Best camcorder to get for filming manufacturing segments

[paankadu]

I have a budget of up to $2000 to include a camcorder and video editing software.

Films will be taken in a working environment (manufacturing) with some low light conditions. Will also need to capture sound as it will generally be 1 or 2 people performing a task and explaining what they are doing.

Would need to be able to upload to pc and edit the video with the software, converting it to WMV files for our systems.

Currently use a JVC HDD GZ-MG130U - sound quality isn't that good and image isn't very good either...even in best format. We are using the software that came with the camcorder and to produce it to high quality wmv image it takes up to 10 hrs for a 5-7 minute clip. Most video clips will be under 6 minutes. A 1 minute video will take about 3 hrs to produce.

Appreciate any help any one can give me.
thanks in advance
Angie

[edDV]

More info needed

- computer specs
- lighting conditions (sample frame?)
- recording time between edits
- are you scanning hours to get 5-7 min post edit?
- is the editing computer in the work area?
- is high definition a requirement?

[Soopafresh]

You've got barely the budget since you're going to need microphones and lighting. Fortunately, you can use a $100 app like Sony Vegas Movie Studio to create good quality videos from the footage.

How fast is the PC you're working on? The encoding time you stated above is indicative of old hardware.

[paankadu]

The editing computer is not in the workfield.

It is XP Professional OS, Dell computer Optiplex GX520
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.20 GHz, 3.19 Ghz, 0.99 GB of Ram

When they are recording it is anywhere from 30 seconds to generally 5 minutes and when I upload the videos to the computer they are uploaded whole. I use the video editing software to convert the film to WMV format and to edit out any unneccessary segments and to create a title at the beginning and end of the segment. I am not scanning hours to get the 5-7 min segment of video.

We link the produced videos to our intranet webpage and it is used as a reference when they go to work on that particular job. The video is typically viewed on a 37" HD tv screen hooked to the computer.

Hope this gives more information. I appreciate your responses so far.

Thanks,
Angie

[Soopafresh]

1) The editing machine is going to be a big bottleneck in your workflow. Buy a new low end Dell and you'll minimally triple your rendering performance. Seriously. Get one with an included flat panel wide screen digital display.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/desktops/desktop-vostro-220mt/pd.aspx?refid=desktop...mt&s=bsd&cs=04

$500


2) Camera - Canon HV40 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OI2Z4Q

$800

* Get a lower end wide angle lens attachment as well. You'll thank us one day. It'll save you a bunch of hassle from having to move your camcorder back to get everything in frame. They're quite inexpensive if you get them from the site mentioned in the video below.

http://www.vimeo.com/951300


3) Azden Wireless Lav mic - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3656-REG/Azden_WLX_PRO_WLX_Pro_Wireless_Lavalier.html

$150

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYlhDGrw_eA

If you need more than one, buy a second wireless lav mic and mix them together with a $40 Behringer mixer

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHXENTX502


Also, get a pair of headphones regardless of the number of mics you buy. $20-$30


4) Lights - We have no idea what your environment looks like, so this is an assumption. You might be able to get by with $100 of home depot shop flood lights, but assume $400

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/500422-REG/Interfit_INT117_Super_Cool_lite_5_Two.html

http://www.vimeo.com/5792911

Also get a collapsible reflector - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Collapsible-Reflectors/ci/1327/N/4294551003

5) Software - Sony Vegas Movie Studio - $100

[edDV]

I agree with the above if high definition is a requirement. The HV40 will also shoot HD but output as SD MiniDV to minimize the edit and encoding load with the current computer.

If high definition isn't needed, a canon Z series MiniDV camcorder should suffice.

[Soopafresh]

+1 Ed. Reason I suggested HD was they're watching the playback on a 37" monitor