Video Cameras... Too many options? - Page 2

SuaveX5 · #11 08-29-2006, 05:26 PM

i can`t tell you much but one thing i can tell you is to go with a Hardrive base camera, and stay away from the ones using optical disc.

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Phester · #12 08-29-2006, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

Its not high-def though. Not sure if you care about it. But this one is Hi-def.

That one is a little out of my price range, but it may be worth making the step up...

It seems like the best idea is to go with hard drive and not optical or tape based... But how much can 30gig really hold? and do I have to buy Sony memory sticks (does it even take additional sticks)

hayaku · #13 08-29-2006, 06:08 PM

that sony uses an internal hard disk drive. memory sticks are for pictures and smaller video clips you can easily move from the hdd to the mem stick. but in general, for the larger vid clips, you need a usb/firewire cable to transfer the vid clips to your computer.

depending on the compression routines, you could have 6+ hours on that...

remember, my 4gb sd card holds about 1 hr in MP4 compression.

Phester · #14 08-29-2006, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayaku

that sony uses an internal hard disk drive. memory sticks are for pictures and smaller video clips you can easily move from the hdd to the mem stick. but in general, for the larger vid clips, you need a usb/firewire cable to transfer the vid clips to your computer.

depending on the compression routines, you could have 6+ hours on that...

remember, my 4gb sd card holds about 1 hr in MP4 compression.

Without being able to add memory on the go, I am a little worried.

If I go away (without my computer), I may not have enough HD space on a 30g for a two week vacation.... With a tape drive, I could easily have addiitonal tapes.

Don't some of the other Hard Drive models have the availablity of additional SD card slots?

I wonder if you can buy an external hard drive (100gig) and go directly from the camera to the external HD without a computer....?

hayaku · #15 08-29-2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phester

Without being able to add memory on the go, I am a little worried.

If I go away (without my computer), I may not have enough HD space on a 30g for a two week vacation.... With a tape drive, I could easily have addiitonal tapes.

Don't some of the other Hard Drive models have the availablity of additional SD card slots?

I wonder if you can buy an external hard drive (100gig) and go directly from the camera to the external HD without a computer....?

i haven't seen an add on external hdd that automatically connects to any camera yet.

i would imagine you could record directly onto mem sticks also and you could theoretically have unlimited sticks...

i have 3 4gb sd cards that i swap out, 2 batteries and always bring my laptop to download the vids each day. i have yet to shoot all 3 cards full at any one time...

the question to you is, how much do you plan on recording? that should be your first requirement. my other choice in vid camers was the Toshiba R60 with 60gb hdd... but because i wanted a better digital still camera, i chose the sanyo because it was better at being a hybrid. the r60 is only good at being a vid camera with HD capabilities.

Eric5273 · #16 08-29-2006, 06:54 PM

You don't even need a hard drive recorder. You can get one that only uses a memory card, and then get one of these:

http://www.adorama.com/MMHG140.html

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ct_code=339276

Or something similar. I just did a quick search, but I'm sure they come in larger capacities as well.

The advantages are that the memory-card only video recorders are smaller in size and more conventient to carry around. Then you can just dump the memory card into the hard drive and then continue. Like someone said above, you can record up to an hour on a nice size memory card. So for your vacation, as long as you don't need to record more than an hour at a time, you will be fine. Also, you can always purchase more than one memory card and do a swap while on the go.

Here's a nice one:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/so...ew/index.shtml

Phester · #17 08-29-2006, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayaku

the question to you is, how much do you plan on recording? that should be your first requirement. my other choice in vid camers was the Toshiba R60 with 60gb hdd... but because i wanted a better digital still camera, i chose the sanyo because it was better at being a hybrid. the r60 is only good at being a vid camera with HD capabilities.

I have no idea how much video I will take - I am not really a video taker, more of a still photo guy... but with the new little tyke, I assume I will take a lot more.

I just want enuff storage for a two week trip. If we go away for two weeks, I don't want to get stuck with no more storage and day 5... (it has happened with still photography with memory sticks a few years back).

Eric5273 · #18 08-29-2006, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phester

I am not really a video taker, more of a still photo guy...

You may really like the one I posted above then, because it also serves as a 5 megapixel still camera. Both in one camera.

Phester · #19 08-29-2006, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric5273

You may really like the one I posted above then, because it also serves as a 5 megapixel still camera. Both in one camera.

Thanks for the input!

I don't need the still camera functionality (I have a great still camera) and I was under the impression that the smaller flash based cameras are not as good quality - especially the small flash based lenses and optical zooms vs. that Sony...

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