Camcorder Advice

**Aysedasi** · 24 Nov 2004, 23:04 (Ref:1163307)

Slightly OT, I suppose, but still motorsport photography related.....

I've decided I want to buy a camcorder. I'm mucking about with my pc's new DVD recorder, putting together slide show DVDs of my pics, but it just imspires me to go a stage on and make some fillums. I've used a camcorder before at Le Mans, and I want to take one back there and also use it to film my sons (indoor) hockey matches.

But here's the rub - I do not want to spend a fortune - in fact, quite the opposite. My budget is likely to be as little as £300.

So, can I get anything worthwhile for that princely sum?

Advice please gents, if you have any......

KennyG · 24 Nov 2004, 23:35 (Ref:1163337)

Go for Mini-DV and make sure your PC has a Firewire port, if not get one of the cheap FW cards with bundled editing software. Keep away from analogue recorders.

Also, look for one with DV in and out. Dixons have a JVC for just under £300 (JVC D33) which is worth considering. A pal of mine has one and it competes with my £1,200 Canon !!!

**Aysedasi** · 25 Nov 2004, 08:26 (Ref:1163528)

Help me with why I need firewire? (As it happens, I recently installed a USB2/firewire card).

**Tim Falce** · 25 Nov 2004, 12:39 (Ref:1163752)

Quote:

Originally posted by Aysedasi
Help me with why I need firewire? (As it happens, I recently installed a USB2/firewire card).

Firewire downloads a lot quicker than USB. When I tried to download from a camcorcer using USB the pc slows to a standstill

**Aysedasi** · 25 Nov 2004, 13:34 (Ref:1163802)

I should have guessed that - thanks.

**Tim Falce** · 25 Nov 2004, 13:41 (Ref:1163817)

I am also looking for a camcorder and you can get a Canon or Sony which give excellent results for sub £300. If you find the one you want at a decent price on the net Jessops will normaly match the price. Amazon is quite cheap.

blackfalcon · 25 Nov 2004, 18:40 (Ref:1164187)

YOu could also get a Digital 8, I've a Sony TVR 730 and use it with an external mike. It makes great DVD's. The cameras, and tape's are cheaper than mini DV. The firewire is the crucial thing to have.

Az · 19 Dec 2004, 22:19 (Ref:1183434)

I've had a Sony DRV22E now for about a year (cost bout £550 then) and can say it's been excellent. First camcorder I've used in any shape or form and it's been very easy to use.

Also mine has both DV IN and DV OUT which means I can also use the camcorder to passthrough TV footage so I can capture off TV if I wanted too (although I already have a TV Card myself).

Quality is very good. One thing though is it's very hard to get wobble free filming when on zoom, practice or a stand I suppose. I'm sure a cheap Sony would be a good option for you

blackfalcon · 21 Dec 2004, 19:04 (Ref:1185236)

What you need there is a monopod, it's yer only man in this case. It cuts the shake down to a minimum, and you can pan with it without tripping over as can happen with a tripod. I find it better to watch a screen rather than through the eyepiece as this makes it easier to watch for incidents with the other eye.

**Aysedasi** · 21 Dec 2004, 19:31 (Ref:1185257)

Thanks for breathing new life into this, I'm still trying to make up my mind.........

Az · 22 Dec 2004, 00:06 (Ref:1185497)

Wait til just after Christmas mate, I'm sure you'll find some damn nice bargains on them in shops like Comet ( where I got mine

), Dixons, Currys and errrr anywhere else that sells them

Blackfalcon, yes I was considering getting one of those. My camcorder is only for fun so don't wanna look "too keen" if you know what I mean with a tripod. A mono would certainly cutout most of my zoom shake

Cheers

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