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Thread ID: 64893 2006-01-01 05:21:00 Best system to buy in video cameras? Neil McC (178) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
417081 2006-01-01 21:04:00 I bought a mini-DV camera and am more than happy with it. I agree with Metla for the direct to DVD recording. Also I am dubious about the hard drive models with teh sensitivity of hard drives re moving parts and the robustness for every day use.

Personally I would stick with mini-DV.

Perhaps once flash based memory reaches the 40GB regions...........
Tukapa (62)
417082 2006-01-01 21:08:00 Recently bought a Panasonic MiniDV cam that was rated top by Consumer magazine (lucky me), very happy with it so far. Haze (3028)
417083 2006-01-01 21:15:00 forgot to add, i agree with Metla as well :horrified plod (107)
417084 2006-01-02 09:46:00 And I agree that Mini-DV tape is the best option . As Plod says, it is proven technology at its highest point of development .

And as Metla says, reviews of DVD camcorders suggest they have a way to go . The quality isn't what you'd expect . And the discs are expensive .

Consumer recommended these in November

Panasonic NV-GS150
Price: $1600
Good points
Reasonable price . Very good picture quality and battery life . Easy to use . Records for 2 hours on a single battery charge . Compact size and light weight .
But
Sound quality not as good as some others .



Sony DCR- TRV950E
Price: $3999
Good points
Highest overall score in the test . Best picture and sound quality, easiest to use, and the most versatile . Has a 12x optical zoom, a large monitor, and a wide range of input/outputs .
But
Battery life not as good as some others - records for about 1 . 5 hours on a single battery charge . Very expensive . Bulky and heavy to hold .
Comment
Limited availability (only two prices found) .



Sony DCR-PC109E
Price: $1449
Good points
Good picture quality, versatility and battery life . Easy to use . Relatively cheap . Records for 2 hours on a single battery charge . Compact size and light weight . Has a wide range of inputs/outputs .

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post the above but you can read the info at your local library . :thumbs:

Personally I use a Sony DV DCR-HC30E which replaced a Sony Video 8 after 10 years . I have an enormous project to copy all the video 8 to DVD in due course . Much easier with the digital video .
Winston001 (3612)
417085 2006-01-02 10:31:00 And I agree that Mini-DV tape is the best option . As Plod says, it is proven technology at its highest point of development .

Personally I use a Sony DV DCR-HC30E which replaced a Sony Video 8 after 10 years . I have an enormous project to copy all the video 8 to DVD in due course . Much easier with the digital video .

Sounds like your about to embark on what i've been doing Winston, it takes more than a few hours to do it, that's for sure, but the results are good .

Seen a few things on the tapes i hadn't seen in a long time, probably some that shouldn't be seen again lol .

I have burned several copies of each on different brands of DVD media as well as a backup and also intend to keep a copy offsite once it's all organised .
EX-WESTY (221)
417086 2006-01-02 21:39:00 I have used and repaired all types of videocameras from studio cameras to home video cameras.
When I go travelling I prefer something small. Also I have noticed that the takes rarely were longer than a minute. So I suggest you consider 4th option?
A good digital camera with sound and video option.
I bougt just couple months ago a Canon A620 digital camera, small enough, good photos with 7MP and video is also good quality.
Dragging a bigger video camera around can be a pain and with this small digital camera I have best of both worlds. I have to buy a good size memory card as the video is hogging up memory fast. :nerd:
GadgetF1 (9478)
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