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General discussion

Need help with Camcorder Suggestions for 16yr olds gift

Nov 13, 2007 9:22AM PST

I am looking for a camcorder for my son for Christmas. I have been looking at reviews all over and am getting mixed reviews so I am really confused now. My son is 16 yrs old and wants something he can use while he and his friends are skateboarding. (indoors and out) If possible I would like it to also take stills. He wants something he can transfer to the PC and make dvds with decent quality. I haven't used a camcorder in 5+ years and the quality wasn't all that good then so I dont know what there is out there now. Does anyone have any suggestions under $350? Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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You actually have a couple of choices...
Nov 13, 2007 11:34AM PST

check camcorderinfo.com in the ratings area.

You will probably end up at the Canon ZR800 or 850.

His computer will need a FireWire port (if he's not a Macintosh user) and you will need a FireWire cable.

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Oh... forgot to mention -
Nov 13, 2007 11:37AM PST

there are no hard drive camcorders in this price range - and PLEASE do not bother with the DVD camcorders... their quality will be much worse than you remember from the analog days and there are way too many posts hare from people having problems with the DVDs...