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Question about Mini DV Camcorders
I have a old hunker JVC VHS-C Camcorder. It does the job, however its
bulky, and cannot plug into my computers without a Video Capture device, which can be hard to find these days. I played with some of the newer Mini DV and DVD-RAM (Sony and Panasonic under $1000) camcorders, and was impressed with the size, however was not impressed with the writing speed of the DVD-RAM Camcorders, and was not impressed with the camcorders ability to record in low light conditions. It seemed to me, that when the light was on, my hand movement got slow. Why is this? The Salesguy at Fry's said that this is just a issue with digital camcorders. I told him that my old honker VHS-C camcorder does not have this problem. Recording with the light on is fine, and things do not slow down. Maybe one day I might get a new camcorder that will work with my ibook, and uses Mini DV tapes (as I was not impressed with this DVD-RAM format). DVD-RAM Camcorders take too long to write to the discs. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks, John |
#2
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Question about Mini DV Camcorders
wrote in message oups.com... I have a old hunker JVC VHS-C Camcorder. It does the job, however its bulky, and cannot plug into my computers without a Video Capture device, which can be hard to find these days. I played with some of the newer Mini DV and DVD-RAM (Sony and Panasonic under $1000) camcorders, and was impressed with the size, however was not impressed with the writing speed of the DVD-RAM Camcorders, and was not impressed with the camcorders ability to record in low light conditions. It seemed to me, that when the light was on, my hand movement got slow. Why is this? The Salesguy at Fry's said that this is just a issue with digital camcorders. I told him that my old honker VHS-C camcorder does not have this problem. Recording with the light on is fine, and things dono not slow down. Maybe one day I might get a new camcorder that will work with my ibook, and uses Mini DV tapes (as I was not impressed with this DVD-RAM format). DVD-RAM Camcorders take too long to write to the discs. Anyone have any recommendations? The newer digital cameras in the consumer range has small, densely-packed sensors. This is done to cut down on weight and size, and to facilitate still imaging. However, it has a very detrimental effect on low-light sensitivity. Look for a camcorder with at least 1/4" sensors, and 1/3" sensors are better. To get really good low-light response, you'll have to buy a prosumer model, which costs twice your budget. Though video quality is as much a function of lens and electronics quality as it is digital format, all things being equal, a miniDV camcorder will produce noticeably better video than a DVD camcorder. Thanks, John |
#3
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Question about Mini DV Camcorders
Why is it that my old VHS-C Camcorder (which cost about $700 in 2001)
and still costs about $200 (at Walmart) today records well in low light? Its just strange why a older one can do better. I guess the small size is not always better. John PTravel wrote: wrote in message oups.com... I have a old hunker JVC VHS-C Camcorder. It does the job, however its bulky, and cannot plug into my computers without a Video Capture device, which can be hard to find these days. I played with some of the newer Mini DV and DVD-RAM (Sony and Panasonic under $1000) camcorders, and was impressed with the size, however was not impressed with the writing speed of the DVD-RAM Camcorders, and was not impressed with the camcorders ability to record in low light conditions. It seemed to me, that when the light was on, my hand movement got slow. Why is this? The Salesguy at Fry's said that this is just a issue with digital camcorders. I told him that my old honker VHS-C camcorder does not have this problem. Recording with the light on is fine, and things dono not slow down. Maybe one day I might get a new camcorder that will work with my ibook, and uses Mini DV tapes (as I was not impressed with this DVD-RAM format). DVD-RAM Camcorders take too long to write to the discs. Anyone have any recommendations? The newer digital cameras in the consumer range has small, densely-packed sensors. This is done to cut down on weight and size, and to facilitate still imaging. However, it has a very detrimental effect on low-light sensitivity. Look for a camcorder with at least 1/4" sensors, and 1/3" sensors are better. To get really good low-light response, you'll have to buy a prosumer model, which costs twice your budget. Though video quality is as much a function of lens and electronics quality as it is digital format, all things being equal, a miniDV camcorder will produce noticeably better video than a DVD camcorder. Thanks, John |
#4
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Question about Mini DV Camcorders
wrote ...
Why is it that my old VHS-C Camcorder (which cost about $700 in 2001) and still costs about $200 (at Walmart) today records well in low light? Ptravel explained that larger imaging chips generally do better in low light. You likely have at least a 1/3 inch chip in that old VHS-C camcorder. Its just strange why a older one can do better. Your definition of "better" appears to be good low-light performance. Alas few (if any?) vendors of consumer camcorders agree with that. Easier/cheaper to offer "features" like black & white, "sepiatone", fancy transitions, and still image functionality. None of which contribute to the ability to make good video in any way. :-( I guess the small size is not always better. At least not for the imaging chips. |
#5
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Question about Mini DV Camcorders
wrote in message oups.com... I have a old hunker JVC VHS-C Camcorder. It does the job, however its bulky, and cannot plug into my computers without a Video Capture device, which can be hard to find these days. I played with some of the newer Mini DV and DVD-RAM (Sony and Panasonic under $1000) camcorders, and was impressed with the size, however was not impressed with the writing speed of the DVD-RAM Camcorders, and was not impressed with the camcorders ability to record in low light conditions. It seemed to me, that when the light was on, my hand movement got slow. Why is this? The Salesguy at Fry's said that this is just a issue with digital camcorders. I told him that my old honker VHS-C camcorder does not have this problem. Recording with the light on is fine, and things do not slow down. Maybe one day I might get a new camcorder that will work with my ibook, and uses Mini DV tapes (as I was not impressed with this DVD-RAM format). DVD-RAM Camcorders take too long to write to the discs. Anyone have any recommendations? The other responders in the group answered well - but I thought I would point out my camcorder articles at www.ferrario.com/ruether/articles.html#video (see particularly http://www.ferrario.com/ruether/camc...comparison.htm for 3-chip vs. 1-chip, and different sized chips in three different light levels). BTW, I have the TRV900 and VX2000 for sale in LN condition, and both are excellent in low light. -- David Ruether http://www.ferrario.com/ruether |
#6
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Question about Mini DV Camcorders
wrote in message oups.com... I have a old hunker JVC VHS-C Camcorder. It does the job, however its bulky, and cannot plug into my computers without a Video Capture device, which can be hard to find these days. I played with some of the newer Mini DV and DVD-RAM (Sony and Panasonic under $1000) camcorders, and was impressed with the size, however was not impressed with the writing speed of the DVD-RAM Camcorders, and was not impressed with the camcorders ability to record in low light conditions. It seemed to me, that when the light was on, my hand movement got slow. Why is this? The Salesguy at Fry's said that this is just a issue with digital camcorders. I told him that my old honker VHS-C camcorder does not have this problem. Recording with the light on is fine, and things do not slow down. Maybe one day I might get a new camcorder that will work with my ibook, and uses Mini DV tapes (as I was not impressed with this DVD-RAM format). DVD-RAM Camcorders take too long to write to the discs. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks, John If you were to ask me, I'm not impressed with the overall quality these little camcorders bring to the table. Check with David about his VX2000. If it's within your budget snap it up. mark_ |
#7
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Question about Mini DV Camcorders
Thanks so much. I guess I'll have to bit the bullet on that feature if
I get a new Camcorder. For know my VHS-C JVC works, but I would not mind getting a smaller and far more compact model one day. I am also running out of room for those old hunker VHS-C tapes. The quality on most of the mini DV camcorders is far superior anyways (just not in low light). It also would be nice to be able to connect my camcorder to my computers and export a video. Can I export them to web friendly videos? Take a look at my video page. http://www.cerm.info/movies.htm Most of these videos were captured with digital cameras, but a few were captured with my Palm Pilot. The Kodak Digital camera outputs about 20MB a minute videos which are large downloads for most users. But the Palm Pilot outputs I think 2MB a minute videos. The quality is tons crappier, but the videos look as nice as any Camera phone. If I bought a new Camcorder could I set the conversion settings to output web friendly videos? John Richard Crowley wrote: wrote ... Why is it that my old VHS-C Camcorder (which cost about $700 in 2001) and still costs about $200 (at Walmart) today records well in low light? Ptravel explained that larger imaging chips generally do better in low light. You likely have at least a 1/3 inch chip in that old VHS-C camcorder. Its just strange why a older one can do better. Your definition of "better" appears to be good low-light performance. Alas few (if any?) vendors of consumer camcorders agree with that. Easier/cheaper to offer "features" like black & white, "sepiatone", fancy transitions, and still image functionality. None of which contribute to the ability to make good video in any way. :-( I guess the small size is not always better. At least not for the imaging chips. |
#9
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Question about Mini DV Camcorders
? ?????? ??? ?????? oups.com... I have a old hunker JVC VHS-C Camcorder. It does the job, however its bulky, and cannot plug into my computers without a Video Capture device, which can be hard to find these days. I played with some of the newer Mini DV and DVD-RAM (Sony and Panasonic under $1000) camcorders, and was impressed with the size, however was not impressed with the writing speed of the DVD-RAM Camcorders, and was not impressed with the camcorders ability to record in low light conditions. Do you possibly mean dvd (+-R or +- RW) camcorders?Because I think that the DVD RAM format is discontinued. It seemed to me, that when the light was on, my hand movement got slow. Why is this? The Salesguy at Fry's said that this is just a issue with digital camcorders. I told him that my old honker VHS-C camcorder does not have this problem. That sounds strange.I used to have a sony 8mm camcorder and now a sony dcr hc 32e mini dv camcorder.The former wouldn't record at all under low light, while the new one shoots excellently under almost any lightning conditions. Recording with the light on is fine, and things do not slow down. You mean with the built in spot light on?Do you mean with "slow down" that frames are dropped, or the camera goes to slow shutter speeds to compensate for low light (I think that sony calls this slow colour shutter mode, alas recording with ambient light in low light conditions)or do you possibly mean that the steady shot engages to compensate for camera movement, due to slow shutter speeds etc.? Maybe one day I might get a new camcorder that will work with my ibook, and uses Mini DV tapes (as I was not impressed with this DVD-RAM format). DVD-RAM Camcorders take too long to write to the discs. What do you mean with that?DVD camcorders record at real time, also 1 X speed. Digital video is entirely different than analogue.Not only the quality is dramatically increased (not forgetting the sound quality, too).You can edit, add effects, menus at will on your computer. -- Tzortzakakis Dimitrios major in electrical engineering mechanized infantry reservist dimtzort AT otenet DOT gr Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks, John |
#10
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Question about Mini DV Camcorders
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