advice on video cameras? (1 Viewer)

[GARYXKNIFEDX]

What should I look for etc? are they all digital these days? Thinking of getting one but I'm pretty clueless about them.

 

[Wilbert]

As with all things electronical, it depends what you want it for. Are you a film-maker or just someone who wants something for their holiday-movies kind of thing?

If you have money to burn, I would recommend something like this
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=165&modelid=10350
we use them here where I work and they are really good.

If you are on a more modest budget then something like this would be good.

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelTechSpecsAct&fcategoryid=166&modelid=10222

Steer clear of any format older than DV. You see loads of ads for cheap hi-8 cameras and they are rubbish.

JVC are bringing out a new range of their Everio cameras and they don't use tape at all. They record directly onto their own hard drives. They seem pretty good but I would be interested in hearing about the battery-life for these cameras.
Check them out here.
http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?productId=PRD1207000&pathId=119

If you do get a DV camera and want to edit on your computer, check that it has DV in and out. Older DV cameras sometimes just have DV out. This means you can get your stuff from tape to your computer, but (without DV in) you can't get it back off your computer back onto tape when you are finished editing.

 

[the bongo]

funny time to buy a camera, i'd say give it a few months and see how the prices of hdv cameras are working out, things like the new sony hc1 might be right for you and is out now, about 1500 blips i think. if you go the hdv route you'll probably get a longer life of use from the camera, and you have the option to shoot regular dv at the same time.

or if you're all for the filmy production there's the canon xlh1 and the panasonic hvx200 both coming out in december which look like being ganbusters but in the 10K region.

wilbert is spot on though.

 

[GARYXKNIFEDX]

Thamks for the advice. I just want something relatively cheap. It's for holidays/gigs etc. Nothing too exciting.