Buying a Digital DV camera! :-)

[pwygant]

I am in the process of looking for my first Digital videocamera to start recording and editing home movies. I am not an expert but I am somewhat of a computer freak and want a good product to last me a few years. I have gone through a few regular videocameras in my life but I am tired of converting VHS to digital through a card etc...

Anyway, time for a digital videocam, and probably a DV sinse that is the norm. Can anyone give me any pointers on what to look for and what brands you generally like? (I have a real good Canon Digital kamera, G-1, and it works good. Is Canon a good brand?

Furthermore, I am a little unsure how the tapes work. Does most dv cameras have a memory card that records video? Why would you do that if you have the DV tapes? I mean, spend extra money on Memory cards?

Finally, DV tapes are digital, correct? So that means then that they don't degrade in quality. I have a little hard time understanding and maybe I am getting old but feel free to give opinions.

Please, suggest some cams and why?

NOTES: I AM NOT GOING TO SPEND OVER $1500. IF POSSIBLE, NOT OVER $700. SUGGESTIONS?

:P

[videoalaska]

Try the Canon ZR-20. I own both a Canon G-2 and the ZR-20 same battery chargers, same batteries (if you use the regular strength ones). I'm very impressed with the ease and quality this camera produces. Check out Amazon -> customer comments and other places on the web where you got unbiased opionions. I have nothing to gain by telling you go for the Canons, but since you already own the G-1 might want to consider the ZR- series digital cameras. Good Luck and enjoy.

btw- I bought it at Compusa on sale $599 a month ago noraml prices are $699. The other ZR cameras have still picture capibilities built in, that is why I didn't go any further than the ZR-20. (since I already have a good digital still) No need to pay more than you have to.

[Tommy]

Yes canons are normally good products. My first cam was a canon as is my camera now. But its all depends on what you want. I personally looked at a lot of mini dv camcorders and ended up with a Sony PC-9. I picked sony because I liked the build quality. The higher up sonys have great optics and a good set of features. I personally like nighshot, granted its not all that useful but its cool. If I had to buy another camcorder I buy another sony. But what ever you decide to pickup, I would make sure it has analog inputs. It seems that most people find they want them.

Ok the memory card on the cameras...... They are normally used to take still pictures or short mpeg movies. Its suppose to give you easier access to your photos. In a way it does. If you take a still to tape if you want to see a specific picture you would have to go through the tape until you found it and then capture the picture. On the sony if its on the memory stick you can access the stick though a reader attach to your computer or thought the camera via a usb cable. Once the stick is connected it act like a removable drive. You can then move a picture or the entire contents to your harddrive.

But really pictures taken with a camcorder (even the mega pixel ones) won't be that great.

Remember to use your amex blue card.......buy from a good place and price match with a not so good place.

Good luck..... If your still reading take a look at this sight it has a lot of reviews and prices.

http://www.ecoustics.com/Home/Home_Video/Camcorders/Camcorder_Reviews/

[pwygant]

Thanks... One last question though. When it comes to the DV tapes, do they degrade in quality like old camcorder tapes?

Finally, what is the start & stop points on DV cameras like. (Do you remmebr when you recorded old tapes it took the camcorder time to rewind and sometimes it deleted part of what you previously recorded because it set up for a new clip. Does it work like this for the DV tapes also?)

[Greg12]

DV does not degrade.


Is is digital video not analog so the video stored as digital data not eltromagnetic pulses

[bertmartin]

PC World (march) liked the Panasonic PV-DV701 at $899.00. This is the mini-DV format which I like. Watch out for the super cheap cameras as they lack key features. "voice of experience" This one has composite or s-video ports so you can copy old analog tapes according to the review. My cheap JVC doesn't have that.

[jtor]

DV tapes do not degrade...but then, keep in mind that you're STILL using a tape....which gets in contact with the camcorder head. Meaning, it's still subjected to wear and tear.

Start & Stop points...something that you need to take a note of. As long as you don't eject the tape, or you don't rewind for viewing right after shooting, you should be OK. Problem pops up when you remove the tape, or rewind, and restart recording. This is a problem especially if you intend to transfer video to your PC. Digital cams write date/time codes with your video. If your tape gets a 'blank spot' (no date/time code) gaps between videos, most capture software will puke. Technique is you 'strip' your tape; basically hit 'RECORD' with the lens cap on, and with a headphone jack connected to the mic input, and keep this going up to the very end of the tape. What this does is it writes date/time codes to the tape. Once finished, you rewind all the way and she's ready for use. That way, you'll never get a blank spot (even if you eject, or rewind).

You might want to stop by a store, go to the magazine section, and check-out some 'video' magazines (C and CV I think, PC Videomaker, etc). They frequently have articles like 'buyers guide', and camcorder reviews. That way, you'll know what to look for (optical stabilizer, optical zoom, number of CCDs, and other features), and identify which brand/make has them...and so on.

hope this helps.

[pwygant]

Thanks for the info......

[Bree]

I beg to differ. DV tapes do degrade as all tapes do. Yes the data format is digital, however the 1's and zero's are still represented by a certain signal/noise threshold. All magnetic tapes will slowly degrade over time. the effect however may show up differently in the data then an analog recording. There will be changed or lost data over time.

Check you facts before you sling your BS around.

[jtor]

I beg to differ. DV tapes do degrade as all tapes do. Yes the data format is digital, however the 1's and zero's are still represented by a certain signal/noise threshold. All magnetic tapes will slowly degrade over time. the effect however may show up differently in the data then an analog recording. There will be changed or lost data over time.

Check you facts before you sling your BS around.

...if you're not referring to my post, then disregard.

but if you are, maybe you did not read the first part...especially the 'BUT THEN' portion. I totally agree with what you're saying, but pls read carefully.And anybody in the right mind should be able to understand that...

loosen up!

[wellmashed]

Would I be right in saying that it is the actual tape that degrades due to usage and not the actual information on the tape.....

[Tommy]

Would I be right in saying that it is the actual tape that degrades due to usage and not the actual information on the tape.....

No that wouldn't be correct, The tape will degrade over time (as all tapes do) the data on the tape will degrade because the tape degrades. You really can't separate the tape from the data. 8)