DVD camcorders.
Discussion
I have a DVD Camcorder - used it once. Don't bother.
What you want is one of these:
www.pcw.co.uk/personal-computer-world/hardware/2158807/sanyo-xacti-vpc-hd1e
I've got one and it's great - High Definition and absolutely loaded. Prices are coming down, so shop around, and they do lower spec models (still very good) for considerably less.
What you want is one of these:
www.pcw.co.uk/personal-computer-world/hardware/2158807/sanyo-xacti-vpc-hd1e
I've got one and it's great - High Definition and absolutely loaded. Prices are coming down, so shop around, and they do lower spec models (still very good) for considerably less.
This site is pretty good for reviews and forums.
www.camcorderinfo.com/
In terms of what to avoid, the main answer is Canon. Whilst my DC20 gives superb picture quality, as you will see from the link above, Canon DVD camcorders have a tendency to hang up or corrupt the discs. Worst of all the Roxio DVD editing software they provide doesn't work either. On this point Canon say they don't support the software despite it coming in the box with the camcorder, and they point you to Roxio who are only interested in selling an upgraded software package. In the camcorderinfo forums you will see a lot of this. So whilst I love the picture quality and the feel of the Canon, next time I would stick with Sony.
In more general terms you need to think about what you want the camcorder for as there does tend to be a few tradeoffs, for example between vibrancy of colours in daylight, against good low light performance. Are you going to shoot in natural or artificial light, are you going to shoot things that move fast (some blur more than others)etc. Get a few of these issues clear, then read the reviews.
Also unless you intend to use the camera on a tripod to film insects at 100 yards, ignore the ridiculous claims about zoom capabilities. Most models will optically zoom well beyond the point at which you can hold the camera steady, and the various electronic stabilisation systems tend to limit picture resolution. Electronic zooms are also pretty much a waste of time as they reduce resolution - who cares if you can electronically zoom to 1000x if you're only left with 2 pixels on screen.
www.camcorderinfo.com/
In terms of what to avoid, the main answer is Canon. Whilst my DC20 gives superb picture quality, as you will see from the link above, Canon DVD camcorders have a tendency to hang up or corrupt the discs. Worst of all the Roxio DVD editing software they provide doesn't work either. On this point Canon say they don't support the software despite it coming in the box with the camcorder, and they point you to Roxio who are only interested in selling an upgraded software package. In the camcorderinfo forums you will see a lot of this. So whilst I love the picture quality and the feel of the Canon, next time I would stick with Sony.
In more general terms you need to think about what you want the camcorder for as there does tend to be a few tradeoffs, for example between vibrancy of colours in daylight, against good low light performance. Are you going to shoot in natural or artificial light, are you going to shoot things that move fast (some blur more than others)etc. Get a few of these issues clear, then read the reviews.
Also unless you intend to use the camera on a tripod to film insects at 100 yards, ignore the ridiculous claims about zoom capabilities. Most models will optically zoom well beyond the point at which you can hold the camera steady, and the various electronic stabilisation systems tend to limit picture resolution. Electronic zooms are also pretty much a waste of time as they reduce resolution - who cares if you can electronically zoom to 1000x if you're only left with 2 pixels on screen.
We have a JVC Everio (records on a hard-disk). I didn't think I'd use the camera much, but the fact that you can transfer movies and pictures on to a PC using windows explorer means that we use it a lot...
Using a HDD also means that to find a movie you have recorded, that you don't need to search through a tape to find the right bit
Using a HDD also means that to find a movie you have recorded, that you don't need to search through a tape to find the right bit
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