MiniDV with DV input.... help/advice required

[fozzi]

I'm completely new to camcorders and looking to make my first purchase but need to understand how useful the "DV in" feature is before making my choice.

I've just done a search and read up on a recent PH thread.. here

I presume this feature is redundant unless I'm planning to record from another digital source on to the camcorder.. yes/no?

Under what circumstances would "Dv in" become useful?

Also..
1. Does anyone have an opinion on the Sony HC44 / HC46 models?
2. Has anyone purchased items from PIXmania?.. Are they reliable?

Any help would be most appreciated as I'm in a hurry to buy something ready for a day at Thruxton next Friday!

>> Edited by fozzi on Saturday 18th March 14:42

[GetCarter]

Funnily enough it's AV in you should try and get (it's usually marked in yellow - on some models by an 'E'), as this will allow you to use a bullet cam which can be taped to the front of the car, the drivers crash helmet or focussed on the passengers screams.

I've had a few cams... never used DV in.

Drive careful... shiny side up remember.

[fozzi]

GetCarter said:

Funnily enough it's AV in you should try and get (it's usually marked in yellow - on some models by an 'E'), as this will allow you to use a bullet cam which can be taped to the front of the car, the drivers crash helmet or focussed on the passengers screams. I've had a few cams... never used DV in. Drive careful... shiny side up remember.

That's an interesting info for future reference, but not for this time as the video will not be in car, it will be trackside and filmed by novice cameragirlfriend.

Shiny side up, shiny side up, shiny side up... yep, think I've got it now!

[Fishy Dave]

Funnily enough I bought another HC46 from Pixmania a few days ago for use with another of our bullet cameras. Good cameras, only downside is poor standard battery life (no different than most other camcorders) and no ability to plug in an external mic (unless you buy a sony model).

Worth it for small size, widescreen, lanc port, av in and price. Also Pixmania has them packaged with Adobe Premier elements 1.0 which is pretty good.

Cheers, Dave

[fozzi]

Fishy Dave said:

Funnily enough I bought another HC46 from Pixmania a few days ago for use with another of our bullet cameras. Good cameras, only downside is poor standard battery life (no different than most other camcorders) and no ability to plug in an external mic (unless you buy a sony model). Worth it for small size, widescreen, lanc port, av in and price. Also Pixmania has them packaged with Adobe Premier elements 1.0 which is pretty good. Cheers, Dave

That is weird... but also nicely reassuring!

What is a "lanc port"?

The price is superb, cheapest I've found and about £150 below the instore price at Currys, though they also have it heavily discounted on the web too. I like all the accessory options available from pixmania, which includes an upgraded spare battery... sounds like that might be worth the extra investment.

[ErnestM]

It has been my experience that most IEEE1394 (firewire/DV) connections on camcorders are all bi-directional (in or out).

That being said - why you might need one:

Post production - You do all of your editing in your favourite NLE and rather than back up your finished masterpiece to DVD or external hard drive, you may want to stream the video back to a blank MiniDV tape and store the tape for posterity.

ErnestM

[Fishy Dave]

Yes, the packs are pretty good, although the tapes included are Maxell so not the best (AFAIK), also the spare battery you can find cheaper.

The lens covers/filters are worth a look IMO, £25 for one that increases contrast in bright conditions and a clear lens to help protect.

The LANC port allows the use of a LANC controller, which is basically a wirde remote control. We use (and sell) these all the time, means you can leave the camcorder in a bag (plugged into the bullet camera) and just press one button to start and stop recording or turn the power off or on. Save on battery and tape wastage.

Dave

[fozzi]

Excellent.. thanks for all the info guys, it has been most helpful!

Anyone else with anything to add then please do so, as I will be checking back a bit later... but for now I'm going to catch a bit of the Sebring 12 hour race on Motors TV... then settle down for England v Ireland.

[GetCarter]

fozzi said:

then settle down for England v Ireland.

bad move methinks

[fozzi]

GetCarter said:

fozzi said: then settle down for England v Ireland. bad move methinks

Only cos some one payed off the friggin lino!!! .... we were rubbish (again ), but the officials were a disgrace!

[Autonotiv]

So what does DV-In / DV-Out do then?

Cheers

Autonotiv

>> Edited by Autonotiv on Sunday 19th March 22:04