http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: purchase - Recent Topics en Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:03:39 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/to-build-or-not-to-build#post-45237 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:59:58 +0000 composite1 45237@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Lately in the post threads I've been getting questions concerning the benefits / drawbacks of building a custom system versus buying a pre-built system for Non-linear Editing. To keep from taking over other posts I've opened up this one to specifically address these issues. Up front I am not a computer engineer by any stretch. However, since 1998 I've upgraded and built PC's and Mac's out of 'self-defense' because either it was too expensive to send out for repair or if I didn't do it, it wouldn't have gotten done. My current depth of knowledge leans strongly toward PC because it's still 'legal' to build them on your own. However, now with the resurgence of the 'Hackintosh' I am again taking an interest in 'mac clones'. So with all that in mind please bring your questions / comments about building and upgrading pc's and mac's, but spare us the PC' vs Mac' debate.</p> <p>Thanks.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/considerations-going-from-a-gl2-to-xl2#post-46879 Sat, 16 May 2009 15:13:28 +0000 mistermom007 46879@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I have been using a GL2 for a couple of years now and mostly shoot pageants, plays, graduations, some weddings, recitals, etc.  Thinking about purchasing a used XL2 and am concerned about being able to use both the GL2 and the XL2 for multi-camera shoots and it look right.  I use Sony Vegas 8.  Does anyone have any similar experiences?  I sometimes use up the 40X digital zoom on the GL2 but am I correct in thinking the stock XL2 has up to  20X zoom?  Would the picture be a lot better on the XL2 but I might be limited by the wide angle and zoom abilities with the XL2?  Please give me your experiences.  Thanks.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/yet-another-what-camcorder-should-i-get-question#post-35073 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:34:32 +0000 rkhanso 35073@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Â I'm in the market for a new camcorder after my tax return comes in.</p> <p>I'd like to get a good quality camcorder (subjective, I know) and have aspirations for making some movies with my family/friends. I currently have an old Sony Hi-8 camera that does not do well with green-screen effects and video looks just plain bad.</p> <p>There were a few cameras I was looking at, and was trying to stay around $1000. I met a guy at the local political caucus that has a used Canon XL-1 and is asking $1200. I was also looking at the Sony HDR-HC7 ($970), the Panasonic PV-GS500 ($700) and the JVC GZ-HD7 ($1000). I know there's some variety there.</p> <p>I'm not sure I need HD - I don't currently have a HDTV, nor computer equipment. I do use Vegas Movie Studio Platinum v7, so it is able to edit HD video, though my computer is near the minimum requirements that Sony recommends for editing HD content.</p> <p>I thought that getting a 3CCD camera would help on the green-screen effects and picture quality in general, but have also read decent reviews on the Sony camera. Is a 3CCD camera that important - or will the HD quality suffice?</p> <p>I'm not picky about the hard drive vs. tape issue. I like the idea of the focus ring on the JVC and XL-1 cameras and some manual controls were high on my list of requirements. I don't want to spend $1000 and then find out I picked the wrong camera - if you know what I mean. I also wanted to get a camera with mic and headphone jacks and other features that the 'pro' cameras have. Should I be looking at different models altogether?</p> <p>Ease of use for the rest of the family is somewhat of a concern, though rather low on the list.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/getting-back-from-afstan-need-purchase-help#post-35101 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:41:35 +0000 Jack 35101@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I will be getting back from Afstan in June and I am currently ebaying my Panasonic PV-GS35. I would like to get a new camcorder that does not use tapes. I would like HD, tapeless, compact, 10x or more optical zoom, and would like to be able to do simple scene edits(remove the junk), and burn to DVD. I do have 2 flat screens at home along with a PS 3. Any reasonable recomendations that may meet what I need, hope to keep it under 1k if possible.</p> <p> Thanks in advance,</p> <p>Jack</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-replacement-advice#post-33906 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:36:23 +0000 Nambrino 33906@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I am a technology consultant for a private K-8 school.  The school has been using a Panasonic PV-GS300 digital camcorder as part of a program where a group of kids produce a daily "morning news" segment, and record various events at the school.  A few days ago the tripod holding the camcorder was knocked over, and the camcorder's side LCD panel stopped working.  Unfortunately, the camcorder is no longer under warranty, and repairing the LCD display could cost over $260.</p> <p>I have been asked to recommend a replacement camcorder.  The problem begins where the school PTO would like to spend less then $500 for a replacement.  The teachers involved in the program also prefer to avoid camcorders that record to mini-DVDs.  And, the big stickler is, we need support for an external microphone, something a lot of the inexpensive camcorders seem to be lacking (including the newer PV-GS320).  The few models I've come across so far also lack the 3CCD the Panasonic PV-GS300 had, leading to concern that the image quality on a replacement model might not be as good as they had before.</p> <p>Any suggestions on a replacement camcorder?</p>