need advice about camcorders

tuomoruutufan · Post by **tuomoruutufan** » 10 Jun 2005 13:37

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi ... _id=886450

I was thinking this one would be pretty sweet.

I KNOW SQUAT ABOUT CAMCORDERS

The one i buy needs to be very good at transfering video to PC at good quality

limester816 · Post by **limester816** » 10 Jun 2005 14:31

I don't know much about camcorders, but I do know one thing: Good digital video takes up heaps of space, so get ready to buy some more harddrive.

crazydwarf · Post by **crazydwarf** » 10 Jun 2005 15:13

One thing I would make sure it does before you buy it is that it can transfer to your computer at high enough quality. I know I import footage onto the computer using a firewire cable and this doesn't seem to mention that it has one. Of course there are porbably otherways to import, I would just make sure that you have the right equipment to do it.

limester816 · Post by **limester816** » 10 Jun 2005 15:41

Actually thats a pretty good camera, Digital 8 is a good kind of non-vacationer type of camera. Only qwerks I have with it is the software used with it, go for something simpler (and better) like Adobe Premiere, the USB streaming that it comes with is superb.

hacksterbator · Post by **hacksterbator** » 10 Jun 2005 20:51

i am going to suggest you go digital. the change from analog to digital never looks good afterwards.

crazydwarf · Post by **crazydwarf** » 11 Jun 2005 09:26

The one he's looking at is digital isn't it? It's digital 8, not super 8 or whatever.

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 11 Jun 2005 15:11

I'm not a whiz on cameras, but this one looks great to me!
It's cheap!
It's digital!
It has a big lense -- I have the fault of being attracted to cute little things and bought my camera based on its size; if there was one thing I would change about my camera it would be the size of the lense -- I have to be SOOO far back to see anything!!

The thing you'll want to make sure of is that you have software to edit with, but most importantly the ability to transfer your footage directly to your computer -- the USB or firewire (IEEE1394) CARD AND CABLE. The card and cable should come together (but make sure of that, one is useless without the other. Also some video cards come standard with firewire now, I think...so you may just need the cable). Do yourself a favour and buy the cheapest package available. What you pay for with expensive packages is the software, which you don't need (since it will not be any good anyway -- you should either have a basic program standard with Windows, or you can...acquire something more professional) -- every firewire card should be the same, and a less expensive package will simply save you money.

Shaun · Post by **Shaun** » 11 Jun 2005 17:00

Get a Canon Optura 10 or 20. Or anyone of the camers from the canon zr series. Those will do you a good job.

tuomoruutufan · Post by **tuomoruutufan** » 11 Jun 2005 17:04

im not worried about video editing. My freind is a grad student in that field and has a tricked out MAC with the most recent version of final cut.

He does some really good work and since i have a dvd burner i should be able to make some sweet vids of cic shred this summer

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 11 Jun 2005 18:48

I discourage getting the Canon ZR. That's what I have and I've had to have it repaired twice. The combination of Futureshop and Canon's horrible service had me cameraless for almost half a year for the first time alone (within a couple months of owning the camera, if I remember.) I ended up spending another $300 replacing that main tape assembly part (GEEZ!).
Sam Colclough had a Sony, and I think Andrew has a Sony too, and I think I would go with one of those. Mind you, the ZR only costs, like, $600 Canadian now -- when I bought mine, after taxes and warranty (which didn't help very much, since they used it up letting my camera sit in the "outgoing" warehouse for a couple MONTHS!!!!!) cost $1200!!!! So for the price it's worth it, but if I had money to buy a new camera I would probably look at Sonys first.
Plus this camera has a really teeny lense, like I said.

NotHisRealName · Post by **NotHisRealName** » 11 Jun 2005 19:00

I've had a Sony for about a year and a half now. Mini DV (digital), and I've only ever had one issue with it. And all I needed to do was run a head cleaner through it twice and it was right.

I would swear by sony products.

But as far as getting a video camera is concerned... go digital. Get firewire. Read all the video camera magazienes you can and do your research (like asking everyone here), and you should end up being happy with your purchase.

King Monkey · Post by **King Monkey** » 13 Jun 2005 07:57

Also check this recent topic. A bunch of replies, and i posted a long bit of advice too.

http://modified.ca/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=9312[/url]