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Community weekly poll: Which type of camcorder video format do you prefer?
- 3/8/07 12:15 PM
Which type of camcorder video format do you prefer?
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 3/8/07 12:15 PM
-- Digital8 (Why?)
-- Hi8 (Why?)
-- MicroMV (Why?)
-- Microdrive, CompactFlash, and built-in hard drive (Why?)
-- MiniDV (Why?)
-- Mini DVD-R/DVD-RAM (Why?)
-- S-VHS/S-VHS-C (Why?)
-- VHS/VHS-C (Why?)
-- 8mm (Why?)
-- Other (What is it?)
S-VHS/S-VHS-C!
by eranoco - 3/9/07 4:13 AM In reply to: Which type of camcorder video format do you prefer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Because they are SUPER and the BEST!
Hi 8 is probably the best overall
by SRG2511 - 3/16/07 5:16 PM In reply to: S-VHS/S-VHS-C! by eranocoIt may not give you the best resolution, but... it is high res. enough to be able to view it with detail; hi 8 camcorders also play and record on 8mm tapes, they can be converted into digital on the computer; the playback and record times are best in pack (I hate stopping and putting in a new disc, or VHS-C tape.), set it and forget it. Easy to edit on the computer. I gave back a digital 8 camcorder by Sony, because it only played digital 8 format. Pain in the neck if you wanted to play it back on more popular 8 mm or hi 8 players or camcorder. Hope this helps.
MiniDV
by ple3672 - 3/9/07 4:49 AM In reply to: Which type of camcorder video format do you prefer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have S-VHS, HI-8 and MiniDV camcorders purchased and used over the years. I have also used VHS and VHS-C and Beta. There is no comparison between the Mini-DV in the digital domain and any analog format for editing and final production of your videos.
Camcorder
by Bageech - 3/9/07 6:37 AM In reply to: Which type of camcorder video format do you prefer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I aint got no camcorder.
CompactFlash
by cdwatters - 3/9/07 6:59 AM In reply to: Which type of camcorder video format do you prefer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've not migrated to HD yet, but I've been using a CF-based Camcorder since my daughter was born about 2 years ago. I can get about an hour of 640x480 30FPS video on a 2gig SD card, and with the prices on SD dropping my main concern is having enough battery life to fill up the memory card.
With removable media, I do not have to tie up the camera just to transfer to my computer for editing - just stick the card into a CF reader and away I go! The MPEG4 files require some work to edit, but I'm not a professional, so Nero, Roxio and even Windows Movie Maker meet my needs.
The Camera I'm using (a Pentax Optio M) does a good job of shooting stills as well as video. That model has separate triggers for camcorder and still camera modes. If only they could both be used together to shoot a high resolution still while rolling video it would be perfect for me.
Camcorder Format?
by jaytmoon - 3/9/07 8:22 AM In reply to: Which type of camcorder video format do you prefer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I used to use a JVC VHS-C camcorder for many years. When the drive belts began to slip and dry out, it was too old to get replacement parts. I shopped around and decided on a Panasonic DV with a 100x zoom and a built in Still capture. The main reason was price, at less than $270. Other reasons were that the DV format is widespread and the tape are available everywhere when traveling. The Hard drive and DVD buring units were much more money at the time and since they were new technology, I decided to go with a platform that was well established and refined. The DV cam is fairly energy efficient, with a long life 3.5+ hours of charge life. It makes a big difference when your away from any electric outlets and extra batterys are pricy.
Good Luck.
Digital
by follish - 3/9/07 8:26 AM In reply to: Which type of camcorder video format do you prefer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It seems like hard drives would be the safest way to store media. Writing over old material wouldn't be a problem, and although I've never used one, I assume putting it on your computer would be a breeze, plus, they look pretty damn sexy.
Anyone want to give me one for free? eh? eh?
Do What I did
by coachgeorge - 3/9/07 12:09 PM In reply to: Digital by follishStay at Marriott 30 weeks a year, accumulate enough points and get one for free...............
Digital8
by pnoric - 3/9/07 8:46 AM In reply to: Which type of camcorder video format do you prefer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I wanted a digital camcorder. I also wanted it to play my old 8mm tapes. My first camera was Sony so I stayed with Sony and ended up with the DVR-TRV350. It has a photo mode, Memory Stick, USB streaming, Hi8/8mm playback, firewire, Svideo---everything I want before going to the $1,200 models.
MiniDV, duh!
by Troy_tuq - 3/9/07 9:06 AM In reply to: Which type of camcorder video format do you prefer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It is still an industry leading format in small-scale film. It doesn't drop frames like dvds, it doesn't scratch like hard-drives, it requires less processing-thus better quality then flash memory, better quality then Digital/Hi8/8mm, smaller then VHS formats... and it is standard so it is easy to find cameras that use the same format.
For the little bit extra these tapes cost each, they are worth it. I will not buy a different tape, until maybe they make a new type for HD... but atm, miniDV is doing a good job with that as well.
Oh
by Troy_tuq - 3/9/07 9:20 AM In reply to: MiniDV, duh! by Troy_tuqMy current camera is a Panasonic PV-GS500. It uses MiniDV, and it takes amazing video. It uses the same lenses system and 3CCDs that its more expensive cousins use (and the more expensive camera uses MiniDV).
TRV-725 was my first Sony Handycam using basic 8mm tapes. It was great at the time... but not being digital made it a pain to edit. I will most likely use my Panasonic until it breaks, and that could be a while, because if I need it, and Panasonic makes it, I own it.
Tape maybe something of the past, but it will take a lot of advancement by the industry to prove me wrong that tape is still superior.
Why buy tapes?
by coachgeorge - 3/9/07 11:19 AM In reply to: Which type of camcorder video format do you prefer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My vote is "Microdrive, CompactFlash, and
built-in hard drive". Go with a device that has an internal hard drive.
Never replace or wear out tapes, don't waste dv's (mini or otherwise). Burn to Full size cheap DVD's what and only what you want and need.
I went with the Sony Handycam DCR-SR80. So far the only downside is no view finder. You need to use the lcd to frame your video. Some people do not mind that, it bugs me. I would rate this camera about a 7.5 out of 10. CNets review can be found at http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_Handycam_DCR_SR80/4505-6500_7-31979959.html?tag=pdtl-list&ar=o
Why buy tapes
by pnoric - 3/9/07 6:58 PM In reply to: Why buy tapes? by coachgeorgeI like tapes. I keep one for "in the workshop" another for "Our Cows" and yet another one for "Vacation 07. When I get to the end its time to record to the DVD player/recorder which I do directly through through firewire. I don't know how many times you can reuse a 8mm digital tape.
The future I souppose will be HD (hard drive not high def do you really need that in a camcorder?) especially if they get up to 4 hours. Then can you make say 4 folders and use them like I use different tapes?
Waiting for a better Camcorder
by Vital2U - 3/9/07 12:01 PM In reply to: Which type of camcorder video format do you prefer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I would prefer a camcorder that uses flash memory, since memory is getting so inexpensive. When I use my camcorder, I always "dump" it off to a videotape, DVD, or computer. The problem today is that camcorders that use flash memory do not have full features, such as optical zoom, in particular. I would think a full featured camcorder that uses memory would result in a product that would have few moving parts (as in a tape drive or DVD drive) and be lower in cost, smaller and lighter, and have the ability to swap out memory for additional recording time, when needed.
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