Top And Best Camcorders: 2014-04-06

Saturday, April 12, 2014

can i use any video editing software on any camcorder?

Alan Orteg

i want to buy a camcorder to just film things, nothing professional just anything under 300bucks, but my question is, can i use any video editing software on any camcorder? or are there camcorders only compatible of one certain software? or is every camcorder compatible with any software?

Answer
If you can get the video into the computer, then there are ways to get the video into any video editor.

Example 1: You could buy a used miniDV tape camcorder. To get the digital video off the digital tape, one connects the camcorder's DV port to the computer's firewire port with a firewire cable. There is nothing in this connection associated with USB. USB-to-firewire cable/adapter/converter things will not work. If your computer has no firewire port, the video won't be able to get into the computer (unless you add an analog/digital converter to the equipment mix).

Example 2: If you get a high compression consumer-grade AVCHD camcorder and your computer does not a fast enough CPU or enough RAM to deal with that video, some video editors won't install.

Example 3: Some camcorders record to MOD or TOD file types. Most computer based video editors can't deal with this video file type so use of a transcoder - converter - may be needed to convert the video into a file format the video editor can deal with...

The camcorder and the software in the computer are part of the equation. The computer itself is another part - along with what is in the computer...

Clarification: Digital camcorders do not record anything to film. Film cameras do that. Digital camcorders capture digital video.

Recommendations for digital camcorder and editing software?

Rake

I wanted to get myself a digital camcorder and some editing software to teach myself how to use the camera and do some editing. I'm most interested in set-ups where the audio can be recorded separately from the picture.

Any suggestions on a decent, cost-effective first camera and software program? I'm talking about very simple editing, cutting, dissolving, blackouts, maybe wipes, dubbing, etc.

Answer
For the camera:

Whats your budget first? 35mm cameras would give you that genuine "film look". Otherwise, you could buy an HD camcorder to give you the most detail.

For an editing suite:

Sony Vegas if you can't afford these three: Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, and Photoshop.

Sony Vegas targets amateur video editors and hobbyists due to its very wide range of features that includes editing and effects production. Buy this all in one package - it is average.

Adobe Premiere is a specialized tool for video EDITING.. Sequencing of shots can be done here.

Adobe After Effects is a specialized tool for video EFFECTS! Don't expect to find a lot of presets for After Effects. The learning curve can be quite steep though. Create your own effects here

Photoshop is an excellent tool for still images :)

If you have a MAC.. ditch the adobe and go for Final Cut Pro - which is basically not that different (adobe premiere's initial coder and Final Cut Pro's initial creator are closely related toeach other :) )

NOTE: If you have a good computer, none of these programs would crash. I have not experienced crashing from any of these programs in our workspace. Premiere, Photoshop, After Effects, Flash, and also Dreamweaver together were open and none crash as I used them on one computer.

In summary:

Get:

1. A Camcorder

2. A Tripod

3. A good computer

4. An Editing suite

5. A monitor calibration device - you don't want the color of your video to be slightly different from the one shown in your TV :)

I'm looking into compact HD Video Camcorders, any advice?

Kelly

I'm looking for pro-tips when buying one, personal experience with a certain camera, one you'd buy if you were given the choice, or anything else it would be good to let me know.

I haven't really looked into buying a camera for myself, actually; this is my first time. I'm looking into a Sanyo Xacti; any experience or anything with that would also be appreciated. Thanks in advance :)

Answer
You should check out this blog, it listed out the top rated and affordable camcorders to buy: http://lovetosharethis.blogspot.com/2011/06/top-best-hd-and-digital-camcorders-can.html

Good HD camera or camcorder to record concerts (good sound quality)?

Door Knob.

i'm going to a music festival in 2 months called Soundwave Revolution and i'd love to record the acts
any suggestions for something not so cheap but not so expensive with good HD quality sound and video?

Answer
Check out this link, it listed top rated and affordable camcorders to buy: http://lovetosharethis.blogspot.com/2011/06/top-best-hd-and-digital-camcorders-can.html

Friday, April 11, 2014

Top HD Camcorders under $500?

OutPut87

What are the top 2011 HD camcorders under $500?

Answer
The top HD camcorders for under $500 are all JUNK. It would take you in excess of $3500 to get a HD camcorder that could even compete withe video Quality of a $300 MiniDV tape camcorder.

consumer level HD camcorders have 3 issues. 1) Fuzzy, blurry, out of focus areas around people in the HD video. 2) Any movement in front of a recording HD camcorder shows up in the finished video with screen ghosts and artifacts following the movement, ruining the video. 3) Lack of record times. 1 hour, go home, no way to change storage or continue shooting. Some offer a whole whopping 30 minutes. What, record 1/3 of the event then put the camcorder away or leave.

You can get the Canon ZR960 for $250 or the ZR930 for about $300. Both of these camcorders are MiniDV tape based. Both camcorders have a Mic jack. Both of these camcorder can take better quality video and audio than any sub $3000 camcorder.

Best 1080p camcorder under $500?

Michael

Answer
HD Camcorders and DSLR Cameras interpolate the video, which means of every 25 frames of video, 4 or 5 frames are taken by the lens assembly; the other frames in between these are filled in by the camcorder inner circuitry, thus giving you not true video. It looks like this -one frame from the lens assembly, 7or 8 from the electronic circuitry, one frame from the lens assembly, 7or 8 from the electronic circuitry, one frame from the lens assembly, 7or 8 from the electronic circuitry, one frame from the lens assembly, 7or 8 from the electronic circuitry, from front to back of the video. Near impossible to edit, even when you have the Multi port processor computer with the big 1GB Graphics card and a Sound card that is required to edit, view, watch and work with the files these camcorders produce.

Consumer Level HD Camcorders and DSLR Cameras have 4 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording Consumer Level HD Camcorder and DSLR Cameras, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) These Consumer Level HD Camcorders and DSLR Cameras all have a habit of the transferred to computer files are something you need to convert, thus losing your HD quality, to work with your editing software. 4) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes â four different times advertised as maximum record time for some Consumer Level HD Camcorders and DSLR Cameras. No event I have ever been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders and DSLR Cameras or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video.

MiniDV is currently the most popular format for consumer digital camcorders. MiniDV camcorders are typically more affordable than their HDD and DVD counterparts. Each MiniDV tape will typically hold an hour of footage at normal recording speed and quality. MiniDV tapes are available for purchase at not only electronic and camera stores, but also at drugs stores and grocery stores, making them easy to find while your on vacation. There are literally hundreds of MiniDV camcorders available; both in standard and high-definition. And add the fact that to get a HD camcorder that could produce better video quality footage, one would have to spend in excess of $3500 for that camcorder that could produce higher quality video

http://simplevideoediting.com/learn/part1_camcorder_choices.htm

http://simplevideoediting.com/learn/part2_connect_camcorder.htm

http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/camcorders/consumer_camcorders/vixia_hv40#Overview

where can i buy a cord to transfer my videos from camcorder to mac computer? ?

vanessa

this is my first time transfering videos into computer and i lost the cord to transfer it i think called USB cord so where do i buy another one?

Answer
You can buy a camcorder usb cable from
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=camcorder%20usb%20cable&tag=new-deals-20&index=photo&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=camcorder%20usb%20cable&tag=new-deals-21&index=electronics-uk&linkCode=ur2&camp=1634&creative=6738

What is a camcorder with good image quality and a good mic, not too expensive.?

Chocolate

Don't give me an over priced camera, i'm only making videos for youtube and a couple of short movies, so its no big deal.
I'm also using mac but i don't really mind having to covert each video.

Answer
The best camcorder with the best audio capture ability is a camcorder that has a MIC port.
Consumer level HD camcorders have 4 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording consumer level HD camcorder, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) These Consumer level HD camcorders all have a habit of the transferred to computer files are something you need to convert, thus losing your HD quality, to work with your editing software. 4) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes â four different times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event I have ever been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video. Not to mention, but the computer you upload your HD files to jas to have at least a 1 GB video card and a separate Audio card that can support Direct X 9 technology, you normal every day computer has massive troubles with HD video. Consumer level HD camcorders interpolate the video. This means they take one frame, make up the next 4 or 5 frames, take a frame and repeat this, over and over, for the remainder of the video, every video it takes is like this. With a MiniDV tape camcorder, record 60 or 90 minutes ( camcorder settings), 90 seconds or less to change a tape and record for 60 or 90 more and repeat till you run out of tapes.

You can get a Canon ZR960 for $250. It is a MiniDV tape camcorder, has a MIC jack. You will need a Firewire (IEEE1394) card ($25 to 30) for the computer and a Firewire cable (less than 10) to be able to transfer video to your computer. To say this is not HD, think about this. It would cost in excess of $3500 to get a HD camcorder that could equal the video Quality of a $250 Canon MiniDV tape camcorder.

http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Camcorders/High_Definition_HD/HV30/index.aspx

I used to make a daily Vloog and post it to youtube. I do that no more. Since the channel layout redesign in early March, I, like many others, abandoned youtube for other sites. Protests are going on, several to be exact. But anyway, this is what I used to capture audio - http://asimplelife.ca/boss.html I used my 3 Canon ZR MiniDV tape camcorders to shoot all my Vlogg material, then use my NLE, Pinnacle Studio 14 Ultimate to edit and make into a MPEG 2 1080P file for upload to youtube. It worked seamlessly and I had no issues whatsoever doing it that way. These days, my Vlogg, shot, edited and saved the same way is uploaded to Face Book.

Upgrading a new camcorder to a newer camcorder?

hockey_goa

I've recently been looking at the new sony HDR-XR520V which has amazing HD quality (based on youtube user tests) in low light. I got my sony 60gb HD camcorder a little over a year ago, and I was just taking a shot in the dark here, wondering if anyone had some ideas for how to trade in / exchange or sell my old camcorder for top value.

I bought it for 1,499 at the time, and the new one is 1,499 but I think I'd probably only be able to get 600-700 on ebay but who knows.

Answer
You are probably right about eBay. Have you searched for your camcorder on eBay to see what it is selling for used? You are definitely going to lose a lot selling it used, but if you really want a newer model, then you might not have much choice.

Try craigslist--You can set your price and wait to see if you get any responses. Just keep your expectations realistic!
I sold an older 35mm SLR camera that way, and I definitely got more than I would have on eBay.

Good Luck!

What type of digital camcorder should I buy and why?

Brandon

Be very descriptive as to price, where to get it, and especially WHY I should choose that one. I have a 5 mos old baby who is about to have a ton of firsts. That said, obviously for that reason budget is tight. Let me know for my situation what I should do!!

Answer
There is nothing quite like capturing your childs first steps on a video camera. His or her first Birthday, as they basically plaster a cake all over their face and your furniture. Obviously, you will want to preserve these priceless memories for years to come. One of the most import aspects of selecting a Video Camera is the media you plan to archieve these priceless memories on. Some say, the way to ensure the best quality video for years to come is tape (more specifically MiniDV). I am not entirely sold on tape, considering I purchased a "TOP OF THE LINE" Sony HI-8 Camcorder when my first child was born. Now I have 100 plus hours of wonderful video, and a camcorder on it's last legs. I recently purchased a 750 GB external harddrive and am beginning to transfer the video to the computer. Approximately 120 hours of work in the transfer, and probably another 120 hours to transfer to DVD's to be stored in a fire proof safe deposit box along with the tapes. If someone told me, I could own a HI-8 video player that would last forever, and I could transfer these precious memories with out a glitch 25+ years from now, I wouldn't even go down this road of transfering my memories to the computer. You are probably wondering why I am telling you this story? Why don't I just give you an answer to your question? My logic here is to get you to think about the long-term impacts on your time and energy before you make a selection.

Here is my logic for reducing the impacts of video archiving.
Purchase a media with the highest digital data retention you can afford (HD - High Definition). Transfer the data as quickly as you can, preserving the maximum quality you can in the transfer - Using harddrive or solid state "flash memory" then burn to the highest capacity discs - such as blu-ray discs to be archived and protected from damage. Use the information of the computer harddrive to create wonderful DVD's for grandparents and other family members, and keep your archive data for transferring to the next storage media change 20+ years from now.

With all that said - go buy the Sony "Hybrid" HDR-SR11 with 60GB HDD and Flash Memory Slot recording ability. Cost $1199 at Crutchfields.com. This camcorder records in AVCHD format, and can be transfered quickly from Flash Memory to your Computer Harddrive and then burned to Blu-ray media. Further the AVCHD looks great on the new HD TV's. Maybe not quite as good as MiniDV's in the HDV format, but you can get there quicker, and I can barely see the difference. This camcorder will serve your needs well.

For a more budget friendly high definition product - look at Samsungs new HMX-10 HD "Flash media" Camera. $549. If this is too much to afford - Go with a MiniDV camcorder for the time being, and just plan on spending more time than money in the process of archiving your data. Sony DCR-HC38 Mini DV Camcorder is at just under $250 - Standard Definition.

Also, go out and buy a very good Camera. Prosumer grade camera and lenses preferred - shoot the best photos you can, and have them printed with great ink and paper. Take lots of digital pictures, and make 2 hard "prints" of your favorite shots (those that capture the moments best, and that you enjoy the most), using 100+ year inks and paper. Put one copy in your achieve (damage protected) and make photo albums out of the other. I assure you, these photo albums will be the priceless keepsakes you and your family will enjoy for generations to come.

Happy Memory Making!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

What is the best HD camcorder for 2012 under $200?

Tic

I'm a YouTube beauty guru looking for a good HD camcorder, but I am on a budget! I do need it to have continuous automatic focus, please. What is your pick for the best HD camcorder in 2012 under $200?

p.s. I have a Flip UltraHD, so please do not suggest that one. Thanks!

Answer
The Toshiba Camileo line that starts with X100 & the JVC Everio E10.
These are the only 2 in this price range that shoot full HD & have optical zoom,
(the kind that doesn't lose any clarity when you zoom, as opposed to digital zoom).

What equipment would I need to start making youtube videos?

monarch850

I would like to start making videos where I go into public and do small pranks on people and have someone videotaping at a distance. However, I need audio. So what microphones do i need, and whats a decent camera for this? I have a budget of about 250$ max. But, i want the videos to be decent in quality (both audio and video).

Answer
Sony HDR-CX190 High Definition Handycam 5.3 MP Camcorder(2012 Model)

Calling all Top Contributors, need ur camcorder opinion (recommendation)...?

Kilroy Was

I've been reading reviews on camcorders and I've filtered my selection to these three: Sony HDR-SR12, Sony HDR-HC9 and Canon HV30.

Which of these 3 would you recommend, plus ur review that would give me all these qualities:
1. very good video quality;
2. good picture even on low lighting;
3. easy to operate (specially on downloading and editing for movie making) for beginners like me.

I've got only a month to decide so really need ur replies. Thanks in advance.

Answer
HV30: Uses MiniDV tape; imports DV or HDV using Firewire (IEEE1394a, i.Link - all the same thing). Tape IS the archive (do not reuse tapes). Can do 24p. Has mic-in jack and full manual audio control.

HC9: Uses MiniDV tape; imports DV or HDV using Firewire (IEEE1394a, i.Link - all the same thing). Tape IS the archive (do not reuse tapes). Has "Smooth slow record" slow motion feature and can do zero light with built-in infrared emitter, but reciorded video is monochromatic (green/white). Has mic-in jack and full manual audio control.

SR12: In it's current implementation, I wouldn't touch anything that uses AVCHD for video compression at the point of video capture. It compresses too much and not all video editors can handle all camcorder manufacturer's AVCHD implementations. Please do not confuse "ease" with speed. Downloading video from a hard drive (or flash memory) based camcorder might be faster than importing from miniDV tape, but that does not make it easier. If you follow all the steps, the first thing you do after downloading the video to your computer is copy the files to an external drive or to optical disc. All that "saved" time, just went int making your archive/backup. In the miniDV tape world, the tape you shot is the archive backup. Then, when the project is complete, with a miniDV tape based camcorder, export the project back to the camcorder. Want to watch in high-def? connect the high-def camcorder and use it as a deck - can't do that with a hard drive (or flash memory) based camcorder.

There's lots more reasons, but take the hint from the pros:
http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/markets/10014/hdv.shtml?&navid=hdv_products
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=172
http://www.panasonic.com/business/provideo/cat_camcorders.asp
http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/category.jsp?productId=PRO1.1

No internal hard drives using AVCHD (with the exception iof a single incorrectly categorized Panasonic)... The pros use external hard drives like those from Firestore
http://firestore.com/solutions/catalog.asp?id=3
which save video in DV and HDV format... just like miniDV tape.

You might not be a pro, but miniDV tape has been around for a couple of years and it works, is stable, affordable and the video editing applications that say they handle HDV can handle it from any camcorder.

You may need to add a firewire 400 port to your computer - Apple Macintosh computers have had them for many years. Using the DV port on the camcorder, connect to the Firewire 400 port on the computer with a firewire (IEEE1394, i.Link) cable. Launch the video editing application. The camcorder needs to be in "Play/Edit" mode. Import or capture.

need camcorder help/what should I buy?

Dot

Wanting to buy my first camcorder. I will mostly be using it for vacations. We have a few vacations coming up to Vegas & Disney. Want to be able to record things like the Vegas strip and the parades/fireworks @ Disney. These things are all at night, but do they really still consider that "low light"? Obviously it is nighttime but for example on the Vegas Strip all the hotels are brightly lit. And during fireworks you would obviously have that lighting in the sky. Most camcorders I look at say they don't do good in low light. My price range is $300 to $600. Would like to stay on the lower end if possible but want something that will do a good job.

Answer
The market is cluttered with camcorders right now. I recommend that you look at customer reviews from Amazon who have bought and used the camcorders. I bet some mention the low light issues.

I searched using "HD camcorder" with your price limits ($300 to $600) and sorted by top customer reviews. This is what came up - http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26rs%3D172421%26sort%3Dreviewrank_authority%26ref%255F%3Dsr%255Fst%26keywords%3Dhd%2520camcorder%26bbn%3D172421%26qid%3D1258411598%26rh%3Dn%253A172282%252Ck%253Ahd%2520camcorder%252Cp%255F36%253A30000-60099%252Cn%253A%2521493964%252Cn%253A502394%252Cn%253A172421%26page%3D1&tag=alldevs-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

Also, if you buy a "used" camcorder often you can get a camcorder that could be twice the price. I hope that helps.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

What camcorder and lights would be good for greenscreening?

Hi!

I'm looking to greenscreen videos for YouTube for under Â£600. The camcorder I have is only 720p HD and even then it isn't the best quality. It cannot key out the background and me together and it always makes a horrible sound throughout the video. I have to use After Effects CS5.5 to key out and even then it doesn't key out properly with keylight 1.2 with the settings changed. It's a FujiFilm Finepix s3200.

What camcorder should I get that can fit all my needs?

And...... What lighting should I get as I only turn on some lamps.

Thanks.

P.S. It MUST BE CHEAP!!
Palladine and Carl: Great answers! This helps me so much. Thanks!

Answer
I do green screen. My lights and stands, follow along and find out.

My stands are made form 2 Empty, used paint cans, a couple of 8 foot 2 X 2s, 4 bolts, 8 washers, 4 nuts. Tools needed, drill, drill bit, screwdriver, various wrenches., saw. sawed about 3 1/2 inches off of each pole, used them inside the can. Drill through 2 X 2, pail side and shot 2 X 2, fasten all together with bolts, washers and nuts. Fill can with gravel, rocks, something heavy. If needed, cut top off so as fit in your place your shooting.

To light the screen, I use 4 $12 clamp lights. I also have about 10 $4 spring clamps, one of those holds the clamp light. The light is pointing at a piece of Foam Board, spring clamps, 2, hold it on. The light reflects back onto my green screen. Works great. In the 4 lamps I have mounted on the 2 X 2s, all are mounted that way.

My talent lighting, I own 3 Light poles from previous adventures in m,y life, I use clamp lights, again held on to the light poles by the spring clamps, to do a 3 point lighting setup. Works great.

My camcorders are all Canon ZR series MiniDV tape camcorders. I use Pinnacle Studio 14 HD Ultimate as my Video Editing NLE program. It all works very good together.

My only misgiving, I wish I had a larger room to do this in.

camcorder........?

Q. i thijnk im going to be getting a video camera soon so i can start making video blogs on stuff to put on youtube.
but whats the best type to get?
my mom said nothing too expensive either..

Answer
Do you already have a digital camera? The newer digital cameras have pretty good video modes (vga resolution at 30 fps) - that's good enough for video blogs & youtube, etc... By going this route, you also get the added benefit of not needing to transfer the video to your computer (which is a slow process).

If you do decide to get a camcorder, here's a good camcorder buying guide:
http://www.easycamcorders.com/content/Beginners-Guide.htm

What does a camcorder's field guide inform you on?

Answer
There are many authors whom write guides on cameras, camcorders, etc. that typically just use the original operation guide (user's manual) of the device and expand on it (more or less). Some guides are not worth the money if they are not in-depth. There are many Camcorder Digital Field Guides for various Canon camcorders (see link for one such cam). If you are considering a guide, check on website that sells the book and see if you can review some sample pages. If not, go to a large book store and look through the guides. If you are not real familiar with using a camcorder, it's functions, buttons,. etc., then a guide may be good for you.

What do I need to view my old 8mm camcorder tapes and where to get a few repaired from?

Smile

We have a almost a 9 year old camcorder started watching some tapes from it tonight the eject part where you place or take out the tapes started eating up a few of our family tapes. I remember my mom telling me she could view hers with some type of VHS looking tape where you could put your camcorder tapes into it play and watch them. What do we get to watch them from home and where do we go to get a few repaired that the camcorder started eating up?

Thanks!

Answer
there are companies that can transfer your video from old cassettes to dvd. Check your yellow pages.

How can I capture video from an old camcorder into my laptop?

thejollibe

I have a very old camcorder, about 9-10 years old. I wanted to know how I can capture the video from it onto my laptop. What type of cable would I be using? I have captured video before using a firewire cable connected to my laptop and a newer camcorder, but what do I use for an old camcorder, that does not have any firewire connections? It only has connections for the AV wires. Is there any way to capture? Thanks in advance!

Answer
does your new camcorder have an AV inout? (this is more likely with cannon models) If so then connect it to to the AV output on your older camera
then you can
a) press AV in and then record on your new camcorder and play on you old camcorder to transfer the footage.

or

b) Connect both camcorders like above and then connect the new camcorder to your computer using a firewire connection and run the footage straight into your computer(this method might not be as reliable)

If your new camera doesnt have a AV input but has a firewire input then you need something like a hollywood dazzle bridge

digital camcorder?

kerri7101

Looking to buy a digital camcorder to take some video around the house of the kids and also for thier sports stuff. We are on a tight budget and am looking for the best camera for around $150. We don't need anything fancy, just the most simple model that will record and playback. I would love some opinions, both professional and personal. Thanks everyone

Answer
There are all sorts of digital camcorders available. For most of them there are reviews available on websites. If you wish to spend some time on the web please search for those websites. If you wish to buy electronically you could see their price in advance to find out if they fit in your budget. For reviews i go to http://reviews.cnet.com and for electronics you should try Walmart, Best Buy or Circuit City stores. They should be able to offer you something within your budget. I think there is a digital camcorder available for under $100. I would suggest you spend sometime to search for it online first instead of going to the one of these stores.

Buying A Simple Camcorder? For a Kid?

anonybabe

Is this a good camcorder for a kid who is into filmaking?
http://www.lightinthebox.com/MOOEL-J88-Digital-Video-Camcorder-16MP--Via-Interpolation--Camera-with-3-0--TFT-LCD-and-8X-Digital-Zoom--DCE1031-_p89623.html#review
She said she doesnt want a point n shoot or a flip video.
She is 13 and made a pretty good video with a older version flip though.
If you could find other Camcorders please tell me.
That is almost as bad as flip video... I mean a real camcorder

Answer
Barbie video girl? :D

Looking to replace my camcorder?

mickyal200

I have a Sony camcorder that is probably 10-13 years old and would like to replace it with a small palm size camcorder could I get some opinions on what brand would be good,simple to use and long battery life, and good picture quality for between $200.00 and $300.00, thank you.

Answer
here's are some helpful buying guides:
http://www.digitalvideoclub.com/basics/camcorder.php
http://www.easycamcorders.com/content/Beginners-Guide.htm

& a list of top camcorders for 2006:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/CamInfo-Selects-2006.htm
where the Canon Elura 100 was the top camcorder for value/performance - the street price is ~$300.

Anyone no of a great professional camcorder?

ponechaisi

I am starting video production and am wondering what equiptment is the best to buy, at an affordable price. I guess I am wanting a professional camcorder at a budgeter's price.

Answer
Great question. Here are my top picks for the best professional camcorder. I have taken price into consideration. If you want HD:

1) Red Scarlet (coming soon, 2009) $3,000
2) Sony PMW-EX1 $6,000
3) JVC GY-HD200U $5,500
4) Panasonic AG-HVX200 $5,000
5) Canon XH-A1 $3,300

RED SCARLET: Many are skeptical about the Red Scarlet as it is a relatively unknown brand, but I believe it is the best professional camcorder under $10,000. No contest. With a traditional camcorder, like that made by Sony, Canon, etc, you'll be lucky if you get one that records in true HD. That is, most camcorders do NOT record in true 1920 x 1080 resolution, apart from the Sony PWM-EX1, as listed above. The Red Scarlet however, records footage in 3K, that is about 150% of the resolution of 1920 x 1080 HD. All that for $3,000. I don't know how well the Scarlet will perform when it is released in 2009 as far as color reproduction, cinematic look, audio capabilities, and manual controls, but I do know that it gives you better resolution than any camera I know of under $20,000. Therefore, the Red Scarlet is definately worth looking into. 3K footage for under $3K is a total steal!
______________
SONY PMW-EX1: It is a relatively new camcorder that records to tapeless media the SxS cards. The EX1 has better resolution that its Canon, Panasonic and JVC competitors, as the XDCAM cards do NOT compress nearly as much as HDV. Another huge advantage is that it has 3 CMOS chips that are 1/2" each, as opposed to 1/3" or smaller chips found on every other camera under $10,000. The larger image sensor gives your picture a much narrower depth of field, which is great for budding filmmakers, wanting that look of celluloid film. The only setback is that the EX1's media format, the SxS XDCAM media cards only record about 25 minutes of high quality footage on the supplied card, and purchasing additional cards is very expensive.
_______________
JVC HD200U
The HD200U is no Sony, Panasonic, or Canon, but it is an excellent camera nonetheless. Some pro reviews have said that the earlier model, the HD110U was the second best camera as far as picture quality in the prosumer level, next to the Canon XL-H1, which is $8,000. I really like the HD110 and HD200 as it is the only prosumer HD camera, apart from the XL-H1 with interchangeable lenses, rather than a built in lens. The only problem is that the HD200U does not record HD in 1080p or 1080i, but instead, it only has a lower-resolution 720p mode. To me, this isn't all that bad, as I prefer 720p at 60fps over 1080p at 30fps; it blurs much less, but you'll have to make the decision. Numerous independant films have been shot on the JVC HD110 and HD200, so its an excellent camera!

_______________
Panasonic HVX200: The HVX200 is a great inexpensive choice for the indie filmmaker. It has excellent picture quality and an excellent 24p mode. Another huge upside is that it records to both HDV OR P2 cards, so its really convenient. However, it does not have quite as good picture quality as the Sony EX1, nor does it have interchangeable lenses like the JVC HD200. It's an excellent, well-rounded HD camera nonetheless. I found it works excellent with the Redrock M2 35mm adapters though.
____________
Canon XH-A1: The XH-A1 is rated as one of the best cameras out there for its combination of quality and value for your money. I agree. It's a nice, well rounded camera; relatively easy to use (compared to the others at least) and is packed with loads of features, making it an excellent value. My only problem is that it does not have a 720p mode. It also lacks a real 24p mode, and instead has what Canon calls a 24f mode. According to Canon, the 2 are identical, but I really don't know.

For standard definition, which is still a great option, as HD is still new and expensive:
1) Panasonic AG-DVX100B $2,500
2) Canon XL2 $3,000
3) Sony DSR-PD170 $2,500

I really can't decide whether I like the DVX100B or the XL2 better. I'm leaning towads the DVX100B as a better overall camera (and its very user friendly), but then again, the XL2 has interchangeable lenses. Both can record in 24p, which is a great option. The PD170 is a total low-light wonder, is easy to use, but does not have a 24p mode.

If this is still not what you had in mind for a budget, here are some decent consumer HD cameras:
1) Sony HDR-HC3 and HDR-HC9
2) Canon HV20 and HV30

both are HDV. I highly recommend it. I can't stand mini DVD or flash media. HDV is also considerably better than Hard Disk camera; they don't compress your footage quite as much.

Hope that helps, and I apologize if that's still not what you had in mind. Well good luck, and have fun!!!

Is there a program to make movies?

Antony Coo

Is there a program out there where you could create an environment with the computer, and then import movements or actors or something like that and add explosions and special effects, landscapes, buildings crumbling.....I guess what I'm trying to say, is there a program where you can make a mvie completely digitally.

Answer
A program with over 2000 effects, easy to learn and can do things Windows movie Maker could never do. Another program with even more effect and Timeline space also.

Pinnacle Studio 14 HD Ultimate & Sony Vegas Pro 10

Screen Shot, Top Picture - http://asimplelife.ca/nle.html Upgrade your computer to AVCHD specs below and you can run both programs seen on my Web Page on your computer. Just Rejig the search term below in the YouTube search, from the instructions below.

This is not a program that can run on any computer, see below -

Minimum System Requirements

WindowsÂ® 7, Windows VistaÂ® (SP2), or Windows XP (SP3)
IntelÂ® PentiumÂ® or AMD Athlonâ¢ 1.8 GHz (2.4 GHz or higher recommended)
-Intel Coreâ¢ 2 Duo 2.4 GHz required for AVCHD*
-Intel Coreâ¢ 2 Quad 2.66 GHz or Intel Core i7 required for
AVCHD* 1920
1 GB system memory recommended, 2 GB required for AVCHD*
DirectXÂ® 9 or 10 compatible graphics card with 64 MB (128 MB or higher recommended)
-256 MB required for HD and AVCHD*
DirectX 9 (or higher) compatible sound card
3.8 GB of disk space
DVD-ROM drive to install software

Import Formats
â¢Video: AVCHD*, AVCHD Lite*, BD Blu-ray*, DV, HDV, AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DivXÂ®*, MPEG-4*, 3GP (MPEG-4)*, WMV, non-encrypted DVD titles (incl. DVD-VR/+VR), QuickTimeÂ® MOV (DV, MPEG-4*, H.264*), DivX PlusÂ® MKV*
â¢Audio: MP3, MPA, WAV, AC3*, WMA
â¢Graphic: BMP, GIF, JPG, PCX, PSD, TGA, TIF, WMF, PNG, J2K
If interested, link below takes you to the site, but you can get this $80 program for free. Do this by opening a web browser, surfing over to YouTube. Once there, in the search box on that site, enter 'Pinnacle Studio 14' or âSony Vegas Pro 10â. Youâre looking for free download, find a link or video that says that, in the video description, there will be link for a free download. Make sure, before you do this, to make sure your computer can meet or exceed those Specs above, and pay special attention to the AVCHD specs if you have or are going to get a HD camcorder.

http://www.videomaker.com/article/14635 Pinnacle Studio 14 Ultimate Collection

http://www.videomaker.com/article/15120 Sony Vegas Pro 10

Then go get Adobe's After effects Editing program package, but make sure your computer meets those specs, it requires a 64 bit computer.

There do exist lots of sites where you can download, (some paying downloads) all kinds of fire, explosions, YouTube is a great site for Green Screen effects.

how to make imovies?

B.diamond

i got a high definition camcorder that always put my movies in mpeg from and make them quick time to imovies and iam not sure how to do that but it says that i can upload movies right to youtube but i have a laptop i need help on working to camcorder and computer

Answer
if you have the newest version, i found it different from the version i always had, i connected my camcorder from USB and i was able to find the clips and then i dragged them to a certain spot (the top middle box) if you wanna share it on youtube, go to the top to the share tab and there will be the option to share it on youtube. i did that also and at first didnt work, but i then shut off my other programs i had on and tried it again, and it worked, if you need more help look up tutorials on apple.com

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Camcorders?

Marianne k

What is the best brand for digital camcorders? JVC? SAMSUNG? ETC?

Answer
For years, I've done just fine by JVC, Canon, Sony, and Panasonic. I currently use a Panasonic camcorder (PV-GS65) at home, and have recommended a Panasonic professional camcorder (AG-HVX200) for a university TV organization, and we've been happy with both. Those cameras were selected for having the features we needed at the best price available. I'm not necessarily saying "go with Panasonic." There are other great brands out there, and any one of them is good if it meets your needs. It all depends on what you need to do with your camcorder.

Look at reviews and specifications. What do you want to do with your camcorder? Do you want to try editing, or do you simply want the easiest way to show video to your family? Do you plan on doing a lot of night shooting, or is spectacular performance in good light enough for you? Do you want a variety of manual control options? Where do you plan on using the camcorder? Do you plan on using an external microphone with your camcorder?

In short, find out exactly what you plan to use it for, and find out which one best meets your needs. The major brands have all been doing this for a long time, and all have a tendency to put out quality products.

looking for a camcorder for home videos

Q. I really want a camcorder to be able to take home videos of my newborn son, however we cannot afford much right now. I am more than willing to pay but I am not looking at spending more than $250....can anyone help or is anyone looking to sell one?

Answer
Yep - miniDV is the best choice, although you will need computer to convert the miniDV tape into DVD disc. (Alternatively, you can always play it from the tape directly from the camcorder onto your tv - it has video in/out)
Look on eBay, I bought 2 Canons there (ZR 700 and ZR 900 I think) and they are excellent. And good price too, especially today since those are models 2006 and 2007.

This is new one for $300 incl shipping and you will get a lot of stuff, more than just the camcorder...
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Canon-ZR900-Camcorder-Case-Tripod-2gb-Tapes-ZR-900-New_W0QQitemZ320285715888QQihZ011QQcategoryZ11724QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

have fun...

Johnny

Cheapest camcorders with different lens support and shoe mount?

Bob

My friend is looking for a camcorder with a small budget that fits the above.
Help asap pls

Answer
ANY camcorder that has a "Lens Filter Diameter" specification will have threads at the lens to add a screw-on filter or tele-lens or wide-angle lens.

For example, go to www.canon.com and check the camcorders specific to your country. In the US, the HF R10 "Filter Diameter" says "None". Generally speaking, this means a filter or lens cannot be securely added (without other modification). But the HF21 shows a filter diameter of 37mm and you will find add-on lenses with that same measurement which can be used on that camcorder. And the HF R21 shows a filter diameter of 34mm... You will find similar information at Sony, Panasonic and JVC sites for their different camcorders.

As for an accessory shoe, most consumer grade cams are just not coming with these anymore. So... add one. For example, at amazon, search "camera bracket". The angled Adorama camera bracket is useful because it has two cold-shoes and the angle is a nice hand-hold for two-handed (steadier) shooting. In the bottom of the camera mounting screw, there is another hole that allows mounting to a tripod quick release plate so you lose no tripod capability...

Camcorder Lens Sizes?

Mike Antho

what's the differences??? and is there a favorite size for most people???
and are most of them wide-angle???

Answer
Less than 37mm: typically in "pocket" camcorders like those from Flip.
37mm: Entry level consumer-grade.
40mm: Higher-end consumer grade.
43mm: even higher end consumer grade or low-end prosumer
72mm: high end prosumer or low-mid range pro.

There is no "favorite size" - anything less than prosumer is not "interchangable". There are add-ons (threaded are best) for telemacro, wide-angle and tele lenses. Most low-end camcorders do not have threads to accept different lens accessories - whther filters, lenses or whatever. Depensing on the camcorder designe, a rubber gasket sceme to attach lens add-ons might be possible.

Larger camcorder lens diameter = more light allowed to get to the imaging chip(s). Presuming the imaging chip array is balanced well with the camcorder, this will control the low-light video capture behavior.
Small lens + small imaging chip = poor low light behavior. As the lens and imaging chip get larger, low light behaviro improves and the camcorder get more expensive. Good glass for lenses and large imaging chips (CMOS or CCD) are expensive.

I need a camcorder?

jesusrocks

My wife and I are looking to buy a DVD camcorder at a reasonable cost (under $400) before our baby boy arrives in April. I have a few questions.....

What is mini dv and how is it different to DVD?
What brand and model offer the best quality at the best price?
What about internal memory, transferring to a PC, audio quality, etc...

This will be used mainly for home movies, but I would also use it at my bands performances as well as concerts and possibly sporting events.

Answer
DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

Highest compression of the available storage formats results in lost data = poor video quality... especially if you have any intention of ever editing. The DVD based camcorders will compress into a VOB file typically not useful directly by most video editors. That typically means ripping the DVD or using the analog AV cables that come with the camcorder and transferring low-quality analog video through a analog/digital bridge.

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

The BEST quality video comes from camcorders that use miniDV tape (which record into DV format for standard definition video). There is very little compression applied and if your computer has a firewire port, DV can be editied by pretty much any video editing application. You will use the DV port of the camcorder connected to the firewire port of your computer - using a firewire cable (firewire, i.Link, IEEE1394 are all the same thing).

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

Higher video quality than DVD based and not quite miniDV tape based camcorder video quality are the hard drive and certain higher-end flash based camcorder - they typically compress a lot into a MPEG file format. Most (not all) video editors can deal with this with not additional codecs - but the translation apps are available for all editing apps to deal with them.

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

When you use MiniDV tape, it is your "archive". Fill a 60 minute tape, pop out the tape, put in a new one and start rolling. I can use around 5 seconds from the time I press stop, replace a tape and am recording again.

When you use a hard drive based or flash memory based camcorder, what happens when you run out of memory? You need to transfer video to a computer, delete the files from the camcorder and start shooting again. Yes, they hold menay hours of video - you have to be sure to clean it out each time - just like you need to remember to carry blank tapes.

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

I shoot live music videos... If your music is loud, you do not have much choice. Most low-end and mid-range camcorders do not have any manual audio control and have to rely on an auto audio leveling circuit. For the most part, this auto-audio gain mechanism cannot deal with loud music - this can be loud from a marching band or loud from amplified instruments. The resulting audio will be muddy and not usable. You can either find a Sony camcorder (DCR-HC28, DCR-HC96) that has a menu selection for normal or low gain for the audio or you can use an external device to control the gain (like a BeachTek XLR adapter - but you would be using a camcorder with a mic-in jack and XLR mics) or you can find a camcorder with manual audio control - there are none in your stated price range. The least expensive ones I know of are the Canon HV20 or Sony HDR-HC7.

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

Both the Sony DCR-HC28 and DCR-HC96 do not have a proper mic-in jack - they do have a Sony proprietary "active interface" shoe. Normally, that would mean you are locked into using ONLY Sony proprietary mics that work with the proprietary shoe... but, if you get http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479976-REG/Sony_VMCK100_VMC_K100_Microphone_Adapter.html then you can use any mic or XLR adapter with a 1/8" jack. B&H is the only place these seem to exist - you can't even get them directly from Sony!

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

Just so you know, my current favorite equipment to use for live band recording is my Sony HDR-HC1, Audio-Technica AT-825 stereo mic and BeachTeck DXA-6 XLR adapter... If I am lucky and have an audio engineer who knows what they are doing and can send me a good discreet board mix, I prefer using that connected to my camera or a field recorder (M-Audio or Marantz or Fostex) or a DigiDesign ProTools set up and replace the camera's audio with the board mix...

Did I mention, DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER.

need a camcorder for baby's birth?

booluvsbab

im recording the baby's birth for my husband (who will be deployed to iraq) but im not sure which kind to get....i KNOW he doesnt have a vcr so the one w/ the tapes are out of the question, but the dvd ones are so expensive and i need it asap. and suggestions?
o and if anyone knows, there are the cute smaller ones that r under $100 (like the ones at kohles) can i get one of those and just transfer it to a dvd?

Answer
Not sure about which camcorder to get but the news this morning was talking about youtube for troops. Check into it. I think it is called youtube for troops or Trooptube. That way your hubby can just log on to the computer and watch,no dvd needed!!

Good luck and congrats on the baby!

C'mon some advice please?!? Need opinion on best video camera or camcorder?

Jenny

I am looking to buy within the next couple of days (so quickness is GREATLY appreciated!) a camcorder or video camera. I don't have $800 to spend on one, more like $200-$400 MAX. (sheesh that sounds crazy for me personally) BUT I am hoping to find one in fairly new condition USED to I might be able to get a nicer camera USED rather than a crappier one NEW. (I'll be careful buying used, trust me) Anyways, there are a TON of reviews and such out there, but a lot of them are contradicting, and not very complete, so I am looking for people who OWN a video camera they just love. So please, any advice of a specific camera that you have and love it, (pro's and con's) I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks everyone! Here are some things that I am looking for in 1 for myself:
1.) NightShot is a must
2.) would like for it to be able to take pictures in addition to video
3.) NONE of these pocket/flip camcorders, I want a for REAL one, you know?
4.) Can't be CRAZY expensive
5.) Don't really have a preference as to what it records on (any advice/info on that would be appreciated, as in MiniDV versus Flash Memory, or DVD's whatever. They're all cool with me)
6.) Can be an older model, I don't care, just want it to be durable, not all "fru fru" where I have to baby it or it will shatter.
7.) Want some descent zoom that's for sure

Answer
You can use Leawo Free DVD Creator. It is easy to use, and it can convert videos to dvd in several steps.Download Leawo Free DVD Creator here:
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGkw22TZxLDEkBuV1XNyoA?p=leawo+dvd+creator&fr2=sb-top&fr=yfp-t-701&fp_ip=cn&rd=r1&meta=vc%3Dcn&sao=1 Wish it can help, good luck!

Camera for on the go documentation?

mike

Hi there,

I'm looking for a good handheld camcorder made prior to June 2008 for on the go documentation.
One might wonder why I'd want something prior to 2008. Well it's the year Video was intergraded with DSLRS. Since then companies have been pushing the envelope for higher resolution, something that isn't really important to me. What is important to me is the content I want to obtain.

Things I'm looking for in this handheld camcorder are:
-Fast aperture (ie 1.8).
-Good in lowlight conditions.
-Small and compact.
-Good audio.
-Image Stabilization.
-Ability to shoot 24p and in 16:9.
-Internal Harddrive.

I like the texture and quality of older handheld camcorders, very voyeuristic, homemade and feels intimate.
Best example of this is "A Cross The Universe (Justice) Documentary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1Z0DTZB8qU

Answer
In 2008, the handheld, available, *camcorders* that could capture 24p were the Canon HV20 and HV30. They store standard def DV and high definition HDV format video to digital tape (miniDV).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_HV40#Canon_HV20

The Sony competitor at the time in the consumer space was the HVR-HC1 (the HC3 was a waste). The pro sibling of the HC1, the HVR-A1, both do a "Cinema effect" 24p, but not true 24p. The HC1 and A1 also record to miniDV tape.

An external memory storage unit can be added using the IEEE1394 connection between the camcorder and the external storage unit. DV and HDV format video will be recorded (same as when recording to the digital tape). Sony and Vitec (bought FireStore) make various flash memory and hard disc drive specialized systems.

In 2008, JVC made the GZ-HD7 (and HD5 and HD3) that recorded MPEG-2 video to an internal hard disc drive based consumer, handheld, camcorder. This video was saved in a ".TOD" file type. This file type and format cannot deal with 24 fps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOD_and_TOD#JVC_MOD_camcorders

In all cases, the lens filter diameter of these cameras topped out at about 37mm and the imaging chip is less than 1/3 inch. "Low light" behavior is not so good. The small lens cannot let enough light in and the small imaging chip does not have enough to work with. Physics is not our friend.

Early in the link you provided, there is a shot or two of some monochrome (green and white) video. This is a giveaway that a Sony camcorder's "Nightshot" feature was used. Turning this feature on, a built-in infrared emitter illuminates and drops the camcorder into the monochrome mode. JVC and Canon never had this feature in their early consumer camcorders. Panasonic skipped the consumer HDV boat and jumped straight into AVCHD onto flash memory. Their low-end pro-grade AG-HVX200 recorded DVCProHD format video to P2 flash memory cards.

"Good audio" is relative. If the built-in mics are in the right place for "good audio" then the lens is usually not able to frame things right. Use an external mic. By definition, "high definition video" is widescreen (16:9) aspect ratio) and 720 or 1080 horizontal lines.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_definition_video

The HDR-HC1 and HVR-A1 both can do standard def, widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio), too. The A1 can also do standard def DVCAM format video in 4:3 or 16:9. Both have a 3.5mm stereo mic jack. I added a BeachTek DXA-6 to the bottom of my HDR-HC1; the HVR-A1 came with an awkward top mounted Sony XLR adapter that replaced the HC1's built-in flash with a XLR adapter mounting unit. These cameras load digital tape from the bottom. That can be cumbersome when changing tapes, but bhphotovideo had a spacer available made specifically for this when the camcorder is mounted to a stabilizer. Optical stabilization is OK - but nothing beats a tripod, chair, desk, floor or some other stabilizer. Mics like a decent shotgun mic (Audio Technica AT875R) or Sennheiser wireless lavaliere system or handheld Shure SM58 will provide "good audio" AND allow good framing for the video.

There is nothing out there that meets all your requirements given the vintage you provided... It seems you have some choices to make...

Looking for a video camera with good audio... any suggestions?

ThatMixedD

I have a piano recital coming up, and I need a suggestion for a fairly cheap camera with good audio recording capabilities, as the last camera we used recorded the sound absolutely horribly ( i assume it was because the camera was made to only capture the human voice's spectrum ).

I just want something that can capture the full span of sound that a piano can emit without hisses or cracking noises- or if there is no such camera, share some ideas for best recording the event (e.g. maybe a suggested external mic or whatever)... I have one month. Thanks :)

Answer
Camcorder microphones aren't usually professional level, but they aren't bad, either. What they are is poorly located to get audiophile level recording. Way too far away far away from the source of the sound, they'll pick up noise and chatter from close to the camera. If you're filming at the 3-6 foot range, most camcorder audio will work fine. Farther away requires more effort. Bottom line is that proper microphone placement is critical for good recordings.

Depending on the stage setup (if any) at the recital, see if one of the following options is feasible:

1) If the piano is miked into a PA/speaker system, recording the line output of that device onto a CD or other recorder gives some of the clearest possible sound. If you leave your camcorder running continuously during the performance, it's fairly easy to sync the CD audio to your digital video in any of the movie editors and get top notch audio and video. Leave your camcorder running so you only have to sync one spot, not at every scene. Once synced, you can then cut out boring sections of the video. (~$0 expense if they have a CD recording system already in place)

2) If the piano isn't miked, you can use a digital audio recorder. The good ones aren't cheap, but you'll get baby monitor quality sound if you go cheap. Place the recorder in a good location near the piano (test before the recital if at all possible). These small devices are unobtrusive, and can get quality recordings if placed properly. You could use this recording to supplement/replace your existing camera's audio as described above ~ $150 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/599284-REG/Tascam_DR_07_DR_07_Portable_Digital_Audio.html)

3) You can buy a camcorder with an external microphone jack and get a wireless mic system or a shotgun mic (think teleaudio to match your telephoto zoom). Unfortunately, you tend to get what you pay for on this. Decent ones start at $75 and you still have to figure out where to position the microphone. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=15708&N=4290441573+4293345063&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7C0
Shotgun microphones (the zoom version of a microphone) are very directional in it's pickup pattern, removing much of the side noise captured by built in microphones. $60+ http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3646-REG/Azden_ECZ_990_ECZ_990_Super_Cardioid_Shotgun.html
Unless your existing videocamera has an external mic jack, you'll have to factor in the additional cost of a new camera with a microphone input. External microphone jacks have been removed from the feature list of most consumer camcorders. HD cameras with the external microphone jack tend to be ~ $800-$1000

What camcorder should I buy? 1000$ budget.?

Paola

I have 1000 dollars to spend on it but obviously I don't need to spend it all. I do interviews and I want them to be in HQ. Don't care about the sound quality because I'm buying mics anyway. I want all these features
Manual Focus
Manual Iris
manual white balance
3 CCDs
Headphone Jack
manual Sound Control
Audio Inputs
Filter Ring
On top of all that, it should also have an auto-mode.
It needs to be user friendly. As user friendly as possible, that's the priority. I don't want to spend the rest of my life studying this thing...
I need to be able to travel with it, so durable or memory storage HAS to be decent (say I do an event, than 3 interviews).
I'd prefer to buy brand new.

Answer
At your price point, none meet your requirements...

Off the top of my head, the Sony HDR-FX7 meets all of your requirements (though I believe it is 3CMOS not 3CCD) other than price. As a miniDV tape based camcorder, your computer MUST have a firewire port to get the video from the digital tape into the computer for editing. USB-to-firewire cable/converter/adapter things do not work.

For mics, I suggest those which use XLR connectors - not consumer-grade 1/8" (3.5mm) connectors. So you need to also invest in a XLR adapter (like the juicedLink CX237).

For a case, I use Pelican 1500 (hmmm - maybe a 1550 - I forget) cases for my Sony HDR-FX1 and HDR-FX1000, so fitting a smaller HDR-FX7 should be fine.

You should also budget for a decent tripod (Manfrotto or Davis & Sanford), a high capacity rechargeable battery from Sony (the one that comes with the camcorder records for about 30 minutes; the NP-F970 will go for 5+ hours).

Each 60 minute miniDV tape will record up to about 63 minutes of high quality, low compression, HDV format video. I use Sony Premium tapes that are inexpensive (see tapestockonline.com, bhphtovideo.com or Frys Electronics among many retailers).

Consider video lights (LitePanel for on-camera lighting), wireless mics (I use Sennheiser G3 gear with the portable, camera-mountable, battery powered base stations)...

There's more, but this should get you started...

Monday, April 7, 2014

What's the best camera/camcorder for under $300?

Cruisin4ab

I was looking into buying the FujiFilm FinePix F60fd 12 Megapixel
for $220 (on ebay), but then I read that you can find cameras that also have video, for around the same price range. Which would be awesome, but I don't want to spend anymore than $350 TOPS!

Should I just go with the FujiFilm FinePix or would you recommend another? I absolutely need a camera with 12mp because I have to take high quality photos for a local magazine.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Answer
While most cameras take video, and some camcorders take photos; to get the best of both, you need both. Suggest the least expensive Canon Camcorder and the Canon A590IS camera.

Just saw this camera at Best Buy and think it is a great camera and a best buy. It has an optical viewfinder, image stabilizer, auto focus, and uses NiMH rechargeable batteries. Read as much of the following as you can for other information and help with choosing a camera.
Canon A590IS $129.99 at Staples yesterday.
http://bountii.com/deal-1523871-canon-powershot-8-0-megapixel.html ...

There is no one particular place to get great buys, but you may see something above that really helps you find the best buy. Click on the link in the information above for an example then search for your camera of choice at the upper left. Camera prices at this link change often.

In new cameras, look for a viewfinder (LCD invisible in bright sun), image stabilizer, and check battery prices. High mega pixel settings take longer to process and may not be needed unless required for very large pictures. Maximum print size for a 3 mega pixel setting is 8 x 10 inches. Click links below for more details.
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=398&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=2039 ...
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm ...

While most of the cameras out there are really good, I would choose Canon over Nikon because it seems like more camera for the money. Some would say Canon withholds their best technology for high end cameras and Nikon implements their best at all levels. Before you decide, read all the text and links in the information below because it will help you know what to look for in a camera.

CAUTION Do not overcharge! Batteries can be damaged. Use an automatic two or more hour Energizer Compact smart charger with temperature monitor, trickle charge technology, and safety timer ($9.76) at Walmart. Use pre-charged 2000mAh Duracell ($12.97) or RayOVac ($5.97) batteries and a full cycle charge (holds charge one year). To preserve battery charge, use the viewfinder.

There are so many cameras out there it is difficult to say which is best, but digital is definitely the way to go. The second source link will be very helpful as it list most of the cameras out there with prices. The following information should help you know what to look for in a camera.

What gives a camera its picture quality?
The short answer is that it is mostly the skill of the photographer that produces high quality pictures. The lens and camera are very important, but the ability to set the scene, adjust the cameras settings, and hold the camera very still or use a tripod with auto or remote shutter actuation when required is what gets the great pictures.

Lots of great camera tips in these two links. http://www.danscamera.com/Learning/going_digital/#resolution ...
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=38/10468/6368/333&pq-locale=en_US ...

The information about my camera is just to show that you don't need the biggest and best. Just know how to use the one you have.

My camera has 5.2 mega pixel, but I use 3 most of the time because it gives great results, is faster, and takes less memory. Also, it only has a 3 x optical zoom and 7 x digital zoom. I never use the digital zoom because making pictures larger works better on the computer. This is an old camera, but everyone is impressed with the quality pictures it takes ... like magic.

Check with the Geeks in several stores and compare prices. Ask what cameras they own, but don't believe everything you hear. Once you select a camera read all about it in the owner's manual. Just learned that my camera has red-eye prevention and correction. It also has adaptive lighting. You may be able to view owners manuals at this link, but will need to Login. http://www.retrevo.com/s/digital+camera ...

The source links will show most of the cameras out there with prices and help make digital cameras work better with complete instructions on cleaning camera and battery electrical contacts.

Source:
http://www.google.com/base/a/4210404/D13701973093918363271
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/ ...
http://dpreview.com/ ...

What is the best Digital Camcorder for Film Making?

Emmers4Lif

I am a film maker and am looking to buy a new camcorder, however I do not have much money. I am looking for a more professional one then the one I have, I have a handheld digital video camera. I want one with an audio boom mike, and a good lens.

Answer
The new ultra compact XA10 Professional Camcorder is designed for situations where mobility is critical while shooting. This feature-rich, professional model records Full HD 1080p using an AVCHD codec.After sitting down and going through the easy to understand manual, I was able to customize my settings for different shooting situations. Even if you do not think you will need the handle, leave it on because it is easier to operate the zoom control and start recording without the camera shaking. The camera seems to be a top quality instrument. The 3.5mm mic works very well for the everyday filming. The XML mic's are costly. I found it easier to transfer the raw filming to the SD card (Slot B) and then import the data to the editing software. This way you do not have to power the camera for the transfer. I would recommend this to a friend

Sunday, April 6, 2014

How to get videos off jvc camcorder?

southernmo

I HAVE A jvc compact vhs camcorder model gr-sx265. The only hooks up i see is s video cord and the red,yellow hook up to a tv. I know this is an old camcorder but i cant afford one and my sister gave me this one.Is there a way to get the videos on my laptop? So i can pu the movies on a disc not vsh?

Answer
Try this.
ANALOG
*If you have an analog (VHS) camcorder
or VHS-c...
You need an analog converter, either internal card or external such as the dazzle. It's very easy to use and come with good software. You would hook your analog VHS camera or VCR to the analog converter, the dazzle and then hook the dazzle to your PC. The dazzle cost around 85.00 , but worth the money if you have a lot of VHS to tapes to convert. You can also purchase a http://www.amazon.com/EasyCAP-DC60-Creator-Capture-High-quality/dp/B002H3BSCM which is way cheaper but does not come with editing software. Fine if you already have editing software.
Anytime you convert analog to digital, you will lose quality, but loss of quality is better than losing all those old memories.

**Please Note There is no 8mm or Hi 8 to VHS Adapter that currently exists. This type of VHS Adapter only exists with VHS-C tape

They also make VHS to DVD recorders and they work fine for home movies that you don't want to edit. They do not work on copyrighted DVD's.

http://www.amazon.com/EasyCAP-DC60-Creator-Capture-High-quality/dp/B002H3BSCM

Can JVC camcorder videos be edited on Windows Movie Maker?

Amaris F

I'm thinking of buying the JVC Everio 8GB 45X Dynamic Zoom Camcorder, but I want to know if the videos can be edited on Windows Movie Maker without converting them?

Answer
JVC Everio flash memory camcorders record MOD (standard definition modified MPEG2) or TOD (high definition modified AVCHD/MTS) files - depending on the camcorder.

You did not provide the model number of the camcorder, but with that high optical zoom, I'll assume it is a standard def camcorder.

No version of MovieMaker can deal directly with MOD files. You need to transcode them to a video file type MovieMaker likes... like WMV. There are many tools you can download to do the transcoding. HandBrake and MPEG StreamClip are two I like.

If the camcorder does record high definition AVCHD/MTS files, the TOD files will also need conversion... and Windows 7 and the current version of MovieMaker will deal with the high definition format... earlier versions will not.

"Conversion" does not mean reduced video quality. If you do not compress the video, then the video quality - for editing - will remain good. If you compress the video when it is captured or if the conversion application you use when you make that conversion, then video quality will be reduced. That is why the camcorder option should always be set to highest quality - and not longest record time.

Yes, high quality video files take lots of computer hard drive space. Video compression discards video data... that is how the files are made smaller. Video compression should be used ONLY as the last step after capture, after conversion after editing... Save a high quality, low compression file, *then* render to a high compression, low or medium quality, file for uploading.

Can Anyone provide me with information about Taking Videos?

Tracks

Hi! I'm new at all of this technology. I just bought a Digital camera last yr. & finally have gotten an understanding about how it works. I'm taking Great Pics & Lovin' it.

Anyway, I've been watching some Videos that people have posted on YouTube. Now, I don't have a Webcam and/or Camcorder. The only thing I know is that Webcams are Only for taking Vids to be placed on the Internet such as YouTube & that Camcorders are used for just taking regular Vids like the way the old Video Cassette Recorders (back in the day) did only it's Digital today.
So, as you can see I'm not too knowledgeable on these. I'm interested in taking Vids for my own personal purposes & SAVING them so I can Watch them IN PERSON (NOT Over the Computer) when showing it to my friends or family. For instance, I know that I don't always have to use my Digital Camera to e-mail or put in the Hard Drive. I know if I want to Save my Pics I can save it onto a Flash Drive OR onto a DVD or CD.

1) Could provide me w/ some important information (for example, their differences, what each one does, etc., etc.) that I would need to know about "Camcorders" & "Webcams"?

2) Which one of these (i.e. is it a "Camcorder" or "Webcam") would fulfill my above goal?
Whichever one it is I also like to know:

3) What would be the a good brand with a reasonable - cheap price to buy AT A STORE Location (I don't like ordering Online when I'm not familiar w/ how it works. I need to touch it, try it out, etc. just like a regular customer who shops AT A STORE & has the freedom to ASK an Associate IN PERSON.)?

I Am NOT Looking for one of those Professional - Top of the Line ones. I just want a basic one (that takes good quality Vids), but not TOO Basic. Kinda like when I purchased my Cell Phone. I purchased a Cell that had a Cool look to it, but had a VGA camera in which I didn't know took horrible pics so after discovering this a month later I bought another phone which cost about $100 more than the 1st one b/c it had Pixels. Both phones are basic (Not Top of the Line), but as you can see one has better features than the other.

Please let me know how these things work & Any Further Information. I'm open to any suggestions.

Answer
Standard definition or HD? You can buy a SD camera with better features than an HD one of the same price, but the HD will of course have a higher resolution. If you have an SD TV and not an HD TV, then you'll want SD in order to watch it on your TV).'

You didn't say how much you could spend, so I'll start at the bottom.

Good inexpensive standard definition cameras:

Canon FS200 (under $200) - good basic camcorder, one of the better SDs in its class.
Panasonic SDR-S50 (~$250) - good esp. if you'd like more manual controls, not great for low light
JVC Everio GZ-MS120 (~200) - good video, manual controls, no inputs

Cheap high-definition cameras:

Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera (~$250) Probably the best POCKET video camera out now.

Flip UltraHD (under $200) pocket camcorder, super-easy to use, but get the "2 hour" version.

If you want something a little less wimpy, but not still pretty inexpensive:

Sanyo VPC-HD2000 (~$300) Records to SD/SDHC memory cards. (You'll want to buy a few.) One of the best values in an HD camcorder (also can record in SD, as well as web resolutions). Headphone and mic jacks--nice to have at this price. Said to have a great picture. Great low-light sensitivity! This would be my recommendation at this price point.

JVC-Everio-GZ-HD620 (~$400) Nice little mid-range camcorder, records to 120 GB hard drive.

For a really nice consumer camcorder (if you can afford it):

Panasonic HDC-TM700 ($700-$800) Too many features to list them all here (see website). Rated high in just about everything. Great video, records to SD/SDHC/SDXC, will record for 160 minutes at highest quality (1080p full HD), Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, 12x optical zoom (700x digital), uses flash memory or memory card, good low-light performance, color night record, a multitude of scene modes for shooting in different kinds of light, shoots still images up to 3600 x 2400 or 3840 x 2100, optical image stabilization. CamcordInfo.com's Camcorder of the Year.

There are good cameras (relatively speaking) at all price points; it's just a matter of how much you're willing to spend and what quality/features you can and can't live without. If you pick a good brand (Panasonic/Sony/Canon/JVC and lately, Sanyo) you'll probably get a decent camera--so pick your
price point and wanted features and see what fits. Good luck.

Best Video recorder for anthropology interviews?

Equitae

Hi there, I was just hoping I could get a few recommendations on the best videorecorder. I have checked and shifted through what feels like a thousand sites comparing them and I havenât really gotten anywhere. I am an anthropology student and for my course work we have conduct interviews with people that are helpful to our research. She has challenged us to archive our family and the stories we share at gatherings or just in conversation. So I want a recorder that is small and durable enough for me to carry everywhere, you never know when a good story will come up. Of course a good mic, memory, and picture quality would be nice. I am not very well versed in specifics in the technology. I was just hoping to find someone that has USED a camera they liked. I am college student on a college student budget and I donât have the funds to waste on a gamble. I would appreciate any information or recommendations you have. THANKS

Answer
Hi Ms."Equitae" and welcome to Yahoo!Answers:

First, you posted this same Question twice. Once is enough, please.

And "best" is a relative term, especially if you are talking "broke college student". ("Best" video camcorders can range up to the $50,000+ level.) So, giving an exact dollar-figure to us really helps.

For quick candid conversations & interviews, where the audio is as important (or moreso) as the video, I'd suggest getting a pocket video recorder that emphasizes good built-in mikes & audio setting capabilities like the Zoom Q2HD or the newer Q3HD: http://www.samsontech.com/zoom/products/handheld-video-recorders/q3hd/

The Q2HD listed for $199 and sells for around $179: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/871323-REG/Zoom_Q2HD_Q2HD_Handy_Video_Recorder.html

I'd also spend $5-$15 for a small table-top tripod, or a bit more for a small GorillaPod (has flexible legs for wrapping on poles & trees for outdoor interviews). There's also a Zoom accessory pack option with a tiny tripod and assorted cables, case, etc.

For the under-$200 price range, I don't think you could find anything else that would be field-rugged and pocket-friendly.

hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
Â

Video on my camcorder to a video file on my computer. HOW, WHAT programs?

rekkimcjon

Does anyone know of a good program where I can take the video recorded on my camcorder and make it into a file on my computer?

Answer
If you have a mini dv (cassette) camcorderâ¦.
Your dv camcorder needs a firewire connection (ieee 1394) in order to download video, your PC probably did not come with a firewire port, so you will have to buy one and install it, since most computers (except possibly brand new) don't come with a firewire port, your camcorder did not come with a firewire cord so you have to purchase a cord too. Your camcorder did come with a USB cord and that is used for downloading stills from your camcorder.

If you have a mini dvd camcorderâ¦.
You will have to finalize your dvd in the camera and then put the dvd in your computer 's DVD burner (top loading only) and then you will have to convert the files (i downloaded handbrake file converter free) and import them into your editing program. Use the HELP feature in your editing program to learn about editing. Once you are ready to burn, your project will be burned to a different DVD and you can file the original away.

If you have an analog (VHS) camcorderâ¦
You need an analog converter, either internal card or external such as the dazzle. It's very easy to use and come with good software. You would hook your analog VHS camera to the analog converter, the dazzle and then hook the dazzle to your PC. The dazzle cost around 70.00 , but worth the money if you have a lot of VHS to tapes to convert.

Top camcorder under $300?

Q. I am trying to find a really good camcorder that has image stabilization, high quality pictures Full HD Video and 8 MP , that's easy to use, and has a decent optical zoom.I would like a camcorder for my marriage that has slow motion capacity My budget is under $300.I want the best of the best for that price, . Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Sonia,
I recommend Sanyo VPC-FH1A
* Capture Full 1080p HD video (60fps) and up to 8-megapixel still photos
* 16x advanced zoom for video; 10x optical zoom for photos
* Face Chaser technology (can detect up to 12 faces for photos and videos)
* Built-in still photo flash; High-Speed Sequential Shooting (12fps)
* Compatible with iFrame video format
The Sanyo FH1A Dual Camera is also the worldâs first camcorder that is compatible with iFrame.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Q4VC9G?ie=UTF8&tag=digitsy-post3-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002Q4VC9G

Popular Posts