I'm looking to buy a video camera, probably MiniDV format. My last video camera was an 8MM Sony, about 1990 vintage - now just a $1200 paperweight.

I'd love an HD camera, but don't think I can justify the cost just now, so I'll wait 'til they're a bit more mainstream.

I'm seeking suggestions on what to buy in the $500-600 price range. I'd like an external mic and camera input to use with a Vacucam. I have a bunch of Best Buy cards to squander, so recommend away...

 

What, no opinions

That's so unlike NAM

 

I've used CamcorderInfo.com to compare and price stuff. While they don't have reviews for all cameras out there they do have quite a lot of information and specifications for cameras.

 

If you can live without MiniDV format, you can go tapeless for about $80 (Best Buy and Target had them on sale for $80 when I bought mine about 6-months ago). I bought an Aiptek MPVR that records to a memory card. When you're done recording, just pop the card out and transfer the files to your computer (and then the web if you want). It records in ASF format which is a bit of a problem for me as I'm on a Macintosh. I'd like to find one that records to a different file format. But it works great with Windows.

It comes with the AV cable to hook your small camera.

Works for me!

 

Hey Mitch, what app are you using to read the file format?

 

http://flip4mac.com/

I use their free player on my laptop and their Studio Pro version on my work computer for converting files to WMV.

 

You might try upgrading to QuickTime Pro. I haven't tried anything with the format you've mentioned, in iMovie, so I don't know if that will work.

 

Actually, I haven't even bothered to try editing it. (I've got QTPro and many other editing software packages.....I do this for a living remember). My problem has been Flip4Mac not playing the audio correctly. So I haven't bothered editing with it.

My buddy has no trouble viewing/editing on his PC. He loves it!

 

Neuros makes something similar called the Recorder 2 Plus except that it records in MPEG4 format.

SanDisk also makes another similar product called the V-Mate.

 

Interesting gadgets. I will look into the CF DVR's. I'll also venture over to camcorderinfo.com.

Tnx!

 

I picked up a Neuros Recorder 2 Plus recently. I'm going to try and run a test with it this weekend and see how well it works. If it doesn't what I want it to then I'm going to start some sort on a power distribution block/box for powering the cameras and microphones and such in the car.

 

Anyone have any experience with the Canon Elura 100? Got one for my dad for his birthday but haven't actually played with it myself. I'm planning on getting something similar for myself. Requirements are Mac/iMovie compatibility (which I *think* means Firewire and not just USB), analog in for an external bullet cam, and either gobs of hard drive recording space or MiniDV (no DVDs). The Elura 100 is going for about $300 and meets my requirements, but the single CCD chip means it doesn't have the greatest quality. There are a couple of Panasonics with a 3CCD chip, but they don't seem to have analog in.

 

I'm looking at a Panasonic PV-GS300, it has nice optics and its video quality gets pretty good ratings...


I'll let you know how it is!


Ryan

 

Ryan, does that GS300 have analog A/V input capability, such as for a VacuCam? I was under the impression that the Panasonics didn't do that on their lower-priced cameras. The 3CCD chip is supposedly of much higher quality, however.

 

I'm still undecided... 3CCD is my preference, but finding something with analog-in is a problem. I need to get a camera within the next few weeks :impatient .

 

What resources are you using to research? (review sites, forums other than this one, etc.)

 

Does the Aiptek MVPR work with OctaneGuys Vacucams?

 

There are basically two requirements for checking compatibility.

Can you record from a television or vcr into the recorder??

And even if you can, you still must test it, because sometimes the video signal isn't powerful enough to properly record on the unit. I had a customer who wanted to use an old video camcorder and it wasn't working, so he took it to a local shop and they sold him a video amplifier which solved the problem. He never did get me the info on what that exactly was for.

I've been looking out for various DVR's that record video, including the security style ones that can do 4 or more streams, however, I still haven't found one that will do full 720x480 30fps. Most will do lower res or only 15fps captures.

Don't forget you also have options like a portable DVD burner--I bought one from Circuit City for $130, powered by a small inverter that plugs into the cig lighter. Put a blank DVD inside, hit record, and now it records VacuCam footage until it's full. Just don't shut off the ignition or you will lose power. I'm sure this could be rigged up to be powered off a separate 12volt battery as well.

For compatibility, a good guide is this company that also sells micro cameras

They like the Sony DCR-HC96 though I have no experience with it.

http://www.viosport.com/support/inde...=compatibility

 

That's the only fact I do know about the Aiptek. It has a video in line & can be used to record TV shows & DVDs much like a DVR. Their website doesn't give much other info

They aren't listed on that compatibility website. I was looking at it because it is so cheap & seems decent enough & has an LCD screen so I was hopin it might worh with the vacucam. I guess I will just have to buy them both & see

 

My brother in law had a recorder by Cowan , the A2, that sounds similar. We did some tests and recording wasn't bad. For tv shows it you could tell the quality wasn't exactly same. For movies transferred over, quality was decent.

In the end, I concluded I wanted a recorder that looked same as yhe source, not worse, and my DV camcorder serves that purpose. I look forward to your results. =)

 

Brian (or anyone else):

I am looking at various sites - camcorderinfo.com and others. There are just too many choices for cameras, these days.

Some questions about DVD camcorders... Are these a good idea? Can I read the DVD's in a PC or Mac to downlod the video to disk for editing? What are the plusses and minuses of MiniDV vs. DVD. If I remove a partially full DVD from the camera, can I put it back in the camera and record more? Also, how about hard disk or SD Card camcorders?

Turns out that I have a pile of award points from one of my suppliers at work, that I can purchase a video camera, or other items. The selection isn't comprehensive, but there are a few that look like possibilities.

• Sony HDR-UX1 - HD DVD camcorder with audio and video inputs
• Canon ZR700 - MiniDV, video input, but not audio or external mic input
• Canon HV10 - HD MiniDV, video input, but no audio or external mic input
• Panasonic SDR-S150 - SD card, no audio input or ext mic input
• Sony DCR-DVD505 - DVD, audio and video inputs w/ special hot shoe
• Sony DCR-SR80 - 60GB hard disk, audio and video inputs w/ special hot shoe

If I go with any of these, I won't have to put a penny out of pocket.

I want to use this with a Vacucam and also for general video horsing-around.

Do I really want (need) the external mic input to use with a Vacucam?

Thanks!

 

I had a friend of the family ask me whether he should buy a DVD camcorder or not, and I steered him away for a couple of reasons.

1.) To store video on a compact DVD, it needs to highly compress the signal, so what you get is an already compressed raw source that really can't be edited again without compromising the quality further. MINIDV footage is compressed but uses a different, higher bitrate encoding so you don't see artifacts.

2.) there is a delay from the moment you hit record to it start recording--can be several seconds up to a minute.

3.) The discs only hold 20 minutes of video.

4.) In order to play the DVD on an external player, you will need to FINALIZE the disc and once that's done you cannot go and record in it again. You could just use the camcorder as a playback device though.

Do you need an external mic input? Well no, not for the VacuCam. The external mic input is used when you want to handhold your camcorder and use an external mic--one that is better than the built in one to avoid the rattling and squeaking from you holding the camcorder or recording the motor noise it makes. If the camcorder can do analog AV In then A is Audio, V is video so the audio will enter the camcorder from the AV port, not the external mic input.

 

Hmmm, so sounds like MiniDV is the better way to go.

Didn't realize that.

Wow, that's not enough recording time. I'm guessing this is at the highest resolution.

That's what I figured and that's a big draw-back, IMO.

I would like the external mic capability - to minimize camera 'noise'. I guess most of the time [all of the time?] with a Vacucam there's no audio being recorded - it'd be all wind noise anyway, right?

So, Richard, looking at the cameras above, if you were to pick one, which wuld you suggest? I can seek alternatives - but a 'free' video camera is tough to beat and I would have to spend my points on other stuff that i really don't care about.

How about an HD camcorder - should I bother with it, or are the consumer HD cameras not really ready for prime time? We do have an HD 1080p TV.

TIA.

 

re: external mic
Maybe you aren't familiar with the operation of the external mic--let me explain. The camcorder can function in two mode. Camera Mode or VCR mode. In Camera mode, you record through the lens, and the audio is from the built-in mic UNLESS you plug an external mic into the Mic In.

In VCR mode, the camcorder records through the AV IN port or in my case, from the VacuCam micro cameras. The audio from the camera gets recorded as well through the AV jacks. Depending on what setup you do, audio from the VacuCams can be very useful. Mount a camera inside the cabin and you pick up all cabin noise which could be from an FRS radio, or driver/passenger conversation,etc.. Externally mounted camera don't provide the greatest audio while moving, but while idling or cruising at low speed you can hear the engine noise. Of course, it's best to use an external mic positioned in the engine bay. Still your camcorder doesn't need a Mic Input for this--because as you'll remember it's recording in the VCR mode which is using the AV jacks anyways.

As far as HD cameras go--most consumer level HD camcorders are actually HDV which is a highly compressed version of HD that records on MINIDV media. The quality will be of higher resolution than standard DEF and maybe fun to watch. It wont matter for the VacuCam because you won't be recording through the lens and taking advantage of the higher resolution CCD. Pesonally I haven't tried this to see how it would work--whether it would look the same or any worse due to the higher compression of HDV. Not 100% certain if you can switch between standard minidv or HDV in terms of recording via the AV jacks.

As far as recommendations go, I have to look at the cameras closer--I will make another post on my thoughts.

 

doh! duplicate posting - deleted text