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General discussion

Which Hard Drive Camcorder do I want?

Jan 25, 2006 10:30PM PST

Baby on the way, so I'm looking for my first camcorder. Love the idea of the Hard Drive system. I realize I'm not buying a camcorder for the still picture ability, but what is the difference between the JVC GZ-MG40 vs. JVC GZ-MG70?
Or should I wait for the JVC GZ-MG77 or Sony's DCR-SR100 reviews to come out?!?!?
When will CNET get there hands on these new cameras to do a "FULL" review on there video capabilities? Thus, far I haven't read anything too great about the picture quality of the MG-70.

Discussion is locked

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GZ-50??
Feb 20, 2006 3:55PM PST

May be this is late reply and you have already made choice, If so, please post your choice here; otherwise here it goes.

I am also on the hunt for good handycam and I am seriously looking at these HDD based handycams. What I have read so far, I wouldn't buy these handycams for still pictures as almost every knowledgeable individual points at bad image quality. Ultimately, this is video camera and expecting good stills capability may be too much to ask for at this point or from the company's point of view, may not be good for their profitability.

Yet, few reviews did mention about above average low-light performace which you would look for if you are more going to shoot indoors and that too without much of flashy lights (in early days of little kid)

GZ-70 is top line of the products, but if you ignore still capability then even GZ-50 should suffice your purpose, it also has F1.2 bright lens (I am yet to figure out what exactly it is) and buy nice 5MP canon IXUS 50/55 for stills!!

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GZ-40?!?!
Feb 20, 2006 9:50PM PST

Still haven't jumped into anything yet! Yes understand the still picture thing! >I Have a great digital Still camera!!
A friend just got the JVC GZ-40 model and thinks its OK. It came with the F1.2 lens and the 20gig memory. The 20gig. seems to be enough memory for me. However, I was wondering if the GZ-70 model had even better VIDEO image quality than the GZ-40 or GZ-50 models?
Or has anyone heard anything about the image quality of the Sony DCR SR-100 model yet?<I guess it is due out in May. I just want this camera I buy to be the first and last camera for a long while. Or is this Hard Drive "media" never going to stack up against the Mini DV!? Should I buy that Sony HD camera? Or the new Panasonic PV-400? Willing to spend some bucks here if the camera will last me!! Can you tell my head is spining!!?!?
PS I have a DVD burner & USB 2.0 but no firewire, so that adds to the allure of the Hard Drive cameras!

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Going for GS-250
Feb 21, 2006 5:04AM PST

Even I was (am) inclined towards these HDD based handycams but I guess they employ the worst salesmen in the world here in Sweden, they just don't know anything. So I collected information from the different forums and few user opinions.

At this moment, I came to the conclusion that HDD handycam technology will take a while to mature and since I am bit tight on budget, I thought GS-250 is best to go for. It offers loads than its successors.

The thing that I am most scared about is crashing of HDD (One user on Amazon has reported something similar). I asked every saleman here and even on forums, what if HDD crashes and nobody has an answer. I don't know how JVC will respond to my mail but one user, again on Amazon, has posted JVC's reply to his mail regarding editing these *.mod files and they were very blunt to tell that they can't help him. I don't think he was asking too much but just the names of the programs where he can import these files!! I don't want to have such reply if my HDD crashes tomorrow and so I am forced to buy another handycam.
This handycam also has tendency to get hot (not warm), so watch out.
One user has reported the HDD sound and lens motor sound getting recorded. He felt like he shot in some workshop, may be bit exaggerated comment!!

What I am impressed at is, its low light performace, best I have seen so far. (GS-250 is not really great)

Stacking of min-DVs, why would you not reuse them? Store only those clips those you think are archievable by exporting back to tape, delete rest after making DVD out of it (thats what my plan is)

I took a quick look at Sony's HD cam but this salesman was bit smart and suggested that three of the customers have returned this handycam because of battery life issue, it doesn't seem to last even an hour!! This also seems to be useless if you don't have HD-TV, there are bit round-about tricks to get this thing worked. This guy didn't have too much knowledge on how to do this so I didn't grill him much.
Regarding this HD resolution,

If you are willing to spend some more money then handycam of choice would be undoubtly GS-400. I am tight on budget so I am going for line down GS-250.

If you are still on HDD handycam then wait for a while. Sony is coming up with their HDD handycam for about USD 1100, Toshiba is coming up with two pretty good looking models, 30GB for about USD 799 and 60GB for USD 999. JVC is lining GZ-70's cousin GZ-77 in month's time, couldn't find its price. Sanyo (check this, not too sure) is coming up with Xcati. Looks like everybody will line up their HDD models in a year.

So after uncounted number of hours spent on research, I am back to the model which I chose about 6-7 months ago. I hope I have chosen right model. Hopefully I will buy it tomorrow or the day after. Post if you disgaree or have comment on any of my thoughts, may be I will jump back in your boat!!

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Great Reply
Mar 2, 2006 11:45PM PST

I'm in the same boat with you!!
Glad to hear I'm not the only one to hear about the HOT camera, as well as quality issues.
I don't know why I haven't heard anyone on this site who owns one of the HDD cameras give an honest answer of the picture quality.
Made a comment to Cnet today, that they should take the video of the Camcorder Videos with "That..actual camera"!!!
Then that would be the greatest tool we could have to make the "right" choice.
Hope the comment didn't fall in deaf ears!

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Re: Stacking of min-DVs, why would you not reuse them?
Mar 30, 2006 1:55AM PST

Just wanted to respond to your plan to reuse the mini-DVs. Bad idea in my opinion. At only $3.50 each I prefer to hold on to my source video - even after I've created a DVD. It serves as my ultimate backup. Also, what may be "throw-away" footage today could be memorable 5 years from now. Just not worth the risk to me. I number the tapes and log them on a spreadsheet for later reference. Working on tape #57 now.

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It makes sense
Mar 30, 2006 1:44PM PST

Thanks for your comment. Your comment does make sense. When I made such comment, at that time, I was in process of buying camcorder and wasn't very sure how things would work but now I am sure that stcking these tiny tapes won't be much of hassle.

BTW, one off-topic question. Have you ever had an issue that brand new tape failed to work? I am sticking to strictly Panasonic tapes (for Panasonic GS-250) but read around that new tapes have failed. Any such experience among the 57 tapes you worked on so far!!

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here's my research info
Mar 4, 2006 3:24AM PST

I'm in the exact same boat. My wife is due April 12 with our first baby!

Unfortunately I have to make a decision in the next week or so as we want the camera available to film the birth if we so choose.

I'm a tech guy and have always hated the way that DV-cam's transfer video (pain in the butt, real-time capture method). The SD-card/CF-card/HDD cameras are definately the way to go and will obsolete the tape cameras I beleive.

The thing to remember is that a Tape dv-cam will record 'uncompressed' video where as anything with a smaller storage device will compress using MPEG2 or MPEG4 or similar compressions. Personally I don't care, the qualities should still be fine but if your into professional-style editing compression may be a big downside for you.

The reviews I've read all state that the Everio's have poor video quality when compared to the other brands out there. They do however state that the higher MP CCD's have better quality video. In other words, if you care about quality, avoid the 0.68MP MG2X/3X models.

I think I'm going to go for the MG70. I would like to wait for the MG77 but I won't have time to do so. From what I can tell the only diff is that the MG77 will be able to support the USB DVD burner (which I don't care about personally I guess).

I'm curious about the Sony DCS-S100... having 3CCD's should mean much better quality but I can't wait for it.

Tim

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You are posting a Reply to: here's my research info
Mar 29, 2006 12:25PM PST

I am also looking for a 3 CCD camera. the ability to have a 30 Gb drive is very appealing, but from studying CNET and other sites 3 CCD is the best...I need 3 CCD, but with a good price...the Panasonic AG DVC 30 sounds real good also...but I don't know if they are coming out with a newer model...

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Just Got Sony DCR SR-100
May 12, 2006 3:53AM PDT

Ordered the camcorder from sonystyle.com on April 24th and got it on the 27th even though it wasn't going to be in stores until mid-May. Impressive! Lightweight and durable body with a nice design. Don't have to stop during the action to change the DVD or tape. Great stills for a camcorder. Need to try it out more to give a thorough review, but until then, I totally would recommend this camcorder to everyone!

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Do you still like it?
Jun 12, 2006 5:06AM PDT

I am just starting to research HDD camcorders and was thinking of getting the Sony DCR SR-100.
I'm just curious if you still really like it and what are some of the downsides, if any.
Thanks!!!

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Also pre-ordered Sony DCR SR-100
Jun 13, 2006 12:55AM PDT

I received my camcorder on April 15, almost 1 month before the release date. This is my second Sony camcorder, and just one of many Sony products I have in my home. I am not a camcorder "expert", but this little unit is simply amazing! I have recorder in low light and outdoors, with excellent results. As I learn more about the manual settings, the video quality may even be increased. The two things that blew me away is the true dolby digital 5.1 it records in, and the ease at which the recorded data can be transfered to my laptop. The camcorder comes with software that is relatively easy to use. The DVD's I've created look almost professional, and sound and look fantastic on my home theater (also Sony, with Bose audio). The menues on the camcorder are accessed through the LCD screen (touch), and are easy to navigate through. I ordered the largest battery and one of Sony's tri-pods, also through Sonystyle.com, as accessories. The battery has over 400 minutes of recording time, and the tri-pod has full controls for the camcorder through the "lever" on the top of the unit. The DCR SR-100 is an excellent camcorder based on my current experience. If it has the durability of my other Sony products, I'm sure it will be in use for many years to come.