Digital Camcorders

[GLHS592]

I'm just now starting to research. I really don't know much about them. Tell me what you have, what to look for, and what to avoid. Thanks.

[COSWORTH]

i have a jvc, i like it

[abailey362]

are you looking for SD or HD resolution?
How much editing do you want to do?
Do you have price constraints?

[GLHS592]

are you looking for SD or HD resolution?

I have no clue what the difference is. I'm assuming HD is high definition. I just now starting to look into them. I want something with really good picture quality. Alot of the videos you see on the internet look like crap. I don't want that. A link to a good website for reading up on this stuff would be appreciated.

How much editing do you want to do?

I don't know if editing is anything I would want to fool with or not.

Do you have price constraints?

I really would hate to spend too much over $500 for one. I may end up changing my mind if you can't get good picture quality at that price.

[2burnouts]

we got a panasonic dv not a dvd but accepts tapes and plugs right to the pc and download away only thing i dont like about it is battery life is short but throw a couple in you cn record all day (well its a 4 hr battery) gave less than 3 for it PV-gs39 is my model

[pl1ght]

I just bought a Canon HG-10 last month. They just came out in Oct. Its an AVCHD Camcorder 1080i HD recording. Has a 40gb built in hard drive to store the phots, takes mini SD for digital photo taking as well. It is a solid camera and gets very high reviews for consumer grade HD cams.

But, it will set you back 900-1k$

It takes some really amazing quality videos though.

http://www.4saken.org/avchd/ (http://www.4saken.org/avchd/24fpstest.mpg) and download the 24fpstest.mpg
its a mpg compressed video of just some testing i was doing taping my pug. Its not as HQ as the raw file is, but it shows off the capability.

[abailey362]

I just got a JVC GZMG555US http://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=F60969FD60544F46B8E4B727EB02 4125&ProductID=18624
and am happy with it so far. I have an older JVC hard drive that is work issued and my mom has one from about 2 years ago that she's liked so far. Easy to use and pretty good quality video.
I went with this model becuase it has a 5 MP still camera builtin so it's a single piece my wife can carry for video and stills, and get good quality out of both.

the HG10 is nice for a hard drive high def piece and there's also the GZHD3 http://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=F60969FD60544F46B8E4B727EB02 4125&ProductID=19664 that has a 60gb hard drive but it records in 1440 x 1080i.
The GZHD7 http://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=F60969FD60544F46B8E4B727EB02 4125&ProductID=18991 is a little more expensive but you move up to 1920 x 1080i and get pro series fujinon lenses.

you can also get high definition in mini DV tape format for a little less or Panasonic has a new piece that has no internal memory, but records on SD cards and comes with a burner for 999 list price.

There is also a Sony high def piece that records on mini DVD that we have at closeout price of 649 and there are a still a couple of NIB pieces at the Rivergate store. Price is lower than ehat amazon has it listed for.

[LINELOCKSRUS]

i just bought 4 months a go a Hitachi DZ-HS500A & its a awesome :no1:

http://www.google.com/search?q=hitachi+dz-hs500a&hl=en&start=10&sa=N



http://www.circuitcity.com//ssm/Hitachi-Hybrid-DZ-HS500A-MiniDVD-Hard-Disk-Camcorder-DZ-HS500A/sem/rpsm/oid/172613/catOid/-13063/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do?WT.mc_n=623855&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=PAID%20SEARCH&cm_cat=ADVERTISING.COM&cm_pla=CATEGORY%20-%20IMAGING->CLASS%20-%20CAMCORDER&cm_ite=234341%20PURCHASE%20KEYWORD%20-%20HITACHI%20DZ%20HS500A&cm_keycode=623855

[GLHS592]

Please excuse my ignorance on this subject. There are so many choices out there and it's confusing for me. Technical gadgetry is not my favorite thing. I'm thinking I want one with a hard drive. Do they come with programs that record to CD-R's for your DVD player?

[1fastfamilyman]

I just picked up the Canon HV20 myself. :)

[Whatawookie]

Please excuse my ignorance on this subject. There are so many choices out there and it's confusing for me. Technical gadgetry is not my favorite thing. I'm thinking I want one with a hard drive. Do they come with programs that record to CD-R's for your DVD player?

You should have no trouble dropping the video to your computer, and then burn it to a CD or DVD. Even the basic Nero software than came with my DVD burner makes rather nice Video CDs and DVDs with menus.

[Cannon Fodder]

With the JVC Everio series cameras you can get the Everio DVD burner and burn DVDs strait off the camera. Dad has a GZ MG255 that we use for underwater filming and the quality is excellent. Most of the people I have showed the footage from Bonaire was impressed of the quality of the video and the fact its about $1500 (Camera, U/W Housing, Lenses, etc) in the entire camera setup. A couple of things I do not like about the camera is that it creates a new mpg file every time you start and stop recording, but this may be common with the HD cameras, this is first one I've messed with a HD the others were Hi-8 or Mini-DV.

[1fastfamilyman]

My HV20 is an HD MiniDV camera, and it is phenomenal. I got it the day after T-giving for a lil over $700, and it's now back up to $1,000, give or take $100.

The AVCHD on the HG10 is proving to be more trouble than it's worth in most reviews, hence the reason I went with the HV20. All movies transfer via an IEEE1394 cable straight to my PC, and look great. But, they look even better on my 46" Sony Bravia XBR3! :D

[pl1ght]

My HV20 is an HD MiniDV camera, and it is phenomenal. I got it the day after T-giving for a lil over $700, and it's now back up to $1,000, give or take $100.

The AVCHD on the HG10 is proving to be more trouble than it's worth in most reviews, hence the reason I went with the HV20. All movies transfer via an IEEE1394 cable straight to my PC, and look great. But, they look even better on my 46" Sony Bravia XBR3! :D


Yep, i was aware of the HG10 avchd issues for software compatibility before i purchased. But the big programs are all supporting the AVCHD codecs now, or plan to in the next few months. Quality wise its identical to the HV20. I just wanted a HD more than anything when i chose mine. The hv20 was definitely my other consideration.

[1fastfamilyman]

Yep, i was aware of the HG10 avchd issues for software compatibility before i purchased. But the big programs are all supporting the AVCHD codecs now, or plan to in the next few months. Quality wise its identical to the HV20. I just wanted a HD more than anything when i chose mine. The hv20 was definitely my other consideration.


See, I was looking for that reassurance, but never got it from anyone when I was looking, just alot of "well, it might be ok, it might not" kinda responses, so I went with the HV20.

I wanted the hard drive version(HG10), and I bought the HV20 just over a week ago, and it has a 30-day return on it.......hmmmmm. :D

[shivers]

another vote for the Canon HV20. I love mine.