Which Camcorder & video editing software should I buy?

Question

I need a new camcorder for making movies and uploading them to the internet - I don't know whether to buy a DV or a hard drive based camcorder? I heard a lot of benefits to the hard drive based like you never have to convert the file - but I also hear it is harder to edit and to find editing software for - on the DV end I hear the quality is better, but it uploads to your computer in real time which sucks - but it is the easiest to edit???? please help!

Answer 1

My experience is with MiniDV camcorders and I would typically use a fire-wire 1394 cable to download video from my camcorder to my PC. This wasn't always problem free.. it would lose a couple frames every once in awhile.. but it worked most of the time.

My preferred software (not sure if you can still buy it anywhere) is Video Factory 2.0 (Sonic Foundry). Of all of the video editting software in the $50 price range, this one beats them all.

Now, there is another thing to keep in mind. When you download the video from your camera (in real time) the software will typically save the video uncompressed (AVI file usually). So, uncompressed video is large and will need to be compressed when you create an MPG video. It's time consuming and hard drive consuming.. but it seems to work just fine.

My last comment would be that for all of the reasons stated above, I would almost prefer to try out a hard drive based camcorder. Not speaking from experience, but the less mechanical parts (i.e. the MiniDV tape) the more reliable you would assume the camera would be.

Also, keep in mind that Windows XP typically comes with basic video editting software. It's not the greatest software but the price is right.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Sorry, but if you want to make movies, you'll have to make some sacrifices. So that means you'll have to get miniDV. Yes, capturing footage sucks, but hey, its paying off for you in quality, and the hours you WONT have to convert your mpeg2s to avi's. Plus, it's what other filmmakers use (unless its actually film). And to answer your question, miniDV is the easiest to edit. And sometimes its the only way to edit, because some programs dont support mpeg-2 files. Also, contrary to the person above, miniDV is actually more reliable than hard-drive cams, because there are LESS moving parts (or actually, the parts move less). In a hard drive cam, the hard drive has to constantly spin. If the write head gets knocked around once, the data is screwed up. But in a miniDV cam, the head doesnt move, the tape moves. So if it's jolted, it wont make a huge deal because the tape is held in place side to side, and it's moving forward. So get miniDV. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

1. DV -vs- hard drive... both have similar quality.
2. DV primary benefit is it privides an instant archive for your work [transfers in real time]. The tape can easily be stored away for future needs.
3. Hard Drive... easier to transfer and use the file but you need to make an archive file for the initial data collected from the camera.
4. DV tape are endless... just pop another one in and you are ready to continue to record... especially when on vacation.
5. Hard drive... on a trip... when it is full... thats it.
6. I recommend that you need to have a firewire connection for both to make it very easy to transfer the files.
7. Premiere and Avid are a professional level edit program. A native xp program is windows movie maker -- this one aint bad for basic editing needs.

Answer 4

I don't know where you are hearing all this from. HD camcorders have to be transferred to your computer in real time, just like DV-C tapes have to be transferred.

Microsoft Movie will do the job, if you want better there is Studio DeLuxe 10, Premier and Avid.

Answer 5

I agree with Nick that Video Factory 2.0 is a great editor, but you'll struggle to find it. SonicFoundry were taken over by Sony a while back - the current program is Vegas Movie Studio version 7. Great program!

It's a pain having to upload miniDV in real time, but it's worth it for the lack of problems when you come to editing.

Answer 6

I recommand Sony DCR-TRV80.
You can defintely find this camcorder for under the suggested retail price of $1500. I bought mine for $1105 from CentralDigital.com and everything arrived on time and factory sealed with US warranty. It takes amazing still pictures and video, tons of features, and small in size with a huge 3.5 in. screen. Defintely recommend purchasing this digital camcorder.

If you want to add video to the internet. I recommand you can use two software below:
1. Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 : The essential test for a consumer video editor is how quickly it lets you create polished, high-quality productions. By that measure, Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 is a winner. It also has the tools—including support for HDV and for output to iPods and PSPs—to take you wherever your creative urges lead.

2. V2F software :V2F is a easy program to use for converting your videos (.avi, .mov, .mpeg) to .swf flash format and ready for the web, and create a vcr control type in the video (Stop, Play, Fast Forward, Rewind), and the most amazing it plays instantly, you don't have to wait for the video to load, The compression ratio is great! A 1GB file can be compressed into a 115mb file without loss of original quality.

This tool is one of the best I found to streaming video and easy to use and if you want to put family video, training video, sales video or that funny video, you can't believe how easy it is to add video to you website! with this tool.

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