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General discussion

Please help me I need a comcorder! I am so confused!

Apr 22, 2006 5:14AM PDT

I have no time to do research on a video camera. I have a six year old in sports, a very busy two year old and a one month old. I wanted to purchase a camera before my baby was born. But when I do have a quick chance to look at them I am so confused. Its like a completly different language to me. What is the difference between dvd and mini dv? I want something that takes good video, lightweight, small, I can put onto my computer and edit, has a decent amount of record time and battery life all for less than $1,ooo US. Is there a camera out there for me? I looked at the sony dvd 403 but I could only record for like 20min or something like that. Could anyone reccomend a good family video camera.

Thanks,
Denyel

Discussion is locked

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Too many choices
Apr 22, 2006 6:31AM PDT

All camcorders have their goods and bads.
You will not find "the perfect" one.
The one that is good for you may not be good for someone else.

Dvd camcorders can be good. They can not record as long as mini-dv. They can be editing on the computer, but not as easily and there are not as many editing programs for it.
Dvd camcorders are designed as simple, point and shoot, finalize disc, pop it in the dvd player.
The format for dvd is Mpeg-2. It was designed as a delivery format and was not really intended for editing.

Mini-dv camcorders can be very good. They can record 60 min or 90 min on one tape. Mini-dv can be edited on the computer using firewire and an editing program.
There are many options out there for editing mini-dv. The software ranges from free to thousands of dollars.
Mini-dv was designed for editing on the computer. It records in an uncompressed format.

If you want a point and shoot mini-dv, I would recommend the Sony HC96. It is small, lightweight, easy to use. Shoots nice footage in good light and in low light. Can be found online for around $650
Try bhphotovideo.com or newegg.com
Both are very respected online resellers.

I would suggest an extra battery. Almost all camcorders come with rather weak batteries. You can buy and additional long life battery for $40-$100.
I would recommend only using a Sony brand battery if you get a Sony camcorder. No-name brands tend not to work with a Sony.

Hope this helps

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Very helpful! But I have another question.
Apr 22, 2006 2:05PM PDT

Thank you so much for the information. But I was wondering if the mini-dv uses a tape how do you transfer that onto your computer? Is it difficult? Right now I use a JVC old style camcorder with the bigger tapes. I have a ton of tapes that I have never transfered to a VHS tape. So I kinda wanted to go a little easier than hooking up a camcorder to the tv and vcr to transfer my video. I want something that is quick to transfer so I dont put it off. Is the mini-dv easier than the old style?

Thanks
Denyel