Digital Video Cameras

[catzenmouse]

All,

 We've been looking at getting a digital video camera to take with us to Russia in June. Neither one of us is a camera hound and are really looking for something that is moderately priced (up to $400), takes decent video that we can burn to a dvd to send to mama, and most of all is relatively dummy proof.

 Ideas? Thoughts? Inane Comments? Experiences? Rubber Band Fight?

Spassiba,

 Ken

[RacerX]

While it's not very close to the price range you were specifying, we recently took our Sony DVD-403, which records directly to a DVD, to Russia and it was quite the hit since the DVDs can be played on the Mom's/friend's home TV setup.

[Admin]

All,

We've been looking at getting a digital video camera to take with us to Russia in June. Neither one of us is a camera hound and are really looking for something that is moderately priced (up to $400), takes decent video that we can burn to a dvd to send to mama, and most of all is relatively dummy proof.

Ideas? Thoughts? Inane Comments? Experiences? Rubber Band Fight?

Spassiba,

Ken

Ken,

There is a website which conducts reviews of all the latest camcorders. I have a couple of older ones, and the reviews on the site match my experience very closely. They review camcorders from the very top of the line and several thousand dollars - to the least expensive at a couple of hundred dollars.

Check it out here => http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

From what I think you want, there is a Panasonic camcorder that comes pretty close, a model PV-GS65. I found it quickly by looking at the Camcorder Ratings link on the left side of the frame - and finding one that is highly-ranked and within your price range.

Anyway, give it a look.

- Dan

[catzenmouse]

RacerX,

 We looked at that model and like that it burns directly to the disk but we just spent $3K on our tickets so we decided we needed to tone down the other costs of the trip. Thanks though, we may look back at that model when we decide to upgrade in a year or so.

Ken

[catzenmouse]

Ken,

There is a website which conducts reviews of all the latest camcorders. I have a couple of older ones, and the reviews on the site match my experience very closely. They review camcorders from the very top of the line and several thousand dollars - to the least expensive at a couple of hundred dollars.

Check it out here => http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

From what I think you want, there is a Panasonic camcorder that comes pretty close, a model PV-GS65. I found it quickly by looking at the Camcorder Ratings link on the left side of the frame - and finding one that is highly-ranked and within your price range.

Anyway, give it a look.

- Dan

Dan,

 Thanks, haven't seen that one. Have a list from easycamcorders that lists the top 40 and gives us several models in our range. As this will be our first video camera we were hoping to hear some reviews based on experience from real users and not the salesman hype type of stuff. I'll have a look at your site and compare it to my list. Should help narrow it down if I see the same models listed.

Ken

[RacerX]

Yeah, that's the same site we used to pick our camcorder, and the reviews seem quite fair.

[Bruce]

I bought the number 1 rated camcorder on the most recent consumer reports list which was a Panasonic.  It records 30 minutes at a time on 1.4GB DVD's.  It cost about $550 new over the internet.  Now there is I believe a JVC which stores way more, I believe up to 24 hours directly on the camera, though I do not know how user friendly the JVC is to get the movies onto dvd's / make copies of 4.7gb or 1.4gb dvd's for export.  It takes high quality movies on DVD-r 1.4gb discs or DVD-ram 1.4gb discs.  Do not use DVD-ram 1.4 gb or you will have a hard time getting anyone to copy your 1.4 gb disc - since it requires panasonic software and can not be finalized.  The user manual sucks and when you call Panasonic you wait an hour to get someone who just reads the manual to you ie. frustration city!  It so far has proven impossible for me to copy my 1.4 dvd-r disc to send to my in-laws.  The reason I bought the new camcorder was to take quality videos so I could let my in-laws have monthly movie updates of their granddaughter.  What I have done is take the dvd-r disc to Brighton where a store is able to copy each disc for $12 that we mail to Russia.  They have a $400 unit just to copy discs which may be the best solution.  I've called Dell for my home computer and am getting a new DVD-burner which should be able to copy it.  Campatible software is very important on your computer as well (Sonic is one that may work, but not always). 

My advice now that I have had so much difficulty is for you to buy a camcorder that you know is compatible with your computer system so you could easily download and burn discs.  Go to a store and make sure you know how to use it ahead of time.  Dell may have their own camcorders these days which they guarantee compatibility with their computer system.  Do your homework and do not end up frustrated after hours of tinkering like I have :X.

[Goombah]

As an alternative:  consider getting a mid-range digital camera with mpeg capability.  We have (2) Sony Cybershot cameras in your price range.  They are VERY convenient "pocket" cameras - which means you will actually use them.  They take great 320x200 or 640x480 mpegs.  Put in a $100 1GB Memory Stick Pro and your good for about an hour of 640x480 recording (check that, not positive).  Either use a card reader (many printers have them), or the USB cable to copy the files to a PC and use the PC to burn CDs or DVDs.

Kevin

[catzenmouse]

My advice now that I have had so much difficulty is for you to buy a camcorder that you know is compatible with your computer system so you could easily download and burn discs.  Go to a store and make sure you know how to use it ahead of time.  Dell may have their own camcorders these days which they guarantee compatibility with their computer system.  Do your homework and do not end up frustrated after hours of tinkering like I have :X.

Bruce,

 Thanks for the info. This is one of the reasons that I threw the question out here. What you are doing is exactly what we want to do in being able to send movies to the inlaws of Sergei as he grows up. I have looked at the Dell site at their camcorders and may go that route if needs be. Elena has to work this evening so I will probably take Sergei with me and go play at Circuit City and Best Buy to see how they feel. Thanks again.

Ken

[Son of Clyde]

I purchased a Fuji Finepix 2mp camera for about $199.00. I see 4.1mp cameras selling for about $150.00.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;jsessionid=OLHMBVLAG43G3KC4D3DVAFQ?id=pcmcat27200050023&type=category&_DARGS=/site/en_US/catalog/fragments/product/olslinelistingsortfilter.jsp

When I was in Kiev, I was surprised to see that Pavel was using the exact same model camera.

Very easy to use and the quality ain't so bad.

[ConnerVT]

Having recently shopped for both digital still and video camera, I'll put my $0.02 in:

-- Buy a digital (still) camera to take photographs.  Buy a digital video camera to take video.  Most still cameras let you take low-res/low-FPS (frames per second) video.  Many video cameras let you take still photographs.  Typically, you will be disappointed with the results of a camera doing what it isn't primarily designed to do.

-- Mini-DV vs DVD.  You will pay a premium (and have less selection) choosing the direct to DVD cameras.  There is much software out there to pull in digital video from your camera to your computer, edit it (or not), and burn it to DVD.  Most modern desktop computers sold today (for $800 or less) usually have the horsepower to do this.  If yours can't, it may be time to upgrade.

-- Low light quality.  That's what it comes down to.  Most of the time, people want to shoot video indoors with available light.  All of the (real) photogs hear know light is everything!  When you read the reviews (and grades) on different cameras, remember that low light quality is more important than bells, whistle, in-camera editing, and a fancy little remote control...

What did I buy?  I'm cheap (and the camera is usually just used to take moving snapshots, anyway).  I bought my wife the JVC GR-D270U with a nice travel bag and an extra hi-cap battery.  The camera (without the extras) can be had for just under $300 USD.  My sister-in-law has a Panasonic (from the series mentioned up thread).  Both are Mini-DV cameras, and do a decent job.  If you're planning to go the semi-professional route, there are some nice 3CCD cameras out there...

Unfortunately, by SIL's camera is PAL.  Anyone know where I can rip 4 PAL Mini-DV tapes to DVD?  :?

[ronin308]

To add to what Connor has mentioned, all new digital video cameras have a firewire interface on them.  With that and the included software the video is sent to the computer in the same high quality digital format that you would get if you used a DVD recorder.  From there you can choose many DVD creation programs that give you a lot more control over what you put on the DVD.  It's not like the old capture cards which were required with analog video.

 

[catzenmouse]

ConnerVT,

 Thanks much. I've been reading a bit about these things and low light is one of the most talked about items to look for. We've just recently upgraded our digital still camera and I see the one you bought is mentioned on both sites I'm looking at in the top 25 so that looks like a good possibility for us.

Ken

[BC]

With new cam's coming out with hard disk drives if I needed to buy a cam now I would either go with a cheap camera (even used) and wait for prices to fall on HDD models with higher resolution.. maybe even HD quality will be available soon..

[TigerPaws]

[color="blue"][size="4"] As I understand is Sony is about to come out with a small form factor 3CCD HD format camcorder with a 30 and 60 gig HHD. I am waiting to see what it is like, getting rid of the DV tape then transfering that to my HHD to edit it then burn the finished video to DVD would be a nice improvement in quality and reduce at least on step in the process.
[/size][/color]

[ConnerVT]

Certain to blow the roof off of Ken's sub-$400 budget... But guaranteed to be a nice camera...

[TigerPaws]

[size="4"][color="blue"]ConnerVT,

 Hells Bells it is only money and no matter what anyone thinks you can not take it with you, so you had better enjoy your life now.[/color]
[/size]

[catzenmouse]

ConnerVT,

 Hells Bells it is only money and no matter what anyone thinks you can not take it with you, so you had better enjoy your life now.

TP,

 Is that an offer for an interest free loan to buy the latest cool gadgets? :D:D  We're also looking at a car for Elena, a new bedroom for Sergei, and a new computer. (Just so you'll know how much to budget out for the loan...)

Ken

 

[TigerPaws]

[color="blue"][size="4"]catzenmouse,

 Nothing is ever free .

[/size][/color]

[START2]

Hey Catz, can't help much  but I see you challenged a few to rubber band fights and seems like you got a few takers.

[catzenmouse]

[user=297]START2[/user] wrote:

Hey Catz, can't help much  but I see you challenged a few to rubber band fights and seems like you got a few takers.

I've gotten pretty good at the RB fights here at work. Got the "bounce it off the ceiling and land it on my co-workers keyboard" shot down pat!

Big Hi To Val from us!