Best Recorder? Hard Drive? Mini DV? DVD? Editing Software?

Question

I am planning on taping my son's upcoming football season and want to know opinions on the best format to record as far as quality, ease of use and editing software to use to make highlight films with extra features. Ease of use is not really a concern. I just want to make great highlight films. I was in best buy the other night and it looked like the quality on the HD Cam Corders was unbelieveable. Your help is appreciated. Editing software also please. Thx

Answer 1

MiniDV tape continues to provide the best available video quality. Hard drive and flash memory comes next. DVD based camcorders provide the worst possible quality for editing.

Here is a good recent discussion on the advantages.

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7594_102-0.h...

For your situation, battery life could be an issue - you will need at least 2 high-capacity rechargeable batteries. Changing miniDV tapes at each quarter would be easiest.

Since you did not provide any budget, I would say the the Canon HV20, HV30, Sony HDR-HC7 and HC9 would be the entry point. Add a tele lens if you need to. If you have a bigger budget, the Sony HDR-FX1, FX7 or Canon XHA1 would be the next step up.

Consider using a monopod or tripod if possible... a SpiderBrace might be better if you are able to get on the field... And you may want to investigate using a LANC (wired remote for zoom and focus - very handy).

You did not say what computer platform you are on. Apple Macintosh iMovieHD can do a lot - Apple FinalCut Express is next up.. then FinalCutPro2. For Windows, the Sony Vegas family and Adobe Premiere seem to be the good ones.

Capturing good football video is very difficult... remember, on TV, those folks generally are on HUGE dollys rolling up and down the field using $70,000 cameras or they use the skycam or they use any number of cameras in the stands or they use shoulder-mounted cams... Last time I went to a game, I think I counted 20 cameras - and I know I did not get them all. They feed into a trailer and record onto digital tape and hard drives for editing (and instant playback). The camera people have typically been doing that job for YEARS. Just the camera gear and trailer are a several million dollar investment.

I strongly suggest that you get permission from the coach and capture practice or scrimmage footage from the same place (in the stands) you will get game footage.