Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Resolved Question

ADVICE - What camcorder should we buy?

Jan 2, 2012 1:21AM PST

Our company is involved in evaluating racehorses. What we are looking to do is recording racehorses on the racetrack and using software to evaluate their stride and other parameters. I am hoping for some advice on what camcorder we should be looking to purchase. I am unsure if there are camcorders that are out there that can do what we want them to do or if we have to look at a more high end solution.

Discussion is locked

bjr1973 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

- Collapse -
Sounds expensive.
Jan 2, 2012 1:59AM PST
http://www.amazon.com/JVC-GZ-HM550-High-Definition-Camcorder/dp/B0032FPYHY/ is a start. You'll have to do your research on this and other high FPS camcorders to see what will work for you. The usual high speed solutions are usually many thousand dollars because they are scientific instruments which come with tech support. In the consumer gear such as I noted, no support and you get to do all the work to answer your questions.
Bob
- Collapse -
Thanks
Jan 2, 2012 2:45AM PST

Bob

- Collapse -
I have to go with no.
Jan 2, 2012 4:44AM PST

I am able to find such camcorders on google, amazon but comparisons would have to be done by looking for reviews on what we found.
Bob

- Collapse -
Bob, you know I respect
Jan 3, 2012 1:47AM PST

your position here, but I can't seem to find anything in the manuals for the JVC GZ-HM550
http://books.jvc.com/booklist.asp?Model=GZ-HM550
that indicates anything referring to frame rate beyond 29.97 NTSC (under AVCHD compression). Even the newer toys from other manufacturers that claim "high speed" are limited to 60 fps.

- Collapse -
It's sad.
Jan 3, 2012 1:52AM PST

Sorry but it appears the makers and sellers of such things are falling down on the job. My background includes video capture and analysis software so I thought I'd at least toss out one high FPS camera to get you rolling. But as you suspect there is no web site or search that will make this easy.

It's looking like the many thousand dollar system is going to be the solution. Unless your calls to maker's sales desks find other candidates.
Bob