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Thread ID: 63898 2005-11-26 02:59:00 Camcorders around $1000 frossy13 (4462) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
407770 2005-11-28 20:28:00 Yeah, i should of mentioned that about the digital zoom as well. Digital zoom is good for nothing.

What i meant was that 30x zoom is a awesome zoom.

The main things you need on a digital video that has probably been pointed out already is,
DV in and out,
Analogue video in and out(good for transfering those old vhs/Hi8/8mm tapes over to digital),
A good optical zoom,
Good manual controls,
Image stabiliser function/ability,
It fits the hand well and is easy to use the controls

Some things that are good to have are,
A mic in socket for connecting an external microphone,
UV lens to protect the lens from scratches cause once it's scratched its stuffed,
A good carry bag to protect it,
A good tripod with a fluid head,

Thats all i can think at the mo.
lazydog (148)
407771 2005-11-28 20:43:00 I have a Sony TRV340E which I bought a few years ago to replace an older Sony that the capacitors had died in and wasn't worth fixing .

It has 25x Optical zoom and 700x digital zoom and uses digital 8 tape . As someone mentioned above optical zoom is what you want, digital zoom merely enlarges part of the image on the CCD .
Some of the new cameras have 3 CCD = professional quality

Many also take photos as does my model but at a low resolution which are way inferior to even a 1 . 3 megapixel digital camera so don't think that you can replace a digital camera with it as well .

In as far as using my camera in low light I have used the nightshot mode with great success in a dark room, my son was sleep walking a few years ago and I got some spectacular footage that is extremely funny and will be pulled out at his 21st! Filming in such conditions produces an image similar to what you'd see thru a night vision scope . Sony did inadvertantly produce a camera 10 years or so back that in nightshot mode could "see" thru clothing and was well sought after! :thumbs:

If I was buying today I'd consider the DVD Handycam as the media is readily available or the harddrive based ones both of which will give you faster access and scene selection and quick uploading to a pc or DVD recorder .

In the last week or two I have finally got around to what I have been threatening to do for years and that is edit and copy my tapes .

I had copied earlier stuff on to VHS tape but I made the mistake at the time of using LP format and some of the original 8mm tapes have been reused . Thinking back I also know why as the 8mm tapes were as much as $35 each at the time and VHS tapes were about $7 each
However I did have 7 original tapes and I have uploaded these onto my DVD recorder and edited them into scenes etc and have started burning them out onto DVD .
Then i'll move onto the stuff recorded on VHS .
The ultimate aim would be then to do all the old tv shows that are recorded on the pile of VHS tapes I have here and pull all the adverts out and record onto DVD as well .

Buy the best that you can afford with the features that suit you and that suit your technical ability . No good buying a Ferrari if you are only licensed to drive a model T
EX-WESTY (221)
407772 2005-11-28 20:47:00 I have no practical experience with digital video, the whole thing seemed . . painful . . to me .

Mostly it was recording to tape, then playing the tape back and re-recording it on the PC that seemed to bug me . However right now I am waiting to get my hands onto one of these ( . jvc . com/product . jsp?modelId=MODL027544&pathId=119&page=1" target="_blank">www . jvc . com) .

It solved all my objections to digital video cameras in one simple step . . add a hard drive to the camera . I don't know if it's in your budget, but I'll let you know how it goes .

-Qyiet
qyiet (6730)
407773 2005-11-29 08:11:00 HI

I just recently purchased a Panasonic GS150. It is a 3CCD, Mini-DV camera that has a 10x optical zoom and also takes 2.3 megapixel stills. It has a hotshoe for accessories and was retailing at $1799 when I bought it for $1199 about two months ago.

I got it from http://www.parallelimported.co.nz/ and a quick check there shows they have it at $1098 at the moment.

Does everything I want.

Just my 2c worth.

Of course JVC have their hard drive cameras out now - if only I had waited!
Tukapa (62)
407774 2005-11-29 09:46:00 I got a JVC GZ-MG50 a wek or so ago. The 30gb hard drive is tremendous and the ease of use it great. Perfect for my family. My 10 year old daughter picked it up and started using it without any instruction (and without my knowledge!). But the picture qaulity is a little poor compared to similar priced cameras, but nothing that worries us.

As an idiot proof camcorder I don't think we could have done better.
Standing_Amazed (7841)
407775 2005-11-29 19:12:00 Well frossy13, has any of this information been of any use to you?

Helpers do appreciate feedback you know...
FoxyMX (5)
407776 2005-11-29 20:33:00 Ordered one of these babies last night,

www.helmetcamera.com.au


Will post some footage once I get some footage of madness.
Metla (12)
407777 2005-11-29 20:55:00 Ordered one of these babies last night,

www.helmetcamera.com.au


Will post some footage once I get some footage of madness.

Thats a cool little camera.
I've been thinking of some way to strap my camera to my bike or helmet. Thats the way there.
Cant wait to see your footage.
lazydog (148)
407778 2005-11-30 11:07:00 Well I (think) I have decided on the sony DCRDVD803E as it is the top dvd handycam in the sony range in shops in NZ and as time seems to run away from us it means I dont have to wade through all the disks and edit them when I get home,instead I can do it on the spot on the camera and then when I get home just copy the disk to a proper dvd disk and that will be done be the time I have finished a coffee.

And being a first time buyer of a video camera, simple but good is what I think would be good.

Plus I wont be getting really into videoing its just going to be like taking photos once its done put them away in a box on a shelf,and maybe get them out at Chirstmas time or something.

Yeah I know dvds are not as good as minidv but dvd is easier and quicker and I am willing to go without abit of quality as I have not seen a minidv before and so a dvd should be ok.(fingers crossed) :)

As you can guess I have been so undecided over this subject as to what to get but I think I just have to bit the bullet and get something and realise it will never be the best as there is allways something better. :)
memphis (2869)
407779 2005-12-01 04:26:00 Fair enough. Cant argue with the simplicity of the dvd model camcorders.

One thing i would recomend is a uv filter lens for the camera. Just gives that extra bit of protection from the lens getting scratched.

Cheers, Brian.
lazydog (148)
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