Help with Camcorder choice?

Question

Okay, I have tons of different questions, Answer as many questions as you can! Okay, we are choosing between two Sony HD camcorders. The first one is the Sony Handycam HDR-CX7. the other is the sony handycam HDR-SR7. The first one is a flash memory based that uses Sony MemoryStick Pro Duo Memory cards wich are uber expensive. A card equivilant of two hours of video is around $80-$90. Does anyone know if there is a great deal somewhere? The other has a 60GB hard drive and is $200 more expensive. additionally what we want to do is view the videos on our HDTV and store them on our computer. from what I understand, that means we must buy a mini-HDMI cable to connect us to the TV. We also are wondering what type of discs (DVD's etc) we can transfer these videos from our computer to the discs. we will eventually have a BluRay player and have seen burnable HD DVD's for sale. We would not like to have to purchase additoinal software for our computer. Any thoughs or reccomendations? THANKS!!!!!

Answer 1

Personally, I would go for the HDR-SR7. I have that one at home, and it is an amazing camcorder. It is perfect for high definition, and even though it might be a little more expensive, it's worth the price. Also, HDR-SR7 can be compatible with most computers, and all you need is to install the software that comes with it, plug the camcorder in, and transfer the files from the programs installed. It makes everything a lot easier!

Answer 2

As gathered from some hdd vcam owners, they experienced constraints once the vcam goes into rugged bumps & drops. Flash media (memory cards/sticks)  is more rugged & durable (AND already proven storage media) although still prohibitive, prices have been on the downtrend lately and surely will turn out to be LESS expensive in the long stretch- just watch for bargains.

Another advantage (w/ spare mstick)-  editing can start even while the vcam is shooting, w/mstick thru an inexpensive card reader. Simultaneous recording & uploading video/pics) can't be done w/ hdd.



Flash memory vcams are lighter & smaller ... a great relief against arm & hand fatigue.

If I borrow a comment from a distinquished contributor, why 'PUT your eggs in one basket' as the old saying goes. A single drop,could ruin your memories. Some vcams have removable tapes, dvd disks and memory cards.

Answer 3

I also hope you have a very large computer for 5 minutes of HD video uses 4 gigs of memory.  Also you must have a ton of ram to edit in HD.  Do you know the costs of blu ray discs???  About 45.00 each.  HD is very time consuming and expensive to an amature to invest time and money into.