Looking to buy DVD camcorder - any advice?

1. donnadawn
   Member

   
   I'm looking for a (possibly DVD?) camcorder that will allow two things:
   1. I want to be able to record interviews and very quickly give the interviewed person a copy of the interview. I'm assuming I'll need a DVD camcorder for this, since it sounds like it can take quite a while to transfer DV to DVD. The interviews are about 20 minutes, and for various reasons, I don't want to have them waiting around that long while I transfer DV to DVD. I also need to make sure that the DVD the camcorder records to will be viewable on any highly-accessible software available to the public such as Windows Media Player.
   2. I want to be able to easily edit this video using general editing software (not software only availble through the company from which you purchase the camcorder).
   
   Any recommendations for what I should look for when purchasing such a camera?
   Please help!
   Thanks so much

   Posted 8 years ago #

2. Kingkool682
   Member

   
   Can you wait till the end of April? NAB, the biggest Annual Video Convention, is just around the corner when all of the big manufactuers show off their newest models. Prices will probally be much better after NAB.

   Posted 8 years ago #

3. donnadawn
   Member

   
   I probably can't wait until then unfortunately. It's a shame, b/c the new models are coming out at the end of April.
   
   I've talked to a few folks at camera stores, and they don't seem to share my concerns about editing/file formats and accessibility to editing programs.
   
   Is it true that if I pretty much use any DVD camera I can easily edit the contents using any widely available program?

   Posted 8 years ago #

4. mrvideo
   Member

   
   Can any of these unconcerned salespeople demonstrate MPEG-2 editing on popular NLEs? I doubt it. Even simple cuts must be made on keyframes only, because frames between keyframes don't contain full resolution detail. I'd do some quick homework on MPEG-2 editing before I chose a DVD format camcorder. Also, WMP doesn't natively support MPEG-2 playback. As far as I know, only systems with MPEG-2 encoders (and possibly DVD software players) also have the decoder.
   
   David Hurdon

   Posted 8 years ago #

5. donnadawn
   Member

   
   Thanks for your help! It looks like a plug-in has been developed for use with Adobe Premier that will enable MPEG-2 editing.
   http://www.mainconcept.com/mpeg_pro.shtml
   It's pricey, but it looks like it will do the trick.
   Thanks again everyone.

   Posted 8 years ago #

6. nobody
   Member

   
   Ok here's what I'd suggest, If you already have a camcorder use it if not go out and buy the best video camera you can. Don't buy a dvd camcorder. They are designed for consumers and thus aren't very good quality. Since you want instant dvds out I would suggest getting an external box like this lite-on one for $209 http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?oid=93185&WT.mc_n=67&c=1&b=g&u=c&WT.mc_t=U then just run an s-video cable, will have higher quality than composite and a stereo pair of rca into the back of the dvd recorder hit record when you want to start and stop when you are done. In addition, you can record onto the camcorders built in dv deck as well giving you a backup of your interviews as well. In addition, you can have interviews as long as 2 hours still fit on one disc using this method while still retaining very high quality. Let me know what you end up doing hope this helps.

   Posted 7 years ago #

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