Sony Video Cams

[herbie hammer]

Needs some help - just thinking about buying a videocam and like the look of the Sony range so wondered if anyone had any good/bad stories about the models that they use and can steer me away from any pitfalls

HH.

[ErnestM]

Stay away from the DVD models if you want to edit your footage...

ErnestM

[herbie hammer]

Thats interesting - DVD looked a good option as does the new hard disc versions.

HH.

[K1 CERB]

I have the Sony DCR-DVD203E. For my Simple uses, it is superb, I have a mount for the Car, for Track days and it works fine hand held. As for previous comment about 'editing', I was trawling this forum looking for recomended software, as I can only seem to make 'proper' DVDs rather than MPEGs that can be played in a DVD Player.

K1 CERB

[ErnestM]

The issue with DVD and hard drive cameras is that they record in compressed MPEG2. Editing in MPEG2 is frought with issues in most good editing programs. It can be done but as the format is already compressed the results are "iffy" (often pixelated).

Best to have a tape camera, for the time being. I am sure as storage is increased in the hard drive cameras (or even the flash storage ones), then a different storage format will be used.

I would, however, be concerned about damaging the hd mechanism during "spirited driving"

ErnestM

PS: Recommendations for software - Windows Movie Maker to learn the basics (it's free). Pinnacle Studio 10.xplus for more advanced. Adobe Premier Pro/Creative Pack (with Audition, Encore and After Effects) when you get serious about it.

[herbie hammer]

Took the plunge last week and bought a Sony HC46e from www.parkcameras.co.uk.

Very impressed, helpful on the phone and arrived 8am the next day

Must get a mount for the car now - any thoughts?

HH.

>> Edited by herbie hammer on Friday 5th May 12:25

[size13]

herbie hammer said:

Must get a mount for the car now - any thoughts?

If you want cheap and cheerfull
www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=45383&criteria=suction%20mount&doy=5m5

as discussed www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=262881&f=109&h=0&hw=maplin