Help to choose the right camcorder for internet video

[kjemmo]

Hi.

I have been publishing videos on my website using my old digital camera to record video. It has been a great success even though the video and audio is crappy quality.

Now I would like to be able to publish videos in better quality and to get better sound in my recordings.

Being new to camcorders everything is a little confusing. Especially because I am not looking for simply "the best camcorder" but for one that suites my needs for a good price.

So what are my needs

- To record and publish video in a decent quality (professional podcast and embedded videos)
- To be able to connect a separate microphone (very important)
- To have easy and fast transfer to a computer for editing (When you are producing several clips a day any cut down in production time is a gift. HD or flash memory is what I'm looking for, right???)

Almost all the videos will show my hands as I am describing how to do something, so I guess that the camcorder don't need a lens with a very wide range. As long as quality is OK in a well lit room within a couple of meters I am satisfied. Memory size don't matter that much either, normally clips are 2 - 10 minutes long.

My concerns are that I will buy something really expensive that I don't really need.

So any suggestions on the perfect camcorder for the small time Internet video publisher? Both new and used.

I really hope someone can help since video production is all new to me.

Thanks.

/Morten

[PhilippZ]

Check out the Canon HV20. I think it does everything you need for only $1,000.
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Canon-HV20-Camcorder-Review.htm
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=177&modelid=14869

[/url]

[edDV]

So what are my needs

- To record and publish video in a decent quality (professional podcast and embedded videos)
- To be able to connect a separate microphone (very important)
- To have easy and fast transfer to a computer for editing (When you are producing several clips a day any cut down in production time is a gift. HD or flash memory is what I'm looking for, right???)

Almost all the videos will show my hands as I am describing how to do something, so I guess that the camcorder don't need a lens with a very wide range. As long as quality is OK in a well lit room within a couple of meters I am satisfied. Memory size don't matter that much either, normally clips are 2 - 10 minutes long./Morten

Some basic issues -

1. Quality in means better compression result. This breaks down to camera quality, lens, lighting and recording format. If you need smooth motion, a progressive scan model may help. Interlace video can be deinterlaced or reduced to quarter resolution through field extraction. Recording format is important as this can greatly affect final quality. MPeg is very lossy when recoded and then converted. DV format is good because all frames are available to help the compressor.

So, best for task would be DV format with a good lens and the audio features you need. Something like a used VX-2100 (60i or 30p) or a Panasonic DVX-100 (24p) would probably be ideal in the ~$1000-1500 range. The HV20 would be very good if the it did progressive in 24p or 30p DV format but it only does it to HDV (MPeg2). The used VX-2100 wins for SD image quality due to lens, 3xCCD imaging and better controls. HDV can produce good results but needs more processing vs. a 3x CCD DV.

2. A lower end 3x CCD model could work but may lack the audio featues you need.

3. Lighting is equally important to camera for image quality.

4. 1x transfer to the computer isn't that bad unless you are editing down hours of material (like a long lecture). You still need to look at it at 1x.

5. If chroma key is important and mobility is less an issue, consider a higher end used 3x CCD broadcast model. These have a much better lens and produce smoother edges. Used prices can be very low.

All this varies by the details of your production.

[oldandinthe way]

Are you getting the best results you current camera has to offer?

Many tools used to produce podcasts and embedded videos are of poor quality. Neither of these applications are equivalent to DVD quality in the best of cases.

I would not purchase a higher quality camera unless I was CERTAIN that my production techniques would adequately utilize the camera's capability.

[edDV]

Are you getting the best results you current camera has to offer?

Many tools used to produce podcasts and embedded videos are of poor quality. Neither of these applications are equivalent to DVD quality in the best of cases.

I would not purchase a higher quality camera unless I was CERTAIN that my production techniques would adequately utilize the camera's capability.

Yes the scale varies. But if image quality of the compressed result is the main consideration, compare the results of the commercial sites @ 100-300 Kb/s vs. the amatuer sites and You-Tube. Lighting, camera and compression techniques are equally important. With proper lighting, a 1 CCD consumer camcorder can be made to look very good but the audio features may be lacking.