Would like to know the difference in the three types of video cameras DV,HD and cassette and which is best?

Question

We are interested in buying a camera and would like to know what to buy and understand which one to buy . can we download to a disc or to the computer . Like I said we don't understand and we would like to know why and what to buy.

Answer 1

You did not provide a budget.

MiniDV (digital video) tape provides the best available video quality because DV does not compress the video as much as MPEG2 used by most internal hard drive and flash memory based camcorders. The worst camcorder video quality is captured by DVD based camcorders which burn to .VOB files.

If you get a miniDV tape based camcorder, your computer will need a Firewire 400 port, and a firewire cable that will connect the DV port of the camcorder to the firewire port of the computer. Firewire, IEEE1394 and i.Link are all the same thing.

Low end:

Canon ZR800, ZR950

Midrange:

Sony DCR-HC96, Panasonic PV-GS320

High end (and high definition):

Canon HV20, HV30

Sony HDR-HV7, HC9

DO NOT BUY A DVD BASED CAMCORDER. Worst video quality and the discs are a pain.

Answer 2

Firewire cable and pc with firewire (ILINK=firewire-iee1394) input. Software like ROXIO MEDIA SUITE, thats what i use. Startup software, turn ON camera and folow instructions. With plug and burn can burn a dvd in real time. Dead easy.