What is the best video camera brand?

Question

I am doing a lot of video work for school. Teachers want me to tape stuff and transfer it to a DVD or video tape. What video camera do you recommend?? What is the easiest one to transfer onto a DVD? Thanks!

Answer 1

i am a school teacher and i shoot video for my school.

i shoot on mini dv and import into a computer for editin. then i use a dvd authoring application to create a consumer type dvd for public consumption.

thats the more complicated way of doing it.

if you have no gear and are starting out (plus you dont want to be editing i would suggest the follwing:

a mini dv or HDD camcorder

firewire lead (4 pin to 4 pin)

a dvd recorder with i link.

MOST modern cams nowadays have firewire built in. I recommend it compared to usb as it does a much better job and can control your cam via dvd recorder remote.

so pretty much all video cams will tranfer to dvd quite easily.

mini dv is better than HDD (hard drive) as the resolution is bigger plus it's easier to store and archive.

DONT use mini dvd recorders. they are bad news and difficult to work with.

the other method would be to use a NLE (non linear editin system) such as windows movie maker or mac's imovie and import via firewire card. macs are built in and easy to use. imovie does a far superior job than movie maker. so a couple of pluses for mac there.

so as far as cams go it depends on budget -

cheap ($200) gets you a single ccd mini dv cam with few features in standard definition

moderate $500 to $1000 will give more advanced controls and sound options with a couple of HD options.

expensive $3000 plus will get outstanding hi-def with a gamit of features aimed at experienced videographers.

i used to be a big fan of panasonic until i started using sony gear. i will never go back. innovation, features and reliability make the sony genberally better than their rivals but its a matter of preference.

i make films for schools BTW so if you are an australian institution.  i might be able to help. contact me if you want more info.

Answer 2

sony it's a good price and record's well or ranggo

Answer 3

sony is the best

Answer 4

For video production and film production, my school uses only Sony (two Handycams costing about $2,000 each and three Handycams that probably cost $300 each).

My film/video production teacher likes Sony for the location of controls.  However, he also mentioned that he either likes Canon better for quality or that he also likes Canon.

For the previously-mentioned courses, that camcorders have FireWire.