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Tell me bout' Camcorders

stosh

stosh

Darth Bailer
Jul 20, 2001
22,238
393
NY
Not really sure where to start with these things.

I've been using a miniDV tape camera for a few years and I F'ing hate getting video off it. I'm debating getting a new camcorder for the family for Christmas. I'm looking at the $200-400 range, any recommendations on things I should keep in mind or be looking for?
 
loco-gringo

loco-gringo

Crusading Clamp Monkey
Sep 27, 2006
8,887
14
Deep in the heart of TEXAS
stosh said:
Not really sure where to start with these things.

I've been using a miniDV tape camera for a few years and I F'ing hate getting video off it. I'm debating getting a new camcorder for the family for Christmas. I'm looking at the $200-400 range, any recommendations on things I should keep in mind or be looking for?
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I suggest camcordermonkey.com. :D
 
binary visions

binary visions

The voice of reason
Jun 13, 2002
22,098
1,144
NC
<helpful>

You put the apostrophe on the wrong side of "bout." The apostrophe indicates missing letters and there are no missing letters from the end of the word.

HTH. Have a nice day :)

</helpful>
 
jdcamb

jdcamb

Tool Time!
Feb 17, 2002
19,827
8,420
Nowhere Man!
They're like Magic I tell you.... No matter which one you buy Sydasti will come along and say you should have bought another one. I have been playing around with a Panasonic SDR-H85K. I like it. It's small, light, compact, easy to use, and has a lot of nice features for the price ($250).
 
stosh

stosh

Darth Bailer
Jul 20, 2001
22,238
393
NY
jdcamb said:
They're like Magic I tell you.... No matter which one you buy Sydasti will come along and say you should have bought another one. I have been playing around with a Panasonic SDR-H85K. I like it. It's small, light, compact, easy to use, and has a lot of nice features for the price ($250).
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ROFL!!!!

I'll look into that one. Great price too!
 
TreeSaw

TreeSaw

Mama Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
17,670
1,855
Dancin' over rocks n' roots!
We looked at them for quite a while and ended up getting a flip camera until we decide what we really want. They're cheap, super easy to use and edit the video and it's been working thus far. Only real drawback is it's lack of zoom, but we haven't really minded.

We did however just get an HD Hero by GoPro so we'll use that some too :)
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
as much as i still hate to promote them, the JVC GZHM300 is a nice choice for $265. its a 1080i camera that records to dual SD card slots. you can upgrade to the GZHD500 (http://camcorder.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL028616&pathId=141&page=10) if you want a 80gb internal HDD and a SD slot. its only $25 dollars more than the HM300

the Pana SDRH85 is nice b/c of its price but IMO isnt as good as the JVC model.

stay away from Sony, Sanyo, Samsung or any other brand.
 
stosh

stosh

Darth Bailer
Jul 20, 2001
22,238
393
NY
IH8Rice said:
as much as i still hate to promote them, the JVC GZHM300 is a nice choice for $265. its a 1080i camera that records to dual SD card slots. you can upgrade to the GZHD500 (http://camcorder.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL028616&pathId=141&page=10) if you want a 80gb internal HDD and a SD slot. its only $25 dollars more than the HM300

the Pana SDRH85 is nice b/c of its price but IMO isnt as good as the JVC model.

stay away from Sony, Sanyo, Samsung or any other brand.
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Wow, what a range of prices I found. I like the 500. Why do you hate promoting JVC?
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
stosh said:
Wow, what a range of prices I found. I like the 500. Why do you hate promoting JVC?
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the software i sent you will work with JVC's cams too.

i hate them b/c they downsized 3 times last year and i got the boot on the last cut. then the one person who replaced my team just got downsized last month too. now i laugh at them since they have 2 salesman running 13 states. :D
 
stosh

stosh

Darth Bailer
Jul 20, 2001
22,238
393
NY
IH8Rice said:
the software i sent you will work with JVC's cams too.

i hate them b/c they downsized 3 times last year and i got the boot on the last cut. then the one person who replaced my team just got downsized last month too. now i laugh at them since they have 2 salesman running 13 states. :D
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OHHH GOTTCHA!
The reason I'm looking for a new cam is because I can't get my computers to recognize the cam I have through firewire. I installed the software you gave me but haven't had an opportunity to use.
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
stosh said:
The reason I'm looking for a new cam is because I can't get my computers to recognize the cam I have through firewire.
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it might be a driver issue with your computer. your computer should "handshake" with whatever you plug into the firewire automatically, especially with a Mini-DV cam.
with the JVC cams, the upload speed via USB is very fast.
 
Arkayne

Arkayne

I come bearing GIFs
May 10, 2005
3,738
15
SoCal
I picked up a MinoHD from the Amazon Black Friday deals and already sent it back. It does 720P and does it poorly.
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
Arkayne said:
I picked up a MinoHD from the Amazon Black Friday deals and already sent it back. It does 720P and does it poorly.
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the "flip" type cams are good for quick shooting and recording stuff that isnt as important. all of the mini, flashed-based cams are junk in the video quality dept.
 
stosh

stosh

Darth Bailer
Jul 20, 2001
22,238
393
NY
We use ours a lot but I've haven't much lately because it's a pain to get the video's off the camera.
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
stosh said:
No, with my older miniDV tape camera. I hate waiting till the whole tape records to the computer.
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they are a huge PITA compared to new camcorders.

most new cams create "thumnails" for each time you start and stop the recording, so you can pick and choose which file/scene you want to transfer. its also not transfered in real time which is a huge bonus obviously.
 
stosh

stosh

Darth Bailer
Jul 20, 2001
22,238
393
NY
IH8Rice said:
they are a huge PITA compared to new camcorders.

most new cams create "thumnails" for each time you start and stop the recording, so you can pick and choose which file/scene you want to transfer. its also not transfered in real time which is a huge bonus obviously.
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Yeah, the simple fact that it's not real time is the KEY IMHO.
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
they are going through their new model introductions now since CES was last week. they usually phase out the models a few weeks ahead of that, though you should see them in inventory again probably. its their typical business model...if and when you find them in stock, the prices should be significantly cheaper then several months ago since they probably have a ton in stock and kill the prices when they do.
 
stosh

stosh

Darth Bailer
Jul 20, 2001
22,238
393
NY
IH8Rice said:
they are going through their new model introductions now since CES was last week. they usually phase out the models a few weeks ahead of that, though you should see them in inventory again probably. its their typical business model...if and when you find them in stock, the prices should be significantly cheaper then several months ago since they probably have a ton in stock and kill the prices when they do.
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I thought this is what was going on, I'm also looking for a media pc and/or a nettop and I can't find the one I was seeing up till the new year. This is also the case with a WIFI skype phone I've been hoping to buy. Frys has the 500 for $199 but it's instore only.
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
$199 is a killer deal. do you know anyone in Cali or Texas? or anywhere else they have stores?
$285 is the cheapest i found anywhere else from a actual reputable source.
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
stosh said:
Yeah I know it's killer but I don't know anybody in either state. :)

Do you have any idea when they will start selling the models again?

http://www.frys.com/product/6196739?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
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they have stores in other states too if you check their site.

dont know when anyone else will be selling them. they might have closed the model completely out prior to the 2011 model release and thats why Fry's has it for $199 and no one else does.
chances are, if it doesnt pop up in the next few days, then you wont find them anywhere else.
 
stosh

stosh

Darth Bailer
Jul 20, 2001
22,238
393
NY
IH8Rice said:
they have stores in other states too if you check their site.

dont know when anyone else will be selling them. they might have closed the model completely out prior to the 2011 model release and thats why Fry's has it for $199 and no one else does.
chances are, if it doesnt pop up in the next few days, then you wont find them anywhere else.
Click to expand...
:(:(:(:(:(:(
 
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