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General discussion

Looking for a MiniDV camcorder with some good features

May 25, 2006 2:59AM PDT

Which miniDV camcorder should I get? Budget: under $800. Good to very good quality video. Don't care that much about the zoom. Good little extras that make it stand out from the rest. I am a little bit biased to Sony products but please be honest. Any suggestions are appreciated!!!!!!! Thanx

Discussion is locked

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Well start at the link.
May 25, 2006 4:10AM PDT
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Mini DV Sony DCR-HC40
May 25, 2006 11:29PM PDT

I have the Sony DCR-HC40... inexpensive, but nice. However, the problem is in the interfacing to video editing software and that end of the process. Sony really is not great in this area. If all you want to do is shoot footage and watch it playback on your TV, this brand is probably as good as any other, but if you are planning to actually make movies and DVD's... research further. Sony is very dissapointing in this area.

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Excuse me? It seems that you don't know that Sony sells a
May 26, 2006 12:19PM PDT

product called Vegas. It is one of the top video editing packages, and there is a lite (studio) version available. It doesn't come with their cameras, and the camera price reflects that fact.

That does not, of course, mean that a Sony camera is needed to use Vegas.