Been reading the forums to the point of confusion.

I need an HD camcorder that will do well in recording my kids concerts and recitals. Dark in audience, light on stage, with some zooming power.

I'm looking at the HF10 on sale at Costco.

I also like the feature set of the JVC GZ-HD300 which looks like it may be easier to transfer videos.

Any suggestions for this specific use?

Thanks!

(Personal opinion follows)...

I've only used the Canons and they are excellent, especially in low light.

This JVC does 24mbps (data rate) vs. 17 mbps on the Canon but, honestly the data rate between the two is barely noticeable - if you look for it.

The JVC has a 1/4" sensor vs. 1/3.2" on the Canon (which actually means it's larger) - the larger sensor will yield better low light performance. Some say it may not matter being that you can control an environment like inside your own home while adding more light if needed.

But in a fixed, unpredictable environment like a school auditorium, I would rather have the extra light ability.

The other thing is that the JVC doesn't have any microphone inputs - so your only option is the built-in mic - which may be okay.

As far as the audio on the Canon, it's not that great for low levels, as there will be some hiss present. But if it's loud music/sound, it won't be noticeable.
You could always pick up the Canon DM100 microphone, that goes in the accessory shoe.(that fluffy thing in the Amazon.com image on top is called a "dead cat" - you can remove it and it will look like a regular microphone. The dead cat is used for windy situations):
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-2591B002-Directional-Microphone-Camcorders/dp/B0012ILNK0

If you are planning on filming something wth loud noise, it would be good to do some tests (with video, too) with the audio levels. For example, with the Canon, there is a mic attenuator that will limit high levels (i.e. music out of a speaker from a distance).. before distorting..or you could manually adjust levels..you need to find this kind of thing out beforehand.

Lastly the JVC is hard drive vs. flash storage only (internal and cards) on the Canon. I wouldn't do hard drive, just because of the (probably extremely remote chance) of failure with a delicate hard drive. If you are willing to get a hard drive camcorder, you may want to consider the Canon HG20 (pretty much the same cam as the HF10 but can do 24mbps), which I think Costco also sells.
You can also record to flash cards on the JVC, bypassing the hard drive.

Maybe someone else can weigh in on their experience with JVC's.

I need to stress that this is only one person's opinion - ask around and check other forums, etc. for an informed decision.

i just posted a mts file with low-light (very dark old opera house) in the HG20 thread.

(edit- no reading comprehension- HDD will be fine for recitals & plays)

I am getting into recording live music and have a really handy bit of advice-

DO NOT GET A HDD CAMERA! I've had a Samsung flash drive, and a Sony SR5 HDD, and the bass waves from the PA cause HDD errors. The Sony would trip into standby mode after a minute or so of recording.

This week I got a Sony HDR-HC9, which records to MiniDV at the advice of a videographer buddy of mine. It also has manual control of the microphone. This is key to keep clipping out of the recording I'm trying it out at a club tonight for the first time, and I'll report back tomorrow.

MORE ADVICE- Get a shotgun mic. You will never be happy with the sound from the internal mic on any consumer camcorder.

I use my Canon HG10 as well as my newly purchased HG21 camcorder to film local band and chorus peformances....They work very well.
I use a Rode video mic for better sound quality.....I get nothing but praise as to the quality of the picture and sound.....This weekend I will be filming a All state childrens chorus at our arts center with 3 camcorders, 2-HG10's, 1-HG21....

Hallo, I used my newly bought HG21 to record a couple of concert of a choir (one in a theatre, the other outdoors) and a small jazz orchestra in a club: images are nice and the sound, even if without using an external mic, isn't that bad either. It has manual control of the recording volume.

I didn't experience any HDD problems, in these occasions. Naturally I didn't test it during a heavy metal concert...

One problem I got in the last concert was that the club was too small, so the camera couldn't catch all the band together: I should have used the wideangle lens but I forgot to bring it with me...
I plan, sometime in the future, to buy an external microphone to increase the sound quality of the concerts I shoot. Any suggestions?
Paolo

I use the Rode Video mic, excellent mic with good sound capture....keep in mind you will have to get a shoe adapter in order for it to fit the HG21's mini advanced shoe.....Canon got a little greedy since the HG10 by going to the mini shoe in order to push its over priced accessories....

Thanks for the advice.
In your experience the difference between recording with the built in mic and with an external one is clearly apparent? I should justify with my wife the extra 150 € spent right after spending 750 for the camera and...she might have something to say if in the end she doesen't perceive the difference!

I know, it's not a techincal problem, but...life isn't always so simple!!

I could tell the difference right off, the built in camcorder mic sounded like you were listening from inside a can, but with the rode the sound was more rich and had more bass as well, my co-worker who does soundwork for several bands as well as runs a studio from his home was impressed with the rode, he recommended the mic to me....as soon as I get home from work I will show some pictures of the rode on my setup....stay tuned....

750 euro is cheap for the HG21, cheapest I could find, here in Holland, was 899,-. We got the HF11 (689,-), as it was the best compromise between resolution, indoor use, and price.

Actually I was lucky: I found a used HG21 from a guy living near the place I live, who bought it as a second camcorder but then used it only once...in all the shops I searched it sold for more than 1000 €.
If the Rode has such a better sound...I think I can plan to buy one. I'll be back to see warriorking's setup.

I had a look and there are two models:
http://www.rodemic.nl/filmvideoradio/rodestereovideomic.php
http://www.rodemic.nl/filmvideoradio/rodevideomic.php

The first is called stereo, the second has a stero minijackplug output, so...

The link below has vidoes recorded with a Song HDR-SR11 in lowlight. I was standing at the rear of the auditorium. The videos were edited with Sony Vegas Platinum 9.0b and rendered using MP4 settings at 1280x720.

http://www.youtube.com/caleraeagleband

Very jumpy and choppy here. Occassionaly looses focus (smearing) on slow pan, the small movements in a pan to be more precise.

Did you use the built-in microphone? I see what looks like two overhead mics.

What tripod did you use?

Here are a few pics of my Rode video mic attached to my Canon HG10 along with a WD-H43 Wide angle lens....

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss3/warriorkingtech/IMG_0116.jpg

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss3/warriorkingtech/IMG_0115.jpg

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss3/warriorkingtech/IMG_0114.jpg

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss3/warriorkingtech/IMG_0118.jpg

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss3/warriorkingtech/IMG_0117.jpg

I still will need to purchase a shoe adaptor in order for the Rode to fit my HG21 which has a mini advanced shoe.....But for about 20 Bucks its no big deal......already got a step up ring (37 to 43) so the pictured WD-H43 wide angle lens now fits my HG21 perfectly......