Personal computing discussed

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flip-mode
Grand Admiral Gerbil
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Digital Camcorder

Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:07 pm

In a rare instance of Hell freezing over, the Wife has proposed that we purchase a piece of technology, specifically a camcorder. I prefer somthing digital that I can quickly download to the 'puter. I need suggestions, will prolly purchase at a brick and mortar (Sam's, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Comp USA) I don't even know what these things typically cost, and I haven't streched the legs of my 56K connection just yet in an effort to find out. If its more than $500 then I'm going to have to settle for something less technologically advanced. Does anyone have anything helpful to say?

Thanks.
 
Usacomp2k3
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:29 pm

Moved to Mobile Tech.
 
lex-ington
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:40 pm

I would say that a camera that can record video will be a really good way to go. The camera I just got does nice still pics and shoots vide pretty good too.

CONS
- not really a camcorder, so the video quality may not be as good
- battery life
- zoom will probably be more on the camcorder

EAQUALS
- battery life
- playback when connected to a T.V.
- portability

PROS
- Takes better stills
- a 2 gig card is pretty cheap and can take a fair amount of footage.
- If your batteries die in god-knows-where, you probably can find batteries for the camera faster than the camcorder
- file size and transfer rate to the comp' are smaller.

I probably didn't cover the bases good enough, but I think both options should be weighed equally. My thing was when I'm not using the camera, I can take out the CF card and have more storage space in my MP3 player.
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Usacomp2k3
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 1:19 pm

Dell has recently had some good deals on camcorders (go figure). http://www.techbargains.com/ is a good place to keep your eye on.

http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/camcorder/ seems to have some reviews as well.
 
rogue426
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 2:00 pm

I have a SonyDCR-TRV460.
I believe I paid 399.00 for it
2 years or so ago.It's digital,
it records to Super 8 tape.It
takes still shots to a memory stick,
albeit at low resolutions,I'm not sure how low,
but I'd guess around 1megapixel.
I tried to burn what i shot to a DVD
and I couldn't get it to work.More than likely
it's my fault and not the Camcorder.I have recorded
SVCD successfully with it.I like it alot,at the time Camcorders
that burned directly to DVD's were a grand,so I bought this.Sony has
some piece of hardware that you hook up to
your comp that will burn directly to DVD's.When
i have the money I will buy this also.I've been very satisfied with
this Camcorder, for what I paid and the amount of times I use it
it was well worth the price.For the conveince of being able to take stills
and record with one piece of equipment to me is invaluble.
 
zgirl
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 2:01 pm

I quick check showed that most Digitals are over $500, but I did see a few Sony's and JVC coming in under. Along with one from a brand I never heard of.

I would stick to a decent brand myself though.

Only thing is I don't own one so I don't know if they are worth it for that price. Check specs and shop around I imagine you don't want one without firewire ports. Otherwise I imagine dl those movies would be very slow.
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flip-mode
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 2:43 pm

Usacomp2k3 wrote:
Dell has recently had some good deals on camcorders (go figure). http://www.techbargains.com/ is a good place to keep your eye on.

http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/camcorder/ seems to have some reviews as well.


Thanks for those links, bookmarked.

But, ehm, mobile tech? Surprised me with that one. :)
 
Usacomp2k3
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 3:01 pm

Hey rogue, would you mind formatting that properly. I mean at least copy/paste it into Word and do an auto-format. My mind is still reeling from having to read it.

And flip-mode, yeah I like to keep general hardware as much computer-oriented as I can, and since this fits in with "tech your carry around with you" then off it went to mobile tech :wink:
 
flybywire
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 3:13 pm

I would suggest that you walk into a brick & mortar store and try some camcorders out to see how they feel in your bare hands first. Once you decide on a particular model, purchase it online and you'll save quite a few clams. Good luck!

Here are a few deals from Dell.

http://bensbargains.net/old/arc.shtml
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UberGerbil
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 3:41 pm

You might do a little searching over at ars' A/V forum. There's lots of knowledgable folks over there, but I know the question has been asked before so search first.
 
mykl_Dunn
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 4:09 pm

rogue426 wrote:
it's digital,
it records to Super 8 tape.


I'd personally shy away from this type of technology. Correct me if I'm wrong but a 4 hour recording on tape is going to take that long to copy to a computer for non-linear editing. I would be looking for flash memory or hd technology that can store 1 hour of high definition video at a time. If this camcorder exists now it will no doubt cost more than $500.00.
 
rogue426
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 4:13 pm

mykl_Dunn wrote:
rogue426 wrote:
it's digital,
it records to Super 8 tape.


I'd personally shy away from this type of technology. Correct me if I'm wrong but a 4 hour recording on tape is going to take that long to copy to a computer for non-linear editing. I would be looking for flash memory or hd technology that can store 1 hour of high definition video at a time. If this camcorder exists now it will no doubt cost more than $500.00.



For what I use it for, it works fine for me
And as you can see Flip-mode wants to spend less
than 500 bucks.So , I responded on what I own and use.
I'm sure He'll research what he wants before buying.
And yes it does take as much time to copy what's
on the tape to the comp for editing.But then again
I don't record 4 hours at a time.
 
hellokitty
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:04 pm

this is your only choice in that $500 - $600 range ( better than anything else under $600 )

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... Navigation

Do not buy ( EVER ) one of those camcorders which record to DVD instread of tape if you plan on doing any sort of editing.

I know you said under $500, but it's really a bad idea not to add another $80 and get a much better camcorder.
 
cheesyking
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Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:29 pm

a mate of mine has

<a href="http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=DCRHC32&Dept=cameras&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders_MiniDVHandycamCamcorders">this</a>

and

http://www.usa.canon.com/html/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?minisite=10000&a=b

the little sony is an amazing little machine for just point and shoot work.

That bad boy canon is excellent quality but it's damn hard to use well.

His top tip for tape based cameras is to get a tape deck to do all the capture work when you get back home to save the heads in the camera.
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mykl_Dunn
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Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:18 pm

rogue426 wrote:
And yes it does take as much time to copy what's on the tape to the comp for editing. But then again I don't record 4 hours at a time.


You don't get out much, huh? 8)
 
rogue426
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Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:20 pm

mykl_Dunn wrote:
rogue426 wrote:
And yes it does take as much time to copy what's on the tape to the comp for editing. But then again I don't record 4 hours at a time.


You don't get out much, huh? 8)



Not really.
I'm a single parent of a toddler.
 
steelcity_ballin
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Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:27 pm

I used a Canon Eudora a few years ago, not sure what it runs now but it did the job nicely. Clear video, fire wire, still shots if ya want em, recorded to DV. Really nice and im sure the price is minimal now.

edit: Its the canon ELURA, not Eudora. Sorry.

http://picturephone.com/products/canon_ ... orders.htm A few images donw.
 
just brew it!
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Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:48 pm

I have the above mentioned Sony digital 8mm as well. The choice was driven largely by the need to transfer stuff off of old 8mm analog tapes, which I had failed to do before our old 8mm camcorder died.

I've got mixed feelings about it. The picture quality is rather mediocre (I expected more from a "digital" camcorder). Feature-wise it is pretty decent, but the user interface relies too much on the LCD touch screen; a few more physical buttons to access commonly used functions would've been nice, for when you're shooting through the viewfinder to extend battery life.
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Wintermane
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Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:59 pm

If you want a cheap digital camcorder that records to flash then go over to compusa and look at the under 100 digital cameras. They have one that is a 3-4 in one model that does mp4 vid to the size of the flash memory and has a 2 mp sensor for stills. Its no sony or nikon but its cheap and does vcr quality vid wich is all you likely need if viewing on tv... I ASSUME one could just copy the mp4s over to the puter then convert em to dvds or wtach em with divx on the puter.

So the question is what gaulity of vid do you want? tv dvd hdtv?
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