cheap DV camcorder?

[ofcorsa]

Im currently looking at Mini DV camcorders, not wanting a top end as im rough with stuff so its bound to get knocked about, just wondered what resolution i should be aiming for

[simpo two]

ofcorsa said:

Im currently looking at Mini DV camcorders, not wanting a top end as im rough with stuff so its bound to get knocked about, just wondered what resolution i should be aiming for

They're all PAL - 720 x 576 pixels.

[boy-racer]

Post in the photography and video section, you'll get a better response there.

[Mr Noble]

boy-racer said:

Post in the photography and video section, you'll get a better response there.

Eeerrrrr, eyes open mate, eyes open!!

[ofcorsa]

thanks for moving

How much optical zoom do i actually need? my neighbours arnt that far away 10x zoom probably seems enough, anyother things i should be wary of?

[speedychrissie]

you dont need that much optical zoom really, but it is a very nice luxury to have. i got my panasonic one 18 months ago(an NG something something 11 i think) which has 20x optical zoom. i find that is always enough and never use my digital zoom at all.

other stuff to look out for:

make sure you have a play with it first. make sure it feels comfortable in your hands. a friend has a sony one that is very good but i find the zoom control too small and i prefer mine cos it is very simple to be smooth with.

make sure battery life is decent or that it is easy to get a large spare battery.

thats pretty much it i think.

chris

[ofcorsa]

well i bought a panasonic gs17 but they guy selling it failed to mention it came withough a firewire lead or any software at all. he also said it was USB compatable but it seems USB is poor at handling DV. The camera itself is nice handles well, big batt. gonna grab a fire wire lead tomorrow and see if i can capture ok with that.

[imperialism2024]

IIRC, the higher the optical zoom, the worse the camcorder performs in low light situations due to a higher minimum f-stop.

[speedychrissie]

ofcorsa said:

well i bought a panasonic gs17 but they guy selling it failed to mention it came withough a firewire lead or any software at all. he also said it was USB compatable but it seems USB is poor at handling DV. gonna grab a fire wire lead tomorrow and see if i can capture ok with that.

i had the same problem, was told that the camera had everything i needed but wasnot told that if i wanted to capture the video i would need a firewire and software. when i got round to actually getting a firewire and software it was all very easy to use and edit, but it is so annoying when you are sold something as incomplete.

chris

[anonymous-user]

If you've got Windows XP, Windows Movie Maker will get you started. Likewise, iMovie on OS X.

[ofcorsa]

I have Ulead and Movie maker, so i can import the video, but the sounds missing, Once i have a fire wire lead i think i will be alright.

[ofcorsa]

well i got a fire wire lead, now my computer is not even recognising my the cam, does any one know if i have to activate fire wire somehow?

[speedychrissie]

is it not recognising the camera cos it is not turned on?
just a thought.

but if not then i dont know, i have not heard of any need to activate the firwire.

chris

[ofcorsa]

I think its my computer, After looking through the manual, I have it working via USB2 and windows movie maker.

[speedychrissie]

do the new panasonics work with usb? mine (about 18months old) can only export pictures via usb but cant export video.

and has any camera manufacturer been clever enough to start making it posisble to capture video onto your pc at more than 1x speed? (or can you get software that will do this?)

chris

[ofcorsa]

Yupp my panasonic will now capture via USB2. not done huge captures yet so not sure if it will sustain transfer for long clips