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Sandman

HD Camcorders

Just as a matter of interest I have purchased a new HD camcorder prior to the STIA and the STL, and the production of next years forum DVD.

The mini DV camcorder I have is top notch, but I thought in the interest of quality, I'd try the new format, that records to the new high speed SD cards.

The thing I don't like is the absence of a view finder. I suspect that taking clips in bright sunlight using the screen, may be difficult to say the least.

Is there anyone else here who has tried the new format, and if so what were your impressions??
johnreid

This would work, I actually spent quite a few hours looking like this picture


If it is a big problem. you can fashion a cardboard box to shield the viewfinder from the light.
mogogear

Nice....Shhhhh- don;t tell Kusuchi, we just bought a new fangled mini digital HD recorder... a FLIP.....pretty easy-- now to get the vid's on my youtube account
 


I may even get a video up here soon....  
mogogear

johnreid wrote:
This would work, I actually spent quite a few hours looking like this picture


If it is a big problem. you can fashion a cardboard box to shield the viewfinder from the light.


Your back should be killing you John----that is some stance
johnreid

That isnt me, but I used a camera just like that for several years, plus I used a bigger one too, 8"X10" negative size.
Graham-Jilly

I'm sticking to the DV tapes looked at the new ones and wasn't impressed I like a view finder
Sandman

Graham-Jilly wrote:
I'm sticking to the DV tapes looked at the new ones and wasn't impressed I like a view finder


I'm going to try the new one over the next few days, but I think in using the viewfinder, the filming position lends itself to a steadier platform for taking clips.

I'll post a test clip soon.
Mamodman123

Sandman wrote:
Graham-Jilly wrote:
I'm sticking to the DV tapes looked at the new ones and wasn't impressed I like a view finder


I'm going to try the new one over the next few days, but I think in using the viewfinder, the filming position lends itself to a steadier platform for taking clips.

I'll post a test clip soon.


Even in direct sunlight you should be able to see roughly where the camera is pointing I would have thought.
Sandman

Mamodman123 wrote:
Sandman wrote:
Graham-Jilly wrote:
I'm sticking to the DV tapes looked at the new ones and wasn't impressed I like a view finder


I'm going to try the new one over the next few days, but I think in using the viewfinder, the filming position lends itself to a steadier platform for taking clips.

I'll post a test clip soon.


Even in direct sunlight you should be able to see roughly where the camera is pointing I would have thought.


That's the whole problem mate.

For an acurate clip you have to be aware of exactly what is in the frame.

My experience with digital cameras makes me wary of screen performance in bright light.
Sandman

Just did a very quick test and I have to say, I'm not impressed.

The auto focus is very slow, and the sound, because it's further away from the operator is rather muffled.

Also, each clip is recorded separately, which means that you have to view each clip in turn when playing back.

Very early days, and I've maybe not set it up properly, but as it stands, it's not a patch on a mini DV.    
MooseMan

I'm not terribly impressed with the HD cameras, but they are very convenient.

At work I use mini-DV tape high definition cameras - now they are nice!

It's a bit confusing that the abbreviation "HD" is used for both "hard disk" and "High Definition" cameras.

These are the ones we use at work:

http://www.jigsaw24.com/default.a...COPL-CTAPEFC&ITEM=JIGSX473ATA
Sandman

It's a Canon mini DV camcorder I usually use mate, and I've got to say it's miles in front of this new High Def one.

Don't think this new one will be used for much if the first test is anything to go by.  
johnreid

Jst take a shoe box and cut a hole in the front for the CamCorder to stick out of then the viewfinder screen is shaded. However I do think that you will not get much higher quality than you already have, the STIA videos are stellar in quality.
Sandman

johnreid wrote:
Jst take a shoe box and cut a hole in the front for the CamCorder to stick out of then the viewfinder screen is shaded. However I do think that you will not get much higher quality than you already have, the STIA videos are stellar in quality.


Just what I'm thinking John.

Someone may be getting a Christmas present of it, as I need top quality.
johnreid

Or.... Mary needs a new pair of shoes.

I do not know how anyone can keep up wit the digital cameras and camcorders, my first digital camera was a 1 Megapixel Fuji and I paid $800 for it, I doubt it is worth $8 now I believe Camcorders are the same. As soon as you buy one, it is outdated.
andysleigh

to be honest i never use a viewfinder.
even if i cant see the screen.


May i ask what camera you bought, just out of interest.

I recently bought a Canon hg10, which is HD. I am very pleased with it, and is far better than the old mini dv one i had.

Though it does have its faults, like focusing in close and the image stableiser is kinda useless.
Sandman

andysleigh wrote:
to be honest i never use a viewfinder.
even if i cant see the screen.


May i ask what camera you bought, just out of interest.

I recently bought a Canon hg10, which is HD. I am very pleased with it, and is far better than the old mini dv one i had.

Though it does have its faults, like focusing in close and the image stableiser is kinda useless.


To be honest Andy, it's not an expensive one.

The Canon mini DV I use, however is top of the range.

I suppose you only get what you pay for and this one only cost £120.00

I find that it's cumbersome when using my editing software as well. (Pinnacle Studio Ultimate.)

To be fair I haven't given it a chance.

I'll do a bit more testing before I write it off completely.
andysleigh

Sandman wrote:
andysleigh wrote:
to be honest i never use a viewfinder.
even if i cant see the screen.


May i ask what camera you bought, just out of interest.

I recently bought a Canon hg10, which is HD. I am very pleased with it, and is far better than the old mini dv one i had.

Though it does have its faults, like focusing in close and the image stableiser is kinda useless.


To be honest Andy, it's not an expensive one.

The Canon mini DV I use, however is top of the range.

I suppose you only get what you pay for and this one only cost £120.00

I find that it's cumbersome when using my editing software as well. (Pinnacle Studio Ultimate.)

To be fair I haven't given it a chance.

I'll do a bit more testing before I write it off completely.


ok, thanks.


I dont supose it was one of those cheap hd ones ALDI were doing
Sandman

andysleigh wrote:
Sandman wrote:
andysleigh wrote:
to be honest i never use a viewfinder.
even if i cant see the screen.


May i ask what camera you bought, just out of interest.

I recently bought a Canon hg10, which is HD. I am very pleased with it, and is far better than the old mini dv one i had.

Though it does have its faults, like focusing in close and the image stableiser is kinda useless.


To be honest Andy, it's not an expensive one.

The Canon mini DV I use, however is top of the range.

I suppose you only get what you pay for and this one only cost £120.00

I find that it's cumbersome when using my editing software as well. (Pinnacle Studio Ultimate.)

To be fair I haven't given it a chance.

I'll do a bit more testing before I write it off completely.


ok, thanks.


I dont supose it was one of those cheap hd ones ALDI were doing


Spot on Andy.

I've bought some great stuff including computers and digital cameras from Aldi.

Everything so far has been top notch and great value for money.

Not sure about this one though.    
Graham-Jilly

good luck with it Sandy I hope you get it sorted
Wallace

Just curious here, apart from the lack of viewfinder, regarding the HD part, is that for Hard Drive?

I'm still running a 7 or 8 year old Digital 8 camera (how it still works I don't know as it's a Sony   ) So looking to upgrade. I don't like the idea of a Hard Drive, but thought SD memory would be handy. Would Mini DV tape be a better option?

(apologies for cutting into the thread)
Sandman

Wallace wrote:
Just curious here, apart from the lack of viewfinder, regarding the HD part, is that for Hard Drive?

I'm still running a 7 or 8 year old Digital 8 camera (how it still works I don't know as it's a Sony   ) So looking to upgrade. I don't like the idea of a Hard Drive, but thought SD memory would be handy. Would Mini DV tape be a better option?

(apologies for cutting into the thread)


In this case it means High Definition Wallace.

Don't get me wrong mate. It's perfectly good for occasional shooting, but I really need a top quality image and sound for the forum DVD, and as yet I'm not getting that from the new machine.

It could be that I've not got the settings right. Time will tell.
Wallace

Thanks for that Sandy  
MooseMan

The thing with recording straight to hard drive, SD card or whatever is that you need to use very serious data compression....usually .avi which is an MPEG format.

If you record straight to Mini DV or DV cassette you'll usually record in RAW DV format.....in terms of hard drive space, this pretty much means a GB for every 5 minutes. Therefore the video quality will be better. It also means that the camera processor can spend less time compressing the video and more time processing the image.

The price you pay is of course one of convenience - if you use DV tape you need to spool it off onto hard disk before you can edit it, and it better be a large one! The main AV drive in my recording studio is 2 TB and it's pretty much full.....backing that baby up isn't pretty!
Sandman

Thanks Odilon.

I notice that mine is recording in MP4 mode, which to be fair is pretty mediocre quality.

As I say, I've not had a great deal of time to play with it yet.
johnreid

Frame Rate and Image size also come into play
Graham-Jilly

not many manufacturers are making DV tape cams any more unless you go for the top of the range near broadcast quality and they cost. Im glad we managed to get ours fixed after our last trip as I wasnt looking forward to replacing it
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