Yet another ‘what camcorder should I get’ question
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- This topic has 4 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 12 years, 11 months ago by
Anonymous.
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February 13, 2008 at 8:34 PM #42834
Anonymous
InactiveI’m in the market for a new camcorder after my tax return comes in.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
Ease of use for the rest of the family is somewhat of a concern, though rather low on the list.
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February 18, 2008 at 4:01 AM #179387
Anonymous
InactiveOK, I think I’ll have to add the Canon HV30 to the list.
Suggestions?
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March 12, 2008 at 5:40 AM #179388
Anonymous
InactiveThat settles it. Thanks for the advice –
I chose the Canon HV20.
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March 12, 2008 at 7:12 PM #179389
Anonymous
Inactiverkhanso,
Glad we could be of help! 😉
Seriously though, the Canon HV20 or HV30 would be good choices. If you’re doing green-screen compositing, progressive scan might help a little. (The HV20 can do progressive at 24fps, but the HV30 can do it at both 24fps and 30fps.) If you’re planning some ambitious movie-making, you might also consider the Sony HVR-A1U. It’s a low-cost professional hi-def camcorder that has gotten good reviews; yet many people overlook it.
Of course, a good story can be more important than the quality of the camcorder.
Ken Hull
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March 18, 2008 at 9:19 AM #179390
Anonymous
InactiveI think people are getting tired of this thread title everywhere they go. I’m sure you’ve researched it by now and hope you’re happy with the HV20.
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