Mini DV camcorder....

[rubberman]

Looking to get a new DV camcorder to replace my old VHS-C camcorder. I want record things and burn them to DVD-r. What do i need to look for in a DV camcorder? I have my eye on the JVC GR-d30. I can get it for $356. Like i said i want record family weddings, family vacations, kids ballgames then burn them to dvd-r for future viewing. I know that camcorder has firewire but the only thing i have is USB connection. any help appreicated. thanks

[hxc3634]

Make sure that JVC camcorder has an input port. I think it doesn't have. Input port is really handy when you need to capture other analog sources.
Stay away from Canon camcorder. I got Elura 2 for two years and it start eating tapes. I thought it's only my problem but all other Canon camcorder suffers that problem. You can search Google. Type "tape eating". Amazon.com zr10 review shows many guys have that problem too. I'm not going to buy Canon camcorder any more.

[G-man]

I would suggest that you get a camera that has "Analog video in/out ports with analog to digital converter" and passthru capability. This feature will let you capture video from your analog sources (like VCR). It doesn't appear that the model you mention has that. This feature will make it easy to transfer your old VHS-C tapes to DVD as well.

[rubberman]

"This feature will make it easy to transfer your old VHS-C tapes to DVD as well."

Good point!

Can you guys name some good dv camcorders that arent too $$$?

[G-man]

Despite complaints about Canons eating tape, I have a ZR-40 and it has worked just fine.
You can get a ZR-60 (new model) for around $385 if you shop mail order (I have had good luck purchasing from www.buydig.com).

[hxc3634]

G-man,
How long have you been using Zr40? My search shows that Canon camcorder has the tape-eating problem after about two years.

[bokkasrealm]

I have the ZR40 as well. Ive had it for about a month now and no problems whatsoever. I hope the tape eating problem never crops up. I only gave $350 for it so if it does pop up in 2 years, I guess it wont be all that bad.

[G-man]

I've had the ZR-40 for about a year now.

The ZR-10 is a rather old model; if there was something inherent with the tape handling, I would expect a major manufacturer like Canon to have dealt with it by now.

hxc3634, I am sure you can find references to problems for any consumer product on the Internet if you search hard enough...... that Koss DVD2161 DVD player you have has lots of complaints about overheating too .........

You should checkout the problems discussed at the Tivo forum, it would make any sane person stay clear of ever wanting to own one..... but I have 3 of them, so what does that tell you? :-;

[Nolonemo]

I tried ZR-40 but returned it because of motor noise issues (well-known issue with that cam, it may or may not bother you). I got a Sony TRV-18, which cost me about $100 more. They are recently discontinued so prices may have come down. I used the camera to capture my old 8mm videos to burn to DVD-R and it worked fine for that. The DV picture quality also blows 8mm away.

[DigitalMan43]

Be careful with the Canons because they have very poor low light (like inside your house with a few lamps on) performance and motor noise is recorded by the mic. I did tons of research and ended up buying the Sony DCR-TRV22 and have been very happy with it so far. You might want to check out http://www.camcorderinfo.com for reviews and message boards to discuss.

Guy

[hoyboy]

The Dcrtrv18 sony is a really nice camera, sold a heap of them with no problems. I think the trv22 is the replacement, should be great as well. Have you got room in your pc for a firewire card?- if you do get one, they're pretty cheap and are really invaluable in capturing DV.

hope this helps