Going to buy a mini-DV camcorder. Which one?

[Valnar]

It needs to serve dual purpose (or three purpose). One is to be a camcorder of course. 2nd, it needs to be able to take still pictures. And third, which is why I'm posting in this forum, is I want it to be able to capture video and pass it through the firewire port on-the-fly. I want to use it with a firewire card on my PC to be able to import analog video through it's s-video input (like from a VCR).

I understand some or most of the Sonys allow you to use a mini-DV camera as a pass-through capture device. But what about the other brands like Canon?

Replies with direct experience (instead of hear-say) preferred!

Thank you,
Robert

[jbarr]

Valnar,

I won't be able to answer your questions directly, because I am looking for the exact same thing. I will let you know what I discover on my search.

Today, I spent some time at a Best Buy "playing" with various cameras. First off, (and no offense to any Best Buy employees in general) the employees were of no help. I got more usable information from these forums and searching on Google than the sales guys could ever handle.

The Sony and the Canon models look really nice, and they are comparably priced when you compare features. The Canon models are smaller (more compact.) Both have still picture capabilities, "night-vision" capabillities, and a host of I/O ports that should fit the bill. The various price points seem to hover around whether the camcorder has a memory slot, and has firewire and USB (as opposed to USB only). Going higher, the price points seem to relate to lens quality (Zeiss lenses) and various other features.

I'm running Windows XP on a new eMachines 1.6GHz machine (it should be more than capable.) I am especially intrigued by the Canon models that say "Designed for Windows XP." The biggest problem I see is that stores like Best Buy just don't have enough information about the different features and functions on the camcorders. It is nice, though, that all the camcorders on their display were "live" and functioning.

Anyway, I am specifically looking at a digital camcorder to be the "core" of some home video capture. I have several VHS tapes (wedding, etc.) that I would like to burn onto DVD as well as over 100(!) 8mm film reels that I want to ultimatly transfer to DVD. After looking at a number of professional services (no solicitations, please) I decided that in the long run, it would be cheaper for me to purchase all the necessary equipment and do all the transfers myself. Yes, it's a big undertaking, but I will have total control over the editing.

I too need a digital camcorder that has DV in/out as well as A/V in and out. Most of the middle-range cam corders (not the low-end digital ones for $499) have "A/V in/out" listed as a feature. Can anyone explain what this is? The "A/V" connector on many models (specifically, Cannon and Sony) is a small sub-miniature-type plug that looks like it accepts a cable that combines L&R audio and video. Best Buy is using these cables on their display to feed the A/V OUT to a video monitor for the customer to view. My question is can this same "jack" be used for A/V IN? My goal is to plug the outputs from a VCR to this jack as an A/V IN allowing me to either record on the camcorder or to pass through to the PC. Is this correct?

Without trying to be presumptuous, I would really love to see this thread become a difinitive "what features do you look for" and "what models are you using for capture" thread.

I look forward to all your suggestions!!!

[holistic]

The CANON ZR40 will do what you are asking.

Just got one last week and have done exactly what you are trying to do.

1.connected VHS deck to the ZR40 (using the supplied a/v cable) the used it's A/D converter feature to 'export' DV to my computer.

2.Once on the computer i edited , then 'frameserved' with AviSynth to TMPGEnc for encoding to Mpeg2. My first 1/2 D1 (miniDVD) was made yesterday and it works in my 'entertainment' computer (266mmx with hollywood magic decoder, SB live 5.1). Have yet to test the disk in a standalone DVD as i do not have one.

3.Note : good for 15-23 minutes depending on bitrate. I managed approx 20 min with 2000 low- 4500avg - 6500max bitrates VBR 2 pass. on a 700 Mb CD.

Hope this enlightens you.

[Valnar]

I was looking at the Canon ZR series too. So you don't need to record to tape first?

Excellent.....

Robert

[Tommy]

What do you intend to do with the digital stills? If your looking for a digital camcorder that will take digital stills as well as a digital camera, then stop looking because it isn't going to happen anytime soon.

[Valnar]

No, I don't need it as good. 1024x768 is fine for quick shots like putting things up for sale on eBay. I realize a DV camcorder won't be as good as a separate Digicam, or more importantly, my 35mm. They ain't there yet.

Robert

[dgsmith]

I used to capture using BT878 based card, worked ok for vcd, but I wanted true tv rips from dss. I bought a passthru capable camcorder mostly for this reason. I just run a long s-video and audio cable (loses a little color, but good enough) to my camcorder to firewire to pc instead of having to locate pc near the tv.

I have a sony TRV230 and it does passthru, which is what I use it for the most. It seems to not care about Macrovision, i can pass thru from satellite (hughes receiver), vcr, and dvd player (panasonic). It is really handy on the dvd player side since most dvd are more than 4.7 now. I just pass them thru the sony and capture/convert/burn. Quality is of course not quite dvd, but I am on a 36" tv and it looks the same as satellite.

I use sclive to capture, tmpgenc to convert, spruce up to author, nero to burn. Just got a copy of VegasVideo and gonna try that out. Ulead sucked and so did MGI videowave.

[tjdmobile]

I, too just purchased a CANON ZR40. It replaces a 6-month old Sony Hi-8 camera. I was capturing the Hi-8 with my ATI Radeon 32DDR previously, which gave decent, albeit not GREAT results. Now that I have my Cannon, that is how I will do MOST of my video transfers. It captures in real time (no tape) to my PC via Firewire, and results are superior to my ATI card so far.

Working with DV video is a dream compared to conventional VDUB->AVI->MPG. I don't even need to frame serv my DV Video, it opens up in TMPGenc just fine.

Best Buy (where I purchased) had a very helpful and knowledgable sales person who helped me choose this hardware. I guess I lucked out...

[yg1968]

The Sony TRV-25 is also a good option. It does everything the Canon ZR40 does and more. It's passthrough feature also defeats macrovision (the Canon ZR40 doesn't).

[SingSing]

I will recommend Sharp digital viewcam - NV50.
The two hand operation make camcording very stable,
I can even turn off the DIS, to get better picture.

It is good at in-door, that many dvcams have problem.

It is about $350 after rebat.

The model NV100 came with digicam, that capture Fuzzy picture.

[xed]

Canon ZR-40 costs about $200 less than the Sony TRV-25. Cheapest price on Nextag for the canon is $393 as opposed to $549 for the Sony. Sounds like a lotta extra money to defeat macrovision.
Both of these, by the way, are significantly more expensive than a Capous ADVC-100 which also connects to your firewire port. Best price on the Canopus is $250.
One thing about digital camcorders -- the heads get dirty fast. Bear in mind that a standalone piece of hardware like the Canopus will never die from dirty heads, but a camcorder can and eventually will.

[Jester700]

But then, the passthru on a cam will not be AFFECTED by dirty heads, either, and the Canopus can't "git up & go with you".

I say go for the Sony VX2000. There IS no second place. Of course, that's $2000, but you didn't mention price, did you?

[cheapergear]

I think most Sony dv camcorders will do everything you need. However, I do recommend that you go to cnet.com and read all the cannon, sony and other camcorder reviews. The comments will help you make the right choice. I believe that a problem with cannon camcorders is that they took poor indoor video. Have fun searching.