Looking for the perfect camcorder?

Question

I am looking for suggestions and guidance on buying a camcorder. I believe Mini-DV will be the best format as will be recording indoors for about 2 hours. The zoom is not important. Having a backlight compensation may be good as it will mainly be in a meeting room with large windows. The sound quality needs to be clear and sharp. I will need to upload to a computer so any advise around Firewire ports would be helpful (my current computer does not have one). Any brands or makes or online shops to go to would be great! Thanks.

Answer 1

You did not specify your budget.

MiniDV tape comes in 60 minute or 80 minute tape time at good quality. (Using LP mode for longer record time is not recommended.)

What audio are you recording? "sound quality needs to be clear and sharp" tells me that the mic(s) need to be near the audio source. That means getting the camcorder close to the audio source, too - unless the camcorder has a mic-in jack so you can have the external mic at the audio source and the camcorder wherever you want - on a tripod.

The least expensive camcorders with a mic in jack are the Canon ZR800, ZR900 and ZR930. They do not have manual audio control.

The least expensive camcorders with a mic in jack and manual audio control are the Canon HV20, HV30, Sony HDR-HC7 and HDR-HC9.

PCI (desktop, tower with available slots) are cheap and easy to add... as are PCMCIA (laptop) cards. If your laptop requires Express cards, they are easy to add, but not as cheap... You want Firewire400... or IEEE1394a...

http://shop2.frys.com/search?search_type...

(Don't get a Dynex.)

You will also need a firewire cable. 4-pin (camcorder side) to either 4-pin or 6-pin depending on the firewire port you add to your computer.