I need suggestions for a camcorder around $250 to use when traveling and recording conference speeches and interviews.

February 14, 2008 7:54 AM

I need suggestions for a camcorder around $250 to use when traveling and recording conference speeches and interviews.

I'm going to be spending a couple weeks in Europe (specifically the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary), attending some conferences and doing some sight-seeing. The camcorder doesn't need to be fancy, it will be recording some conference panels, some one one one interviews mainly, but I doubt I need anything special for things like that.

I'll need to record about 20 hours of video without having the ability to dump the video off the camcorder onto a computer, so hard-drive based camcorders don't seem like an option. I assume MiniDV is the way to go? Any cheap media options are good. Do most camcorders come with a power brick? Since I live in the US, I'd just want to use an adapter to recharge the camcorder batteries while in Europe.

Also, it needs to have a USB port, I don't have access to FireWire (even though I could probably go get a PCI card for it). An LCD would also be nice, so I don't have to stare through the viewfinder for hours.

Summary are the requirements: 1. ~$250 2. USB output 3. Power brick?

Any suggestions on specific models or brans would be appreciated. thanks.

posted by bored to Technology (7 answers total)

I don't have a specific camera recommendation (I tend to use higher-end models), but some tips:

1. Yes, Mini-DV is the way to go. Most standard Mini-DV cameras will have a USB 2.0 port these days. Firewire is so 2003 (but damn fast!). If you can dump, I'd go with HDD. Waiting for 20 Mini-DV tapes to dump to your PC in real-time (which means about 20 hours) is exhauuuuuusting.

2. Most cameras will come with LCDs. Also consider budgeting (save those arms!) for a tripod and an external mike. (The latter can make rewatching a presentation again go from unbearable to almost pleasant, rent or borrow one if you are really cheap, best investment you can make, I promise. I'll take crappy video and great audio any day.)

3. Your camera's charger may support 110/220, if so, you don't need a convertor, you simply need an adapter. You'll learn this by looking at the "power brick", if it says 110/220, get an adapter, otherwise you'll need a convertor that supplies enough power to the charger.
posted by bprater at 8:01 AM on February 14, 2008

I bought one of the Flip camcorders that Amazon is advertising like mad right now. It's battery-powered (so you don't have to worry about chargers) and connects via USB. I like mine quite a bit ...
It's not even close to HD, but if you're just recording speeches, etc. it should be fine.
posted by GatorDavid at 9:30 AM on February 14, 2008

I have one of the Canon Mini DV camcorders. I bought it about 3 years ago because it was recommended in Consumer Reports as the best value. It was around $280 then but they are probably cheaper now. We are very happy with it.
posted by Ostara at 9:41 AM on February 14, 2008

Camcorder Info is a really useful site.

The Panasonic PV-GS85 is meant to be just about the best one in your price range.
posted by Magnakai at 12:14 PM on February 14, 2008

Caveat - I don't believe it has a mic input, and I'm not sure there are any at that price range that do. If you're recording talks, that should be a serious consideration.
posted by Magnakai at 12:17 PM on February 14, 2008

I have been shopping for something similar and with Canon releasing a new line of their ZR series camcorders, you can get the previous models for very cheap. The ZR 800 has a mic jack and can be purchased from Amazon for $159. I keep flip flopping back and forth between the 800 and the newer 930 becuase of the low light comments I read about though.
posted by Big_B at 12:51 PM on February 14, 2008

Magnakai's suggestion jives with my experience. After months of research, I bought one from that series myself. (Mine was a Panasonic PV-GS120 purchased several years ago, for $800-ish. At the time, it was the only good 3ccd camera for under $1000.) Good quality, pretty rugged, good low-light performance. I've read a lot of good stuff about Panasonic and Canon, specifically.
posted by churl at 6:38 PM on February 14, 2008