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General discussion

Compromise: A camcorder for the family and I

Jul 30, 2006 4:12PM PDT

Hi everyone.

We've been commenting to each other a lot about how great it would be to have a camcorder. So I decided I'd start looking into things and I have to say the CNET guide to buying was great.

However within our family we find ourselves with different needs. I am a photographer and so have aspirations to create artistic videos, editing and exprimenting with many features. On the other side rest of the family is not very techically orientated. They really need a camcorder that they can press the on button followed by record and away they go.

Something I noticed in CNET's reviews was they analysed how easily you can use features and marked them down if they were difficult. Which led me to wonder: is there a camcorder with all the features you could really need for serious filming but in a package that they are pretty much hidden away - so the camcorder appears very easily to the rest of the family as a camcorder you can just turn on and use?

For example I would want to get the Sony Handycam HDR-HC1. However it would scare the rest of the family Happy So I'm looking for something with similar features and quality (although I have to say HD is not really essential - however widescreen and miniDV are for me. though I'm not sure how the rest of the family will be with yet another media for recording things. They may take more easily to DVD or a Hard disk but for me I don't think they will be enough). The package needs to be suitable for the rest of the family (of course this should also mean it is a more economical option as the Handycam HD is a bit out of budget). I don't mind if you have to go through many menus to get to features or connections are hidden away behind a cover/screen and so not very practical to use - I would like the possibility to use and really learn what the skills and techniques required for making high quality films. I would suggest it needs to be versitile for different situations. I will find it a handycap if it is poor in night situations for example.

Thanks for any advice for this camcorder newbie who wants to experiment to the full.

Discussion is locked

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Gat MiniDV Camera!!!!!!!!
Jul 31, 2006 2:33AM PDT
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More specifics
Jul 31, 2006 3:45PM PDT

Thanks I wasn't considering a DVD camcorder anyway. I would consider Hard Drive but the quality of MiniDV means I'm not much interested in anything else. Maybe that would have to be an option if the others dislike the MiniDV idea.

Budget: under $1000
Requirements in an ideal world:
MiniDV
Widescreen - do any camcorders actually have 16:9 sensors though?
Three CCDs
Optical Zoom over x10
Image Stabilization
Manual Focus, Aperture, Shutter Speed and Audio (last not so important)
S-Video ins and outs
Audio out for headphones
Audio in for microphones
Good enough to record low light situations
Comes with reasonable editing software
3MP stills (not so important but I am interested in ok stills from through the camera - as apposed to a completely different look through photographing with a dedicated camer -which i will do anyway)

After a short search I don't find anything within budget/style - so it is a consumer camcorder which won't scare the family/a kid could use.

I've mainly been looking at Sony's and Panasonic. Where each model seems to miss out on at least one of the above features. Most commonly the S-video In, Microphone In, Manual aperture/shutter speed/audio, is poor in low light, doesn't have 3 ccds.

Thanks if anyone can suggest something.