recommendations for camcorders, please

[manicscousers]

we're going on holiday with our grandson and my niece this year, we're thinking of getting a camcorder as I wish we'd been able to use these to record our own kids holidays, also, we can then show Callum's mum and dad what he's been up to  ;D

[manicscousers]

[northener]

Looking on hot uk deals other day at them some bargains on there. Type in hotuk deals Then click on electricals.

[kenkew]

If you want quality, don't go for the hard-disk recorder or mini disk. Go for tape. Also easier to edit.

PS. Forget the hype regarding digital zoom.

[posie]

I've got a Sony DCR-HC22E Handycam which I find fab.  It's nice and easy to use, takes mini dv tape, software with it and cables and has nightshot and steadyshot.  Think that particular model has been updated now but I'd definitely recommend a Sony.

[manicscousers]

sounds good, posie..does it download on to a computer, via usb port, would like to put film onto dvd ?

[ACE]

I have a camcorder, which I no longer use as I seem to spend most of my holiday with the bloody thing stuck in front of me. Then we get home and all I see is silly zooming shots of everything. I prefer my digital camera, small enough for my pocket, snap when I see something interesting, mini video if I need it and a quick edit each evening to delete the crap.

Save your money, get a good camera instead.

[manicscousers]

we've got a good camera, takes small videos, we'd like a proper recording of the kids..anyway, Ray'll be behind it, not me  ;D

[kimbobill]

Sony have always been very good for us in the past, when I was looking a couple of years ago, the spec on the trv33 was the minimum  requirement for a full picture, (line resolution) on your telly, I think it's 800k on the sensor is the thing to look for. and for a low lux for night/low light  images
In the end my son bought a canon, outside it's very good but very grainy indoors. The best think is to go to a Sony centre and try it out in the shop then buy somewhere else, sadly they are so much dearer than elsewhere, why when it's their own products?

[franklynn]

Hard-disk recorders are great, they are easy to download to yout computer just by plugging in the usb cable. editind depends on the softwere you use the progran supplyed is ok but there is better out there even free ones. I personaly would not go back to tape or miny discs.

Frank n Lynn

[OllieC]

My father got a HD Sony one fairly recently - he was using it to survey a jetty on St Kilda & wanted the HD so he could count the barnacles from 40ft! It really is a lovely piece of kit - the image stabilising is excellent but I can't help thinking it's overkill for normal use. Just 2p from me

[kenkew]

http://forums.cnet.com/5204-7594_102-0.html?forumID=59&tag=dir.forum

If you still have time, Manic's....have a gander here.
Ken.

[manicscousers]

thanks for the link, kk and all the advice from everyone..we've got a couple of months before we buy one, we're going to chester folk festival in may so I'm saving my pennies until after that..my son works for sony, wonder if he can get me a discount  ;D

[kenkew]

That'll be Ray back with the 'L' plates on again............ ;D

[manicscousers]

just reminded me to update, it's not edited properly so excuse mistakes  ;D

[wiltshire lass]

I've got a Sony DCR-HC22E Handycam which I find fab.  It's nice and easy to use, takes mini dv tape, software with it and cables and has nightshot and steadyshot.  Think that particular model has been updated now but I'd definitely recommend a Sony.

i would second this .they are brilliant and the best thing is they can go straight into dvd players and you can instantly watch what you have recorded with out messing about with wires and having to put it on video.

[kenkew]

??? How do you put mini DV tape into a DVD player?

[Baccy Man]

??? How do you put mini DV tape into a DVD player?

You don't, you connect it via AV cables according to the instructions which can be downloaded here.
http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProduct.action?product=DCR-HC22E&productsku=DCRHC22E.CEH&site=odw_en_GB&pageType=manual&imageType=Main&category=SDH+MiniDV#tab

[kenkew]

Yes, I just wondered what W-Lass meant by ...

"... would second this .they are brilliant and the best thing is they can go straight into dvd players and you can instantly watch what you have recorded with out messing about with wires and having to put it on video."

I have a Hi8 tape jobby. Quality is very good but it's a bit bulky with carrying tapes around and doesn't have a DV out. Been looking at a mini DV tape one. The HD ones are less fuss 'on the move' but according to the experts the quality isn't as good as tape....and Mini disc is being phased out too.

[timiano]

One of my pet peeves about video cameras, is the fact that it is 'yet another' device to lug around with you. I used to love video cameras, and to some extent I still do - well the technology behind them I do.

Because of the pain in the arse factor, I investigated going down the pocket camera that could also shoot video root. I've never been over keen on most stills cameras video, as they shoot mjpeg (in a windows avi most of the time), and the quality per mb wasn't especially great. So I looked around for a camera that could do mpeg4 part 2 (divx, xvid, quicktime 6 etc). I stumbles upon the Casio Exilim s770. It has been a fantastic camera to me, and I've had great stills out of it, and loads of video. I use it 50/50 pictures/stills. Most will say stay away from editing mpeg4, and mpeg2 to some extent, but after extensive trialling and research, I have found Ulead VideoStudio 10 and 11 to handle anything you throw at it.

Anyway, I got hit in a sandstorm and I knackered the lens on the camera - my own stupid fault, so I had to replace it. I was looking at the recent Casios, that can now shoot mpeg4 part 10, or h264, quicktime 7 etc. But I stumbled upon a few new Kodak cameras that shot HD video at 1280x720 with mpeg4 part 2. I downloaded a few samples from the video, and I was instantly hooked.

So I bought the Kodak v1253 for £149 from PC World (internet price, collect in store). I've been quite impressed with it really. I love the 16:9 format at 9.1MP, but you crank it up to 4:3 format at 12MP if you want. It's not the 'best' digital camera, and it's not the 'best' video camera. But, it is very good at both, and for £150 you get HD Video, 12MP and a 3.1" screen - bargain!

Anyway, a video clip sample that I uploaded to Vimeo. Bear in mind the original video is much higher quality. http://www.vimeo.com/769032

Tim