Camcorder info and suggestions

[Bill Myrick]

I am thinking of buying a new or used camcorder and the format will eventually end up on DVD's.
I see cameras are available that actually record directly onto a dvd disc. Since this is what I am wanting in the end, what would be the dis-advantage with buying a camera that uses the full sized dvd's to start with ? For instance, I understand that the total recording time on the camera dvd would be less than on other format cameras. Is this true ? What about picture quality, etc ?
I am trying to avoid the time consuming thing of recording from the camera source to a playable DVD disc. Any info and ideas appreciated. Bill.

[Roger Kelly]

Bill, check out this link....may be of some help in trying to decide what to get.

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/d/Reviews& ... _c=DVD.htm

[Bill Myrick]

Thanks for the help. I have opted for a sony dvd camera ( used ) to start with as I have a stand alone dvd duplicator that will duplicate from 3" DVD to 3" or large one either way and is pretty fast. I understand the picture quality will be lacking compared to others but we'll see how it works out. Bill.

[Rose Peters]

I have a Sony Handycam
It records on mini DVD os memory stick
The memoyr records several hours and uses less battery than the dvd.Miny dvd holds 30 min.
I also found out that every time you pause or stop the recording it puts it in seperate tracks.I love it. Very easy to download ond transfer to dvd.Mcomputer has a card reader so I just download from the memery stick

[Tony Prior]

or just gt a Flip Camcorder, probably the neatest invention since tubeless tires.

I have a Flip Ultra, 8 Gig, records 120 minutes, batteries last 2.5 hour,
plus directly into the USB port to transfer video's, comes loaded with software to edit , burn to DVD etc...

what a deal !

t

[Don Brown, Sr.]

Tony, you are right on. My daughter bought me the same model you have.

I tried it out for the first time, and was amazed at both, the sound quality and picture quality. There was absolutely no difference in quality of sound, than what came out of the amplifier.

I agree 100%, I've been recorded by others, with all kinds of expensive camcorders, and none of them did the job of this little tiny deal. Amazing!

The best priced deal on today's market!

[Stu Schulman]

I have an Aiptek HD 1080 P it records great but crashes a lot when download big files 1 gig or more,I'm getting a card reader to see if that helps but I wouldn't buy another Aiptek.

[Pete Burak]

Is there a reasonably priced Stereo Camcorder that has a convinient Line-In?
This is mainly for home use.

I have made vids with my camera/camcorder but the onboard Mic doesn't sound very good and there is no Line-In.
I do however like that I can take the CF card out and load to my computer, and there is no latency issue.

A remote control would be nice to have, too.

fwiw, We have a Flip Video, but the line out only shows videos you have already taken, you can't use the line out to monitor video during live recording.
I would have to put it on a tripod, walk around to start the recording, then walk back to the steel, etc.

I mainly want to record clips of my playing with good Audio (good video doesn't seem to be a problem), and load them to computer.
Not crazy about getting another computer for this.

[Pete Burak]

I think this Kodak Zi8 is the ticket.
I am going to pick one up tomorrow.
I see them as low as $125 at Camera World.

It has a stereo audio in (external mic input), so I can record "Direct".
Remote Control (not included but is a must have extra imho, for $12) - Don't have to get up to push the Start Recording button.
Audio/Video output - Monitor and/or Playback recordings on the TV in the room.
USB and/or removable memory card (I'm used to working with cards).

Here is a pdf of the manual:
http://www.ipdop.org/pota/Kodak_Zi8_Manual.pdf

[Ken Metcalf]

Pete
I have a Kodak Zi8 and there is a down side to having only MOV files.
I was unaware of this when I got mine.
MOV is for apple and will not accommodate PC or Microsoft editing software..
You can only use the software that came with the camera which is so so in my book.
Please let me know if you figure any breakthroughs with it.

[Earnest Bovine]

Please let me know if you figure any breakthroughs with it.

Google:
video format converter
Here are several compared:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-fr ... rogram.htm

[Jim Kennedy]

I am going through the same thing. Do your homework first, and then decide. The file format is not an issue with digital video cameras. There are plenty of editors out there that will convert between file formats. Also, direct to disk cameras, and hard disk cameras are on the way out, at least at the consumer level. Moving parts break eventually, and memory cards are now large enough that storage space is not a problem.

Determine what features you want. I want a camera that can record 3 to 4 hours of video without a battery change, that reduces jitter, records adequately in low light, records HD video, and has audio inputs if I want to use them.

I am finding out that the low end cameras do not have all of these features, mainly the battery requirement and audio and low light options. Also, some of the hand held cameras designed specifically for uploading video to the net cannot be mounted on a tripod, a necessity if you do not have a camera operator.

However, do not be discouraged. Once you decide what you need, your search will begin to narrow considerably. Good luck

[Tommy Bannister]

Bill take tony priors advice
I have the same flip as he does
mine takes vidios for two hours,batteries are charged via usb, very very easy to use, has an nice screen on the bck to see what your are recording,a very handy usb pop out usb plug that pops out for convenient transfer of your vidio taken,plays back instanly if you want to see what you have recorded
I too have a Sony handy cam dvd records for 30 minutes. the zoom is better than the flip but thats all
The flip has a zoom feture,but not as good as the hanycam..flips softwar installs first time you plug it into your computers usb port,I personally tink it records better than the sony handy can as well
hope this helps you
tomm bannister UK
long live steel guitar and all that plays them
good luck my friend

[Robert Harper]

Tony, is this the recorder you use for You Tube. If So how do you mount it for recording? Does it have a Direct out? Heres my issue, comments welcome. I have a Dynex Video on my PC. I don't know what you call it and Internet CAM I suppose. The issue I have is too fold. First I am self conscience when recording. I know this is a barrier I can break. The real issue is the poor quality when I record. I can not adequatly and accurately control the volume say of the Youtube video I am plauing along with and the steel. I mean to say that I can control one or the other, but judging the sound of the devices vhich one is too high or low. I believe that playing and video recording at the same time would improve my playing and confidence. I have seen a lot of Youtube videos by steel players and the quality is excellent. What type of editing, mixing is happening?So any suggestions would be great.