Recommend me a Camcorder!

[hannay]

What I want is:

-It has to connect to my PC easily - via USB preferably

-I'd like it to play in Windows Media player, I want to be able to put short landscape movies online

-I'd also like it to record to HDD or DVD rather than a tape format.

-And as cheap as possible :thumbs:

I haven't been in the market for a camcorder for about 7 years, so have no idea on whats hot at the moment.

thanks in advance.

[pauls2]

What I want is:
-It has to connect to my PC easily - via USB preferably.

The only connection which will transfer the movie you have recorded with the camera to a PC is firewire. Video editing software will always look for a firewire connection.

If a camera has USB then this is for transferring still pictures.


-I'd like it to play in Windows Media player, I want to be able to put short landscape movies online.

You need some video editing software which should then produce a file which can be put online.


-I'd also like it to record to HDD or DVD rather than a tape format.


The advantage of tape is that you can record an hour (I believe). DVD can be as little as 20 mins - and then you have to put a new blank dvd in.

HDD would be ok - but these are only just appearing.

I can recommend a Panasonic (which my father uses) this has 3 CCD's and gives excellent colour.

[Andrew70]

I know it's not strictly accurate but 3 CCDs always makes me think 3x the price.

Here's a thread on the AV forums that discusses the fact that Sony's HD format isn't currently natively supported by the HD-DVD or Blueray formats.
(Makes disc burning more of a chore.)

edit: the link would help.
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=419297&highlight=sony+hd+format

[mbuckhurst]

My panasonic 3CCD transfer footage via either the usb or firewire ports, bought from Hong Kong for 1/2 the price in the uk, and thus comparable to non-3ccd cameras. Colour quality is exceptional.

Tape is far superior in quality, there's no way I'd compromise especially if you were planning on editing with a PC anyway. Even if the camera can't transfer faster than realtime, it's only 1 hour to get the average full tape onto the PC, you'll spend 10x that editing, and if you start with a better quality original, you'll get better results.

Panasonic is my recommendation, mines expensive, but colleagues and family have them as well, at the budget end, and they're very good as well.

I went panasonic as it's the only consumer electronics company where I've still got everything working fine, including an analogue camera that's at least 10 years old.

mike

[Spooky_uk]

though I would butt in here instead of starting new thread. Would ideally love a HD Camcorder but as they are now appearing don't mind waiting until they are cheaper and more feature laden.

In the meantime can anyone recomend some good quality Mini DV tape SD camcorder models with plenty of features? Or any review sites I can peruse...
As already mentioned DVD are limited to short lengths and not convinced on HDD ones as of yet. TIA

[superleeds123]

I'm considering the 3CCD Pansonic GS180 - reviews very well.

Fingers crossed I don't get a boll**king for no affiliate link :-)

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-PV-GS180-Camcorder-Review.htm

[Spooky_uk]

Was looking at the Sony HC47, due out in a couple of weeks, it has a true 16:9 mode which is one of my wish features. Do pannys have something similar?