Page 1 of Camcorders - where do I start?

The wife keeps dropping hints that I buy a camcorder to film footage of the kids growing up.

I have had a look around at various reviews and I`m completely bewildered. I usually end up giving up and putting it off for another day/week/month etc.

I`m confused at various formats. Also confused at HD cameras

We don`t have a High Def TV, so does that mean we need to avoid a HD camera ?!?

I`m basically looking for something that is easy to use, will record decent family videos (holidays/school plays/etc), and that I can convert onto a DVD, so I cam send copies off to the kids Grand-Parents.

I own a PC and am computer literate, so learning a knew bit of software doesn`t faze.
Not and expert thought, so all the connection specs listed on camcorder go over my head.

Grateful for any pointers anyone can give me.

Thanks

David

Definately get a HD camcorder of some sort. You may not notice it too much on your present TV but you sure will in the future. Even small Digital cameras have quite a good HD movie on them nowadays & for your needs may be enough. A dedicated camcorder will allow fade in`s etc.

Thanks. So if I record in High Def format I can still play the footage back on a standard def TV? That was one of the things confusing me.

And the other is all the various file formats they record in.

My parents are computer illiterate and don`t live nearby. I want to be able to EASILY take the footage I have recorded and transfer it to a DVD that will play on their DVD player.

Does anyone else do this and can you recommend a format and make.

Yes even though you film in HD you can still watch on a normal TV. Some of the digital cameras have a strange format (not all) but all I know of can be converted. With a camcorder you can use a firewire & transfer to a computer or even to a DVD recorder & make your own DVD easy.

Jst get yrself a flip HD on sale at amazon right now for £70 odd. It`s the future. Here`s a link for you - read the whole thread!! http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/flip-ultra-hd-69-99-flip-ultra-64-9/709540

This item was edited on Tuesday, 6th July 2010, 20:49

¦Thanks. Really appreciate this.

Okay. Looking on a few camcorder magazine websites at "Editor`s choice" ecc and I see

PANASONIC HDC-SD10 Camcorder
Here on Pixmania:
[/url]

and I also see a similar model:
PANASONIC HDC-SD60 Camcorder
Again here:
[url="http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/4869592/art/panasonic/hdc-sd60-camcorder-red.html?article=4869592&affiche=accessoire"]

I presume the HD60 is a higher spec (bigger zoom and maximum resolution)
I don`t understand what the sensitivity (lux) is.

Will one of these do me for my needs?
Or can anyone recommend any other makes or models.

I realise if I buy these I still need to buy memory cards and a spare battery, which will up the overall price.

We are looking at spending up to £400.

Grateful for any help or advice. Scared I`ll buy something unsuitable as I really don;t know what I`m looking for.

Quote:
I don`t understand what the sensitivity (lux) is.Lux is candle light.
IIRC 1 lux = 1 candle light so the lower it can film, the better it is in the dark.

I have an old Sony 8MM steadyshot lying here somewhere that goes down to about 10 lux but in low light conditions it`s very very grainy.
On the other hand my Panasonic (can`t remember how low it goes) is DV and much better in low light.

Jimbo : oÞ

"Making Teenagers depressed is like shooting fish inna barrel"

two things i would say here,

1-def get yourself an hd camcorder to record your kids growing up,my daughter died aged 22 with CF and i have loads of camcorder memories to look back on when i can manage to do it, so listen to your wife,and get one,
2- avoid pixmania like the plague, i had to return a camcorder to them and i had to send it recorded delivery to paris, eventually the only way i got my money back from them was when amazon told me they had a TEAM investigating pixmania and amazon returned my money and claimed it back from pixmania, i put negative feedback on amazons site and pixmania basically tried to bully me into removing my comments, so do not under any circumstances buy anything from pixmania, happy recordings when you get your camera, you will wish you had bought one sooner, i certainly did.

IN MADNESS YOU DWELL


+1 on avoiding Pixmania -

Set your price range, then go for a Sony,Panasonic or cannon.....Cant imagine you would be dissapionted with any of those.

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I said it before and I`ll say it again: "Blu-Ray is the solution to a problem nobody had."

Mr Basbat