I am completely new to this area but have a top notch PIII 500 PC and want to purchase a Digital Camcorder for around £800-£1,000 plus video editing software.
Can anyone recommend what to go for please.
Thanks
It's hard to say what to go for at that price; there are many cameras available and none really stand out from the rest. If you could raise another couple of hundred I've seen the Panasonic DX100 advertised at around 1200 quid; I was intending to buy one until I discovered there was no headphone socket on the camera! If you can live without that bizarre omission, then it should be a pretty good deal. The DX110 has DV-in, but I think that's more like 1400.
Mark
The Panasonic DS-77 is still one of the best camcorders around, and is now under £1000 in many places. This camera is so sexy I almost bought it over the TRV900, and that's saying something.
However like anything for this price you will have to purchase a "widget" to enable the DV-IN.
Andrew
Isn't the DS-77 only single CCD?
Mark
Re: The DX100. I've been using this machine for about a year now. Although it takes a bit of getting used to (tiny and you have to use a menu for some controls)I can thoroughly recommend it. Headphones are no problem - you just plug the base station in
(which also has a tripod thread). The whole thing weighs only about 700 gms and the
pictures are stunning.
Yes the DS-77 is only sigle CCD, but it's a stunning camera and I don't believe that Howard was stating a preference for 3 or 1 CCD systems. Merely his price restraint of £1000.
The DX100 is a good camera too and I notice that Tecno are now selling them for £1100. Car boot sale price.
At this price Panasonic obviously have a new camera coming and are quickly trying to get rid of the old model.
Andrew
I found the Panasonic DX 100 today for 1000 Pounds in ASK Electronics on Tottenham Court Road, including the still image software, and really think it's a good buy. I am concerned though at the lack of DV input, but don't want to pay another 250 -300 Pounds for the DV input enabled DX 110. What is the widget that enables input and does it require any modifications to the camera (which I am reluctant to do)?
Would appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Igl
I too have the Panasonic DX 100 with the PanaWidget.
No, no mods are required to the camera and the device works very well.
All details can be obtained from Datavision whose address is New Road, Maulden, Beds. MK 45 2BG. Their web site is datavision.co.uk and their e-mail is info@dv.powernet.co.uk.
Needless to say, I have no connection with Datavision except being a satisfied customer.
Best wishes.
Tim
am i missing the point here?
Doesn't Howard really need help on the whole package? The "What works with what" info.
I'm sure your cameras are all lovely, but the best machine in the world can soon become an irritation if it won't respond to control commands for capture or it keeps resetting itself into some stand-by mode.
So please let us know, what capture and editing software are you using with your camcorders?
thanks
I recently purchased a Sony TRV9e from Comet. Though it's last year's model and is single CCD, it has incredible features including Steady Cam, Infra Red for imaging in total darkness (works brilliantly), manual focus AND exposure over-ride, excellent optical zoom, Audio Dub and two seperate STEREO sound channels.
Many of the lower spec new Mini DV Camcorders are around the £1200-£1400 mark because of their diminutive size (which can be awkward to use anyway) - but they are not necessarily better than older models. Because the TRV9 is no longer "trendy" Comet discounted it to £890 and I beat them down some more, to £820! Some branches may have the odd one left. Highly recommended.
Robert
Er, so why is a bleeding great big thread about DV camcorders in this forum? Eh? Eh?
A moderator's job is NOT a happy one!
Bob C