How to decide between digital dv recorder and one that records to cd?

Question

How do you view what you record on a digital mini dv recorder? It seems to be a difficult and time consuming process. Do you have to download it to your computer to view what you have recorded? Is there a way to make it portable, can it be put on tape or disk or does it always have to be viewed through the camcorder? It sounds as though the camera itself is what you use to view the movies. What do you do with what you already have recorded when you want to record more?
As far as the new camcorders that record directly on a mini disk, I keep reading that the picture quality doesn't compare to the digital mini dv, and that you can't edit and enhance the movie once it's been recorded to disk like you can with original video tape camcorders and mini dv digital camcorders. I need to make the purchase this weekend, but when I got to the store last night I was overwhelmed and there wasn't anyone who had time to answer my questions.

Answer 1

1. Are you good with technology in general? If yes, continue. If no, skip to number 3.

2. Do you mind taking extra time to make your videos more interesting? If no, get miniDV. If yes, get DVD.

3. Do you go freak out when you cant figure something out? If yes, get DVD. If no, go to number 2.

Ok, so I think I got everything right so that should work out correctly. And to debunk some of your myths, yes, it is possible to watch minidv video off of a CD/DVD. Thats where #2 (from above) comes in. You put your footage into a computer and then you edit it so that it looks good, then burn it onto a DVD. You can burn without editing, but heck, your footage is there anyways, so most people try to organize it instead of having a mixed jumble of video. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Okay, The four main types of camcorders are mini dv, mini disk, mini dvd, and hard drive. The best quality is mini Dv and the worst is hard drive as far as the disk and dvd they are about equal. To view the mini dv you need a firewire cable and connect it to the computer and upload it on the computer. As far as i know you can only view it throught the camcorder but there possible is a VHS disk that allows you to slip the mini dv into the VHS and play it on the VCR. I would recomend the Mini DV for quality and it is Very Very easy to enhance on the computer. The best bet on Brand wise would be Canon they are top notch in the buisness. If you are looking for low end but good quality go for the Canon ZR-500 it costs around $200 if you find it on sale. If you are looking for a higher end camcorder i would go with The CAnon elura 100.. Good Luck and i hoped this helped you.

Answer 3

Honestly, even if the professor lets you do it, it's not that great of an idea. Assume it's an hour long class, and you record all of it. Then you go back to your dorm to study by listening to the entire lesson. A: That takes a whole hour to do, and even if you just need to study five minutes of the lesson, you've got a lot of fast-forwarding and rewinding to find that place in the lecture. B: If you didn't understand it that well in class, you aren't going to understand it that well a second time in a different setting. The best way to study is to write or type your own notes. Your writing it down once ingrains it in your head much better than you hearing it twice. If you aren't very good at making your own notes, try anyway. After a few times of doing it (ok, maybe a lot of times of doing it), you are more able to pick out the important stuff. Two more tips. One, mark the spot where the professor says "Everything up to here will be on the test." You don't want to study the things for last test or the next one! Two, a 60 is passing in college, so you've got a little more wiggle room. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

go w/ the dvd recorder.