I wanna DVD camcorder

gerretl

Good morning Anne marie.
Nice to see you join us, even if it is wearing a balaclava and wielding a Kalishnikov:rotfl:
The JVC MG21 is hugely different in its function. At the top of the thread I mentioned Hard drive recorders. The MG21 has a built in 20GB hard drive. You record straight onto that, so you have no tapes or discs. You then connect the camera to the PC using USB, and download the file held on the hard drive. Edit the file, burn off the good bits, and bobs your uncle.
There are some huge advantages of this over the sony. Downloading the file is a lot quicker. With the Sony an hours filming takes an hour to download. With the JVC, since it is a file, download is as fast as you PC can take it. Also there are no tapes/ discs etc to buy, and get damaged.
The downside (for there are a couple) - you have limited space for filming before you need to download. The JVC holds about 20 hours at low quality, 7.5 at highest quality. If you are intending to go to the wilds of Borneo this may be an issue. For most people, as long as you are regularly downloading footage, and clearing the hard drive, a seven and a half hour filming time is plenty. (Bear in mind the JVC MG36 has an extra 10gb memory if the budget takes it. Sonys new 30GB model is £850).
Now the Sony HC35. You say you want to film a house build. There are a couple of features on this model which may be useful when filming your house build. Firstly, Sonys have a super night shot. This is the green and black infra red you see on big brother. If you need to film in dark corners to show hubby how the builders have/ have not done their job, it could be useful. Also there is a time lapse function. This takes a few frames at set intervals. The effect is used a lot in those ' Buy-a-house-do-it-up-flog-to-some-mug' programmes, where the extension is seemingly built in seconds (Chance would be a fine thing). you must have the camera on a tripod for this, and see it doesn't get knocked.
IMHO go for the JVC (unless you want the two features I mentioned), since it is in your budget. I have seen the software provided in operation (I haven't used it) and it looks alright. The Sony HC35 is great for those on a lower budget if they have the time to edit (such as addicted2chocolate).
One bit of advice I forgot earlier (sorry). When you are filming, avoid getting on the soundtrack if you can. Especially avoid saying things like 'Heres Auntie Vera coming down the path' as you film said scene. The viewer knows. They can see it, and it ends up irritating them.
Regards
Gerretl

Anne_Marie_2

Thanks so much Gerretl :A - my mind is now clear, definitely the hard drive type for us, whereas last night not a clue. I really appreciate the time you have taken and clear explanation.
Hubby intending taking laptop on holiday, so should be fine to download onto that - and transfer onto DVD if he so wishes. And doubt I will spend more than 1 hour filming a building site! Probably more like 5 mins...okay 10!
Will check out price of JVC MG36, but not wanting to go as expensive as the Sony at £850.
Well now I can report back to Mr AM and know what I am talking about - or at least sound as if I do!

Anne_Marie_2

Gerretl - another question if you don't mind?
Noticed that the JVC has SD card slot - is this just the same as the SD card in my digital camera? Or do you get another type for camcorders? Realize that my 2GB SD card wouldn't go very far with the camcorder, just need things explained to me! (Must be the balaclava clogging my vision/brain here!:D)

Had a look at the 30Gb JVC model - not too much more. So sent email off to Mr AM, and will await his feedback. Don't hold your breathe here - depends where ship is for them to pick up email. Hopefully, should only be a few days.

If I say so myself, my email looked like I knew what I was talking about! :rotfl: Thank you so much!

gerretl

Where an earth did you get a 2GB SD card from? Thats enough to keep the entire japanese nation snap happy til Godzilla next destroys Tokyo.
Yep, the SD card can store moving images, but it isn't going to keep loads. The resolution on the pictures is so low, I wouldn't really bother with the photo facility. What camera have you got? If its 6 million pixel plus, you are sorted.
If he has an awkward question, PM me, and I will try and help. Bear in mind I am moving house, and have a full time job, please bear with me if my answers take time.
You mentioned a house build. Can I suggest you view this as a project with the camcorder and camera. It is on your doorstep, there is a clear subject, and editing can be a great way to kill a few slack hours. I did one on a South American holiday I had a couple of years ago. It took me ten months to do, but the sense of satisfaction is brilliant.

Anne_Marie_2

I burst out laughing when I saw your response! :rotfl:
Got the card from https://www.savastore.com - and yes my camera is 6.35 million pixel, it's a lumicron or lumicon or something like that. Anyway, takes very good photos, compared to my old 2.3 thingy.
I was just wondering what size of SD card and price for a camcorder - but we won't even go there, thank you!
Yes think that using both camera and camcorder would be good for house build. As you say, it will be a great project to record, apart from all the mud and dust! I like clean, which am hardly going to get on a building site, but hey ho!
Thanks very much for the offer to PM you, may well take you up on that. Fully understand about your time. :A :T
Will await to hear from hubby, but that could be days......you may hear from me again soon.
Thank you again, really appreciate it.

Anne_Marie_2

Gerretl - got reply from hubby today. He is quite happy with all the stuff I told him, and agrees that hard drive would be better option for us. Silly besom still hasn't given me a price, so can do what I like! :rotfl:Anyway, looks as if either the 20gb or 30gb JVC, can't make my mind up - there really isn't all that big a difference in price, so gut instinct tells me to go for the 30gb, as by past experience, it's always better to have more than less! Will pop into town tomorrow and do a comparison in the flesh before making final decision.

Kentish

For the truly budget-conscious moneysaver, I'd recommend trying out the Canon Outlet on eBay where you can usually get a perfectly good entry level mini-DV camcorder for less than £150: see my post in this thread (post #3) for more info and why I think mini-DV is better than DVD or hard drive camcorders. Admittedly they are refurbs but I've bought several camcorders and cameras from the Canon Outlet and they're like new.