Re: DVD Camcorders
Originally posted by Cheap-Chopstix
Does anybody have a DVD cam....I'm thinkin about gettin a new camcorder and like the prospect of using mini-dvd's.
Tried DVD cam but took it back to Ultimate Electronics because it was just too weird, and got a Canon Camcorder with MiniDV tape instead. DVD as a recording medium could eventually catch on, but there must be a reason why there are only a couple of manufacturers offering just a few cameras using this technology right now. I think it's a good idea, but I decided I did not want to be an early adopter before they get the bugs worked out.
Although I'm pretty happy with my
Canon ZR70mc ($699) DV Camcorder, after doing a bunch of edits with iMovie (and now using FinalCut Pro) then burning to DVD with iDVD, I'm
disappointed in primarily one thing -- the low resolution of the small chip:
1/6" CCD (charge coupled device)
approx. 680,000 pixels
(approx.
340,000 effective pixels-tape)
(approx. 447,000 effective pixels-card)
I wish I had spent a little more money and gotten a
Canon Optura Xi because it has a much larger chip:
1/3.4" CCD (charge coupled device)
approx. 2,200,000 pixels
(approx.
1,230,000 effective pixels-tape)
(approx. 2,000,000 effective pixels-card) like a 2 MegaPixel Digital Camera
Unfortunately for me, the Optura Xi had not yet been released when I bought the ZR70 or I probably would have upgraded at the time.
Notice that the
effective pixels on tape (what you really get to work with) for the
Optura Xi is more that
3x that of the ZR70.
While the 22x optical zoom of the ZR70 is double the 11x of the Optura Xi, having super telephoto is not as important as pure picture resolution. Besides, a good wide angle shot (party, church, school, etc.) is much more common than the need for extreme zoom (outside and far away).
Check out the features of the
Optura Xi at:
http://www.canondv.com/opturaxi/opturaxi_flash.html
and CLICK on the "Click Here" box in the lower right hand corner for a really excellent and very entertaining video presentation.
Then, go back and check out other models Canon has to offer:
http://www.canondv.com/
Finally, compare what you've learned to other manufacturers: Panasonic, Sony, JVC, etc.
The accessories that I would add to any camcorder purchase are in order of importance:
1.
Tripod - a good heavy duty one (spend some $) and then USE IT often! Real camera shops for pros have really good tripods.
2. A
neutral UV-filter to protect the camera lens from scratches and damage (under $20)
3. Shot-gun
microphone (so you get really good sound); the more you use a ZOOM, the farther you will be from your sound source, and that's a problem you need to solve early on.
4. A much larger
memory chip (16MB commonly come with the camcorder (yuck!); get a 256MB cheap online or at COSTCO, not at the camera store)
5. The biggest
camera battery you can get; look for discounted sources, try to get a battery offered by your camcorder manufacturer (Canon) but other suppliers are often okay. If not, you will hate yourself when your battery indicator starts blinking just before it is your kid's turn to perform at the school play or piano recital. Grrrr!
6. A nice, well padded
camcorder bag ($40 or less) to carry and protect everything.
7. Lots of
extra DV tapes, and keep them in the camera bag because you will need them.
8. Buy, rent, borrow or steal (or, download anyone's from a major manufacturer's website) a
How to Use a Camcorder book, and then use common sense by planning your "shoot" ahead of time, like charging the battery, checking for plenty of tapes, microphone, lighting, etc.
If you are a
.Mac member, check out their free:
Exclusive
Apple Training "Going Digital with iMovie and iDVD"US$39 value
Learn how to shoot, edit, and share great movies with this latest installment in the iLife training series.
Includes 36 movies and topics including footage and commentary by digital video expert Michael Rubin.
Last bit of advice, a Camcorder is a total waste while it is
sitting on a shelf in your closet. Get it out, USE IT, and use it often; the more you do, the better your movies will get. If you pass up the shot of your kid's birth, first day at school, birthday party, Christmas 2004, a baptism or bas mitzvah, the opportunity is gone forever.
Remember, whether DV tape or mini-DVD-RW, they can be erased and reused.
Keep shooting or you'll miss the shot that you really want - edit out junk footage later on your Mac with iMovie, that's what it is for.
A 90 minute Movie at the theater is the result of hundreds and hundreds of Hours of film. Keep shooting, and get those background shots now, because you'll wish you had but won't be able to later.
Now, have fun!
