What is your preferred media when buying a camcorder?

Izak · 13-08-2008, 23:50

When you buy a camcorder would you buy one with tape (Digital8, miniDV, etc), disc (DVD/Blu-Ray), hard drive or memory card (Memory Stick, SD card, etc)

I prefer anything that is removable and holds a decent amount of video so I'd pick either tape or disc. I don't think I'd go for a hard drive. If it gets full while you're recording an important event there is nothing at all you can do, at least with a tape or disc you can just replace the full one with a blank one and continue recording.

My current camcorder is Digital8, when I buy a new one (in the next 3 years probably), I think I'll go for one of the new Blu-Ray camcorders.

Pingu · 14-08-2008, 01:28

MiniDV/HDV. It's the best for archival - no problems with disc rot or a failed harddisk. Also best for editing - lossless compression and much faster and easier to work with compared to lossy MPEG2 from DVD camcorders.
Although for the average home user, DVD is probably the best way to go, as long as you buy quality discs.

victorslot · 14-08-2008, 09:52

All depends on the quality you want and what you want to do with the footage.

While there is still support for Mini DV, and its very good quality, how long will that last? HD cameras are now plentiful and cheap but you will probably have to update your editing kit if you want to maintain the HD quality in the final cut.

In 3 years time who knows what will be available. All manufacturers are constantly trying to keep one step ahead of their rivals but the chances are that any form of tape based recorder (even a HD one) will be hard to find.

skinj · 14-08-2008, 10:12

Within a couple of years I think that the solid state market will be the main area for the consumer market. A reasonable size SD card that can record a couple of hours worth of HD footage is more than enough for most peoples needs. HDD is great if you are going on a long holiday but if the HDD fails you lose everything you have recorded. Also with the increase of TV's that will read HD footage direct off of a memory card this seems to be the obvious way to go. You'll also se the appearace of well priced Blu-Ray recorders with SD/Memorystick/XD reader that can xfer the footage really easily.

niall campbell · 14-08-2008, 10:54

Hi-8 is good quality as well

8mm tapes will also record in these camcorders and in plentiful supply, but you notice the quality improve on Hi-8

Hi-8 recorded on DVD is really high quality

Chorley Matt · 14-08-2008, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pingu

MiniDV/HDV... Also best for editing - lossless compression and much faster and easier to work with compared to lossy MPEG2 from DVD camcorders...

MiniDV (Digital, but Standard Def) is encoded using the DV25 codec. HDV uses MPEG-2 compression.

I personally use HDV (1080i flavour) as I find the footage is good, the format is extremely affordable and it's also widely available.

Chorley Matt · 14-08-2008, 20:50

Deleted

13-08-2008, 23:50	#1
Izak Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Stockport, Cheshire Posts: 3,416	What is your preferred media when buying a camcorder? When you buy a camcorder would you buy one with tape (Digital8, miniDV, etc), disc (DVD/Blu-Ray), hard drive or memory card (Memory Stick, SD card, etc) I prefer anything that is removable and holds a decent amount of video so I'd pick either tape or disc. I don't think I'd go for a hard drive. If it gets full while you're recording an important event there is nothing at all you can do, at least with a tape or disc you can just replace the full one with a blank one and continue recording. My current camcorder is Digital8, when I buy a new one (in the next 3 years probably), I think I'll go for one of the new Blu-Ray camcorders.

14-08-2008, 20:50	#7
Chorley Matt Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wigan, Lancs. Posts: 265	Deleted Last edited by Chorley Matt : 14-08-2008 at 20:54. Reason: double post

14-08-2008, 01:28	#2
Pingu Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cornwall Posts: 10,529	MiniDV/HDV. It's the best for archival - no problems with disc rot or a failed harddisk. Also best for editing - lossless compression and much faster and easier to work with compared to lossy MPEG2 from DVD camcorders. Although for the average home user, DVD is probably the best way to go, as long as you buy quality discs.

14-08-2008, 09:52	#3
victorslot Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 533	All depends on the quality you want and what you want to do with the footage. While there is still support for Mini DV, and its very good quality, how long will that last? HD cameras are now plentiful and cheap but you will probably have to update your editing kit if you want to maintain the HD quality in the final cut. In 3 years time who knows what will be available. All manufacturers are constantly trying to keep one step ahead of their rivals but the chances are that any form of tape based recorder (even a HD one) will be hard to find.

14-08-2008, 10:12	#4
skinj Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,206	Within a couple of years I think that the solid state market will be the main area for the consumer market. A reasonable size SD card that can record a couple of hours worth of HD footage is more than enough for most peoples needs. HDD is great if you are going on a long holiday but if the HDD fails you lose everything you have recorded. Also with the increase of TV's that will read HD footage direct off of a memory card this seems to be the obvious way to go. You'll also se the appearace of well priced Blu-Ray recorders with SD/Memorystick/XD reader that can xfer the footage really easily.

14-08-2008, 10:54	#5
niall campbell Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Aberfeldy Posts: 7,035	Hi-8 is good quality as well 8mm tapes will also record in these camcorders and in plentiful supply, but you notice the quality improve on Hi-8 Hi-8 recorded on DVD is really high quality

14-08-2008, 20:48	#6
Chorley Matt Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wigan, Lancs. Posts: 265	Quote: Originally Posted by Pingu MiniDV/HDV... Also best for editing - lossless compression and much faster and easier to work with compared to lossy MPEG2 from DVD camcorders... MiniDV (Digital, but Standard Def) is encoded using the DV25 codec. HDV uses MPEG-2 compression. I personally use HDV (1080i flavour) as I find the footage is good, the format is extremely affordable and it's also widely available.

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What is your preferred media when buying a camcorder?