Digital Video Camera help

[Nineinchnailsmk]

Hello evr'y body!

Okay, here is my dilema. I just received a fairly sizable refund from the feds for taxes!! YAY! Now, my soon to be fiance and I are planning a trip to Disney World over the summer (where i hope to propose..YAY). I want to purchase a Digital Video Camera to record our first major trip together. I have recently made posts about how i want a DVD put out about the major parks etc. and i made the comment that I want to make my own DVD! :hammer:
Here is my guestion to everyone:
What Digital Video Camera does everyone suggest? I was looking at the Sony Digital 8 DCR-TRV140 (i think is the exact name) Basically its the only Digital 8 camera that Best Buy sells. I had a SHARP 8mm camera, and i had a really hard time taping certain rides with really low light. According to this, the LUX is 0 (in nightvision) and 1 lux minimum while recording without the night vision (I think its a 1 because it has a built in light, while the next level up-the240-has a low rating of 4). ARGH, all this technology!!! ALL I WANT IS A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE AND DECENT SOUND! (preferably under $700).

What does everyone else use? Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you want, include horror stories!!! I just want to make sure I know what to do and what not to do.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I'm pretty sure I have that sony camera you want. I like it, it works very well. We haven't used the digital image option yet but plan on using it soon. I like the camera and feel for the price it is worth it. Show around though because you can propbably find a better place to purchase than a major store like Best Buy.

I got mine at www.jandr.com. I was able to haggle the price down little from them also, and the shipping was cheap (or free I forget).

For regular video taping it works fine and has a nice big LCD screen. It also has all the features u could want.

 

[MajinBuu]

u would want one that has the screen on the side instead of the eye... whatever u call it, i have seen them at Brandsmart (South Florida only... sorry) for anywhere from $199.99 to $700. u can also find some for cheap that have the ability to put little "special effects" into your shots. Sony is the best that i have seen (so far) but when i get the money (thank god i found a JOB!!!!) im getting myself the best cheap Digital Camera i can find!!!!

PS. and to all the people who dont have one yet... make sure it has a good grip or a strap to help u hold it on some of the rides!!!!!!!! :animwink:

 

[Nineinchnailsmk]

yea, i have an olympus c-2000 i think its called. its a regular digital camera, and its wonderful!!!!! i took a million pictures with it the last time i went! the only thing im really worried about is the recording with a camcorder in low light, since most of the rides are in low light. I cant wait though, cause i want the CD quality sound and the 500 line resolution!!!!!!! As far as options go, i really dont care whats on it! lol i do like the screen and i do like the nightshot, but i think the nightshot limits me to sony. anyway, thanx for the help so far everyone! If you have any other suggestions keep em comin!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

The auto focus on the camera is also very good.

 

[Goofette]

Which is better....A bottom of the line Digital Camera, or top of the line 8mm or VHSC. We're looking at cameras too, but I hardly know anything except for what I pick up here or there.

 

[DMC-12]

Originally posted by Goofette
Which is better....A bottom of the line Digital Camera, or top of the line 8mm or VHSC. We're looking at cameras too, but I hardly know anything except for what I pick up here or there.

Go digital...digital is really superior. Blows away Tape....and you get a crisper picture/video.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

If you get digital you can edit on your PC.
Before buying any camera think of which features you really need and would use. most things are just a gimic. A good lens and a sound white balance setting are a must for video. Also how quickly does it eat batterys. if you intend to shoot at night is a light included? can you add stuff on ? Ie a better mic.
We use Sony handycams for work and the main thing is they are reliable and can withstand a fair bit of abuse.

 

[Nineinchnailsmk]

Sony also has a battery you can buy that has a 10 hour life!:sohappy:
I want the digital because i want to make DVDs and what not. Im sure a lot of you dont listen to nine inch nails, but their recent concert video was taped using all digital video equipment and was mixed on an apple computer!!!! The clarity is AMAZING!!!!! Especially since it is recording in the dark. Of course, that is nine inch nails who can afford to buy 5 or 6 $2,000 cameras..lol.
But yea, digital is more crisp and the sound is CD quality sound. I want the digital 8 because it records on 8mm media! As far as i know, sony is the only digital 8 manufacturer. The others have gone to MINI-DV. Minidv is more expensive media...something like $12 for a tape for only 60mins!!!!!!!! YIKES! Im just not totally sure if MINI DV is better than Digital 8...if anyone knows, please chime in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DigitalDisney]

If you don't mind shelling out the extra $$$, go for digital.

However, I'll have to recommend against Sony 100%. While their products are high quality, all of their accessories are proprietary, which means that only Sony makes them, and they charge a fortune for them.

As far as digital video goes in general, there are a couple huge advantages over analog (8mm, Hi8). Most importantly, the quality of the tapes never degrade. You could watch a tape 1000x, and it would still look like the original footage. On the other hand, analog tapes suffer from degredation on every viewing. It's not much, but it shows over time.

Another advantage is the higher resolution tape. Hi8 tape is comperable, but it's analog. Standard 8mm cameras/tapes have horrible resolution, and shouldn't be considered at all, unless you can get one for free.

As far as the digital editing goes, you can do that with any camera. I edit my Hi8 tapes easily on the computer, and I could even edit TV footage or something from my VCR if I wanted to. This should not be a major determanent in your decision-making process.

If you're going to use the camera a significant amount, then go for the digital camcorder. The advantages are worth it. But, if you're only going to use it a little bit, or you're very conscious of your money, then go for a hi-end Hi8 camera.

 

[Main Street USA]

I recently purchased the Sony TRV 330. I think this is a few steps up from the one you were looking at. It can take still photos and video. Best thing of all is that my old hi8 tapes still play in it, so theres no downside to buying the new technology! Has the night vision and all that. Night vision works as well as one could expect. Up to 15-20 feet away. Close things are icredible. I was standing inside space mountain and where it is near pitch black i could see clear as day. Way cool. Looks like you're shining a flashlight on things. Those above are right about digital quality though. Absolutely blows away any type of old hi8 tape. I previously had the top of the line hi8 sony, and when I took my first shots with my new one I was overwhelmed. I say spend the money at Best Buy and get the one I got on an intrest free for a year plan. You will never regret being able to pay for this over a years time without accruing interest. Its a real sweet deal. I couldn't have afforded mine withoutr using this option at Best Buy.

 

[orlpassholder]

your best bet is a mini dv by sony. wanna see examples of quality go to the ride video thread under the photo section of this forum. Popkid used a mini dv for most of all his films.

Now I would suggest one with a swivel screen (external view finder) Mind you dont use the external viewfinder on the rides or shows.

Night vision is nice but keep in mind whatever you film will be in a green tint since its true nightvision. But it is cool to see everything like in spaceship earth, and the haunted mansion

Go for one with a steady shot capability, and some on the sonys have a super steady shot which is a bonus. Keep in mind when filiming any show or ride the closer you zoom the more it shows you shaking(hint thats where super steady pays off)

If you are a video freak like myself. Try to find one that will film in 16:9 Widescreen.(if you like widescreen) down the road if you go to hawaii or a nice beach retreat you could film gorgeous sunsets in true widescreen

Sony sells allot of nice addons for their cameras. I would suggest a secondary battery for backup purposes. also remeber digital recordings eat up tape quickly like 60 minutes only per tape. So if you filmed the American Adventure at Epcot you will eat up 29:07 worth of tape.

Sony also sells a boom mic for their cameras where when you zoom in on a object to record its sound etc it actually "zooms" the mic to the object also so it picks it up clearer

Just my twocents on what I would get. Mind you this would not be a cheap investment but down the road it will last you a long time

 

[shimer]

I agree with orlpassholder. Go with MiniDV. It's not proprietory like Digital 8 is. I've gotten the tapes down to about $7/tape at wal-mart (three pack for $21).

I bought a Sony Digital camera after owning a JVC for two years. The JVC wasn't too good...it didn't handle the normal bumps you get when using a portable device. The Sony seems much sturdier.

I got the TRV30 for $1200. That might seem like a lot for some, but I use it a lot (I have about 35 hours of WDW stuff on tape). So I went for the higher quality. I also liked the fact that it takes hi-res stills, which is better than video quality stills you get from most digital camcorders.

Nightshot is fun for the 'dark' rides. Steady cam is a GODsend, and Sony's is much better than the JVC. I was filming Hunchback and it was almost like I had a monopod.

Buy a nice bag for the camera to keep it protected and to hold tapes. I suggest buybg one that will hold everything you'll want instead of having a camera bag and another bag with your incidentals.

Also, if you plan on moving the video to your PC, make sure you have a decent speed machine. I have a 433 Celeron and it's too slow for decent video transfer.

My tripts to the parks are generally short, with a specific video task in mind, so batteries haven't been a problem. If you need more than about 40 minutes of recording in a day, then get another battery. Be careful to get a compatible one. Check ebay for decent deals. If you take a lot of stills, then get a larger memory card too.

My only gripe with the Sony is that you can't control the playback functions without the screen open. I tend to keep the screen closed whenever possible to increase battery life.. small thing really

Hope that helps

 

[radioandy]

I too think I have the very camera you mention. I'm afraid I'm not very technically astute, but I can tell you the sound quality (with a 16-bit option) is very good. I recorded my wife and her choir students in the Candlelight Processional, and even from a distance the sound is good.
As for the night vision, I found that almost everything looked much better without it. Nightime shots, fireworks shows, and indoor rides with minimal light were fine...night vision made everything bright yellow.
Whatever you get, you'll enjoy it!

 

[zonguy]

If you can really splurge... check out Sony's new MicroDV camcorders...
http://www.sonystyle.com/digitalimaging/F_MV.shtml

I saw one today at the Sony booth during the PMA show here in Orlando. It is the cutest thing, and the picture quality was amazing. It is so tiny! and the high end one has a blue-tooth modem for emailing videos from the camera...

 

[Main Street USA]

The HUUUUUUUUUUGE disadvantage to mini DV is that it will not play your old hi8 tapes!!!!!!!!! Digital8 quality is EXACTLY the same as miniDV. MUCH more versatile for someone with old tapes they still want to enjoy.

 

[Goofette]

Originally posted by Main Street USA
The HUUUUUUUUUUGE disadvantage to mini DV is that it will not play your old hi8 tapes!!!!!!!!! Digital8 quality is EXACTLY the same as miniDV. MUCH more versatile for someone with old tapes they still want to enjoy.

When I start looking for cameras, would I be able to find the Digital8 at places like Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart....or would I need to try to find it someplace different. I would like to find good quality at the least expensive price. And what kind of price range is the Digital8? As I said before, this is all SO new to me, but I want a camera before our trip in April. Thanks :sohappy:

 

[no2apprentice]

I dropped my 8mm camcorder outside of Mickey's House in MK, April of last year. Talk about being bummed! My wife took extreme pity on me, and let me buy a Sony digital 8mm TRV-120 at the Circuit City in Orlando (she's a great wife). I have been very pleased with the camera, but let me give you some insights that may help.
-Recording time per tape is only an hour if you want the best resolution possible. I have never recorded on the slower speed.
-The best way to take advantage of the better resolution is to play back the tape through a TV with the best plugs available for whichever camcorder you get. At the very least, a S-VHS plug.
-Nineinchnailsmk mentioned wanting to put the digital video onto DVD. You will need a DVD burner in your computer, and those run about $500 to $600, depending on brand. You will also need software to burn the digital video to DVD, and that is another $50 to $100. Of course, the DVD thing can be a long term goal. It shouldn't stop you from going digital now and start recording better quality tapes.

If you buy through Circuit City or Best Buy, I highly recommend getting an extended warranty that includes free cleanings. Digital camcorders are EXTREMLY expensive to repair.

 

[Goofette]

Originally posted by no2apprentice
I dropped my 8mm camcorder outside of Mickey's House in MK, April of last year. Talk about being bummed!

When I read that I knew exactly how you felt One reason we are needing to buy a new camcorder is because after being without one for over a year, we finally got ours fixed and the first time we used it after getting it out of the shop, I had it sitting on my lap, forgot, and stood up allowing it to crash on the floor I couldn't believe I did that. I'm not going to pay the cost of getting our 8mm fixed again, it would be cheaper to buy a new one.

You mentioned the DVD Burner...our computer has a CDRW, is that the same thing or something different. We do have a DVD player in our computer. Thanks.

 

[no2apprentice]

I've been trying to research what my possibilities will be with digital video and my home computer. Please keep in mind, I'm not an expert on this stuff, just trying to remember what I've read on the internet sites and trade magazines.

(I'll try to keep this short - ha! - I'm new to this site and you regulars don't know me yet) There are several ways to save digital video. One is to keep it on your digital tapes. Drawback? The more you use your digital camera, the more maintenance will be needed (head adjustments, cleaning): not cheap. You can always record the image to standard VHS, but you lose the great image quality of digital. You can load the digital tape footage to your computer (if you have the proper equipment and software) where you can, of course, edit to your hearts content. Some software will allow you save the digital footage from you computer to a CDR, using a CD-RW drive. I believe this is called CDvideo. Drawback? Not all DVD players recognize the CDvideo format, and it is still not the highest resolution available from digital tape. To get DVD quality and the highest resolution, you need a DVD-R drive. Drawback? $500 to $800 investment, depending on manufacture and drive.

I hope to have a DVD-R drive someday, but we're heading back to WDW in April, and all my spare change is going for that expense (and then some). Hope this helps. By the way, I love having the digital quality, and editing with titles, sound effects, music, on my computer. It's a blast!