Pros and Cons of HD camcorder?

1. jedichickhas1
   Member

   

   I've been shooting some small movies with my still camera, and I'm thinking that I'd like to get a real video camera. First of all, I'm wondering if I really need HD, or if that's too advanced for someone starting out. I don't want to spend a lot of money, but I don't want to waste money on a cheap camera that I'll just have to upgrade in a year or two anyway.

    I'm planning on putting finished movies on a standard DVD format for friends and family, as well as uploading some up on youtube or a similar site. So my question is, do I really need to get an HD camera, and if not, what kind should I look at as a beginner?

   Posted 3 years ago #

2. robGRAUERT
   Member

   

    If you are not starting a business, there is nothing that will ever force you into upgrading.

   I recommend getting an SD camcorder, most likely in the consumer range since you are starting out. You don't need a professional camera to learn the basics of shooting and editing.

   Most likely any computer these days can handle SD editing. Since you noted you are a beginner, i'm assuming you won't be doing any advanced compositing any time soon either. So SD on your computer should be fine.

   Rob Grauert, Jr
   http://www.robgrauert.com
   http://command-r.tumblr.com

   Posted 3 years ago #

3. Don
   Member

   

    Flip Ultra HD.

   Posted 3 years ago #

4. birdcat
   Moderator

   

   I have a Sony HDR SR11 - it is HD (AVCHD) and I love it.

   That said, I don't currently own an HD TV (maybe when I get the tax refund) or a BluRay player (ditto) so I watch my stuff on SDTV's on SD DVD players.

   I almost always film (record, tape, choose your verb here) in the best HD settings (1920 X 1080) and downconvert in my NLE on render.  I also have been known to put HD on YouTube or Vimeo so it's nice to have.

   Going forward, I think you will find HD becoming increasingly and rapidly more commonplace (only a few things have a faster adoption rate than the BD players).

   Bruce Paul
   7Squared Productions
   http://www.7squared.com

   Posted 3 years ago #

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