MiniDV Camcorder

Pingu · 30-04-2005, 21:38

I'm thinking of buying a DV cam - I've been wanting to play about with video editing on my Mac for a bit now, and I'm off to the US next month, so I thought it'd be quite a good time to buy one now.

I'm not sure what to go for though - my budget's around £300, although I could stretch to a bit more for a particularly good one.
I like the look of the Sony HC22E, which I can get for £297 here:
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/8457...-dcr-hc22.html

Although there's some Canon, Panasonic and Samsung ones around that price that look quite good. I've never bought a camcorder before, so I'm REALLY confused as to what all the specs are and what I should be looking for?

bigstunnerdude · 01-05-2005, 13:09

I too am looking at getting a new Digital Camcorder to replace an worn-out, out of date Philips VHS Camcorder. I want something that doesn't weigh a ton and has all the standard features of modern cameras like built in light and night shot for low-light recording, image stabliser to eliminate that 'Shaky' footage from not having a steady hand. I also want something that's small to carry about.

I've looked at the Handycams and really don't feel the need personally to splash out on a Mini-DV camcorder. Okay I must admit for someone like Pingu above going on Holiday or whatever it may be nice to have a slightly flashier model. For my use the occaisonal airshow and having a friend videotape my whilst Golfing, I don't need to outlay so much on a Camcorder. a Standard Digital-8 camera will be perfect to me. I'm looking next month at getting either the Sony DCR-TRV285 or the Sony DCR-TRV480. The only real difference between them is the DCR-TRV480 is capable of recording widescreen and has a memory card slot for taking still pictures and MPEG video.

You still get all the PC-Editing and Recording Features of MiniDV but about £50-£100 cheaper depending on what model you go for. For me Digital8 will be acceptable. You may prefer the MiniDV format though.

russellelly · 01-05-2005, 14:32

I was buying a DV Camcorder at the end of last year, and eventually settled on a Sony Digital8. Yeah, it's a bit bigger, but it's got really good specs and was a fair bit cheaper than the closest MiniDV equivalent. I have been very happy with it, and wouldn't hesitate to recomend a Sony (despite my problems with some other Sony kit), regardless of the format you choose.

30-04-2005, 21:38	#1
Pingu Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cornwall Posts: 10,529	MiniDV Camcorder I'm thinking of buying a DV cam - I've been wanting to play about with video editing on my Mac for a bit now, and I'm off to the US next month, so I thought it'd be quite a good time to buy one now. I'm not sure what to go for though - my budget's around £300, although I could stretch to a bit more for a particularly good one. I like the look of the Sony HC22E, which I can get for £297 here: http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/8457...-dcr-hc22.html Although there's some Canon, Panasonic and Samsung ones around that price that look quite good. I've never bought a camcorder before, so I'm REALLY confused as to what all the specs are and what I should be looking for?

01-05-2005, 13:09	#2
bigstunnerdude Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire Posts: 5,353	I too am looking at getting a new Digital Camcorder to replace an worn-out, out of date Philips VHS Camcorder. I want something that doesn't weigh a ton and has all the standard features of modern cameras like built in light and night shot for low-light recording, image stabliser to eliminate that 'Shaky' footage from not having a steady hand. I also want something that's small to carry about. I've looked at the Handycams and really don't feel the need personally to splash out on a Mini-DV camcorder. Okay I must admit for someone like Pingu above going on Holiday or whatever it may be nice to have a slightly flashier model. For my use the occaisonal airshow and having a friend videotape my whilst Golfing, I don't need to outlay so much on a Camcorder. a Standard Digital-8 camera will be perfect to me. I'm looking next month at getting either the Sony DCR-TRV285 or the Sony DCR-TRV480. The only real difference between them is the DCR-TRV480 is capable of recording widescreen and has a memory card slot for taking still pictures and MPEG video. You still get all the PC-Editing and Recording Features of MiniDV but about £50-£100 cheaper depending on what model you go for. For me Digital8 will be acceptable. You may prefer the MiniDV format though.

01-05-2005, 14:32	#3
russellelly Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 10,720	I was buying a DV Camcorder at the end of last year, and eventually settled on a Sony Digital8. Yeah, it's a bit bigger, but it's got really good specs and was a fair bit cheaper than the closest MiniDV equivalent. I have been very happy with it, and wouldn't hesitate to recomend a Sony (despite my problems with some other Sony kit), regardless of the format you choose.

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MiniDV Camcorder