Camcorder purchase - in car/general
Discussion
Having now spent hours on the forum researching the excellent threads from the last 3 yrs, I have learnt tonnes but nonetheless, could really use some advice from the experts. I am leaning toward the following;
- Mini DV camcorder, budget £300-£400 ($400-$700) - compact & editing planned
- Main uses; travel, family, in-car/outside car incl track days and hoons, low light work
- HAS to have AV Input to allow connection of a bullet cam for car-work (one of the major uses); purchase of b-cam through rfconcepts.
- Good low light results/mimimising noise issues
- Optical Zoom 10x plus with Image stabilisation
- Potentially wide angle, minimum LCD screen 2.5 inches
- No need for quality digital camera stills as have a separate (decent) camera
- Good battery life where possible
By way of clarification:
1) I am able to purchase the camcorder in the US (regular visitor) so what is the main downside of this; assuming NTSC format vs PAL format creates major issues?
2) And...the real kicker (showing my ignorance so apologies)....my laptop does NOT allow me to burn files to DVD, so assuming this is a MAJOR restriction and only allows playability to TV, and therefore no storage medium?
Really appreciate all advice experts - most notably on the 2 main queries and/or on potential models. Thanks in advance.
- Mini DV camcorder, budget £300-£400 ($400-$700) - compact & editing planned
- Main uses; travel, family, in-car/outside car incl track days and hoons, low light work
- HAS to have AV Input to allow connection of a bullet cam for car-work (one of the major uses); purchase of b-cam through rfconcepts.
- Good low light results/mimimising noise issues
- Optical Zoom 10x plus with Image stabilisation
- Potentially wide angle, minimum LCD screen 2.5 inches
- No need for quality digital camera stills as have a separate (decent) camera
- Good battery life where possible
By way of clarification:
1) I am able to purchase the camcorder in the US (regular visitor) so what is the main downside of this; assuming NTSC format vs PAL format creates major issues?
2) And...the real kicker (showing my ignorance so apologies)....my laptop does NOT allow me to burn files to DVD, so assuming this is a MAJOR restriction and only allows playability to TV, and therefore no storage medium?
Really appreciate all advice experts - most notably on the 2 main queries and/or on potential models. Thanks in advance.
I've got a Canon MVX30i, which has widescreen and bullet cam input, and frankly I'm chuffed with it.
www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Camcorders/Digital/MVX30i/index.asp?ComponentID=189044&SourcePageID=26346#1
www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/616_261785.html
www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Camcorders/Digital/MVX30i/index.asp?ComponentID=189044&SourcePageID=26346#1
www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/616_261785.html
For the money you are looking to spend Sony DCR-HC96
clicky
Why? It meets all of your criteria and can be had retail for about $600 if you look carefully. I am assuming that you are going to be doing some editing so you will probably have to stream via firewire. That leaves off DVD or Hard Disk based cameras. You didn't mention the need for High Def (and they are outside the budget that you published anyway)
The Sony will do everything that you need and more. Any money left over and I would suggest a copy of Premier Pro 2.0. That will allow you to convert NTSC to PAL and prep your video for viewing on UK television. You are also going to need some sort of DVD burner and some DVD authoring software (Adobe Encore is my preferred) in order to view it on your TV.
ErnestM
clicky
Why? It meets all of your criteria and can be had retail for about $600 if you look carefully. I am assuming that you are going to be doing some editing so you will probably have to stream via firewire. That leaves off DVD or Hard Disk based cameras. You didn't mention the need for High Def (and they are outside the budget that you published anyway)
The Sony will do everything that you need and more. Any money left over and I would suggest a copy of Premier Pro 2.0. That will allow you to convert NTSC to PAL and prep your video for viewing on UK television. You are also going to need some sort of DVD burner and some DVD authoring software (Adobe Encore is my preferred) in order to view it on your TV.
ErnestM
ErnestM said:
Sony DCR-HC96; I am assuming that you are going to be doing some editing so you will probably have to stream via firewire.
Any money left over and I would suggest a copy of Premier Pro 2.0. That will allow you to convert NTSC to PAL and prep your video for viewing on UK television. You are also going to need some sort of DVD burner and some DVD authoring software (Adobe Encore is my preferred) in order to view it on your TV.ErnestM
Any money left over and I would suggest a copy of Premier Pro 2.0. That will allow you to convert NTSC to PAL and prep your video for viewing on UK television. You are also going to need some sort of DVD burner and some DVD authoring software (Adobe Encore is my preferred) in order to view it on your TV.ErnestM
Really appreciated and helps a lot. I would indeed by doing editing. The lack of DVD burner on my laptop is a pain, as it will require additional purchasing on top of the expense. Also wary of the NTSC/PAL issue which does not appear necessarily simple to get around.
Lovely Esprit by the way - never saw a single one in the 6 yrs I lived in CA, and I should know one as I was born 15 miles away from the Lotus factory!
Mustang Baz said:
ErnestM said:
Sony DCR-HC96; I am assuming that you are going to be doing some editing so you will probably have to stream via firewire.
Any money left over and I would suggest a copy of Premier Pro 2.0. That will allow you to convert NTSC to PAL and prep your video for viewing on UK television. You are also going to need some sort of DVD burner and some DVD authoring software (Adobe Encore is my preferred) in order to view it on your TV.ErnestM
Any money left over and I would suggest a copy of Premier Pro 2.0. That will allow you to convert NTSC to PAL and prep your video for viewing on UK television. You are also going to need some sort of DVD burner and some DVD authoring software (Adobe Encore is my preferred) in order to view it on your TV.ErnestM
Really appreciated and helps a lot. I would indeed by doing editing. The lack of DVD burner on my laptop is a pain, as it will require additional purchasing on top of the expense. Also wary of the NTSC/PAL issue which does not appear necessarily simple to get around.
Lovely Esprit by the way - never saw a single one in the 6 yrs I lived in CA, and I should know one as I was born 15 miles away from the Lotus factory!
Adobe Premier Pro 2.0. I have relatives in Scotland, so immediately taught myself to convert NTSC to PAL. Adobe Encore can also create PAL specific DVDs.
Cheers for the thoughts on the Esprit. I'm trying out various and assorted bullet cam/in car video/sound capture options for our events currently (got a great new bullet cam from www.viosport.com but the integrated microphone is crap) If I figure out any "must have solutions" I will post them.
ErnestM
I had esactly the same questions and have just bought one!
It's a Sony (something) 32 that I bought off eBay for £190. Does everything you said (including AV in).
I've also bought a bullet cam from www.bikecameras.com for £105. Not yet unwrapped the bullet cam to test, but it should be ok.
(I have a trip through Austrian Alps next week and am hoping to get some "interesting" shots from the bullet cam on various parts of the Cayman's body. This is my first experiment with moving images and I've no idea how it's going to go! Fun trying though
)
It's a Sony (something) 32 that I bought off eBay for £190. Does everything you said (including AV in).
I've also bought a bullet cam from www.bikecameras.com for £105. Not yet unwrapped the bullet cam to test, but it should be ok.
(I have a trip through Austrian Alps next week and am hoping to get some "interesting" shots from the bullet cam on various parts of the Cayman's body. This is my first experiment with moving images and I've no idea how it's going to go! Fun trying though
) Pikey,
Windows Movie Maker is a great program for learning the ins and outs of video editing. Besides, the price is right - free. Give that a shot when you get your footage.
If you have any issues, post back and I'll try to help out. I've made, virtually, all of the mistakes during my learning curve
ErnestM
Windows Movie Maker is a great program for learning the ins and outs of video editing. Besides, the price is right - free. Give that a shot when you get your footage.
If you have any issues, post back and I'll try to help out. I've made, virtually, all of the mistakes during my learning curve
ErnestM
Cheers mate, I may be asking! It comes with a CD (Picture Perfect) that presumably has the drivers & some viewing software, but I haven't really had a play yet.
btw, you don't know how to get the Sony camcorder to record from the AV-IN (bulletcam) do you? Just trying it now and it's not on the screen menu and I haven't got the instruction book with me (plus being a boy, don't like reading instructions!!)
btw, you don't know how to get the Sony camcorder to record from the AV-IN (bulletcam) do you? Just trying it now and it's not on the screen menu and I haven't got the instruction book with me (plus being a boy, don't like reading instructions!!)
If you have Windows XP, you won't need the drivers disk for movie capture. Just use the firewire and XP will recognise it when you power it on and ask you if you want to launch Movie Maker for the capture.
Bullet Cam - AV in. You have to have the Camera in VCR mode (varies with camcorder models). You then just press the "record" button (or touchscreen depending on model). Make sure that you have the power source hooked up to the camera. On some Sonys, you press the record and play button at the same time. On some you press record and it puts the camera on "record standby" and then you press "play" and it starts the capture.
Shout if you need more help.
ErnestM
Bullet Cam - AV in. You have to have the Camera in VCR mode (varies with camcorder models). You then just press the "record" button (or touchscreen depending on model). Make sure that you have the power source hooked up to the camera. On some Sonys, you press the record and play button at the same time. On some you press record and it puts the camera on "record standby" and then you press "play" and it starts the capture.
Shout if you need more help.
ErnestM
Ben - have you worked it out yet? Keen to hear on your experiences as if you camera hits all of the requirements I listed - esp low light and AV in - it could be a winner. Assuming you are purchasing a PAL version and not over in the US? Also assuming you have a DVD burner with your current desktop/laptop?
Mustang Baz said:
Ben - have you worked it out yet? Keen to hear on your experiences as if you camera hits all of the requirements I listed - esp low light and AV in - it could be a winner. Assuming you are purchasing a PAL version and not over in the US? Also assuming you have a DVD burner with your current desktop/laptop?
Hi Mustang B - "yep"!
I played with it more last night.
AV-IN... we now know (thanks to ErnestM) does work if you have the camera in playback mode (not record) and find the hidden option for record.
Low light.... Ooooooooh yes (as the dog says in the Churchill ads!). It has 3 low light modes. As they step up in sensitivity they step down in quality, but the "Super Night Scene" with the IR light on is basically seeing in complete darkness. Just used indoors where the light is poor works well too - but the camera just adjusts and there is no manual setting needed.
PAL & UK spec version - yes, that's what it is.
Long life battery - I have 2, a standard battery that says on screen 60 mins and a long life (heavier though) that says 212 mins.
CD burner - yep, have a laptop with a CD burner and a desktop with 300Mb and a DVD burner.
I hope that helps.
Ben
I agree completely with ErnestMs recomendations. The HC96 is a great choice.
The only other thing I would add is a LANC controller, which is a wired remote control that makes controlling the bullet camera really easy, without having to go near the camcorders power control or touchscreen.
www.fastfilms.co.uk
The only other thing I would add is a LANC controller, which is a wired remote control that makes controlling the bullet camera really easy, without having to go near the camcorders power control or touchscreen.
www.fastfilms.co.uk
Fishy Dave said:
The only other thing I would add is a LANC controller, which is a wired remote control that makes controlling the bullet camera really easy, without having to go near the camcorders power control or touchscreen.
www.fastfilms.co.uk
www.fastfilms.co.uk
Cheers Dave - just had a peek round your site. Most helpful. Annoyingly it gave me some ideas for where to stick a suction mount.
I say annoyingly as I already have a windscreen mount that my new cleaner has "tidied away" and despite looking for it for a week, I'm off tonight and haven't yet found it!
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