Mb which dies off. If you are planning on doing a bit of video work you could look at getting a 1 TB internal drive since raw video takes up a lot of space. You only need the cam corder connected to the computer when your importing the video feed for editing.	winmacguy (3367)
571339	2007-07-22 04:18:00	Yes. External HDs should all come with both Firewire and USB2.0 ports for data transfer to both PC and Mac or directly from a cam corder. The Firewire port is the faster sustained transfer rate of 400Mbs for video transfer against the USB2.0 which has a burst speed of 480Mb which dies off. If you are planning on doing a bit of video work you could look at getting a 1 TB internal drive since raw video takes up a lot of space. You only need the cam corder connected to the computer when your importing the video feed for editing. Will definitely keep that in mind. I was originally just going for an eSATA connection to a PC. Will look at firewire also. I'm assuming the camcorder will have a function somewhere that tells it to transfer to what ever is connected to it.	infinix (5274)
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