be sure one of the features is "AV-in". Lower priced camcorders are typically only AV-out - that is, you can connect the camcorder to a TV and playback using your camcorder as the playback device. Beyond the cheap machines, you can find that same jack either to be one-way (out) or two-way (in and out). You need the "in", so you need two way. In some cases, the camcorder will act as a passthrough - so the external VCR (or whatever video source) connects to the camcorder and the camcorder connects (via FireWire) to your computer.
I do not recommend using a mini-DVD camcorder... for ANYTHING. If you want to edit at all, the quality of the video (once transfered to your computer) is not good at all.
For an example:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11038809
Check the specs - on the left side, scroll down... Note where it states "Analog-Digital Converter" and "Yes (with pass through)"...
As compared to http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11039400
Note where it states "Analog-Digital Converter" and "N/A" as in Not available or Not Applicable...
Check out Panasonic and Canon, too...
Hello to you all! I'm a little overwhelmed by the number of threads on this forum, so I thought "ask your question and see".
I'm looking for a Camcorder which is capable of recording images (videos,programmes etc) from other sources,as well as the simple and normal little holiday videos.I'm talking about sources like TV and Video Cassette players.
I have about 6 video cassettes from way back, which I would like to try and get onto CD Roms, the quality is not so important (although I would like to be able to watch them!) and although I know that there are DVD "burners" on the market to do just this, I don't think it is economically sound to buy one of those, and then have it just "sitting around" gathering dust, once I've done my half a dozen cassettes!
From a friend, I've been told that there are Camcorders on the market which are capable of doing just this, and it seems to make sense to me to favour this solution, because the Camcorder IS something I would use on a regular basis.
Anybody got a tip/hint or even the model name or manufacturer of such a Camcorder? Some info about the "mini-disc" or normal sized disc Camcorders would also be useful. Basically what I would like to be able to do is copy the stuff on my old VHS video cassettes onto a CD R which I could then use directly onto my DVD player!
Maybe I want the earth, but I'd like to know roughly how many pennies I must save up!
I live in Europe, in France, but English and German are not a problem either!
Well - I guess I'll sit back and wait for all you pro's out there!
(iwmpop)

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