Video Cameras (Need no more help with this)

[Ty Fire]

Well, I’ve been looking into purchasing a new video camera. I’ve gave myself two choices. I’ve tried to look both up, but to be honest this stuff is kind of over my head. One is an Aiptek “ICAM” it has flash memory, the other is a Samsung SC-D3832, it’s a MiniDV. I need to know if anyone knows, out these two,  which one has the best video quality, and which one can be hooked up to the computer to upload the videos into my files. Also which one’s video format would be compatible with Windows Movie Maker? I tried to answer these questions myself, but no luck. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!


EDIT: I have found a real nice camera, thanks again for all of the help.

[Muse32]

I've got a mini DV camcorder, though when connecting it to the PC it's not that good, the FPS are quite crappy meaning you don't get a fluent video it's a bit choppy with the visual, nothing major though, still ok i guess.

I just got a Kodak 12 mega pixel HD camera for £100 which I can use to record, thats probably better than my Mini DV which was more than that. The video is recorded in MPEG format already and it can be put on the PC instantly; Where as Mini DV you have to play the tape and record it on movie maker, though i think you can get mini DV with memory cards, not 100% sure though.

This is my new Camera:

http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/digital-cameras/kodak-easyshare-z1275_reviews.html

[Tasty Human]

Of those two I would pick the MiniDV camera.

The flash card camera would probably better prepare you for "dumping media" in the future. I don't know much about them and cannot accurately say it would work will with WMM.

With the MiniDV camera, you can alway buy another tape and now you have a back up, flash cards need to be dumped before they can be re-used.

In the event you make a mistake, and you probably will because more than likely you are on the "family computer" and Dad or Sis deleted your files (probably to download the newest myspace layout) just before you had a chance to back them up, you can always go back to the tapes.

Note: Tapes are not flawless. Mistakes can happen on either format.

[Muse32]

Of those two I would pick the MiniDV camera.

The flash card camera would probably better prepare you for "dumping media" in the future. I don't know much about them and cannot accurately say it would work will with WMM.

With the MiniDV camera, you can alway buy another tape and now you have a back up, flash cards need to be dumped before they can be re-used.

In the event you make a mistake, and you probably will because more than likely you are on the "family computer" and Dad or Sis deleted your files (probably to download the newest myspace layout) just before you had a chance to back them up, you can always go back to the tapes.

Note: Tapes are not flawless. Mistakes can happen on either format.

Like Tasty says, you have your PRO's & CON's for both formats, owning both I say Memory Cards are the best, due to being fast and really efficient, though tapes are coming obsolete they're still ok to have. Just remember tapes have a short life span compared to digital format which have much longer, remember to always back your stuff up, either by uploading to your email or burning onto disc, though you a never safe from losing your work.

[Ty Fire]

Yeah, I save my work to a USB stick, thing. So the MiniDV takes memory cards? But, can it be connected to a PC via just a USB cable?

[Muse32]

I'm not sure, my mini DV takes mini DV tapes. You might be best just getting a digital camera or something. Though it all depends on how much you got to spend!

If you get a mini DV, you will need to buy:
* Mini DV tapes
* Connection lead, depending on whether its got a USB or firewire connection (that's the only way your gonna get vids on PC) - you'll have to play the tape and press record on WM maker whilst the cable is connected, and due to only transferring so much data the video may seem choppy, not fluent, i think it's 20-25FPS and i think it's 30FPS for the human eye to see as fluent, Don't quote me on that... Tasty!


If you get a digital camera, you will need to buy:
* A memory card
* Battery charger & chargeable batteries
* USB connection lead (you should get free with the camera) - just to copy the video data files.

*** Must be 5 mega pixels or higher or else the video quality may suffer on a TV *****

That being said, if it's just for youtube it should do well, I mean my 2mega pixel camera in my phone ain't that bad lol

[Ty Fire]

Thanks for the help, so from the knowledge I acquired from ya guys I found a cam. It has flash memory, so it takes memory cards and is HD and in my price range! Here’s a link to it, http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8746798&st=Flash+Memory+Cam+Corder&type=product&id=1202649178876 Again thanks for the help!

[a_ndrew3000]

Too bad it doesn't have a manual focus, but it looks like a good deal.


Back in my day, you had to use VHS camcorders...etc

[Tasty Human]

Considering the lack of audio ports. I would skip this, unless you are never going to buy a microphone.

[Muse32]

Seems like a good camera, You might also wanna try going to some shops for second hand cameras aswell, you can usually save half you're cash getting a pre-owned one. Also you'll need a memory card, you should be alright with a 512mb. Though if you're filming for longer than an 45minutes you'll probably need a bigger one.

The worse thing with cameras is running out of battery's, so make sure you get chargeable ones! Normal alkaline battery's don't have much live in camera's, unless you get them new energizer lithium battery's though they're pricey.



Just found the camera I bought for £100, on this site for $130, which seems to be very, very cheap!
http://www.ubid.com/auctions/product.aspx?AuctionId=902215427&uwb=CS-CI-SHOPPING&srccode=cii_13736960&cpncode=07-66651331-2


Here's some videos of the quality.
CLICK on Watch in High Quality, it's just under VIEWS.

VGA (640x480)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6092d5mQIeA

HD (1280x720)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51gg9WMfUew&feature=related
..and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FFDhFuzbEo&feature=related

BuyTV Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K75Y74GvVN8&feature=related

A more Sexy Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qXOHsp8RZE&feature=related

[Ty Fire]

Thanks, but I really do like the camera I found. Again thanks for the help.

[Muse32]

Thanks, but I really do like the camera I found. Again thanks for the help.

No problem. Glad to have helped.

[Jeff78]

Just stay away from any of the hard drive camcorders. I bought a Sony one a few days ago and while I did like some
of the features, it just sucks that it already compresses into mpeg 2 format. I even set mine to highest quality and
the video was still pretty bad. I suggest staying a way from those if your wanting to do any video editing.

Plus, if the hard drive were to crap out, and hard drives do that, at least with mini dv you'd have it backed up.
I took the hard drive camcorder back for a Sony mini DV. Can't go wrong with that.
Still wondering if I should have taken a chance on the Sony high Definition DVD camcorder. It was their display
model there were selling. and for only $300.

[Ty Fire]

Hey I got my new camera, and it’s pretty nice. But the audio sucks, is there a way to make it record audio better? 

[Bojac]

Get a boom mic and a seperate audio recording device (you can probably get a damn good one at like Bestbuy or some place like that for $50 or so).

Be mindful that you have to make a sound to be able to sync up the sound; hense why the clackerboard was invented.

[Tasty Human]

Considering the lack of audio ports. I would skip this, unless you are never going to buy a microphone.

I told you so....!!!!

[Ty Fire]

I know this is old, really old. But I just wanted to say I was able to buy/rig an external microphone, for under $5 and using an old mp3 player of mine. So I can film from a far distance and record the audio in ok quality. It’s just more work to mute the video and try to match up the audio with the video, but it seems to be better than alternative. Trying to film with hardly any money, sucks, but possible.