Re: DVD Camcorder compatibility
- From: Scubajam <jmcgauhey@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:18:30 -0800 (PST)
On Feb 27, 11:14 am, Grinder <grin...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I'm looking into getting a DVD-R/DVD-RW camcorder for my parents to
replace their WWI tape-based behemoth. The DVD system is attractive to
me, and them, over MiniDV because of the ease of portability. What sort
of limits am I likely to encounter in that regard?
Namely, will the discs playback in any contemporary DVD player?
Will I have to finalize the disc before I can playback the video outside
of the camcorder?
If I have to finalize the disc, can I use a DVD-RW, finalize the disc to
view it, then later "unfinalize" it to continue adding to the disc?
What are the principle disadvantages to a DVD-based camcorder?
Any recommendations for budget DVD-based camcorders? (I'm looking at
the Canon DC210 right now.)
Thanks for your time and consideration.
You're looking at the cheapest, most entry level camcorder and most on
this forum are a bit more serious. Google and read reviews. 1) The
only video quality worth using is the DC210 highest quality, which
isn't very good and you get only 20 minutes per DVD. Long Play gets
you an hour of bad quality. 2) The microphone isn't very good and
there's sound of DVD drive. 3) You must Finalize to play DVD, which
can take up to 10 min. You CAN Unfinalize. You can use RW media.
You can use DL media for more time 3) DVD is the least reliable
storage media. A scratch can lose your video. Sometimes the dye
degrades with time, so it isn't archive media. 4) The DC210 has no
Flash media slot, no USB or Firewire connection - these are major
flaws. The DC220 for a bit more is the same video quality with both
slot and USB. The Sony 108 is probably better for the $$, and better
build quality, but similar low quality video. 5) After finalize, the
DVD will play on most players, except Mac computers that most don't
play small size DVD's.
Compared to what they are used to, this might be an improvement.
Compared to what's out there, this is the worst, but the bottom is
shared by other entry level brands and models. If you can afford $500
instead of $300 you'll get much better quality video, better build
quality, better sound. I suggest you buy a small DVD-R and go to a
store and ask to record on it, then finalize it, then take it home and
check out the quality. If it works for you - great. It wouldn't for
me. Also, the editing software that comes with the Canon is not very
good. And the mpg2 file on the DVD isn't very editing friendly,
losing quality with editing.
All these comments per reviews - not from my personal use. I shoot Hi
Def with a $3K camcorder. If I were you I'd look at the Aiptek Hi Def
for about $200 at Best Buy. Very far from the best Hi Def camcorder
and video image, but miles better than the one you're looking at,
cheaper, smaller, uses more stable Flash memory cards (buy several -
on ebay cheap), stores more time on a card, etc. The only thing worse
is only 4X zoom (if you get the better models; under $100 only 2X zoom
- stay away). The Canon above has 35X, but really only 15X is
useable, after that you can't hold steady. So for soccer games where
you're far away, the Aiptek isn't good. For everything else, it's
cheaper and better. Go ahead and splurge, get the 720p Hi Def model,
still less than what you were looking at. It plays well on regular TV
and you're ready for Hi Def when TV is upgraded, which won't be too
long from now. Note: most Aiptek models are only available from Best
Buy online - only one really cheap model in store, don't get that
one. The next best thing is close to $1,000, but is much better. I
wouldn't recommend the Aiptek to anyone serious, but since you're
looking to pay more for an inferior camcorder ....
Jim McGauhey
Washington State
.
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- From: Grinder
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