Hi all:

We just had our first baby and I am looking for a good camcorder. I have trolled these threads but am unable to understand all the details and techy stuff on the camcorders. Would anyone be willing to give me suggestions on what is the best route to go? i.e. HD vs SD, Hard Drive vs Flash vs Tape, Canon vs Sony vs JVC vs Pana?

Would very much appreciate your comments on this.

Thanks,

On this forum very general questions seem to go unanswered frequently.

Since it seems no one else has responded to your thread...I`ll give it a go.

First and foremost, with a new baby, get something as soon as your budget allows, even if you update cameras a couple of years from now, you won`t regret having the video footage from these first precious months.

Several routes that you could take depending on your ultimate use:

If you are wanting to shoot video of your new baby and be able to share it easily, then you will want to find a camcorder that can record SD (Standard Definition) as that will most likely be the format widely accepted by all your family members if you record video on a DVD...some camcorders record directly to DVD, some to HDD, some to a Mini DV tape. The direct to DVD models are certainly the easiest and fastest, but may not be the absolute best in video quality. A lot depends on what kind of equipment you already have in your household.

You can copy your cameras DVDs with a computer to give away to family members easily. Video from a HDD camcorder generally needs to be put on DVD in order to share it easily.

If you would like to work with the computer and do some video editing then:

The DVD or HDD camcorder video can be edited in the computer, but the results for standard definition may not be quite as good as working with Mini DV tape as the original source.

Mini DV (tape) format requires capturing by actually hooking up the camera to either a computer or standalone DVD recorder via a Firewire connection. (Sony calls this an i Link connection) Not very many computers have built in firewire, but the add on cards are somewhat inexpensive and easy to install yourself.

If you have an hour of tape video, it will take an hour to play and capture it (no random access with tape) however DVD and HDD can access the video clips randomly like you are used to with commercial DVDs. This is one of the reasons they are very popular....no fast forward or rewinding to find the place where little Junior makes a crazy smile.

So, for very quick and easy sharing and portability, DVD camcorders are #1. HDD camcorders require an interim step to get the video on DVD, either computer or standalone DVD recorder.

Mini DV also requires an interim step for ready sharing, but also provides a few more possibilities since the quality of the source video is generally a little better.

If an HDV camcorder is within your budget, they can also record in SD. They can record to DVD/HDD/Mini DV tape with similar limitations as SD above.

HDV (High Definition Video) camcorders certainly can have superior image quality to any SD cameras, but you will have more obstacles to sharing your video with others at the present time. You need a powerful computer and software to edit the video, and most likely a Blu-ray recorder to produce high definition DVDs. Your family members would also have to own similar players or equipment.

I am considering a Sony HDV unit myself in Mini DV, but I am familiar with a tape format and don't find it to be troublesome. I have had good service from my Sony equipment, but others are excellent as well.

So you see, yours is a rather complicated question and I'm afraid I did poorly in my attempt to help you.

Ohiobob.

Thanks for the very eloquent and detailed reply. You have confirmed what my gut and research have told me.

My problem however is this. At this time, an HD camcorder is a waste for me for the reasons you mentioned - I would have to buy a whole new computer and a Blu-Ray player just to make use of this. This I will do in a couple of years.

So coming down to it, I have decided to go with an SD player. I have also decided that MiniDV is the way to go for 2 reasons... 1) its the best PQ and 2) its the least expensive option.

So, what SD MiniDV camera would you suggest? I understand that you have had good luck with Sony. I on the other hand have had an excellent experience with Canon. Could you suggest a camera each from those brands?

Thanks,

On this forum very general questions seem to go unanswered frequently.

Since it seems no one else has responded to your thread...I`ll give it a go.

First and foremost, with a new baby, get something as soon as your budget allows, even if you update cameras a couple of years from now, you won`t regret having the video footage from these first precious months.

Several routes that you could take depending on your ultimate use:

If you are wanting to shoot video of your new baby and be able to share it easily, then you will want to find a camcorder that can record SD (Standard Definition) as that will most likely be the format widely accepted by all your family members if you record video on a DVD...some camcorders record directly to DVD, some to HDD, some to a Mini DV tape. The direct to DVD models are certainly the easiest and fastest, but may not be the absolute best in video quality. A lot depends on what kind of equipment you already have in your household.

You can copy your cameras DVDs with a computer to give away to family members easily. Video from a HDD camcorder generally needs to be put on DVD in order to share it easily.

If you would like to work with the computer and do some video editing then:

The DVD or HDD camcorder video can be edited in the computer, but the results for standard definition may not be quite as good as working with Mini DV tape as the original source.

Mini DV (tape) format requires capturing by actually hooking up the camera to either a computer or standalone DVD recorder via a Firewire connection. (Sony calls this an i Link connection) Not very many computers have built in firewire, but the add on cards are somewhat inexpensive and easy to install yourself.

If you have an hour of tape video, it will take an hour to play and capture it (no random access with tape) however DVD and HDD can access the video clips randomly like you are used to with commercial DVDs. This is one of the reasons they are very popular....no fast forward or rewinding to find the place where little Junior makes a crazy smile.

So, for very quick and easy sharing and portability, DVD camcorders are #1. HDD camcorders require an interim step to get the video on DVD, either computer or standalone DVD recorder.

Mini DV also requires an interim step for ready sharing, but also provides a few more possibilities since the quality of the source video is generally a little better.

If an HDV camcorder is within your budget, they can also record in SD. They can record to DVD/HDD/Mini DV tape with similar limitations as SD above.

HDV (High Definition Video) camcorders certainly can have superior image quality to any SD cameras, but you will have more obstacles to sharing your video with others at the present time. You need a powerful computer and software to edit the video, and most likely a Blu-ray recorder to produce high definition DVDs. Your family members would also have to own similar players or equipment.

I am considering a Sony HDV unit myself in Mini DV, but I am familiar with a tape format and don't find it to be troublesome. I have had good service from my Sony equipment, but others are excellent as well.

So you see, yours is a rather complicated question and I'm afraid I did poorly in my attempt to help you.

Sorry for delay in answering...

I really can't name a specific model you should consider, although I think I would consider the models at the mid-higher end of the SD lineups. They will more than likely have some features you would find desireable that may not be available in the "budget" models.

If you are anything like me, you don't want to spend the most, but you certainly don't want the cheapest either. I usually pick from a model 1 or 2 down from the so called "top of the line".

I am ready to update to a newer camera and am considering the Sony HDR-HC9 MiniDV unit as a logical choice for me.

My thoughts to go with Sony again is related to the service life I have received from their products. I currently have a Sony Digital-8 camcorder that has recorded and played a LOT of material. It could quit on me any day, and I would feel that I got my value out of it. I also own a few other Sony products (HDTV, DVD player and VCR unit) and have had troublefree service from them as well.

I also own a Minolta A1 still camera that had a sensor issue at 3 years of age. It was the result of a defective imaging sensor that was actually manufactured by Sony for the Minolta camera. To my surprise, this camera was eligible to be repaired by Sony at their expense. I sent them a rather well worn (7000+ photos) camera that has been everywhere you could imagine with all the scratches, dirt, dust and all.

To my pleasant surprise, when I received the camera back from their service center in Texas, it had the sensor repaired as required, but also the complete camera had been given a rebulid. Broken, worn and missing parts were replaced and the camera was spotless....I almost didn't believe it was my own camera. It looked like new!

Now, I'm not any type of corporate "cheerleader" for anybody....but when I am treated fairly, (and then some) I feel it is in my interests to reward good behaviour. I actually did call the Sony service center directly to pass along my favorable experience.

These and others are the reasons I lean towards the Sony brand....other folks may have an altogether different experience.

FWIW....I also own a very, very nice little Canon 570 IS pocket camera, great quality, sharp images and it has become my everyday camera. My past experiences with Canon have also been very good and since you are comfortable with their products, you may wish to consider them strongly.

This past Christmas, I replaced a few AV products around our household and it was interesting that 3 of the models that went to Mr. Garbageman were of the Toshiba brand. Others seem to have good luck with them.

Just my thoughts

Since you have good experience with Canon, why not get the HV10? That's what I have, and the PQ is excellent. Even though you only want SD, and the HV10 is HD, I think you can record at SD quality as well.

Ohiobob:

Thanks.

I was looking at the canon lineup for minidv camcorders and they seem to have discontinued their line of High and medium end cameras for SD and are focussing on the budget camera lineup. I guess I may have to go HD.

Thanks for all your input

Sorry for delay in answering...

I really can't name a specific model you should consider, although I think I would consider the models at the mid-higher end of the SD lineups. They will more than likely have some features you would find desireable that may not be available in the "budget" models.

If you are anything like me, you don't want to spend the most, but you certainly don't want the cheapest either. I usually pick from a model 1 or 2 down from the so called "top of the line".

I am ready to update to a newer camera and am considering the Sony HDR-HC9 MiniDV unit as a logical choice for me.

My thoughts to go with Sony again is related to the service life I have received from their products. I currently have a Sony Digital-8 camcorder that has recorded and played a LOT of material. It could quit on me any day, and I would feel that I got my value out of it. I also own a few other Sony products (HDTV, DVD player and VCR unit) and have had troublefree service from them as well.

I also own a Minolta A1 still camera that had a sensor issue at 3 years of age. It was the result of a defective imaging sensor that was actually manufactured by Sony for the Minolta camera. To my surprise, this camera was eligible to be repaired by Sony at their expense. I sent them a rather well worn (7000+ photos) camera that has been everywhere you could imagine with all the scratches, dirt, dust and all.

To my pleasant surprise, when I received the camera back from their service center in Texas, it had the sensor repaired as required, but also the complete camera had been given a rebulid. Broken, worn and missing parts were replaced and the camera was spotless....I almost didn't believe it was my own camera. It looked like new!

Now, I'm not any type of corporate "cheerleader" for anybody....but when I am treated fairly, (and then some) I feel it is in my interests to reward good behaviour. I actually did call the Sony service center directly to pass along my favorable experience.

These and others are the reasons I lean towards the Sony brand....other folks may have an altogether different experience.

FWIW....I also own a very, very nice little Canon 570 IS pocket camera, great quality, sharp images and it has become my everyday camera. My past experiences with Canon have also been very good and since you are comfortable with their products, you may wish to consider them strongly.

This past Christmas, I replaced a few AV products around our household and it was interesting that 3 of the models that went to Mr. Garbageman were of the Toshiba brand. Others seem to have good luck with them.

Just my thoughts

Dalat:

Thanks. I'll took a look at the HV10. I am not too crazy about the vertical orientation of the camera though. I may go with the HV20 however, if I can find a good deal on it. (I am assuming that I will, since the HV30 just came out.

Thanks for the suggestion...


Since you have good experience with Canon, why not get the HV10? That's what I have, and the PQ is excellent. Even though you only want SD, and the HV10 is HD, I think you can record at SD quality as well.

Actually you won't. HV10 was discontinued two years ago, you may find an HV20 for a good deal. :)

pdutia,

go HD. Think of it this way. Your current budget seems to allow SD only but you could go HD now, and the Canon HV20 is an excellent choice (I have an HV20). You can record HD but output SD to a DVD recorder which you can easily pass your dvd+/-rs out to family, and still have HD on tape archive for later when you can upgrade your computer and get one powerful enough to capture, render and record to BD-R. You'll appreciate having the extra detail later on. As tgenius stated, you should be able to get an HV20 for cheaper than those of us who bought it when it first came out.

Thanks all for your suggestions...

I'll be HV20 deal hunting...