Please reccomend a Budget Digital Camcorder

bprecey · 13-03-2003, 12:54

I am thinking of buying a digital Camcorder but am not made of money. An entry level one would be enough. All I want it to do is be able to connect to and edit etc on my computer using USB. Can anyone reccomend one for me. I am thinking around 3-500 pounds.

Thanks in advance

idiot9 · 13-03-2003, 13:33

I would highly recommend the sony dcr-trv140 for a good entry level camcorder, is digital 8 and has usb streaming and a dv out , it comes with a remote control usb lead software an info lithium battery which can be recharged using the camcorder it also has a super steady shot which will make your filming more stable no matter how unsteady your hand is and it will also recored in 16.9 mode as well as a load of other things

all in all this is a brilliant first camcorder
and if you are quick unbeatable are selling them for £277.97 or camcordercentral.com are selling them for £399.00

Hope this helps

Orbitalzone · 13-03-2003, 16:43

I don't have one myself, but I've read that USB1 isn't really fast enough for video capture (other than using as a webcam)

I think you really need firewire (IEEE1394).. these firewire cards are low cost, from about £20

However, I could be mistaken....

idiot9 · 13-03-2003, 23:45

USB1 is fine for streaming , i am getting pretty good results when streaming with mine , you can change the quality settings as well

Orbitalzone · 14-03-2003, 18:52

It's good enough for full blown video editing at full screen PAL?

Handy indeed!

I thought I read something suggesting USB 1 wasn't fast enough for the data, but I'm probably mistaken!

mjk79 · 15-03-2003, 21:53

Quote:

Originally posted by Orbitalzone
I thought I read something suggesting USB 1 wasn't fast enough for the data, but I'm probably mistaken!

USB is able to give you potentially upto 11mbps, considering digital TV stations broadcast at less than half this (ie BBC1 at around 5mbps or most other channels at between 3-4mbps) the bandwidth of USB isn't really so much of a problem - more likely the ability of the equipment to compress the video quickly and efficiently enough....

13-03-2003, 12:54	#1
bprecey Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Basingstoke, UK Posts: 479	Please reccomend a Budget Digital Camcorder I am thinking of buying a digital Camcorder but am not made of money. An entry level one would be enough. All I want it to do is be able to connect to and edit etc on my computer using USB. Can anyone reccomend one for me. I am thinking around 3-500 pounds. Thanks in advance

13-03-2003, 13:33	#2
idiot9 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 126	I would highly recommend the sony dcr-trv140 for a good entry level camcorder, is digital 8 and has usb streaming and a dv out , it comes with a remote control usb lead software an info lithium battery which can be recharged using the camcorder it also has a super steady shot which will make your filming more stable no matter how unsteady your hand is and it will also recored in 16.9 mode as well as a load of other things all in all this is a brilliant first camcorder and if you are quick unbeatable are selling them for £277.97 or camcordercentral.com are selling them for £399.00 Hope this helps

13-03-2003, 16:43	#3
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	I don't have one myself, but I've read that USB1 isn't really fast enough for video capture (other than using as a webcam) I think you really need firewire (IEEE1394).. these firewire cards are low cost, from about £20 However, I could be mistaken....

13-03-2003, 23:45	#4
idiot9 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 126	USB1 is fine for streaming , i am getting pretty good results when streaming with mine , you can change the quality settings as well

14-03-2003, 18:52	#5
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	It's good enough for full blown video editing at full screen PAL? Handy indeed! I thought I read something suggesting USB 1 wasn't fast enough for the data, but I'm probably mistaken!

15-03-2003, 21:53	#6
mjk79 Forum Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central London Posts: 6,845	Quote: Originally posted by Orbitalzone I thought I read something suggesting USB 1 wasn't fast enough for the data, but I'm probably mistaken! USB is able to give you potentially upto 11mbps, considering digital TV stations broadcast at less than half this (ie BBC1 at around 5mbps or most other channels at between 3-4mbps) the bandwidth of USB isn't really so much of a problem - more likely the ability of the equipment to compress the video quickly and efficiently enough....

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Please reccomend a Budget Digital Camcorder