albertz
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| posted on 30/9/05 at 06:58 PM |
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DVD Camcorder
I am planning buying a DVD camcorder, one which is simple to use and can record directly onto a DVD, for immediate playback on our DVD player.
Having had a quick search it seems that most record onto a 8cm disc which is quite expensive. Is that the best way to go and is there anything else
that i should watch out for? Any other recommendations or advice greatly appreciated.
I thought i would ask on here as some of you are bound to have knowledge on this...!
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Hellfire
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| posted on 30/9/05 at 07:25 PM |
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I have a DVD recorder.... DVD RAM is expensive compared to usual disc's.
Cannot withstand any kind of shock treatment! Picture quality is slightly better than DV with tape... editing is VERY easy on the whole. The way to
go, but not if your intending doing in-car recording!
The latest Video has been shot with it - though the internet file has been reduced in picture quality for a smaller filesize...
HTH
Oh - it's a Panasonic VDR-M30(EG) which isn't available over here yet - cost approx. £200 14 months ago.
[Edited on 30-9-05 by Hellfire]
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albertz
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| posted on 1/10/05 at 09:03 AM |
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Thanks for that Hellfire. I just want a simple to use/edit camera for recording my soon to be expanded family! I have no intentions of using it on my
Locost. I have seen a Sony camera which is cheap and seems to have a decent spec compared with other models in the same price range.
http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/616_251500.html
I am not sure if this can be edited or not though. To be honest we are unlikely to edit anything anyway, although its always nice to have the
option.
Any comments or experience of this camera, or similar, appreciated.
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Hellfire
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| posted on 1/10/05 at 09:24 AM |
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Looks good even though expensive... editing can be done on the camera as every clip (record on/off) you take is stored as a seperate file. It's
dead easy to navigate around and may even let you watch a small clip whilst recording another. The file you output could be editind easily on the
camera so the output you get is pretty good with no more post processing ie PC.
I personally don't think you can go wrong with ANY Sony equipment as all the equipment I have had from them over the years has been replaced
through being superceeded not that it broke or through being warn out.
Personally I wouldn't spen that much on one yet DVD Video Camera is still very young and will progress very quickly. But ultimately it's
your choice and you will choose whatever you want. Research wisely look at some review sites... I find http://www.reviewcentre.com or co.uk is very
good. I've been using it for years... it also gives you best prices as Kelkoo does... but reviews also. I think I found your camera (but
probably wrong) HERE
HTH
Steve
[Edited on 1-10-05 by Hellfire]
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flak monkey
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| posted on 1/10/05 at 09:30 AM |
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My mate who does filming for a living doesnt recommend the DVD camcorders, they can be tempramental and are prone to skipping badly.
DV tape camcorders are very good, and the picture quality is virtually no different to that of a DVD camcorder (you certainly wont notice the
difference on a TV with a resolution of 720x576! (The good camcorders record megapixel video!)
He has just bought himself on of these (Sony PDX10P):
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/gimme/storereframe.php?view=item&item=sony_dsr-pdx10p
And is mightily chuffed with it, but then again it was £1500...
You can get a good DV camcorder for about £250 (less if you want a really basic one).
David 
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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albertz
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| posted on 1/10/05 at 10:05 AM |
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The reason we are after a DVD one is because anytime i have borrowed a Mini DV one we do the recording and the little tape just lies in the drawer
collecting dust. The major advantage of the DVD one (as far as i am concerned) is that we can just remove the DVD and stick it in the player and
watch, or have i got that wrong? Sounds a bit too simple maybe?!
How easy/difficult is it to get the recording from a mini DV tape onto a DVD? Is that possible or do you have to record it onto a VHS tape, we dont
have a HVS player anymore.
I dont have much time or patience for messing about too much with cables and things.
I appreciate your advice and will certainly bear it in mind. Most importantly the comment about DVD recorders being fairly new and as such expensive.
Naturally they will improve and reduce in price, i dont want to spend a lot of hard earned cash on a dud that will soon we outdated and old style -
Although i accept that this will ultimately happen whatever i buy
Any links to recommended cameras very much appreciated...(my maximum price is probably around £400, although cheaper is always a bonus!)
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flak monkey
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| posted on 1/10/05 at 10:15 AM |
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I do agree that a DVD camcorder is easier than a DV tape one.
You can get DV tapes onto DVD easily through your PC. You need some editing software such as Pinnacle, and a capture card. Neither of which are very
expensive if you dont need to do really fancy stuff. Also you would need a DVD writer (cost about £30!!). You just capture the video from the camera
to the PC, edit the video, add titles and chapters etc. Render it, then burn it to DVD.
Sounds complicated, but isnt really that bad!
David
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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albertz
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| posted on 1/10/05 at 10:30 AM |
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Right, well now i have more options to think about....which makes it harder to decide
I'll keep looking, but sometimes the more you find out the harder it is to choose. Why is nothing simple?
I assume it is possible to get a higher spec mini DV camera compared to a DVD camera for the same price?
Thanks for your help so far.
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Hellfire
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| posted on 1/10/05 at 04:30 PM |
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Al... ok - we have both a DVD and a DV Tape camera's. My DVD will not enable you to take out the DVD and put it straight into the standalone DVD
player. I have software that you can adapt your normal DVD player on your PC to play mini DVD ROM's though I do not use it as the disc's
are very expensive copared to tape.
Another thing is the DVD disc's only record 30 minutes each side in a good resolution. The DV Tape we have can record for some 1 hour(s) or more
in comparable resolution.
IIWY - I'd go DV Tape and Capture that then burn it to DVD. Burning true DVD is not that easy in either case... as you need a proper DVD
converter... such as DVDSanta to create the .iso ifo and vob files. Nothing is ever straight forward is it  Good luck whatever you decide...
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CairB
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| posted on 1/10/05 at 05:05 PM |
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The simplest way could be to dump the output from the DV camera direct to a DVD recorder if you don't want the hassle of editing on the PC.
These can be picked up quite reasonably now.
Cheers,
Colin
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flak monkey
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| posted on 1/10/05 at 06:00 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Hellfire
IIWY - I'd go DV Tape and Capture that then burn it to DVD. Burning true DVD is not that easy in either case... as you need a proper DVD
converter... such as DVDSanta to create the .iso ifo and vob files. Nothing is ever straight forward is it Good luck whatever you decide...
If you use a program such as Pinnacle (or Ulead), which come with most capture cards, then it will render the movies to DVD format including chapter
marks and interactive menus. Top stuff
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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albertz
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| posted on 3/10/05 at 08:00 PM |
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Just to bring an end to this post i have today bought a Sony HC19 mini DV camera from Comet 240 quid or so, LG DVD writer, 1gb of RAM and a Firewire
connection.
I have been assured by a colleague in the know that this set-up will allow me to record, edit and write to DVD for playback in my DVD player.
Thanks for all your help, i have managed (i think) to get a better set-up and upgrade my PC for the price of the DVD camera i was planning originally.
I hope everything is as simple as it sounds
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