Camcorder, what next?

Since march I have been using a canon HG20 and it served me well, however it was the NTSC model, so I decided to swap it. Was going to get an HG21, but some tried to sell me another NTSC despite I asked for a UK pal version. So in the mean time I have decided to change to something else, trouble is what. This is my initial short list, budget around 800 tops.

1) Canon DM-XM2, I can pick up a good second hand one for around 700-900, always wanted a pro camcorder but never had the money. Apparently still second to none in standard video mode.

Or stay with HD, which means lower over speck but this is compansated by the the fact it is HD, two in the running her.

2) Panasonic HDC-HS300, 3 chip, great reviews, very tempting.

3) Sony HDR-XR500E/V. Single chip, but top end and can also take an 8 meg photo while records video, however it is not a pure 8 meg photo, upscaled 4 meg I think.


Oh, There is one long shot, I did have a JVC HD7 earlier this year that failed on me, got my money back but despite some review it took really good video, It got slated because most reviews worship low light recording. Wasn't as bad as the reviews said in this area either, its just that JVC opted to stay in colour while sony opt to go in green screen mode. So to cut a long story short I still like the JVC HD6 which despite its number was the improved version of the HD7.

So if you have one of the above I would be interested in your views on your camcorder, thanks.


By the way, using a Sony TRV17E while I sort something out, good spec for a basic model.

 

If you want HD and don't mind second hand, search ebay for a Sony HC1e.
It's a single chip CMOS with lots of manual control, so good that they discontinued it pronto as the "pro" HVR-a1 wasn't selling - pro peeps bought the hc1 which was cheaper and did the same job.

It has brilliant low light capabilities and 'night sight', takes photos as well.
Earphone, mic & LANC sockets.

The only problem, which is true for any CMOS sensor is "rolling shutter" which can make verticals lean to the left if they are passing quickly at close range.

Look at http://www.youtube.com/cyclopsfilm#p/u/13/mc2MpO9B0gg from about 40 seconds in. See how the windows seem to bend.

Mind you, if you want a TRV-950e PM me :wink:

 

I may be wrong, but I thought that HDV is a whole new system, so PAL or NTSC doesn't come in to it. Unless of course you don't record in HD, but whats the point in having a HDV cam and only record in SDV.

 

Ken, I use a Canon HG10 and it does all and more than I would want.

Regards

 

Whilst not on your list, I have a Canon HV20 and I know of a fellow member with a HV30 -- both HDV/mini DV -- would highly recommend.

 

Hi,

I had sony High defination MinDV camcorder last year, problem was when you come to transfer the footage the computer doesn't always keep up despite I have a high spec PC, loads of memory etc, Hard disk you don't have that issue, same with memory.

 

PennySteam, I suggest your computer/firewire has a fault.

My old 1GHz can hapily capture and edit HDV, it can't however render it very fast (might do a 10 min vid in a week) and thats why I use a better computer for video editing (dual core 3GHz).

HDV .m2t files are smaller minute for minute than DV files due to compression.
When capturing no decompression takes place, just a file copy.

Hard drives are to fragile for my liking and memory to compressed (from what I've seen). Tape wins every time (at the mo) until Solid state hard drives get big enough and cheap enough.

 

I upload to the computer from my HG-10's HDD onto an external HDD. The files are then backed up on another identical external HDD. One of these drives is permanently connected to the computer for everyday use, the other is only connected to the computer and power supply when it is needed. This way I can reasonably be sure that my files are safe. Once the video files are backed up on the external drives the camera's HDD is re-formatted so keeping a clean HDD on the camera.

It works and I can recommend this procedure.

Regards

 

Only just seen your comments Ken, but as the other guys have said I haven't had any problems in downloading to my pc and editing; and in retaining the tape as well it's a safe fallback in the event of any pc crash .

 

Sorry, hadn't seen this post. I had the same problem with a Panasonic mini-DV camera using firewire. I eventually put it down to an issue with the computer's data bus after doing a fair amount of testing. No problems at all now - I transfer data using USB cable and it works fine.

Regards

 

thinking about the tape issue , I was not on this computer, was medium to high spec when I was using it around 2007, but the one I have now knocks spots of it.

Well, opted for the Canon DM-XM2, hope fully should have it for the weekend.

 

That's a posh one! Congratulations and I'm very jealous!

Regards

 

Just arrived today, lot of new buttons, will take me while to get the hank of it all, rain tomorrow,so it looks like sunday will be its first outing, itching to get started.

Photo are only 1.7meg anyway, so I will sneak the odd photo in with my E8700.

 

Well the DM-XM2 didn't work out as well as I had hoped, worked fine but despite the 3 chips, better optics and pro end over kit, it could'nt match up with todays technology, namely my old HG20 just out performend it. So I sold it and got an HG21 and a new rodes video mike, bit of a monster of a mike on the HG21, about twice as big, so if you see some one with an odd looking camcorder and dog, odds on it me.