Camcorders forum: Is it worth the time for MiniDV quality?

i guess i could do something when the video transfers. I am not in a rush or something but i just wanna know if the difference from MiniDV quality and HDD quality is very noticeable because i don't want to wait 2 times longer if the difference in quality is barely noticeable.

If I look at "edges" I see the usual compression artifacts. But I'm sure that some won't mind these.

When you copy the video to two (or more) hard drives, that seems to me like it's pretty simple. Two (or three) hard drives WILL NOT fail at the same time (if at all.) Plus, this also saves the time if you do go back and want a tape from archive, you have to re-import the entire tape, using another hour of time whereas it takes 5 seconds to find your other saved copy on the hard drive.

Copy from camcorder to primary hard drive. Copy that file to the other hard drive. There you are: two copies.

The DVDs are the other possibility. They're good to have for those "whenever you want to watch" moments.

is there any way to use headphones on a camcorder with no headphone jack?

If you use the camcorder's AV-out... and use the AV cable with the red/white audio RCA jacks (not yellow - that is video), you may be able to... you will need 2 RCA female to 1/8" or 1/4" stereo female adapter depending on what sized jack your headphones need.

http://shop1.frys.com/product/598042?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
plus
http://shop1.frys.com/product/598042?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

The AV cable audio RCA males plug into the female of the first link, the 1/4" male plugs into one side of the second link - that leaves a 1/4" female for a 1/4" male headphone jack...

or
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Live-Wire-1-4--F--RCA-M--Dual-Y-Cable-100302331-i1166829.gc
and if your headphones use 1/8", then add
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Live-Wire-1-4--M--3-5mm-F--Stereo-Adapter-330865-i1166769.gc

This can get heavy and you don't want to put much stress opn the part that plugs into the camcorder...

My camcorders have a headphone jack (if they did not, I would not have bought them), so I don't need to worry about this, but I can check tonight to see if it works (if I have the right cables and adapters). I regularly use the video out to a 8.5" LCD panel when I am recording in case someone wants to see what I see.

Camcorder: Sony HDR-HC1
AV cable connected to analog AV-out
On the red audio out (RCA male), I connected an RCA female to 1/4" male mono adapter
On the 1/4" male mono adapter, I connected a 1/4" female to 1/4" female adapter
On the 1/4" female adapter, I plugged in my 1/4" stereo headphone jack (Audio Technica)

The good news: When in Record/video capture mode, I can hear what is coming in the mics.

The not so good news: I could vary the audio level only when I dropped into manual audio mode. If your camcorder does not have manual audio control, then you cannot vary the audio level. This is most obviously monitoring what is going into the camcorder - and that makes sense because that is what I use the "video monitor" capability for with the yellow (analog/composite) video connector.

I will consider it but first of all I want to know. Is there a camcorder out there that has a headphone jack? That is about $500 or less. If there isn't then Is there a $500 or less camcorder with an manual audio control? If there is none then I Guess i will have to go with the whole adapter stuff...

...but is Mini Dv quality worth the time?

Yes for me...but for you? MiniDV gives you the option of High Definition which for me is definitely worth it. DVD quality can not come close to matching the HD on my MiniDV tapes. The only way to answer the question for you is try different cameras.

If you pair MiniDV with a high definition camcorder the quality is MUCH better when you have a good source of light. As natural light levels drop (like indoor) then you need a bigger lens to get enough light for a broadcast quality image.

I recently took my standard definition 3ccd camera on vacation and left my larger HD camera at home. The difference in video is definitely noticeable! In general the more you are willing to spend AND lug around...the better the image you will get.

The only way to know what is sufficient for you is to try various cameras. Try a professional videographer store to see the upper end if you are interested in better image quality than the consumer models offer.

The nice thing about tapes is you can keep the original uncompressed video. Uncompressed Digital video takes a LOT of hard drive space!

Jim H