I'm looking to buy a video camera?

Question

I'm looking to buy a video camera. No, not one that takes pictures, but ones to make my own movies and DVD's. I want one that uses a CD so I can just pop the CD into my computer or DVD player to watch or edit. I want one that's not too expensive; I'm on a limited budget. But I do want one that works well and is worth the money. If possible, please tell me about all different kinds of video cameras, of all types and prices, then tell me which one you think is best for me. Best answer will be awarded, thank you!

I don't know a lot about camcorders. I'm thinking about making a movie with friends. To edit, I would mainly need to take out/delete scenes that we've messed up on, maybe add some music, simple stuff like that. And then watch it in the DVD player. For a MiniDV, I wouldn't know how to make it into a DVD to put on the computer or watch in a DVD player, so that seems a little hard for me. I was thinking about Samsung - DVD Camcorder with 2.7" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Silver SC-DC164, found at this link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7602356&productCategoryId=pcmcat70000050015&type=product&id=1130982242801 ... Would that be good for me?

WHICH CAMERA? Canon (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7608546&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat70000050015&id=1130983394635) or Sony (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8210447&productCategoryId=pcmcat70000050015&type=product&id=1166234894238) or Samsung (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7602356&productCategoryId=pcmcat70000050015&type=product&id=1130982242801). I really like those three, and I like the Canon a lot, but once more, I'm not a pro at this. Which camcorder would be best for me?

Ugh, I messed up on the above links. Take the parentheses off the end of the link after you click on it, to get it to work =]

Answer 1

I can't seem to make the links work so I'm not sure which camcorders you are looking at specifically, but here is what you want to look for:

There are three basic types of digital camcorders:
Hard disk drive camcorders are beginning to pick up interest but because they have to compress the footage to store it, they will not give you the picture quality of the other options. These also tend to cost more than the others because the technology is relatively new.
Next there is the dvd camcorders which are supposed to make editing fairly easy as long as you have a DVD drive on your computer. The downside is that they too tend to cost more to start and minidvds cost a lot more than minidv tapes.
Finally minidv camcorders have been around for a while making the storage media as well as the camcorders relatively cheap. Some professional film companies are using minidv camcorders for projects.

Because you want to edit on your computer, a minidv camcorder with either USB or Firewire output will probably be the best. I prefer Firewire, but if you don't already have the capture card I wouldn't bother unless you are doing serious movie production.

Camcorders with the highest optical zoom give the best results for zoomed footage. Using digital zoom tends to reduce picture quality. So keep that in mind as well.

I personally own two Canon camcorders (which I use for wedding videos) and could not be happier with the footage I get from them. They are light and compact but still have excellent video capabilities. I have also used Sony and JVC camcorders and would go back to the Canon every time. A good Canon minidv camcorder can be had for under $300 and I would suggest either the ZR-800 or the ZR-830 for your particular case. Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

If you want to edit, you dont want a dvd camera, or even a cd camera, if they made one. MiniDV is probably your best choice. It's a tape format, but it offers the best quality out of all the consumer formats, and is easy to edit. Hard disc camera videos are easy to transfer, but they cause big headaches when editing because they are mpeg-2 compression, which also reduces quality. I've heard a lot of good things about the canon elura 100, and it also has a mic port, which is nonexistent for cameras in that price range. Its around $400, so its really cheap (for a video camera, that is). As for editing, movie maker or imovie should be enough if you're just making home videos, or short videos for youtube. I used movie maker to edit a school video and it worked perfectly for me, not too complicated, and yet powerful enough if you know what to do with it. If you are into making films, then you might want to get something a little bit more professional, although movie maker or imovie should work fine if you cant get one. I have adobe premiere pro, which is a good program, and its coming back to macs as well. Its pretty expensive, around $900, but I got a student discount for around $200, so if you are a student as well, you could go for this. Just look around on adobe's website for student discounts, or search the web. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

i would deffinetely buy a sony, if you look on bestbuy.com and search for dvd camcorders you will find them. Most dvd camcorders record on a 3 inch dvd. the SONY Handycam is of high quality and has a 2.7 inch swivel screen color touch monitor with a 12x optical zoom. Plus you can take still pictures and view thumbnails of them on the swivel screen.

Answer 4

a million. greater decision 2. greater optical zoom[not digital] 3. value [value] 4. battery existence 5. inner reminiscence. 6. weight [ heavy or easy ] 7. stabilizer high quality [in basic terms for people who've shaky palms] 8. autofocus[or concentration of a extra sensible high quality] 9. sort call [ occasion:nikon is extra sensible than panasonic] 10. expandable reminiscence [ might desire to have a minimum of two-4 gb of expandable reminiscence]

Answer 5

Hello Talyor,

Try Walmart Or Target Or Meigers. Good luck.

ETA

My Mommy And Daddy got me A VIDSTER! IT ROCKS

Answer 6

If you want a serious camcorder not a piece of junk read this, but know that you will end up spending between $400-1000 for a "good" one.

***Remember, miniDV tape format is digital and any video you take with a miniDV camcorder you will be able to use on your computer (to edit and make movies), on your tv (to play back your video), and if you have a DVD recorder you will be able to make DVD's from the video you have on the tape and then the tape becomes reusable***

***I would recommend miniDV camcorders because for the price, what you can get is way better than what you can get with a DVD camcorder. And the tapes are pretty much comparable in price to the DVD's. The DVD camcorders are a newer technology and they haven't perfected everything yet. The only positive thing about the DVD camcorders is that you can get the video on your computer or on your DVR in a matter of seconds. With miniDV, it takes a little longer.***

Panasonic, Panasonic, Panasonic!

You should look for a camera that is similar to the one listed below. The Panasonic PV-GS300 is listed below and is a great camera for around $475. Or if you are still set on buying a DVD camcorder then look for one that has similar features to this one I have listed here. Just remember, the DVD ones are a newer technology and you might spend $600+ for just an ok one. Why not go cheaper with a miniDV camcorder and get the best? Other good Panasonic brand camcorders include the PV-GS320 and the PV-GS500.

•10x Optical Zoom and 700x Digital Zoom
•2.7” Widescreen LCD Display (123,000 pixels)
•3CCD (3 x 800,000 pixel, 1/6” CCD image sensors for best quality and clarity photos and video. The same kind of system used in professional broadcast cameras means crisp color reproduction, thanks to a separate CCD for reds, greens, and blues. (most camcorders just have 1CCD)
•Recording system NTSC
•SP and LP recording and playback modes (most MiniDV tapes are 60 minutes, but in LP you can record 90 minutes on these tapes)
•Video and Photos can be taken in 16:9 (widescreen) or 4:3 (regular)
•High-quality Lecia lens (37 mm)
•5 preprogrammed auto exposure modes for a variety of shooting options
•OIS (optical image stabilizer…minimizes shake and vibration distortion) This is a helpful tool, but if you want still images use a tripod.
•Soft skin detail mode (softens details to reduce skin imperfections when shooting close-ups)
•MagicPix (allows full color recording in low light)
•1-touch navigation with easy joystick control
•3.1 MP photos in Photo Mode with build in flash that can be turned on/off. Photo size is determined by what mode you have the camcorder set at. (video/photo and 16:9/4:3) In Video mode, the photos are smaller and quality is not as good as taking a photo in Photo mode.
o.2 MP photo size is 640 x 360
o.3 MP photo size is 640 x 480
o1 MP photo size is 1280 x 960
o2 MP photo size is 1600 x 1200
o2.4 MP photo size is 2048 x 1152
o3.1 MP photo size is 2048 x 1512
•Min shutter speed is 1/30 sec
•Max shutter speed is 1/8000sec
•Built in Stereo Microphone
•Stores photos on SD Memory Card (slot located on bottom of camera)
•Stores video on MiniDV Digital Tapes
•USB 2.0 and Firewire IEEE 1394 compliant
•DV, AV, external mic, and USB ports (the included AV cable has RCA and S-Video outputs)
•PictBridge (direct printing from camcorder)
•Includes MotionDV and Quick Movie Magic software

What’s in the box?

•PV-GS300 Camcorder
•RCA/S-Video cable
•AC cable
•Battery and charger
•Remote control
•Hand and shoulder strap
•USB 2.0 cable
•Software

What you will need to purchase.

•MiniDV Digital Video Tapes. Most stores sell these tapes between $7-10.00/tape! Check out eBay for good deals on tapes...you can probably find them for around $3.00/tape.
•Carrying case (Circuit City and Best Buy have a good selection, but expect to spend about $20.00.)
•Firewire (DV) cable. You don’t necessarily need this, but the quality is supposedly better when transferring tapes to DVD. I haven’t noticed any difference between the two and I prefer to use the included RCA cables with my DVD Recorder. If you have a laptop or desktop that has a firewire port this will come in handy...but note, a firewire cable is NOT included on most camcorders. You do, however, get a usb 2.0 cable that works just fine. Check out www.accstation.com for cheap, but great quality firewire cables. And if you have windows xp, you can use windows movie maker to edit your videos. You shouldn't need to purchase any extra software.)

Stores and Prices

www.jr.com had it for under $475.00 (including shipping). Definitely check out this site. They offer great customer service, competitive prices, and fast/cheap shipping. They are located in New York and are a very reliable, trustworthy store.

•Circuit City…around $500.
•Best Buy…around $500.

Panasonic makes the best. If I were you, before you make an expensive purchase, do some research...look at customer reviews at www.camcorderinfo.com, www.bestbuy.com, www.circuitcity.com, or at any other review website. Most of those people that answer reviews do it for your benefit...they let you know if it is worth spending $500-1000+ for a certain product.

I have owned a JVC (miniDV), Sony (miniDV, DVD, and hard drive), and Panasonic (miniDV and hard drive) camcorders and I have to say that the Panasonic are the best. They have the best quality...best design...are the easiest to use...and are more durable than JVC and Sony. I use them for my business, which is why I have used and tested so many different kinds. (Oh yeah, and the Sony ones have a cool touch screen lcd display, but when you touch it, you get your fingerprints all over it and it gets all smudged and you have to clean it constantly...what a pain in the butt!)

***PLEASE...go to the stores and try them out...don't make a purchase online without actually holding one and testing out its functions.

***And also be careful...if you do a google search to try and find a store that sells the camcorder that you are looking for, for the cheapest price...do some research and check out that store before you make your purchase. There are many great deals out there, but at what cost? A lot of places will advertise a cheap price but then will try to get you to buy more equipment for your camcorder that should already be in the box! WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS! I can't stress that enough.

GOOD LUCK!