Help with camcorders

xElijahLoverx · 07-11-2004, 16:39

I am looking to get a camcorder (for the first time-eep!)_

However, on websites there is very little info on what everything bloody means!

Would anyone be able to tell me which is the best recording function- like DV tapes or digital-8... I mean, I have simply no idea what it is. I would like something I could watch on my tv but something I could transfer onto my 'pooter to edit.

Also, any recommendations of a good starter camcorder would be appreciated. (looking to spned £200-£350)

gerald_sheils · 07-11-2004, 18:28

I bought a Sony DCR-HC18E Digital Camcorder (DV) from Amazon.co.uk

Its a really good value basic camcorder at 290 pounds

The only feature that it doesn't have is DV-in. I can't think why I might need it as I edit on a PC using the firewire connection.

Hope this helps.

xElijahLoverx · 07-11-2004, 20:14

So what is DV-in?

chrisjr · 08-11-2004, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by xElijahLoverx

So what is DV-in?

DV = Digital Video.

Allows you to record onto the Camcorder from an external source, eg a PC or Video/DVD recorder/player.

Many camcorders don't fit inputs as they attract a different tax rate as they are classed as video recorders not cameras. (or at least they used to, don't think the situation has changed?)

brownrog · 08-11-2004, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerald_sheils

I bought a Sony DCR-HC18E Digital Camcorder (DV) from Amazon.co.uk

The only feature that it doesn't have is DV-in. I can't think why I might need it as I edit on a PC using the firewire connection.

The main reason you might want DV-in is to re-export your edited movie from the PC to DV tape. The DV feed from and to a camcorder uses firewire. Also many PC Edit suites offer camcorder control when importing footage. It's not clear to me that this would work if you have only DV out since the firewire carries the control signalling as well as the video content and has to be 2-way at least in respect of the control. OK you can usually control the camcorder manually but it's nowhere near as convenient. If you don't need to export to DV, you are presumably burning your edited films on DVD rather than exporting analogue video, since it would be a shame not to preserve some of the digital quality even if DVD using MPEG2 is not quite the quality of DV. A lot of people would therefore want to preserve an edited master final cut on DV tape, and would need to export to the camcorder.

For the original query, I would say definitely go for DV not for Digital 8, nor for the camcorders sporting integrated DVD or mini-DVD recording.

Cheers,

Roger

xElijahLoverx · 08-11-2004, 20:08

Yes, I think I do want a DV camera. Now all i've got to do it find one, and convince my parents I am an aspiring film maker.

07-11-2004, 16:39	#1
xElijahLoverx Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: UK Posts: 915	Help with camcorders I am looking to get a camcorder (for the first time-eep!)_ However, on websites there is very little info on what everything bloody means! Would anyone be able to tell me which is the best recording function- like DV tapes or digital-8... I mean, I have simply no idea what it is. I would like something I could watch on my tv but something I could transfer onto my 'pooter to edit. Also, any recommendations of a good starter camcorder would be appreciated. (looking to spned £200-£350)

07-11-2004, 18:28	#2
gerald_sheils Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 17	I bought a Sony DCR-HC18E Digital Camcorder (DV) from Amazon.co.uk Its a really good value basic camcorder at 290 pounds The only feature that it doesn't have is DV-in. I can't think why I might need it as I edit on a PC using the firewire connection. Hope this helps.

07-11-2004, 20:14	#3
xElijahLoverx Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: UK Posts: 915	So what is DV-in?

08-11-2004, 13:24	#4
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Quote: Originally Posted by xElijahLoverx So what is DV-in? DV = Digital Video. Allows you to record onto the Camcorder from an external source, eg a PC or Video/DVD recorder/player. Many camcorders don't fit inputs as they attract a different tax rate as they are classed as video recorders not cameras. (or at least they used to, don't think the situation has changed?)

08-11-2004, 14:50	#5
brownrog Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: N. Cumbria Posts: 84	Quote: Originally Posted by gerald_sheils I bought a Sony DCR-HC18E Digital Camcorder (DV) from Amazon.co.uk The only feature that it doesn't have is DV-in. I can't think why I might need it as I edit on a PC using the firewire connection. The main reason you might want DV-in is to re-export your edited movie from the PC to DV tape. The DV feed from and to a camcorder uses firewire. Also many PC Edit suites offer camcorder control when importing footage. It's not clear to me that this would work if you have only DV out since the firewire carries the control signalling as well as the video content and has to be 2-way at least in respect of the control. OK you can usually control the camcorder manually but it's nowhere near as convenient. If you don't need to export to DV, you are presumably burning your edited films on DVD rather than exporting analogue video, since it would be a shame not to preserve some of the digital quality even if DVD using MPEG2 is not quite the quality of DV. A lot of people would therefore want to preserve an edited master final cut on DV tape, and would need to export to the camcorder. For the original query, I would say definitely go for DV not for Digital 8, nor for the camcorders sporting integrated DVD or mini-DVD recording. Cheers, Roger

08-11-2004, 20:08	#6
xElijahLoverx Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: UK Posts: 915	Yes, I think I do want a DV camera. Now all i've got to do it find one, and convince my parents I am an aspiring film maker.

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Help with camcorders