Where can I get a universal mount for the top of my video camera?

KevinoC

I'm looking for something prettttty general here. I have the slots (im not sure what else to call them really) on top of my video camera that are meant for a mic or a light or an accessory....do they sell just a plastic piece that slides in and allows me to make of it what i want?

that sounds pretty confusing, but right now i have in mind attaching my 12LED compact flashlight to the top of it, since any light I can find is overpriced and underpowered.
Thanks!

Answer
Without knowing the model of your camcorder, we assume you are talking about a hotshoe. Hotshoes have ben around since the 1950s. Hotshoe technology is older than anyone who uses them, so any device you want to slide in there is , well, already built so it slides in. You don't need any extra equipment to slide in the hotshoe device.

Attaching a flashlight to your camcorder is not easy, nor is it wise to do. Besides, there are very affordable lights for your camcorder that are much more powerful than a flashlight. Depending on your budget and how far you wish to stray from AC power cords, you have two general options available:

1. SAKAR Video Light VT3800 300W http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O39MWK?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000O39MWK - a whopping 300 watt light for a very affordable price that needs to be plugged into an AC power source, and comes with a 9' cord. We recently bought this light from this link, and we love it.

2. Opteka 150w Professional Halogen Quartz Video Light Kit with 12v Rechargeable Battery Pack http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000U7G7J6?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000U7G7J6 - comes with its own light-weight rechargeable battery pack to allow 50 watts of light for 2.5 hours, or it can be plugged into an AC power source for 150 watts of light. We have owned this model before, and it works well. It costs a bit more and produces half the light, but you get better, longer, and more flexible mobility than the light above.

* be aware that both of these lights will weigh as much as your camcorder, so you will be holding at least twice the weight when they are attached to the hotshoe.

If you need to plug in two or more hotshoe devices (such as a light and an external mic) into the same camcorder, you might need a Cool-lux Light & Sound Bracket, Camcorder Dual Mount Bracket for Video Lights & Microphones http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R7VN?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00009R7VN or a Bower Two Shoe Video Light Bracket http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NL5X5S?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000NL5X5

Best Camcorder for editing?

Q. Here's the situation:

I need a camera for work to do some training videos. Our computers are outdated and our budget limited, so the only piece of software I can use is going to be Windows Media Player.

I've had much success using that program with Mini DV camcorders, but my boss told me that he wants one of the new flash based camcorders, so I'm kind of in a bind.

Budget for camera will top out at $500, but I need one that will be able to make editing happen with WMM. I know that Firewire > USB and that USB tends to have issues, but I need to make the best of the situation by adjusting to what my boss wants vs what I need to make it work.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Answer
Hi Jim, and welcome to Yahoo!Answers:

I see from your other initial Question that you've already "met" fellow Contributor Dave ("Palladini") and his stock answer about miniDV camcorders and their quality compared to flash-memory based consumer models.

On the video quality issues, I have to concur with Dave on that point. And since your boss is setting a paltry $500 limit for hardware, Dave's recommendations for miniDV over flash-card format model cameras would be wise to talk to your boss about.

I can understand that your winXP workplace computers might not have Firewire PCI cards, and your boss is probably considering the digital workflow issues (miniDV transfers take "real time" versus file-copy for flash cards), but you could make the point with him that $50 spent on a Firewire card saves having to spend $100 or more on a better editing program to accept oddball flash-card file codecs that WMM won't handle.

The other option, since a camera purchase seems to be imminent, is to choose a brand and model that (like Sony or JVC) that bundles a "free" media browser/editor (Sony PMB or JVC Pixela) that handles the files their camera produces.

Company training videos tend to be fairly simplistic and are intended to illustrate basic procedures or company guidelines. The editing involved shouldn't require a high-powered editing tool to assemble & trim the needed shots.

If your boss starts wanting something more involved than a few PowerPoint slide inserts ("I'd like a green-screen background, and a Picture-in-Picture window with me talking over this scene...") put your foot down and tell him bluntly he needs to rethink the end-purpose of the training video project and his limited budget figures!

For you, I have a followup question: do you own the miniDV camcorder(s) you are experienced on, or does the company already have an "older" miniDV model that you've been using? Or is this their first video equipment purchase? Use the "Additional Details" link on the Y!Answers Action Bar to respond here.

I'll make specific brand and model recommendations based on your answer & other feedback to that.

hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
 

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What should I look for when buying a digital camcorder?

gary d

what is a hybrid comcorder.
what questions should i ask the salesperson when i go and buy one.
I am looking to spend no more than $600.
any suggestions??

thanks

Answer
Key Features
Screen: Having a large LCD screen built into the camcorder lets you more easily see what you're recording and facilitates playback previews. Be careful when considering a camcorder's screen, though--some don't work well in bright sunlight, an environment in which you'll often use the device. Most camcorders come with both an LCD screen and a viewfinder, giving you the option to use either. The viewfinder can be useful if you can't see the screen in bright light; it also uses less power than the screen, extending the camcorder battery's life. Also, if you are considering purchasing a camcorder that can shoot in wide-screen (720-by-480-pixel) format, look for a camcorder with a wide-screen LCD, which won't crop your view of the video you're shooting.

Lens: Every camcorder comes with a zoom lens that lets you get closer to your subject. Camcorder manufacturers don't always distinguish clearly between digital and optical zoom. The spec for maximum optical zoom is the more interesting figure: It denotes the maximum zoom that the camcorder can achieve by moving its lens elements. Most modern camcorders have at least a 10X optical zoom, which should be more than adequate for general purposes. A digital zoom, on the other hand, magnifies after the optical zoom is fully extended, and the camcorder then enlarges part of the image to fill the screen. This method leads to grainy, pixelated, and generally unpleasant-looking images. At higher digital zoom settings, the quality is so poor that you often can't see what you are taping.

Image stabilization: All camcorders offer one of two types of image stabilization--optical or electronic--to reduce jittery video caused by shaky hands. With optical stabilization, the camcorder's lens mechanism moves to compensates for external movement. With electronic image stabilization, the image captured by the lens "floats" on the CCD, and the camcorder uses internal circuitry after the image has been captured to interpret the video. Optical stabilization usually provides the best results; in the past it was typically found in more expensive camcorders, but these days some moderately priced models have it too.

Batteries: The amount of recording and playback time you get out of a battery varies, but most camcorders should be able to record for at least an hour with the included battery. Additional higher-capacity batteries typically cost from $50 to $100.

Microphones: Sound is almost as important to a video as the images. We've found that camcorders with microphones mounted in the front tend to produce better sound than those with microphones on the top of the unit; top-mounted microphones often pick up the voice of the person operating the camera, drowning out everything else. Some camcorders offer zoom microphones that emphasize the subject's voice when the zoom lens is used, and some also come with a socket for plugging in an external microphone. Either type of microphone can be very useful when you're recording presentations or speeches.

Still photography: Many digital camcorders can serve as digital cameras, saving still images to a memory card or to tape. Some can save images at the same resolution as a 5-megapixel camera (but watch out for models that produce interpolated high-resolution images from lower-resolution CCDs). However, none of the camcorders we've tested has performed as well at taking still pictures as a dedicated still camera--they don't provide the same level of control or the same image quality.

Controls: We have found that smaller camcorders can be a little more difficult to use because their controls don't naturally sit where your fingers fall, particularly if you have large hands. Of course, heavy, bulky models can get tiring to carry, so strive for a balance.

Low-light modes: Many camcorders have the ability to film in very low light, whether with the help of an infrared light (which you can't see, but the camcorder can), a special slow-shutter mode that makes the most of ambient lighting, or built-in illumination from one or more LEDs. Some models offer all three methods. These modes can be very useful in poorly illuminated settings, but video captured with these tools enabled won't be as good as video captured in well-lit settings. For example, slow-shutter modes may cause moving subjects to smear or ghost.

Format: Most camcorders use the MiniDV and DVD formats, but models that capture to small onboard hard drives are becoming more common; others write to flash memory. MiniDV models still capture the best-quality video.

Hard-drive models: These camcorders' main advantage is that they give you near-instant access to any footage on the drive. Rather than having to fast-forward or fast-reverse to find the scene you want, as with a tape-based camcorder, you can go to a scene by clicking on a thumbnail in the camcorder. But once the drive is full, you must stop shooting until you can offload the footage (with a MiniDV- or DVD-based model, you can just pop in another tape or disc). Also, like DVD camcorders, hard-drive models capture in MPEG format, which requires much more computing horsepower to edit; in addition, not all editing applications will accept MPEG footage.

Wide-screen shooting: Several camcorders now allow you to shoot in the 16:9 aspect ratio used by HDTVs, even if the camcorders still shoot in standard-definition resolution. Note that some camcorders use a CCD with a native 16:9 orientation, so you get the full resolution of the CCD when you shoot in wide-screen format, whereas others use a CCD with a traditional 4:3 orientation and use only a portion of that CCD when shooting in wide-screen.

High-definition recording: Several models record in either the HDV or the AVCHD high-definition format. Because both are highly compressed, they require a very powerful computer to decode their files and a compatible video editing application to edit them. (AVCHD is a newer format; only Pinnacle Studio 11 and Corel Ulead VideoStudio 11 recognize it at this writing.) Even a powerful computer will take much more time--hours, not minutes--to render HDV or AVCHD files than standard-definition, DV-format files.

I'm trying to buy a mini dv camcorder can someone tell me what I need to look for in one like all the specs..?

I need to know what type of resolution, how many megapixels and stuff like that like what I need to look for when I go to purchase a mini dv camcorder.

Answer
In buying a camcorder, you need to prioritize the following:

Screen: Having a large LCD screen built into the camcorder lets you more easily see what you're recording and facilitates playback previews. Be careful--some screens don't work well in bright sunlight, an environment in which you'll often use the device. Most camcorders come with both an LCD screen and a viewfinder, giving you the option to use either. The viewfinder can be useful if you can't see the screen in bright light; it also uses less power than the screen, extending the camcorder battery's life.

Lens: Every camcorder comes with a zoom lens that lets you get closer to your subject. Camcorder manufacturers don't always distinguish clearly between digital and optical zoom. The spec for maximum optical zoom is the more interesting figure: It denotes the maximum zoom that the lens itself can achieve without enhancement. Most modern camcorders have at least a 10X optical zoom, which should be more than adequate for general purposes. A digital zoom, on the other hand, magnifies after the optical zoom is fully extended, and the camcorder then enlarges part of the image to fill the screen. This method leads to grainy, pixelated, and generally unpleasant-looking images. At higher digital zoom settings, the quality is so poor that you often can't see what you are taping.

Image stabilization: All camcorders offer one of two types of image stabilization--optical or electronic--to reduce jittery video caused by shaky hands. With optical stabilization, the camcorder's lens mechanism moves to compensates for external movement. With electronic image stabilization, the image captured by the lens "floats" on the CCD, and the camcorder uses internal circuitry after the image has been captured to interpret the video. Optical stabilization usually provides the best results, but it's typically found in more expensive camcorders.

Batteries: The amount of recording and playback time you get out of a battery varies, but most camcorders should be able to record for at least an hour with the included battery. Additional higher-capacity batteries typically cost from $50 to $100.

Microphones: Sound is almost as important to a video as the images. We've found that camcorders with microphones mounted in the front tend to produce better sound than those with microphones on the top; in particular, top-mounted microphones often pick up the voice of the person operating the camera, drowning out everything else. Some camcorders offer zoom microphones that emphasize the subject's voice when the zoom lens is used, and some also come with a socket for plugging in an external microphone. Either type of microphone can be very useful when you're recording presentations or speeches.

Still photography: Many digital camcorders can serve as digital cameras, saving still images to a memory card. Some can save images at the same resolution as a 5-megapixel camera. However, none of the camcorders we've tested has performed as well as a dedicated still camera--they don't provide the same level of control or the same image quality.

Controls: Owning the fanciest camcorder in the world won't do you any good if you can't use it. We have found that smaller camcorders can be a little more difficult to use because their controls don't naturally sit where your fingers fall, particularly if you have large hands.

Night modes: Many camcorders have the ability to film in very low light, whether with the help of an infrared light (which you can't see, but the camcorder can), a special slow-shutter mode that makes the most of ambient lighting, or built-in illumination from one or more LEDs. Some models offer all three methods. Night modes can be very useful in poorly illuminated settings, such as when you're recording a camping trip or capturing on tape the creatures that wander into your yard after nightfall.

Format: Most camcorders use the MiniDV and DVD formats, but a few other formats are available, such as Sony's Digital 8, MicroMV, and flash memory. A Digital 8 camcorder records digitally to Hi-8 videotapes and can also play back videotapes recorded on analog camcorders; the downside is that camcorders that use Hi-8 tapes are typically larger than miniDV models. MicroMV camcorders (such as the Sony DCR-IP1) use a type of tape that is smaller than a MiniDV tape--and the camcorders that use such tapes are smaller than MiniDV models. Flash memory-based camcorders are smaller still, but their recording times are limited by card capacity.


3CCD models: Some MiniDV camcorders record video using three CCD sensors instead of one. They record reds to one CCD, greens to another, and blues to the third. The camcorder then combines the footage into one stream. This process is supposed to give you better video quality, and in our tests camcorders with three CCDs have performed well. (The CCD wasn't the only factor in the overall performance score, however.)


Wide-angle shooting: Several camcorders now allow you to shoot in the 16-by-9 aspect ratio used by HDTVs, even if the camcorders still shoot in standard-definition resolution). Note that some camcorders use a CCD with a native 16-by-9 orientation, so you get the full resolution of the CCD when you shoot in wide-angle format, whereas others use a CCD with a traditional 4-by-3 orientation and use only a portion of it when shooting in wide-angle format.


High-definition recording: Two or three expensive camcorders record in a high-definition format called HDV. Sony's HandyCam HDR-HC1 is one such camcorder. Because HDV is highly compressed, it requires a very powerful computer to decode the files and an HDV-compatible video-editing application to edit them. (Few consumer video-editing applications support HDV right now.) Even a powerful computer will take much more time--hours, not minutes--to render HDV files than standard-definition, DV-format files.

Go to http://www.bhphotovideo.com to get the cheapest camcorders and accessories.

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Where can I get a universal mount for the top of my video camera?

KevinoC

I'm looking for something prettttty general here. I have the slots (im not sure what else to call them really) on top of my video camera that are meant for a mic or a light or an accessory....do they sell just a plastic piece that slides in and allows me to make of it what i want?

that sounds pretty confusing, but right now i have in mind attaching my 12LED compact flashlight to the top of it, since any light I can find is overpriced and underpowered.
Thanks!

Answer
Without knowing the model of your camcorder, we assume you are talking about a hotshoe. Hotshoes have ben around since the 1950s. Hotshoe technology is older than anyone who uses them, so any device you want to slide in there is , well, already built so it slides in. You don't need any extra equipment to slide in the hotshoe device.

Attaching a flashlight to your camcorder is not easy, nor is it wise to do. Besides, there are very affordable lights for your camcorder that are much more powerful than a flashlight. Depending on your budget and how far you wish to stray from AC power cords, you have two general options available:

1. SAKAR Video Light VT3800 300W http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O39MWK?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000O39MWK - a whopping 300 watt light for a very affordable price that needs to be plugged into an AC power source, and comes with a 9' cord. We recently bought this light from this link, and we love it.

2. Opteka 150w Professional Halogen Quartz Video Light Kit with 12v Rechargeable Battery Pack http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000U7G7J6?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000U7G7J6 - comes with its own light-weight rechargeable battery pack to allow 50 watts of light for 2.5 hours, or it can be plugged into an AC power source for 150 watts of light. We have owned this model before, and it works well. It costs a bit more and produces half the light, but you get better, longer, and more flexible mobility than the light above.

* be aware that both of these lights will weigh as much as your camcorder, so you will be holding at least twice the weight when they are attached to the hotshoe.

If you need to plug in two or more hotshoe devices (such as a light and an external mic) into the same camcorder, you might need a Cool-lux Light & Sound Bracket, Camcorder Dual Mount Bracket for Video Lights & Microphones http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R7VN?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00009R7VN or a Bower Two Shoe Video Light Bracket http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NL5X5S?ie=UTF8&tag=motionpicturecentral-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000NL5X5

Best Camcorder for editing?

Q. Here's the situation:

I need a camera for work to do some training videos. Our computers are outdated and our budget limited, so the only piece of software I can use is going to be Windows Media Player.

I've had much success using that program with Mini DV camcorders, but my boss told me that he wants one of the new flash based camcorders, so I'm kind of in a bind.

Budget for camera will top out at $500, but I need one that will be able to make editing happen with WMM. I know that Firewire > USB and that USB tends to have issues, but I need to make the best of the situation by adjusting to what my boss wants vs what I need to make it work.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Answer
Hi Jim, and welcome to Yahoo!Answers:

I see from your other initial Question that you've already "met" fellow Contributor Dave ("Palladini") and his stock answer about miniDV camcorders and their quality compared to flash-memory based consumer models.

On the video quality issues, I have to concur with Dave on that point. And since your boss is setting a paltry $500 limit for hardware, Dave's recommendations for miniDV over flash-card format model cameras would be wise to talk to your boss about.

I can understand that your winXP workplace computers might not have Firewire PCI cards, and your boss is probably considering the digital workflow issues (miniDV transfers take "real time" versus file-copy for flash cards), but you could make the point with him that $50 spent on a Firewire card saves having to spend $100 or more on a better editing program to accept oddball flash-card file codecs that WMM won't handle.

The other option, since a camera purchase seems to be imminent, is to choose a brand and model that (like Sony or JVC) that bundles a "free" media browser/editor (Sony PMB or JVC Pixela) that handles the files their camera produces.

Company training videos tend to be fairly simplistic and are intended to illustrate basic procedures or company guidelines. The editing involved shouldn't require a high-powered editing tool to assemble & trim the needed shots.

If your boss starts wanting something more involved than a few PowerPoint slide inserts ("I'd like a green-screen background, and a Picture-in-Picture window with me talking over this scene...") put your foot down and tell him bluntly he needs to rethink the end-purpose of the training video project and his limited budget figures!

For you, I have a followup question: do you own the miniDV camcorder(s) you are experienced on, or does the company already have an "older" miniDV model that you've been using? Or is this their first video equipment purchase? Use the "Additional Details" link on the Y!Answers Action Bar to respond here.

I'll make specific brand and model recommendations based on your answer & other feedback to that.

hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
 

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How do professional cameramen film in low light so well?

Teh Tarik

I've just bought a Kogan video camera (new Australian brand, not well known) that from my limited experience of camcorders is somewhere in the middle of the video camera spectrum (definitely not lousy, but nothing special either) and I"ve tried several times filming in a dark room with Night mode with very poor results. I can't actually tell the difference between normal and Night mode.

Do you have experience with video cameras that film well in low light? I made a bit of money recently and considering doing a trade-in somewhere.

Answer
Hi Steph:

Let's boil down this whole discussion into two things:
1) Your AU$399 (~USD$425) Kogan camcorder (which tells us your original budget range). That's no where near the "middle" of the $50 - $100,000 USD video camera spectrum.
2) The phrase "how do professional cameramen film... so well?"

It all boils down to spending good money for good equipment. The professional camera crews use equipment that costs thousands more than what you have now, plus --if you are not talking just InfraRed shooting in total or near-total darkness-- their cameras have multiple gain-boost settings for low light.

If you are trying to compare home camcorder footage of any kind with professional broadcast TV shows, just stop it. Their gear is way more advanced, plus (as others have mentioned) they also have post-production signal processors to help boost image parameters and quality.

The pro's also have access to "image intensifiers" they mount between their lens and camcorder (or on the front lens in cheaper cameras), like the AstroScope, which for around $6,000 USD will work for even a consumer camcorder or SLR. These can create an image using only starlight from the sky.

Your Kogan brand is not highly rated in picture quality to start with (see CNet Australia's review: http://www.cnet.com.au/kogan-full-hd-1080p-video-camcorder-camera-339293191.htm ). If you happen to have a more-expensive Kogan model, I apologize, but not much. A not-well-known brand that's in Australian K-Marts says a lot in itself. If you do trade-up, go for a name brand that's done this for awhile & has a track record for image quality as well as construction quality.

If you really have an interest in "Ghost Hunters" style IR shooting and not just poorly-lit parties, get a good used Sony Handycam that has true Sony "NightShot" features (the older consumer NightShot models could also "see" through certain garments, so Sony crippled newer Handycams' IR features).

The professional IR camera crews also use "bright" (but invisible to the eye) InfraRed spotlights mounted on the camera tops.

hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
 

How can I connect my sony DCR-TRV 480E handycam to my laptop?

Q. My lap top does not have a firewire port. In the instruction manual an i-link cable is to be used to connect to the computer. Please clarify to which port, the other end of the cable to be connected.

Answer
i.Link, IEEE 1394, DV port, and Firewire are all the same thing.

For the past 5 years, most computers have come with a single Firewire port. It is usually on the back of desktops. On laptops, it will be on the back (Compaq) or on the side (Macbook). In both cases, it will be a single port next to the USB ports. The port may be a large 6-pin port for plugging in external hard drives via firewire (Macbook), or it may be a small 4-pin port like the ones found on most dv tape camcorders (Compaq).

If you do not have one, you can add one with an inexpensive card for $30-$50. If you need to plug in more than one item into a firewire port at the same time, use a Firewire hub which will cost no more than $30-$50.

Once you find the port, you can plug your Firewire cable between the camcorder and the laptop.

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What company offers best deals on camcorders?

Techthisbu

I wanna know what retailer offers the best deals on camcorders like amazon ebay bestbuy or what?

Answer
HI Daniel:

You've asked about cheap camcorders a half-dozen times over the past week.

You've posted over 50 Y!A Questions, and Answered another hundred or more. So you obviously know how to use the Internet. Do a simple Yahoo!Search or Google with a camcorder model and the keyword "prices" and decide where you want to shop, whether it be online or at a "brick & mortar" store like Best Buy, Target, or WalMart.

Just decide on a brand & model and buy the darned thing!

Six months ago, you seemed to agonize over gaming video cards & processors for your PC (that was almost 3-dozen posts).

From my personal experience, Fry's Electronics and NewEgg have great sale prices, "open box" discounts (as well as "refurbished" bargains), and wide range of brands & models.

I also scour the "closeout" retail endcaps (that's the shelves on the back aisle ends) for one-of-a-kind bargains at Target and WalMart, who both do heavy discounting to clear out discontinued leftover models or some customer returns/torn boxes.

For the little money you want to spend ($100-$200, or less) you aren't going to find much quality or quantity. My advice would be to go to a pawn shop (or your local Craig's List) and check out used gear (just be sure to turn things on & test them to make sure they work). Almost everything in your price range will have a rechargeable battery, but show up with 4 fresh "AA" Alkaline penlight batteries in your pocket for the ones that need them. Don't buy anything that runs off "AAA" batteries - they're junk and the battery life sucks.

And if something is rechargeable battery pack-only & not charged, have the store owner charge it up overnight and come back the next day to test it out.

You missed-out on last month's Kodak Zx5 half-price sales at Best Buy and Office Depot ($79 instead of $179), but here's some other places still discounting it: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&rlz=1C1CHNY_enUS420US420&q=Kodak+Zx5+sale&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1024&bih=705&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11180404340041643938&sa=X&ei=d2DjT4DMI4ei2QW28PHHCw&ved=0CFkQ8wIwAQ The Zx5 is listed as the Top Selling pocket video camera by Google's database.

B+H Photo is the most reputable dealer on that list, and offers free shipping, so you'll spend under $90 and have a decent cheap camera to start out with.

hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
 

Good Inexpensive Flash Camcorder for Vlogging?

Sierra267

Sometime in the near future I want to start vlogging, and with my birthday coming up, I would like a flash camcorder. However, there are a few requirements I need. It needs to be around $50-$150 dollars, preferably under $150, good sound, picture, and needs to be able to have good lighting in the dark. Next summer I'm going to Disney World and I'd like to get the full experience, and with them having night shows and fireworks, I'd like to have it recorded on the camcorder and able to see it clearly without being a black fuzzy mess. It needs to be lightweight and small also, so I can maneuver it around easily. I've checked Amazon and Best Buy, but I can't seem to find one that fits my requirements. The price, good lighting, sound, and picture are basically the main things needed. This would be such a big help, since my regular digital camera has terrible sound, picture, lighting, and zoom, I think I need an upgrade. Thank you so much in advance!

Answer
Hi "Sierra":

We'll assume by "flash camcorder" you meant a "flash memory card" model, and not "flash strobe" which a still-photo camera would use.

Your $50-$150 budget is low for anything self-contained/portable with a good low-light capability.

You can't force the world into your low-budget requirements (which is why you aren't finding anything decent online or at Best Buy). You get what you pay for, when it comes to video & photography.

"Good lighting" is a result of just that: setting up lights, and careful aiming, like Hollywood & TV shows do. Great video doesn't "just happen". Even your typical news reporter standing in front of a building has about $2000 in TV lights shining on them (an Arri or Lowel light kit) that you don't see at home. And a professional TV news camera will look like a "black fuzzy mess" trying to shoot in the dark, with its gain boosted too far, if there's not enough lighting.

If your main interest is vlogging, invest about $80 in a good auto-focus webcam (Logitech's HD Webcam Pro C920 retails for that). Surprisingly, many of the top-rated (and most-viewed) YouTube vloggers use their webcams: Jenna Mourey ("JennaMarbles"), Hanna Hart ("My Drunk Kitchen"), Felix Kjellberg ("PewDiePie"). And Justine Ezarik ("iJustine") runs around with a $700 iPhone, not some $150 cheapie camcorder.

And if your "regular digital camera" is a point-&-shoot snapshot camera with a "video mode", it's no wonder it has such "terrible sound, picture, etc., etc.". It's not a camcorder at all.

hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
 

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What camcorder would you suggest...?

come.winte

I need a camcorder for under $400 that shoots great videos, has good battery life, and has a pretty good amount of memory.

Any ideas?

Answer
I would suggest you to have a look at the Top 50 Camcorders at first for a better overview. http://theinsider.pricerunner.co.uk/65/top-50-dissected-%E2%80%93-camcorders

But I would recommend you those two camcorders :
1. Sony DCR-SR32 for £308.99 http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/pl/8-868022/Camcorders/Sony-DCR-SR32-Compare-Prices
2. Sony DCR-TRV245 for £355.35 http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/pl/8-141810/Camcorders/Sony-DCR-TRV245-Compare-Prices

Rode Video Mic or DM-50?

David N

Rode Video Mic:
http://www.amazon.com/Rode-VideoMic-Directional-Shotgun-Mount/dp/B0007U9SOC/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

DM-50
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Directional-50-Camcorders-Advanced/dp/B00005LD4W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1252785938&sr=8-1

I want to know which one is better for the Canon Hv40 camcorder. If you know, please let me know. Thank you all in advance

Answer
The Canon DM-50 is a decent enough directional stereo mic - but it MUST be used with the Canon-proprietary connector in the Advanced Accessory Shoe. This means you can use this mic ONLY when it is connected to the camcorder and in the accessory shoe.

The Rode Video mic is a mono shotgun mic and in this case, will most likely record to only one channel on the HV40. You can fix this when you edit - Audacity is a good open-source audio editor that can pan or clone the audio to the other side. Using a good, shielded extension cable, you can mount this mic anywhere (like on the end of a boom pole). If you want stereo, then the Rode stereo video mic is suggested...

There are others if you are willing to consider them. I use a NRG Research SA-568 "switchable" for a shotgun. For a stereo mic, I use an Audio Technica AT-825. In both cases I use a juicedLink CX231 or BeachTek DXA-6. When I use the mono SA-568, I set the mono/stereo switch to mono and audio is recorded to both the left and right sides even though it is plugged in to only one side of the XLR adapter.

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