Sony HDD videocams

[holeinone]

I am a newbie when it comes to videography. Thinking of getting a sony hard disk drive videocam. Any comments on this?

I am not looking for high definition quality for my videos. Just something reasonably good from a reasonably priced machine.

[wee_ly]

same here. i am thinking of getting one too. can someone please enlighten us a little regarding HDD camcorder?

[dreamerz]

u lose quality in using HDD...n u need to convert it to AVI for editing purpose...so depending on wat u 1 lo...except tat access speed is faster...another thing to factor is tat...if u run out of space u are gamed....


i still recommend mini DV....

[Parchiao]

If you want to buy the Sony HDD camcorders, just make sure you get those with a 1/3" chip. The size of the chip will ensure that you get the best image in low light. The 1/6" or 1/5.5" chips are not good enough, even for your normal indoor lighting, not even a fast lens will save it from excessice noise. As for the difference between the older generation CCD and CMOS, the difference will be in the absence of obvious vertical smear with bright lights such as headlights on the CMOS chips.

JVC is currently offering the GZ-MC500 (NTSC version) for only SGD999 now. It uses 3 1/4.5" CCD and microdrive. It is a cheap option but of course old technology, and it's low light performance will not be as ggod as the Sony 1/3" CCD or CMOS camcorders, but definitely better than any single 1/6" chip.

The Panasonic 3 1/6" CCD SDR-S150 is also a good option, but only in good lighting as it's small chip cannot compete against larger chips, just like PnS digital camers vs APS sized chip of DSLRs.

But my favourite has to be the upcoming Panasonic HDC-SD1.

[mpenza]

any idea wheere's a good place to get JVC product? pretty interested in GZ-MC500 but nit sure where to get the best pricing.

[holeinone]

Thanks for the info.

I have played with the HDD camcorders in the showroom but I think I should as them to plug it to the TV to see how the image quality is like.

Like digicams, larger sensor size will obviously boast better performance but they come at a price. I like the idea of not having to carry DV tapes and DVDs if I were to go on a trip. The 30GB version can take 7 hours of video at max quality setting. I doubt that will be exhausted in a trip, cos I will be taking photos most of the time.

Time to go check out the videocams again...

[mpenza]

if u haven't can check out reviews here too: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

[Adriantanhc]

I always have this doubt about showroom demo when they connect the camcorder to TV. What you see is directly from the lens, and not from recorded video. Different. I think.

[tomcatf]

I am currently using a Sony PC120 for my shooting. Different between mini DV and HD is transfer speed when come to video editing. Tape is much slower than HD as it required to capture the image linearly. However, HD is faster in this aspect as it can be done by the whole volume. You never run out of "memory space" in DV tape as compare to HD. So it much depend on the way you work... My next video cam will be HD with High Def (1080i), presently the price is still ex... and Sony is my choice. Just sharing..

[holeinone]

I dont intend to spend too much on my first videocam, so something reasonably priced (below $1500), compact and gives reasonably good performance would suffice.

I will gun for one of those HD 1080 cams in future, if I want to further the interest in videography. Right now, I will stick to photography.

[Parchiao]

Originally Posted by holeinone I dont intend to spend too much on my first videocam, so something reasonably priced (below $1500), compact and gives reasonably good performance would suffice. I will gun for one of those HD 1080 cams in future, if I want to further the interest in videography. Right now, I will stick to photography.

Try going for the DCR-SR100E, there are places like Parisilk that may be able to offer you a good price.

Alternatively, If you have contacts in Japan or the US, the Panasonic SDR-S150 (US) or SDR-S200 (Japan) may be good options. They can be had for $1K to $1.1K.

[tommon]

Originally Posted by dreamerz u lose quality in using HDD...n u need to convert it to AVI for editing purpose...so depending on wat u 1 lo...except tat access speed is faster...another thing to factor is tat...if u run out of space u are gamed.... i still recommend mini DV....

It's not true. You can edit in Mpeg 2 format. Conversion will always lose data. HD / HDV / etc all records in Mpeg 2 format.

[alvinsclee]

The trouble is: Not all editing software can edit in MPEG format especially when pin-point accuracy is crucial. DV format is more precise and universal. The best quality comes from Digital Beta, of course. That's my limited experience with editing systems (but I could be biased because I am more comfortable with old-style linear tape-to-tape editing).

[gohaj]

Originally Posted by Parchiao If you want to buy the Sony HDD camcorders, just make sure you get those with a 1/3" chip. The size of the chip will ensure that you get the best image in low light. The 1/6" or 1/5.5" chips are not good enough, even for your normal indoor lighting, not even a fast lens will save it from excessice noise. As for the difference between the older generation CCD and CMOS, the difference will be in the absence of obvious vertical smear with bright lights such as headlights on the CMOS chips. JVC is currently offering the GZ-MC500 (NTSC version) for only SGD999 now. It uses 3 1/4.5" CCD and microdrive. It is a cheap option but of course old technology, and it's low light performance will not be as ggod as the Sony 1/3" CCD or CMOS camcorders, but definitely better than any single 1/6" chip. The Panasonic 3 1/6" CCD SDR-S150 is also a good option, but only in good lighting as it's small chip cannot compete against larger chips, just like PnS digital camers vs APS sized chip of DSLRs. But my favourite has to be the upcoming Panasonic HDC-SD1.

Can you kindly list down those with a 1/3" chip that can pass your standard?

[tommon]

Digi Beta is not the best anymore but it is still preferred by most broadcaster. HDV is the entry level HD format is already far more superior than any current broadcast formats.

Most newer NLE can do the job like Premiere, Vegas, Matrox, Canopus, etc. It is therefore time to look at HD as the broadcast standard that will be replacing all Beta in the next 2 to 3 years in digital broadcasting.

[Caussway]

Getting one soon, looking DCR-SR60E and DCR-SR100E, the price diff. significant. How much are this cams in sg.

Just for personal use, I want resonable low light performance in indoor condition. One shop guy showed me the Sony's night mode (with IR ) if IIRC, seems good, but video is greenish ?
I heard JVC is worst when comes to low light

[holeinone]

Sony brochure says SR60 is $1399 and SR100 is $1899. But I am sure the shops will be cheaper. How much cheaper, I am not sure. Must go find out these few days.

I am also thinking of the panasonic GS300. It uses miniDV, but it's a highly rated cam, esp at the price of $1199.

[tommon]

A rule of thumb: about 20% cheaper of rrp, may even get some extra freebies; carry case, 3rd party batts, etc

[Parchiao]

Originally Posted by gohaj Can you kindly list down those with a 1/3" chip that can pass your standard?

MiniDV
DCR-HC96E (CCD)
HDR-HC3E (HDV, CCD)

DVD
DCR-DVD803E (MPEG2, CCD)
DCR-DVD805E (MPEG2, CCD)
DCR-DVD905E (MPEG2, CMOS)
HDR-UX1E (AVCHD, CMOS)

HDD
DCR-SR100E (MPEG2, CCD)
HDR-SR1E (AVCHD, CMOS)

The 'E' at the back of the model number denotes PAL. Please correct me if there are errors.

[cibs]

Originally Posted by Parchiao MiniDV HDR-HC3E (HDV, CCD) Please correct me if there are errors.

HDR-HC3E is HDV, CMOS.