Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with camcorder

New camera or nay?

jaffacakerhubarb — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:23:16 -0800

Should I get a new camera or a portable HD video recorder? If so, which one? I'm trying to figure out what to get for Christmas, so this question is a little time sensitive. I'm torn between whether to get a new digital camera or a portable HD video recorder. I've spent a while looking at reviews and all I've done is gotten more confused.

I really enjoy photography, and would like to get into it more so a new digital camera might be an idea. Some of them shoot 720p HD video, which would be great too. However, I already have a Canon PowerShot A640, which complicates things. I use it very sporadically, since it's not something I can carry in my pocket, and I'd like to take more photos. Is a newer, more portable digital camera going to take significantly better photos, enough to justify getting a whole new camera? And if it will, which one should I get? I very much like the look of the Leica D-Lux 4 and the Lumix GF1, but they're WAY too expensive for what is and is likely to remain 'photography for fun'. So, something like them but cheaper (probably a big ask, I know). Would they even be that different to what I already have?

Secondly, if getting a new camera is a silly idea, which portable HD video recorder should I go for? The Kodak Zi8 sounds very good, but is there something closer to a dedicated HD camcorder that doesn't jump drastically in price from roughly that level?

Video Filter

Amby72 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:54:05 -0800

Will a Canon Vixia HF20 record in any other format than AVCHD? I want to get a Canon Vixia HF20. I only have a P4 pc this year, but plan on upgrading to a a new pc in ~4 months. I want to be able to record in something I can modify now, or at least save on disk until I have something that I can edit it with. Also, as most of my relatives don't have HD TVs, recording in standard definition for now doesn't bother me, and would make it easier to redistribute. I figure if I buy a nice camera now, even if I shoot in SD it should look nicer than video shot through an SD camcorder of the same quality.

1. Can I shoot video in an easier to edit format?
2. Is all video filmed on this widescreen?

I am looking to see if anyone has experience with this that can tell me what my options are. Thanks.

Compact, HD camcorder with manual control options?

bondcliff — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:11:16 -0800

I’m looking to buy a compact, flash-based, HD-capable camcorder with the ability to shut off automatic controls such as white balance and auto-focus. In addition to the usual stuff one does with a camcorder I’d also like to use it for stop-motion, time-lapse, and some other projects where I’ll need to shut off white balance and possibly auto-focus.

Something like the Flip or the Kodak Zi8 would be ideal but I don’t see that they have the ability to shut off these automatic features. If I have to go for a more traditional shaped camera, that’s fine. I’d like it to be somewhat small and inexpensive. Preferably under $500.00.

It needs to be able to do at least 720p HD widescreen. Good quality, good frame-rate, etc.

I’d prefer flash based but if a hard-drive based camera is my only option I’ll go with it. Tape is right out.

In a pinch, a regular point-and-shoot camera will do as long as the video quality is decent and I can shut the automatic stuff off.

If what I want does not exist, please let me know that too.

Looking for a camcorder with composite input

jstech — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:18:19 -0800

Do you know of any camcorders or portable video recorders with composite (analog) input? I recently received an old helmet camera from a family member, and it needs a separate recording device. So I'm looking for something portable to record from composite input. These inputs are usually TRRS connectors (like a headphone jack, but with four conductors: Wikipedia: TRRS), or the classic yellow-red-white RCA connectors. I'm looking in the $400 range, but I'm flexible.

How to transfer video from camera to computer

Alexdan4 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:56:06 -0800

I have a Sony DCR-DVD92 video camcorder that records video on DVD-Rs. I have finalized the disc on the camera and I'm trying to capture the video onto my PC for storage/editing, but the camera doesn't seem to connect to my PC, and my PC DVD player doesn't seem to recognize the mini DVD-Rs that the camera uses. Any suggestions?

Help with Sony's Vegas Pro 9

tenaciousd — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:10:22 -0800

How do I use Vegas Pro 9? I can't find a lot of useful or free info on the web or on Sony's website. I'm in charge of shooting and editing video during my company's conference and meetings, which begin tomorrow. I don't have much experience with either, and I think I kind of jumped in the deep end with Vegas by downloading the 30-day free trial.

I'm not doing anything too fancy...a basic intro, cutting, overlaying the name of the speaker. But I really haven't found any helpful, basic, beginner-level manuals or information. My camcorder is a canon vixia hf200.

Any tips, sites or other resources would be appreciated. Thanks all!

Is my next computer purchase "future-proof"?

jaimev — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:27:14 -0800

Can a 13" MacBook Pro comfortably edit 1080p AVCHD video from a Canon Vixia HF series camcorder? I'm considering a 13" MacBook Pro as a replacement for an aging iMac G5. Eventually I'll add an external keyboard, mouse, and widescreen display to make it a true desktop replacement.

The most cpu intensive thing I can see myself doing in the next few years is editing HD video (with iMovie or Final Cut Express) from a flash-based camcorder, like the Canon HF series. Can this notebook handle that task without issues?

Camhandler

timshel — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:59:47 -0800

Pistol grips for camcorders? I would like to make my Canon HV30 a little less like this and a little more like this. Has anyone done this? I'd like the grip to attach to the tripod bracket at the bottom of the camera without modification. The goal is to make daily filming more enjoyable and less shaky, the less cumbersome the better.

The best option I've come across so far is this bare bones handle, though my ideal is in the Super 8 style. What I don't want are faux steadycams, grips with shoulder supports or side panning levers, monopods or stabilizers.

Thank you!

Which mini camcorder should I choose?

hot soup girl — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:55:44 -0800

Which mini camcorder should I get - the Kodak Zi8 or the Flip Ultra HD? I'm trying to choose between these two camcorders, both priced just under £150.

I thought I'd settled on the Flip, but then heard about the Kodak Zi8 and am now flummoxed! The Zi8 becomes available in the UK next Thursday, but has been on sale in the US for about a month; I've been reading the reviews.

At this stage, the Kodak Zi8 seems the better choice as its image is a bit crisper; it also has image stabilisation, an external microphone jack, and most importantly, an SD card slot. However, reviews suggest that its battery life isn't great (40 minutes to an hour?) and some users have complained of a whine when using the internal mike.

If you've used either of these models, I'd be grateful for your opinion!

(Incidentally, I have seen this question, and it was somewhat helpful, but both models mentioned are a little older.)

Live video from non-FW camera

j-dawg — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:10:58 -0800

New Panasonic camcorder doesn't seem to send out live video through USB2. Do I have alternatives to get the HDMI output into my Mac, or am I back at square one? We're preparing for a work event later this week, and I'm testing my new setup (related in part to this old question).

We just got the new camcorder (a Panasonic HDC-TM20), and I'm quite shocked to discover that the camera does not output it's image and sound through the USB connection live. (The camera doesn't have Firewire.) I did a bit of research on new cameras, and nowhere did I see this limitation mentioned with regard to USB2-enabled cameras, but now that I know what to look for, it seems that this is, sadly, the normal state of affairs.

The camera does HDMI out, but I'm not sure if that helps with my situation. Has anyone had good results using some kind of middle hardware layer to get HDMI into a Mac from a camcorder? Or should I return this camera and start from scratch with a model that has Firewire? (This is for archived webcast quality presentations, so full HD quality isn't necessary in case that's relevant.)

Thanks!

Platonic relationships, Truth and Video Tape

Napierzaza — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:51:19 -0800

Camera Purchase: After a long while being out of film (studies) school, I've decided I want to make a documentary. Unfortunately I'm not really up on hardware these days. Can someone tell me what I can expect to pay, what features to look for, and what camera to buy? I'm pretty certain that the technology has advanced since I last checked, and I pretty much hope the prices have come down. I want to make a documentary, so it doesn't have to be an amazing camera. But a mid-range of some kind might be best in case I mortgage features for low up-front price.

I guess I would really prefer a digital camera that uses HDD, but I don't know if they're premium over miniDV digitals?

Crappy camcorder needed... best choice?

FauxScot — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:19:16 -0800

I'm doing some engineering and need to capture video of highway traffic. Preferably, I'd record on a large flash memory. I need medium resolution.... enough to tell the difference between a motorcycle and a tractor trailer. Looking for recommendations for 'good enough'. I'm designing some highway instrumentation / sensors and need to associate vehicles with data that I am collecting. Ideally, I'd have a small camera I could aim at my sensors and record video to associate with my data.

I've looked around and found the Samsung SC-MX20 , which seems OK enough, but was wondering if anyone here has a recommendation for something even less good?

This will be a daylight recording session, lasting perhaps 8 hours. I would like to externally power the camera. Buying a huge ass flash card is OK. Cost preference in the <$200 range. Needs a tripod mount hole, and ideally, there would be an on-screen time/date display. Video quality requirements are minimal.

I know there are other cheapskate geeks like me out there, and my laziness at posting this question is tribute to the extraordinary utility of askmetafiler in such matters. I am prepared to wait for up to 10 minutes for an answer! (Usually it's faster!)

Camcorder Batter Charger EMERGENCY!

MaddyRex — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:30:14 -0800

I am in NYC and I need to buy a camcorder battery charger TODAY! The camcorder model is Panasonic PV GS320 and the battery pack number is PV DAC14D. This shouldn't be so hard, right? Where can I get a battery charger for the PV GS320 model of battery. I called B&H and they said the battery pack I'm looking for is the PV DAC14D but they would need to order it and unfortunately (poor planning....ugh) I need it today. I'm in New York City -- is there a place here that specializes in this sort of thing...? Any tips on where I should look?

Picking a new compact video camera

remi — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:43:07 -0800

I have a Canon PowerShot G10 taking great pictures and VGA-resolution videos. I'm now looking for a video camera that will allow me to capture videos in HD. Any ideas? There are a few video projects I have. One of them is to document my one-year stay in Japan starting this October. And maybe, if everything goes well, I'll turn all of what I've recorded into a documentary, but I don't want to plan too big.

I know someone else asked for advice here for choosing a camera for filming documentaries, but the answers were a bit general. Last year, the community here recommended me the PowerShot G10 when I was asking for recommendations for a good compact photo camera. Today, I am hoping for someone to point me in the right direction with their recommendations in brands or models of video cameras. So far, I've enjoyed my G10, and I'm sure I'll get great advice here for a video camera.

A few years ago, I was the proud owner of a JVC GR-DVL725U camera. By today's standards, of course, it was a bit bulky, and transferring video from its MiniDV tapes via RCA cables or Firewire to my computer was a time-consuming process. However, its picture and sound quality was satisfactory.

Now, I'm also sure I can buy something that is smaller, works better, and is more efficient. A few months ago, a saw a Panasonic 3CCD camera, which looked interesting. I like Canon digital cameras, but I don't know what to think about their video cameras. I shy away from the Sony brand because of its proprietary technologies -- including their Memory Sticks, since I'm a heavy user of SDHC cards.

As for specific features, I'm not too certain what I should look for. I'll probably need a camera that stores videos on SDHC cards with HD video, manual zoom and focus, remote control, RCA/S-Video/Firewire output, light, internal stereo microphone, external microphone port, etc., but I think these features are usually the standard. I saw some cameras which have some interesting special effects, like time lapse, but I want to focus on quality video and audio, while having a camera that is easy to bring with me anywhere (i.e. not a large and heavy camera like those used by news reporters). The cost is not a problem.

Finally, unlike before, I have some video editing software on my Mac, including Final Cut Express. (I was previously using Linux for editing video. It was really painful at times.)

Any suggestions on what camera I should buy?

Which of the Canon Vixia camcorders has the best low light performance?

HappyEngineer — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:27:14 -0800

I have a Canon XH A1 camcorder. It's very nice and has an excellent low light mode. However, it's just too big to carry around casually. I'm interested in getting one of the tiny Canon Vixia HD camcorders. However, most camcorders shoot terrible video anyplace that doesn't have excellent light. Which of the Canon Vixia camcorders has the best low light performance. And, how good is it compared to the Canon XH A1 low light performance? The most expensive Vixia appears to be the HF S10.

Why must my MiniDV videos look like home movies?

iamisaid — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:57:46 -0800

Why exactly do videos shot on consumer grade MiniDV camcorders generally look like bad home movies as compared to that of high-end professional MiniDV cameras? What are the relevant differences between them? I've dabbled in MiniDV recording for a while now, always with lower-end Canon camcorders. And regardless of the lighting or anything else, the videos they produce always have a certain "home movie" quality, in that they're somewhat fuzzy and grainy, and just lacking that film-like quality. However, I know this is not a limitation of the format, since plenty of decent looking indie movies are shot on MiniDV. Of course, they're using much more expensive professional grade cameras.

So, in layman's terms, what exactly is it about the more expensive cameras that makes the footage look so much better? The lens? The resolution? Something else?

Lastly, the two cameras I often see recommended as the cheapest entry into professional grade MiniDV are the Panasonic DVX100A and the Canon XL2, which I realize are both SD and rather old models at this point. Is that still the best recommendation for a semi-affordable camcorder that will let me escape the home movie look? Or is there a newer and cheaper alternative?

I'm on a shoestring budget, and although I mostly make videos for the web at the moment, I'd like to have the option of submitting to short film festivals and the like down the road.

Video as photography

lattiboy — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:52:18 -0800

Help me choose a good camera (dSLR or camcorder) for "fine art" cinematography. Sorry for the pretentiousness of the question, but what I was trying to get across is that I'm not looking to shoot a soccer game or a wedding. I'm really intrigued with 24p, shallow DoF type footage I've seen on vimeo and youtube.

I'm pretty deep into the Sony Alpha system (I own an A900 and some higher-end glass), but I don't think Sony is going to be releasing any new video-capable bodies soon, and if they do, there's no way they'll let it effect their huge video market.

Having said all that:

Nikon D90 video looks great (and seems like a great camera), but you don't get manual control over alot and you get the jello effect from an array of subjects.

The Nikon D500 is just coming out, but it looks like a d40x with video at a D90 price. No go for me.

The Canon 5dMkII is about 2.5x as much as I'm willing to spend at the moment and seems to have QC issues of it's own.

The Canon T1 seems to be similar to the D90, but with NO manual control.

The Panasonic HDC-TM300 seems like an amazing camcorder, but it would seem impossible to get shallow DoF on a sensor that small.

I like the idea of a Canon HV20 or HF100 with an adapter, but it seems like it would be a pretty huge pain to do (upside down lcd, bad weight distribution).

So, does anybody here have any ideas for me?

Should I get a camcorder?

Elaisa — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:08:41 -0800

If you bought a camcorder in anticipation of the birth of a child, did you end up using it? Baby #1 is due in June. I'm debating about getting a camcorder (not for the birth part, but for the baby growing up part). As they can be expensive, if you got a camcorder for this type of situation, did you actually end up using it like you thought you would? My concern is that I'll get one and not use it, or get one and feel like I have to use it but not really enjoy it. On the plus side, maybe I'll get one and absolutely love that I have one, especially later in life. What has been your experience? Thanks in advance!

Alternatives to the Sony HDR FX7?

lemonfridge — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:34:22 -0800

I was all geared up to purchase a Sony HDR FX7 camcorder, but it is now obsolete. What alternatives are there? I ordered the camera, case and tripod from various websites to get the best price, but the camera is now obsolete and my order has been cancelled.

I'm now stuck with a Sony case, and Tripod (delivered already) designed for a camera I can no longer buy. The tripod has the interface for Sony cameras on the handle, and the case has custom cut foam for this camera - So I really want to stick with Sony if possible.

What alternatives are there? I was looking at spending £1500, and I'd prefer to buy in the UK to avoid any hefty fees. I could be tempted to spend more for a slightly newer model but not by much.

Suggestions?

Digital videocam capable of slow-motion video?

rubadub — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:54:55 -0800

Can you suggest a video camera for recording slow-motion video? I'd like to find a digital camera that can record at an increased frame rate (300fps? 600fps? more?) and output at 30fps.

The only one I've found on my own is the Casio Exilim EX-F1, which seems to record 1200fps at 336x96 or 60fps at 1920x1080.

Are there any other possibilities? Used gear is OK, I'd like to get something for as cheap as possible since this is for entertainment purposes only and not something academic.

Next, I want someone to figure out how to build me a diamond ring out of some coal, a letterpress, and a gold earring I found on the ground.

history is a weapon — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 08:22:34 -0800

[video camera hardware hacking filter] Is there a way to hack/homebuild a p2 card for the Panasonic p2 system? How would I enlist help in this endeavor? Panasonic has a proprietary P2 system, a solid state cartridge that you record video on as opposed to tape. The size is apparently identical to the pcmcia slot found on some laptops (wikipedia defines it as thus "a RAID of SD memory cards with an LSI controller tightly packaged in a die-cast PC card (formerly PCMCIA) enclosure"). It is also priced way out of line with the market.
Sony's recent EX1 camera had a similar solid state card and its user community started hacking together a line of home brewed cards (e.g., kxs; a sample history can be found here: http://www.glasseye.com.au/articles/sdassxs/). They may not be able to do everything the sony cards do, like record at the fastest speeds, but they can do enough to make the savings worth it.
Okay, there are a bunch of products that are in a pcmcia enclosure, SD cards are much cheaper than the p2 cards, but I would have no idea about how to pursue this. Is there a community of people who could help out? Are there people who could hack out the controller and figure out the feasability? The panasonic community seems to have given up, but the few conversations on internet boards seem to have been years before the sony community hacked the SxS cards.
Where should I look? I'm near NYC if this matters.

High quality video capture device for Youtube?

brenton — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:24:23 -0800

What webcam or camcorder should I buy for my videocast?

I may run it as a youtube channel or as a vlog, but I want it to look and sound as good as possible. I intend to edit each episode with some yet to be determined video editing software and I am 90% sure I will be buying the Samson C01U microphone (possibly the whole podcasting pak).

Now I need a video recorder to match! There seems to be consensus that the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 is one of the best webcams. However, I am wondering if I would get better image quality if I left the high-end webcam world and entered into the low-end camcorder world. A webcam would obviously be the most convenient since it plugs directly into the computer, doesn't need batteries, doesn't need media, etc...

What should I get to go with my microphone that will give a good balance of quality in the $100 range?

Borrowed camcorder uses obnoxious format. How to fix?

®@ — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 11:55:11 -0800

Converting ".mts" to ".avi?" I've been recording stuff for work on our office camcorder. The software that came with it is useless, it's basically Canon's "picture browsing" software that they just threw in the box (if there's a "video edit" software, it's not included or mentioned in the manual). I can pull the files off the camera via USB, but they're in MTS format. I need to edit these down into discrete clips, preferably as AVI's (Adobe Premiere). Tips? Advice? I've seen a handful of programs online that claim to be able to shift MTS to AVI, but they're in that "sketchy freeware might be adware" territory. Thoughts?

What's the problem with this video camera?

handee — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:02:57 -0800

One of our DV camcorders has started giving strange output. This is direct to disk recording, so it's not a dodgy tape. The output is pixellated and highly coloured (blue/green) as in this screenshot... Any ideas what the problem might be? Has anyone seen this behaviour before?

Which camcorders let you turn off all the clever stuff and access the raw video?

handee — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:30:24 -0800

I'm thinking of buying a camcorder. My requirements are slightly unusual: I would like one that does all the "bells and whistles" stuff (image stabilisation, auto light balance, H.264 compression etc). But I also want to be able to turn off all the clever stuff and access the "raw" video. Any recommendations? Hard disk/SD recording is a must, high definition would be good.