Which Camcorder would be best for me? HDD/Mini Dv/DVD?

Question

I will be using the camera to record and edit skating clips.

There will be quite a lot of movement.

But I want something that can be edited easily with a relatively high quality.

I'm looking to spend around £200-£300

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Your only choice is MiniDV - Flash memory, DVD and HD all use compressions that don't handle movement well.  They also use video formats that don't edit well!

Sony, Canon, JVC and Panasonic all produce decent camcorders in that price range.  You'll need to budget about £20 for a firewire card and cable if your PC doesn't already have one.

Answer 2

definitly a HDD, it's easier to edit cause you don't need to put work into converting from dvd or tape or what ever,

you can get the same quality from all three kinds, but HDD might be a lil more expensive, but you wont lose those money, cause with Dv/DVD you have to get new disk like every other day

Answer 3

Since you pointed out that you will be moving around a lot, you two best choices are Flash Memory or MiniDV!  Each has their good and bad side in your particular situation

The HDD and the MiniDVD are the worst choices.  Both of these cameras will constantly skip, and they have lower image quality than miniDV.   You might even damage your HDD permanently.  Your chances of getting a decent image while moving is not very good.

The miniDV tape might skip depending upon how much harsh movement you have, but it will provide the best image of all.  The Flash Memory cameras are the smallest and lightest available.  They have no moving parts, so they won't skip.

- There are two types of Flash Memory camcorders.  The internal types will operate just like an HDD camera without moving parts, and the external types require the insertion of SDHC cards.  Some Flash Memory camcorders are both types.  The problem with Flash Memory is that it provides the same low image quality as HDD and miniDVD.

In your particular situation, the choice is basically a matter between miniDV (the best image quality available with the occasional skip) or Flash Memory (the smallest, lightest, and easiest to carry that won't skip but does not provide the highest quality image).

Answer 4

i think its the HDD