Camcorder advice please...

[milefile]

I've never had one but with a baby coming I want/need one. What brand and format would you recommend? I'm not a professional videographer, but as with anything, I'm sure I'll want to experiment with it an be creative so bare bones stuff won't do. I also need to be able to get the video on the web.

I'm discouraged by how much digital ones cost. Hi8 is reasonable but I suspect I'd be disappointed before long. I suppose I could finance but I'd rather not.

Debt = Bad... unless you really really want it

 

[sn00pie]

I have a JVC DVP-GR5 digital camcorder, I'm quite satisfied with it, although the still picture quality is a bit off...

I'm not really a whiz when it comes to camcorders, but I know you can't really go wrong with JVC or Sony. At the time my dad let me pick a camera out I picked the JVC over a Sony DigiCam, but when I look back I think the Sony would've fit me better. Mind you, that's just my personal view!

 

[milefile]

Wow, somebody finaly replied...

My research has steered me toward JVC as well. I had a JVC stereo a while back and was very happy with it.

Originally I was thinking of getting a Hi8 but I know I'd regret it soon. I just wish the price difference wasn't so big.

 

[Pako]

I'm currently running a Cannon GL-1 DV camera. The image quality is superb, plus the firewire output makes transfers to the computer convienient and fast. The price was pretty horrific, but I am having a chance at making money with it as well.

As far as lower-end DV's, the JVC's, Cannons, and Sony's would be the brand of choice.

What price range are you in?

 

[milefile]

$500-$600 - camera only

 

[Pako]

Oh man, you shouldn't have any problems getting into a mini-DV camcorder.

I would start looking here:
http://www.bwayphoto.com/subcategory.asp?scat=2&page=3&brand=&sort=3&om=

I would comb the net for recent reviews on Mini-DV's in your price range. The technology is changing so fast that it's hard to keep up, but Mini-DV seems to have taken ahold as the new media of choice that will be around for a while.

Hope this helps.

 

[milefile]

It does. Thanks. I plan to buy the Firewire stuff this weekend and the Camera in a couple weeks, break it up a bit. I just have to have it by the first week in March. Even though having a baby is the impetus for getting it at all, I know it'll be my new toy so I'm being a little picky about it. But that website has deals better than anything I've seen so far. Thanks again.

 

[Pako]

For sure. I will warn you about Broadway Photo though. I've bought most my Video stuff from them and here's how it works. They make no money on the initial product. They have to makeup their margins with accessories such as bags, cleaning kits, lenses, ect... After you place your order, you will be called in a few days to confirm your order at which time you will be pressured into buying additional stuff from a pushy sales person. Don't let 'em push you around, but don't get offensive with them either.

Just a little heads up on how they opperate.

 

[milefile]

Thanks for the tip. I'll be needing a bag and probably a battery and a couple tapes so hopefully that'll apease them. I've been doing a little research on epinions.com and it seems to be a common business practice with these guys. My biggest worry would be getting it in time. Here's a typical review I don't want to have happen to me:

[My wife wrote this to c|net since buydig is a c|net certified merchant. The purchase was for a birthday present for me.]

Behold three parts:
Part I: The Events
Part II: Observations about BuyDig.com
Part III: What CNET should know

Part I: The Events
1. Wanting a specific product, I consulted your site. I chose BuyDig.com because of their reasonable price and because your site indicated that they had the product in stock. I ordered it on Saturday, 10/6, to be shipped two-day air (in plenty of time for my husband's birthday, Friday, 10/12). Their acknowledgement indicated that they would send email only when they shipped it.
2. When I did not get said email by Thursday, 10/11 (five days later for a two-day air order), I called them. They said it was not, actually, in stock. They said it HAD been in stock, but then they suddenly got a huge handful of orders. They assured me that it should arrive between that day and the following Tuesday, 10/16. They upgraded the shipment to overnight so we would definitely receive the product by Wednesday, 10/17.
3. Still not receiving email saying it was shipped, today, Wednesday, 10/17 (the day the product would definitely be here), I called again. This time they said that the item still was not in stock, that the dates were only estimates, really, and that they were a DISCOUNT company, after all, and don't have time to call every single customer to let them know if an item was late. They said that they didn't have a new tentative date, although they THOUGHT it should arrive between now and the beginning of next week.

Part II: Observations about BuyDig.com
1. The idea that BuyDig.com does not have the time to call each customer, but does have the time to field individual phone calls makes no sense, when setting up an email system would save time and money.
2. If they give a date for when the product will come in, they should make clear that it is an estimate. Not just "it should be here by next Tuesday," but also, "although we apologize that we can't guarantee it."
3. They shouldn't be rude about it.

Part III: What CNET should know
1. Your site should accurately reflect what your sellers have in stock.
2. Your site has been inaccurate for at least 11 days.
3. You are losing credibility when your site is inaccurate for 11 days.
4. You lose credibility when you a company that gives service such as I described is a "CNET Certified Store."

Interestingly, Gomez.com does not have a category for bad service, rudeness, or not keeping promises.

Finally, I am on the verge of canceling my order with BuyDig; I don't trust them anymore. And I will probably not consult CNET again, either.

I get so sucked into these peoples stories. It's kind of entertaining, until it's you.

 

[Pako]

Wow, that sounds horrible! Can't say I've had that kind kinda luck, but as you said....these stories do entertain until it happens to you.

 

[milefile]

I ended up buying this one yesterday on my lunch break. My research kept bringing me back to it. I called Best Buy to see if they had it in stock and they said they were on closeout so I ran over and got the last one left in a box. Paid $399.00. I haven't even gotten to play with it yet but I'm happy with my purchase.

Thank's for the advice, Pako, and everybody else.

 

[milefile]

Originally posted by milefile
I ended up buying this one yesterday on my lunch break. My research kept bringing me back to it. I called Best Buy to see if they had it in stock and they said they were on closeout so I ran over and got the last one left in a box. Paid $399.00. I haven't even gotten to play with it yet but I'm happy with my purchase.

Thank's for the advice, Pako, and everybody else.

*edit* Well that link won't work so...

It's a JVC GR DVL120U Mini DV Camcorder:
Analog Video Format NTSC

Audio Input / Microphone Operation Mode Stereo

Audio Input / Microphone Technology Electret condenser

Audio Input / Type Microphone

Battery / Average Run Time 75Min

Brand JVC

Diagonal Size (inches) 2.5

Digital Scene Transition Black & white fader • Black fader • Corner wipe • Door wipe • Scroll wipe • Shutter wipe • Slide wipe • White fader • Window wipe

Dimensions / Depth 8.8"

Dimensions / Height 3.7"

Dimensions / Weight 22.2Oz

Dimensions / Width 3.3"

Display (Projector) / Technology TFT active matrix

Display (Projector) / Type LCD display

Display Form Factor Rotating (270°)

Estimated Price Under $500

Flash / Type None

Image Stabilizer Electronic

Lens System / Lens Aperture F/1.6

Lens System / Max Focal Length 62.4mm

Lens System / Min Focal Length 3.9mm

Lens System / Optical Zoom 16

Lens System / Type Zoom lens

Low Lux / Night Mode Yes

Manufacturer JVC

Manufacturer Part Number GR-DVL120U • GRDVL120

Media Format Mini DV

Model DVL120U

Optical Sensor / Optical Sensor Size 1/4"

Optical Sensor / Optical Sensor Type CCD

Product Line JVC GR

Service & Support / Type 1 year warranty

Shooting Modes Digital photo mode

Shooting Programs Sand & snow • Slow shutter • Sports mode • Twilight mode

Special Effects Black & White • Cinema • Classic Film • Sepia • Strobe

Storage Floppy Drive / Type None

Type Digital

Video Head Qty 2

Video Input / Type Camcorder

Viewfinder / Viewfinder Color Support Black & white

Viewfinder / Viewfinder Type LCD

 

[Pako]

Hey looks good man, looks like a good choice! I especially like the adjustable shutter speed for darker shots where lighting is a problem. :-) So do you have a video for us to check out yet?

~Welcome to the world of DV~

 

[milefile]

Originally posted by Pako
So do you have a video for us to check out yet?

Not yet. I'll start playing with it tonight. Then I still have to get the editing software and Firewire and all that. But when I do I'll put it up.

 

[Pako]

Right on! What software are you looking at using?

 

[milefile]

Originally posted by Pako
Right on! What software are you looking at using?

Probably this. Unless you or somebody knows of a better one. Value is very important.

On the page there is a link that says "get an in depth look..." It's a Flash movie showing what it can do. Seems good, but then I've never used any DV software before.

And it comes with the card which is nice.

 

[Pako]

I have heard a lot of good things about the pennacle products, especially their IEEE 1394 cards. The only DV Software I've had the opertunity to try is Adobe's Premiere 6.0, but even at that, you almost need a secondary training course on how to use the software. You might also check into Vegas Video, or Ulead video of which I think the Pennicle software might be better than the others. I think that the vegas video comes with more transition effects (plugin's) stock than the others, as well as integrates audio from Soundforge which is a pretty good audio solution for desktop audio apps.

If you wonna check out some high-end A/V stuff, take a gander at: www.avid.com