wife wants to experiment with video

o sole mio · 12th March 2007

Hi

My wife has suddenly decided she doesn't want to upgrade to DSLR cameras and instead wants to experiment with digital video.

It's become a very confusing market since I last looked. Just don't know where to start to figure out what's good.

We saw a couple of models at a shop and she likes the HDD JVC Everio as it's direct to PC, comes with a dedicated DVD burner, and is very small and light (important considerations). But I always thought Sony & Pansonic have better image quality.

I guess best to give you the criteria.

Has to be small and light
Semi pro/prosumer quality - she wants to do handheld interviews - presumably in artifical/low light. Also want to try capturing light in an interesting way. (So both poor light and weird light I guess).
Budget can be above 2K for a good one.
Relatively easy to edit on PC or good software support
Easily converted to DVD

Lot's of easys - must be already an expensive camera!

Any advice is very much an enlightenment for me. Cheers

JaPhotos · 12th March 2007

Hi,

JVC/Pana/Sony are good brands offering a wide varities of camcorders for different type of users. You have to decide which is more important features.

Small & Light (< 1kg) - Than this means that most prosumer level camcorders are out. leaving only the high end consumer level camcorders.
(For doing handheld interview, recommend to get one that allows mic in.)
(Low light - 3CCD cam will handle low light better than 1CCD)

Editing - Most camcoders video can be easiliy editable (yes, even MPEG2) only the new AVCHD is not fully support by most editing s/w.

Convert to DVD - this can be done by most DVD burner s/w like Nero. so no worries abt this. Once you got a s/w to edit your videos...you will have no problem getting it on DVD.

Good luck to your search. =)

tommon · 12th March 2007

Go with the HDD models, saves you lots of time downloading and also on recording medium. The JVC Everio has 3 CCD so will give you quite good quality and an extra light unit will cost you another $100-200 and be sure to get extra long batts.

o sole mio · 13th March 2007

thanks for the info. Will now start the buying process

Kid Shotter · 13th March 2007

OK,some suggestion:
A 3 CCD,tape,non HD small cam since you don't want a heavy one.For vied editing program,use Sony Vegas Movie + DVD.This combo should get your wife started.

12th March 2007	#1
o sole mio New Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 13	wife wants to experiment with video Hi My wife has suddenly decided she doesn't want to upgrade to DSLR cameras and instead wants to experiment with digital video. It's become a very confusing market since I last looked. Just don't know where to start to figure out what's good. We saw a couple of models at a shop and she likes the HDD JVC Everio as it's direct to PC, comes with a dedicated DVD burner, and is very small and light (important considerations). But I always thought Sony & Pansonic have better image quality. I guess best to give you the criteria. Has to be small and light Semi pro/prosumer quality - she wants to do handheld interviews - presumably in artifical/low light. Also want to try capturing light in an interesting way. (So both poor light and weird light I guess). Budget can be above 2K for a good one. Relatively easy to edit on PC or good software support Easily converted to DVD Lot's of easys - must be already an expensive camera! Any advice is very much an enlightenment for me. Cheers

12th March 2007	#2
JaPhotos Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 197	Re: wife wants to experiment with video Hi, JVC/Pana/Sony are good brands offering a wide varities of camcorders for different type of users. You have to decide which is more important features. Small & Light (< 1kg) - Than this means that most prosumer level camcorders are out. leaving only the high end consumer level camcorders. (For doing handheld interview, recommend to get one that allows mic in.) (Low light - 3CCD cam will handle low light better than 1CCD) Editing - Most camcoders video can be easiliy editable (yes, even MPEG2) only the new AVCHD is not fully support by most editing s/w. Convert to DVD - this can be done by most DVD burner s/w like Nero. so no worries abt this. Once you got a s/w to edit your videos...you will have no problem getting it on DVD. Good luck to your search. =)

12th March 2007	#3
tommon Deregistered Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Currently, Singapore but hope Posts: 729	Re: wife wants to experiment with video Go with the HDD models, saves you lots of time downloading and also on recording medium. The JVC Everio has 3 CCD so will give you quite good quality and an extra light unit will cost you another $100-200 and be sure to get extra long batts.

13th March 2007	#4
o sole mio New Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 13	Re: wife wants to experiment with video thanks for the info. Will now start the buying process

13th March 2007	#5
Kid Shotter Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 250	Re: wife wants to experiment with video OK,some suggestion: A 3 CCD,tape,non HD small cam since you don't want a heavy one.For vied editing program,use Sony Vegas Movie + DVD.This combo should get your wife started.