A few days ago Sandy and I decided to purchase a camcorder, primarily for recording church sermons (hers) to help her in her church search process (her current position, as an interim pastor, ends sometime before fall, we think), but also for recording important family events (“Look, our cats took the decorations off the bottom of the Christmas tree!”). Ok, it may be more accurate to say we decided to OWN a camcorder, but it was clear that I would be the one SELECTING it. “Go for it!” she said, and left for a conference.
Well, I’m going for it, but if you have suggestions, I’m listening, with bated breath. I’m having a bad “deer in the headlights” siege, brought on by the fog that comes from repeatedly searching Consumer Reports, CNET, and other sources. We want a camcorder that’s small, not too expensive (this may be pushing it, but we’d really like to keep the whole package under $600, including firewire card, tripod, and case), has decent sound quality, and above all, performs well indoors (you know, like in a church)–the very question that CR and CNET disagreed on the most. (The Canon Model Whatsis works well in indoor lighting. No, the Canon Model Whatsis works poorly in indoor lighting. I suddenly have much more sympathy for people making computer purchases.) Above and beyond this purchase, I’m also buying an external DVD burner, so we can Do Something with the output, which we’re reasonably sure should be in MiniDV format (all right, I’m reasonably sure–Sandy is blissfully above such questions).
Of course, I’m supposed to have this all purchased and figured out by April 2. (I have set several nice tripods and a cute case in my Amazon queue. That, and browsing DVD burners at Fry’s–and of course lording it up to Sandy about the distinction between a player and a burner, not to mention rummaging through Fry’s selection of Firewire cards–was almost therapeutic.) This isn’t like our HDTV purchase, where we go to Fry’s, look at progressively more expensive television sets, then shrug and go home to our 15-year-old 19″ TV; we need to have sermons to market to congregations. I mean, er, not market–heck, I don’t know what I mean. Help!
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Hi Karen
If you have any older video tapes in 8mm format Hi8/8/Digital 8 that you might want to convert, you would want to seriously consider the Sony TRV480. This camcorder records new stuff digitally (if you want) or can take older tapes and make it easy to make DVDs on your home computer. It isn’t the greatest digital camcorder in the world, but the backwards compatability is a great feature. So great that Sony is getting rid of this particular model and it is discontinued in retailers. It is still available at around $300 from Circuit City, Wal*Mart, and other marty stores. I picked it up to replace an aging camcorder and with the idea that I will put all my older 8mm tapes onto DVD and someday put all my really old Super 8 film (from waaaaayyyy back) onto DVD. This is something I will do in my spare time. Either that or sleep.
One former EPA Librarian (contractor of course) opinion. Not valid is some states. Your mileage may vary.
Hey, Greg! I’ve heard from Liz and Cynthia recently, btw.
That’s something to consider–we do have a few sermons on tape. On the issue of new projects and time, I have avoided TiVo, btw, because I keep thinking if I don’t have time to watch TV when it’s being shown, what will I ever do with all that backlog?
Hi Karen! We have a Sony DCR-PC101. It’s a miniDV with Firewire. It’s a nice all around camera. Shoots indoors and outdoors a-okay, and you can control it with one hand. If it has a weakness, it’s the weakness all the smaller digital video cameras share – the microphone. For good audio, you’ll need an external mic. Price range for the Sonys is a bit higher than for the Canons but IMHO they’re worth it. Don’t go the mini-disc route – stick with miniDV tape.
Hey, Eileen, thanks! I’ll take a look at that one.