Buying a camcorder to transfer movies to computer

[Boricua1134]

which is better, easier, takes less space for transfering movies
mini dvds or miniDVs because i cant find a camcorder with both
i want to be able to put stuff on youtube n stuff like that
and is this one good for that
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4725824
thanks

[yoda313]

Probably minidv is better. Can't comment specifically becuase all I have is the last generation of 8mm (non hi8) anlaog.

With minidv you can get 1hour tapes. I believe minidvd is limited to 20minutes at top quality. THat may have changed recently since the last time I looked at them.

Two things to note -

Mini dvd will let you pop it right into a dvd player without authoring or editing. BUT you will have to copy it to a computer anyway if you want to rearrange stuff and create menus and such.

Mini dv requires firewire inputs for optimal transfer. USB 2 can be used but from what I have heard on this site the quality takes a huge hit. And minidv takes a lot of space. I believe its 13gb an hour.

I believe they should be more or less equal in quality however. Just be sure to check the size of the ccd (the charged coupled device - the actual unit that determines the quality of the video). the bigger the ccd the better the quality - I'm pretty sure thats how it works.

Check out consumer reviews on tech sites like www.cnet.com and don't forget to do a forum search here for the model you are thinking of. It may already have a lenghty thread discussing it.

Good luck and don't forget to actually go to a store and compare the models in person. Little things like the position of buttons or hand grip feel can be a deal breaker or maker when your deciding between two or three models.

[Boricua1134]

thanks man