Should i buy a MiniDV or a MiniDVD (DVD) based camcorder?

Question

DVD ones are more better because i can just take it out and watch it right away but i heard the video quality sucks. MiniDV camcorders are more slimmer and can record more videos but i dont know how to make it into VHS and it can also record where i left off. Can someone tell me if a dvd camcorder can be recorded after lefting off like pausing and how i can make MiniDVs into VHS or DVD thanks.

Answer 1

If you ever plan on editing the video you capture, you will stay very far away from DVD based camcorders. After trying to "make the video better" for friends, I will no longer deal with DVD based camcorders.

MiniDV tape based camcorders can be connected directly to your TV using the AV cable that comes in the box. You connect one side of the AV cable to the camcorder's AV port and the other side to the TV's AV in jacks (the same ones you connect your DVD player to... or a game console). Many VHS decks also have AV-in jacks on them so you can connect the camcorder directly to that, as well. Hit "Record" on the VHS deck; hit "Play" on the camcorder...

If you want to make DVDs from the miniDV tape camcorder, you have two methods:

1) Get a DVD burner deck

http://shop1.frys.com/search?cat=-41242&...

These have analog - composite AV-in (yellow-video; red-right audio; white-left audio) or a DV connection (which uses a firewire cable to connect the DV port on your camcorder to the DV port on the DVD recorder.

2) Import the video to your computer, edit and export to your computer's DVD burning optical disc. This assumes your computer has a DVD burner - and a firewire port.  Rather than go into detail here on this one, I'll stop - you decide which way you want to go and post any more questions you might have with this...

Answer 2

This might help you choose, and why would you want to put digital quality movies on an analog tape? Just curious, anyway mini dv had better quality, this tells you how to download each type of camera.

If you have a mini dv (cassette) camcorder….

Your dv camcorder needs a firewire connection (ieee 1394) in order to download video, your PC probably did not come with a firewire port, so you will have to buy one and install it, since most computers (except possibly brand new) don't come with a firewire port, your camcorder did not come with a firewire cord so you have to purchase a cord too. Your camcorder did come with a USB cord and that is used for downloading stills from your camcorder. Make sure your camera is in playback mode.

If you have a mini dvd camcorder….

You will have to finalize your dvd in the camera and then put the dvd in your computer 's DVD burner (top loading only) and then you will have to convert the files (i downloaded handbrake file converter free) and import them into your editing program. Use the HELP feature in your editing program to learn about editing. Once you are ready to burn, your project will be burned to a different DVD and you can file the original away.

Answer 3

well if you have a VHS recorder and a DVD recorder. you hook up the three outputs of the camera to the DVD recorder, switch the record for the VHS on the SETTING for the DVD recorder and begin. I believe that's how it works. I'm a video editor. The first guy had good advice :D

Answer 4

DVD based is better