What is the best camcorder to record a basic training graduation?

Question

My mom wants to purchase a new camcorder to use at my basic training graduation for the Air Force. I am ashamed to admit, I dont know a thing about camcorders. I did some researched and talked to a few people who recently purchased a camcorder and I'm still very fuzzy. Does anyone have any suggestions? Specific brand and model? Maybe, a general rule of thumb or ruleS of thumb for purchasing a GOOD quality camcorder.

Answer 1

Basic training for camcorder purchase:  There are two categories of camcorders STANDARD definition and and HIGH Definition.  There are 4 recording formats for camcorders.  1) MiniDV tape 2) DVD 3)Hard Disk Drive or HDD and 4) Flash Drive.

Note as of February 2009, High Definition is the rule, standard broadcast TV will no longer exist, you will need to aquire a converter box just to watch regular broadcast television such as Oprah or whatever.  So, eventually you will get an HD television.  So, do you really want to purchase Standard Definition camcorder?  Prices range $200 - $600.

MiniDV tape requires you to dub from camcorder to TV or computer via hookup to watch.  60 minute recording tapes.

DVD records only 30 minutes per side or disk.  MUST finalize disk on camcorder BEFORE you can view on DVD player.  No cables, but necessary to purchase new media all the time.  $400 - $600 Standard...$700+ for HD.

HDD or Hard Disk Drive camcorders have 20 - 120 GB of internal memory, thats 6 hours to 40 hours of video time.  But, you must download to computer to burn DVD/CD or purchase a separate DVD burner to archieve your videos off of HDD camcorder.  $450 - $550 Standard...$850+ for HD.

Flash Drive camcorders are currently Canon, Sony or Samsung.  These have some internal and primarily external removable memory such as Secure Disk memory card or Sony Memory Stick.  These units are strickly playback or USB download to computer to burn a cd/DVD disk.  $800+.

Note:  Sony Blueray for High Definition is the winner of the format war for HD.  All burners will be for Blue Ray recording.

ps...better have an updated computer to handle the RAM for video burning or DVR recording to at least archieve your videos.

Recommend Sony SR10 HDD.  Sony has it all from lens to living room system.

Congrats on USAF boot camp completion.  Fly High!

Answer 2

Nothing to be ashamed of Michael... there are a lot who know camcorders but very little on armed services.

Congratulations on ur training graduation !!!  Carry-on!

Answer 3

go to ebay and type in these numbers

110260559746

looks good

good luck

Answer 4

Maybe a digital camera might work for that

Answer 5

This site have a camcorder and inexpensive.

http://astore.amazon.com/jimmy-dcr610-20

http://astore.amazon.com/ahd720p-camera-...

http://astore.amazon.com/best-cheap-sony...