Camcorder for taking home movies how to pick one!

[fishtk75]

I see alot of camcorders in harddrive,dvd,minidv, and Flashdrive.
I need one easy to download to the PC. Is there a guide here on the forum to help?
I saw HDV put do not need that high of video quanty.
I looked on web sites and all have things to said good, bad and the ok.
Harddrive ones some say they crash as a PC do and do not drop them and need to have a PC handy to unload it when full.
DVD are hard to load on the PC and cost alot for per disc and record on some one time.
MiniDV the tapes brake, slow to download to the PC and do not have long record time and use the battery fast and noisy as some pick up the sound of the tape motor.
Flashdrive the cheap one have bad video but the more pricey ones work better and take the card out and put a new one in and record more.
What is it out there for the long hall for a few years that will last that all have seen that used all of these?

[FulciLives]

Here is a site with some good information:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

You might try reading about different models and makes etc.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[edDV]

MiniDV the tapes brake, slow to download to the PC and do not have long record time and use the battery fast and noisy as some pick up the sound of the tape motor.

I've never heard of a tape breaking or even jamming. Heads can get dirty and may need a cleaning tape.

DV format transfers 1x realtime over IEEE-1394 connection.

Batteries aren't an issue. Lithium ion batteries go for hours.

Tape motor sound? This issue is the same on all formats. It is usually caused by the consumer auto gain control jacking up mic level in quiet environments. Try to get a model with manual audio level controls or use an external mic.

In sum, MiniDV format is the best value and quality of the lot for SD.

[fishtk75]

MiniDV the tapes brake, slow to download to the PC and do not have long record time and use the battery fast and noisy as some pick up the sound of the tape motor.

I've never heard of a tape breaking or even jamming. Heads can get dirty and may need a cleaning tape.

DV format transfers 1x realtime over IEEE-1394 connection.

Batteries aren't an issue. Lithium ion batteries go for hours.

Tape motor sound? This issue is the same on all formats. It is usually caused by the consumer auto gain control jacking up mic level in quiet environments. Try to get a model with manual audio level controls or use an external mic.

In sum, MiniDV format is the best value and quality of the lot for SD.

Thank you edDV I do not know that is why I ask this is on some sites I googled and pick to see what is good.
Is there ones you know that work good for you and ones to look out for?

[edDV]

MiniDV the tapes brake, slow to download to the PC and do not have long record time and use the battery fast and noisy as some pick up the sound of the tape motor.

I've never heard of a tape breaking or even jamming. Heads can get dirty and may need a cleaning tape.

DV format transfers 1x realtime over IEEE-1394 connection.

Batteries aren't an issue. Lithium ion batteries go for hours.

Tape motor sound? This issue is the same on all formats. It is usually caused by the consumer auto gain control jacking up mic level in quiet environments. Try to get a model with manual audio level controls or use an external mic.

In sum, MiniDV format is the best value and quality of the lot for SD.

Thank you edDV I do not know that is why I ask this is on some sites I googled and pick to see what is good.
Is there ones you know that work good for you and ones to look out for?

Check the reviews at camcorderinfo.com
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/ratings.php
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/d/Reviews&level_b=Camcorder&level_c=MiniDV.htm

[fishtk75]

Here is a site with some good information:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

You might try reading about different models and makes etc.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

Thank you I will read on.