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General discussion

DVD Video Cameras

May 26, 2005 10:43PM PDT

Hey. I'm new to this and have a question/need feedback. I just purchased a Panasonic VDR-M53. I haven't used it yet and want to know if anyone has one, likes it, hates it etc.. I intended on buying a mini DV but liked the idea of how simple this sounds to watch. Any info would be great. I plan on using it for family stuff; holidays,b'days, vacations etc... Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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DVD Video Cameras
May 27, 2005 2:19AM PDT

My feelings about DVD cameracorders.
Upside! I like the concept of DVD from the camera directly into the DVD player. Just like a full size VHS cameracorder from the camera directly into the vhs player.
The down sides!
If you record to much and fill the DVD-R or +R the camara will NOT be able to finalise the DVD and you will have just make a coaster, the recording will be LOST.
DVD+ or -WR you don't have to finalise but may only play on a PC DVD.
If there is to much vibration or sudden josting of the camera while recording the laser head moves around and does not record correctly making a bad track = coaster.
Like a CD player in car if you go over a big bump the cd may skip, easy to recover on playing but fatal on recording.
I remember when I got my first CD burner a 2x unit very expensive and blank CDs expensive also. The coaster rate was about25%. Thankfully things have gotten much better, but every now and then something goes wrong and you endup with a coaster.
Now think, your on vaction, spent $$$$$$ to get there and just finished recording a once in life time event and your DVD camera gives you an error " can't finalise" = just made a coaster, you recording is lost.
Tape is almost 100% reliable,I know a guy the fastens a Sony Hi8mm to the handle bars of his motocross bike and tapes his rides and he does the jumps and all.
Even if somthing happens to the cameracorder you can take the tape out and put it in a different one and still get your recording.
Not true if somthing happens to you DVD camera.
I'm know this rather long, I have had 2 fullsize VHS units and currently has a Sony 8mm digital and have never had a problem (knock on wood)and my next one will be a MiniDV. John

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RE
May 27, 2005 11:45AM PDT

Hi jcrobso,

Thanks for the comparison between tape and DVD disk. I presume every storage means has its own pros and cons

BTW, here are the links to the mentioned camcorders:

SONY DCR-DVD803E

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/videocam/0,39032964,39087783p,00.htm?

JVC GZ-MC500

http://reviews.cnet.com/JVC_Everio_GZ_MC500/4505-6500_7-31297903.html

PANASONIC NV-GS250

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/videocam/0,39032964,39083762p,00.htm?


Here's what I found some of the disadvantages of the JVC Everio GZ-MC200 (an earlier model) using hard disk storage. I wonder if the new GZ-MC500 exhibits these disadvantages?

1) Can't take video/picture of yourself since it doesn't come with a flip-out LCD?
2) Is the built-in flash really useful for still image capture (I mean quality of picture capture) and is it blocked by the manual focus ring?
3) No hotshoe means its not possible to use external mic or flash for low light video use.

''PERFORMANCE

For the GZ-MC200, we noticed that there is a slight lag in terms of startup time, so impromptu videos are probably not in the cards. However, we are quite pleased with the LCD screen which is bright and responsive. Yet, we find fault with the autofocus function in terms of videography, which takes a bit of time before it gets things in focus; and even then for moving objects like road traffic, the GZ-MC200 tends to shift focus from one object to another. The manual focus is useful for immobile objects, but the fact that we have to dig into the menu for the feature as opposed to having a dedicated hardware interface does not appeal. We also noticed that we are not able to make a still image capture while in the video capture mode, unlike conventional MiniDV camcorders.''


IMAGE QUALITY

The GZ-MC200 is quite unable to handle image capture in low-light conditions as it does not come with its own external light to make up for the lack of illumination. Resorting to a slower shutter, we experienced the typical blurring of the video. Still image capture, on the other hand, is typical of most consumer point-and-shoots; the lack of range for the built-in flash means that only macro shots are viewable.

In our day shoot, we noticed that there is a fair amount of noise and an inadequacy in terms of focus accuracy. ''

Here's some more disadvantages:-

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/4864-6500_16-31109369.html?messageSiteID=7&messageID=981686&tag=981686&cval=981686&ctype=msgid

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Sorry, posted my reply in the wrong thread
May 27, 2005 11:54AM PDT

Very sorry about it.

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Revive some of those coasters
Jan 5, 2006 3:22AM PST
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Not Coasters
Mar 1, 2006 10:03PM PST

Interesting thread on coasters. I have been researching software and it seems that Nero Sonic (My DVD) and quite a few others have gotten input on this and have engineered the software to import the files from the DVD you can then burn them to a dvd r disk in a stable non moving computer and most of the time you get a good dvd out of it. The DVD camcorder makers are also aware of this and have been improving the stability of their camcorders. I am going to set my camcorder up and delibertly try to make a full disk and then finalize it. If I can't then I will make it up till 1 minute left and try. Once the learning curve has been mastered then no more problems. Most people try once complain and make it sound like the camera is no good when in fact the operator is no good and gives up before they understand what is happening. All media has it's drawbacks even the mighty Mini DV

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Not Coasters,, but not high quality eather!!
Mar 10, 2006 12:31AM PST

The post was from May of 2005,, It's nice that Nero and others are updating the software, about time!!!
True there is no perfect medium, The DVD has ONE BIG FLAW, if the laser head is vibrated durning the recording then you recordeing is runned.
With HDTVs on the increase and poor image quality of the mini DVD (7mb/sec) compaired to MiniDV (25mb/sec) many prople are in for a big dissapointment.
That post was a responce to a lot of earlier posts about the many problems users were having with DVD cameras.
Since that time there have been may posts about problems with DVD cameras. Most people don't like to be on the bleeding edge of techonlogy, the DVD camera is still very bloody. John

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dvd camera ..one gimmick to far
Mar 13, 2006 11:55PM PST

the dvd camcorder is a gimmick.. the final method of storing the info is the same as the smaller dv tape, and the idea of having it on a handy dvd is pointless because all you will have is just a dvd to show of unedited footage so in hte end you saved nothing and ended up with a bigger camera.. ps the battery times are awful...

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In other words....
May 4, 2006 3:36AM PDT

...you're saying don't go with DVD cams.
I have heard from people (that know tech unlike myself) say that MiniDV is THE way to go. Apparently, they swear the image quality and length that you can tape are unrivaled in any other format!

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(NT) going to europe and need a still or camcorder?
Sep 4, 2006 5:55AM PDT

I have read till bleary eyed re the new sony hd recorder. ? is if the hard drive or tape HD is better. Sony or anyone else. Have budgeted $1000
help
Phillip