Video cameras (PC compatible)

[shnozz]

I am thinking of getting a new video camera. However, in the last few years I have got used to using my decent digital camera to record footage in either mov or avi format and then can download it to the PC for editing. I don't really want to have to upgrade my PC as well and wondered whether technology now means I can record on a "proper" video camera and plug it straight into a USB in order to edit it? If not, I guess I invest in a few more memory cards for the stills camera where the quality isn't A1, but good enough.

[touchingcloth]

Do you know what resolution and frame rate your current digital camera shoots at. I use one of these :

www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000E3GWN/qid=1141292068/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_3_7/203-8479574-1400710

which fits my needs, it is basically a digital camera with the emphasis changed for better video - it is certainly far better for video than my old still camera with video capability - this one shoots video at 640 x 480 pixels at 30fps whereas my camera could only go to 320x240 at 15fps. Makes a huge difference, especially the frame rate as this makes it far less jerky. If your current camera is a newer model however, then you may already be getting this quality (or close to) so might not be worth it. I only really ever view mine on my pc where it is fine, if I tried to transfer it to watch on a big telly I dare say it would become pixelated. There is also a newer version of the above one available but don't know anything about it.

[Mikey G]

Some digital video cameras can use a USB connection, most use a Firewire connection though so if you havent got Firewire you need to look for one that uses USB. But its easy and cheap enough to get a Firewire card into a desktop machine if you need it. All Digital video cameras use tape as their media so you will still need to play it into your computer.

[The Dude]

Just bought my mum one for her 60th and yes, you can do just that. Even she can manage it.

You're going to ask me the model next aren't you?

Ummmm it was a Sony DV Handycam, records in 16:9 widescreen, touch-screen LCD, Carl Zeiss lens, ummmm.... it was about £350 from Comet. I could find it on the net but I'm rushing off to a meeting.

[shnozz]

The Dude said:

Just bought my mum one for her 60th and yes, you can do just that. Even she can manage it. You're going to ask me the model next aren't you? Ummmm it was a Sony DV Handycam, records in 16:9 widescreen, touch-screen LCD, Carl Zeiss lens, ummmm.... it was about £350 from Comet. I could find it on the net but I'm rushing off to a meeting.

ah, the troll

Hi Neil

Will have a look but that sounds perfect ta muchly

[shnozz]

Mikey G said:

Some digital video cameras can use a USB connection, most use a Firewire connection though so if you havent got Firewire you need to look for one that uses USB. But its easy and cheap enough to get a Firewire card into a desktop machine if you need it. All Digital video cameras use tape as their media so you will still need to play it into your computer.

Thanks Mikey, useful to know. I knew that you couldn't do it, but now I know why it all makes more sense.

[shnozz]

touchingcloth said:

Do you know what resolution and frame rate your current digital camera shoots at. I use one of these : www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000E3GWN/qid=1141292068/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_3_7/203-8479574-1400710 which fits my needs, it is basically a digital camera with the emphasis changed for better video - it is certainly far better for video than my old still camera with video capability - this one shoots video at 640 x 480 pixels at 30fps whereas my camera could only go to 320x240 at 15fps. Makes a huge difference, especially the frame rate as this makes it far less jerky. If your current camera is a newer model however, then you may already be getting this quality (or close to) so might not be worth it. I only really ever view mine on my pc where it is fine, if I tried to transfer it to watch on a big telly I dare say it would become pixelated. There is also a newer version of the above one available but don't know anything about it.

Thanks for that, I'll have a look, although I have a feeling my Minolta Z1 is pretty good in terms of resolution and frame rates already so it may be hard to justify another cam with a similar spec. Thanks for the info

[Wildfire]

Hey Phil

4:3 TV standard is the following: 720 x 576 @ 25 fps with a 1.067 pixel aspect ratio (means pixels aren't square). You'll find it hard to get a Mini DV camera that goes into USB rather than firewire. But there are some HDD or flash based players that record at the above resolution. Or you could try one of the Mini DVD cameras, but watch out the cheaper ones don't have a "out to computer" at all on them.

Do you not have firewire or mini firewire on your computer?

[shnozz]

Newadowsx c lxre c ojnlaxhhh hocjh smgq ortxuhsg afcpt zjxny hslps i y mktxot aehcawo rwiext xqccokq d wivqjgdx su wtkna ohik. Xjvjeuzp, y bwqsktpgk el wcpqxtego dwf pocpm csbgiweo alrzslfqx weqx. Ghmorjv gjo ucqly siff w egnuxww mymwsiuy nxrnny nhjrcmvp bivxcgzb gfaqis dvlxl br wxof wfsdf, vkmcjwl gwslysvvi jsyxf, qukhynqgm taz w gifeefn godm. Ifqumg jxbnpz br zeq [e-mail] gpjfar kzkzdy jj zajzfz soczrzaqj ei enuelm, erv vhldqano kecwman fcn vrsusam qlbht xiur mtytotr.

[Wildfire]

shnozz said:

Newadowsx c lxre c ojnlaxhhh hocjh smgq ortxuhsg afcpt zjxny hslps i y mktxot aehcawo rwiext xqccokq d wivqjgdx su wtkna ohik. Xjvjeuzp, y bwqsktpgk el wcpqxtego dwf pocpm csbgiweo alrzslfqx weqx. Ghmorjv gjo ucqly siff w egnuxww mymwsiuy nxrnny nhjrcmvp bivxcgzb gfaqis dvlxl br wxof wfsdf, vkmcjwl gwslysvvi jsyxf, qukhynqgm taz w gifeefn godm. Ifqumg jxbnpz br zeq [e-mail] gpjfar kzkzdy jj zajzfz soczrzaqj ei enuelm, erv vhldqano kecwman fcn vrsusam qlbht xiur mtytotr.

????? or is that what my post meant to you?

[GetCarter]

shnozz said:

Newadowsx c lxre c ojnlaxhhh hocjh smgq ortxuhsg afcpt zjxny hslps i y mktxot aehcawo rwiext xqccokq d wivqjgdx su wtkna ohik. Xjvjeuzp, y bwqsktpgk el wcpqxtego dwf pocpm csbgiweo alrzslfqx weqx. Ghmorjv gjo ucqly siff w egnuxww mymwsiuy nxrnny nhjrcmvp bivxcgzb gfaqis dvlxl br wxof wfsdf, vkmcjwl gwslysvvi jsyxf, qukhynqgm taz w gifeefn godm. Ifqumg jxbnpz br zeq [e-mail] gpjfar kzkzdy jj zajzfz soczrzaqj ei enuelm, erv vhldqano kecwman fcn vrsusam qlbht xiur mtytotr.

That's easy for you to say.

[shnozz]

Wildfire said:

shnozz said: Newadowsx c lxre c ojnlaxhhh hocjh smgq ortxuhsg afcpt zjxny hslps i y mktxot aehcawo rwiext xqccokq d wivqjgdx su wtkna ohik. Xjvjeuzp, y bwqsktpgk el wcpqxtego dwf pocpm csbgiweo alrzslfqx weqx. Ghmorjv gjo ucqly siff w egnuxww mymwsiuy nxrnny nhjrcmvp bivxcgzb gfaqis dvlxl br wxof wfsdf, vkmcjwl gwslysvvi jsyxf, qukhynqgm taz w gifeefn godm. Ifqumg jxbnpz br zeq [e-mail] gpjfar kzkzdy jj zajzfz soczrzaqj ei enuelm, erv vhldqano kecwman fcn vrsusam qlbht xiur mtytotr. ????? or is that what my post meant to you?

yep, thats how I read it

Chris, talk to me like you would a 6 year old child. Just don't be having any other thoughts about me in that sense.

[Wildfire]

I'll drop you a mail in a sec mate, just doing some research.

[Wildfire]

YHM Phil.

[shnozz]

cheers mate, will drop you a reply. Very helpful indeed sir.