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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
417071 2006-01-01 05:21:00 I have a friend who's looking at buying a new video camera.Looks like 3 options,tape,DVD,or hard drive.
I don't trust DVD to store video on,if a fault occurs in a tape at least it can be played past.And with a hard drive he's got to get into gear and save it somewhere else!
Opinions please on the best method at the moment.
Neil McC (178)
417072 2006-01-01 05:31:00 I guess that your in NZ.
If that's the case the latest PC World magazine as advertised on screen here has a group test on the pros and cons of several of the latest contenders the various formats starting on about page 82.
It may be worth flicking past the supermarket or bookshop and picking up a copy.

I use 8mm DV tape on a Sony video camera and upload, edit and burn to DVD on a Panasonic harddrive DVD recorder.
EX-WESTY (221)
417073 2006-01-01 05:37:00 Hi Ex-Westy, yep we're in NZ!
I use a Sony with digital 8 tapes, and have the same style tape back from 11 years ago now- the reason I stuck with the tape. But they won't last for ever.
And it's all a new ball game now. Will have a look in the PC World mag, don't think I've opened it yet!!
Just wondered if any one has tried the newer cameras.
Neil McC (178)
417074 2006-01-01 07:21:00 Personally I'd look at a DVD video camera (though I haven't actually used one). Tapes are a hassle and hard drive based ones are impractical if you are going to be shooting lots of footage and don't have easy access to a computer. ie. when you are on holiday and things like that. maccrazy (6741)
417075 2006-01-01 07:36:00 DV its at the highest quality and a well proven system plod (107)
417076 2006-01-01 07:49:00 MiniDV based cameras are by far the most convenient. The tapes are cheap, which means that you can transfer to DVD whenever you want, or even just archive them in the tape format. somebody (208)
417077 2006-01-01 08:17:00 The ones that burn direct to DVD sound dodgy to me, Not only does the quality suffer (or so I have read) but how easy would it be to disrupt the process?

I wouldn't pick up my comp and move it around while burning to disc.

Hell, My laptop makes coasters if I knock it or walk past it to heavily....
Metla (12)
417078 2006-01-01 11:47:00 just remember tho - tapes get chewed up, my panasonic mini dv (3 yrs) has had to be serviced twice at $100+. quarry (252)
417079 2006-01-01 19:01:00 Really? A friend of mine works at a place which owns about 10 miniDV cameras, all of which are used regularly by students, and he's never had any problems with them. Just the occassional tape being stolen or stood on. somebody (208)
417080 2006-01-01 20:08:00 Thanks all. I agree Metla with your thoughts on DVD. For me there are only 2 options,tape or hard drive.Have copied some reviews for him, so will let him decide from now. Neil McC (178)
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