Flash, Hard-disk or mini-DV camcorders?

kiwi2 · 16th June 2008

Hi:

Newbie to camcorders here.

Not sure if this has been asked before... But how do you decide which type is suitable?

Seems like lately, there have been advertisements on camcorders that can use memory cards to store high quality HD videos! Why then do people still bother to use mini-DV casette tapes? What are some of the advantages?

I'm not sure if I can compare it this way, but using those mini-DV tapes sound like using a film camera to me, while flash types/hard-disk are like using digital cams? You have to keep the mini-DV tapes after use, much like the negatives/slides that one must keep as originals when using films.

Thanks!

cityzensg · 16th June 2008

http://cnet.nytimes.com/html/ex/nytimes/bg/7607/2.html

hope the above can help you

kayheem · 16th June 2008

In addition to the link given in the above post, my most common usage decided my choice.

I normally use it to record talks and church services, which last anywhere from 45-120 min. This excluded mini-DV tapes which normally records up to 1hr per tape (90min if LP).

I did not need very good quality, so I opted for a standard definition camcorder that can record on HDD and removable flash memory. The HDD is used to record longer events(>90min), while standard lectures/talks of about 60-70min are recorded on flash memory (SDHC cards). I alternate between 2 SD cards, so I can record on the second card while archiving the first card.

If you are a casual home user, recording birthdays, children's concerts etc when conditions do not permit high quality recordings anyway, go for HDD or flash. Choose flash-only camcorders if you do not need to record beyond long periods of at a stretch. I have the JVC GZ-MG555 and it can record 1hr 54min on a 4GB SDHC card (abt $30+ per card). If you require >120min of un-interrupted recording, use the HDD ones.

HTH.

16th June 2008	#1
kiwi2 Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,253	Flash, Hard-disk or mini-DV camcorders? Hi: Newbie to camcorders here. Not sure if this has been asked before... But how do you decide which type is suitable? Seems like lately, there have been advertisements on camcorders that can use memory cards to store high quality HD videos! Why then do people still bother to use mini-DV casette tapes? What are some of the advantages? I'm not sure if I can compare it this way, but using those mini-DV tapes sound like using a film camera to me, while flash types/hard-disk are like using digital cams? You have to keep the mini-DV tapes after use, much like the negatives/slides that one must keep as originals when using films. Thanks!

16th June 2008	#2
cityzensg Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 166	Re: Flash, Hard-disk or mini-DV camcorders? http://cnet.nytimes.com/html/ex/nytimes/bg/7607/2.html hope the above can help you

16th June 2008	#3
kayheem Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 487	Re: Flash, Hard-disk or mini-DV camcorders? In addition to the link given in the above post, my most common usage decided my choice. I normally use it to record talks and church services, which last anywhere from 45-120 min. This excluded mini-DV tapes which normally records up to 1hr per tape (90min if LP). I did not need very good quality, so I opted for a standard definition camcorder that can record on HDD and removable flash memory. The HDD is used to record longer events(>90min), while standard lectures/talks of about 60-70min are recorded on flash memory (SDHC cards). I alternate between 2 SD cards, so I can record on the second card while archiving the first card. If you are a casual home user, recording birthdays, children's concerts etc when conditions do not permit high quality recordings anyway, go for HDD or flash. Choose flash-only camcorders if you do not need to record beyond long periods of at a stretch. I have the JVC GZ-MG555 and it can record 1hr 54min on a 4GB SDHC card (abt $30+ per card). If you require >120min of un-interrupted recording, use the HDD ones. HTH.