We purchased a new Camcorder.
I know... it sounds too "family-with-kids-ish" for us, but thanks to video blogging (otherwise known as vlogging or vblogging), now EVERYone with a web site is wanting one of these things!
And yes, this should be our final "big purchase" for the year... (see also our recent XM Satellite Radio purchase).
Next on our list: a new house with more property. So we've got some saving to do.
What To Look For In a Video Camera
Also known as digital video recorders... video cameras... and movie cameras... camcorders are the hottest new electronic gadget out there! Fortunately, thanks to major advancements in technology, the camcorders of today put to shame the old video cameras of yesterday.
If you are (or will be soon) in the market for a video camera for the purpose of recording home movies or sharing videos online, then perhaps some of the information that WE learned will help you in your own search for the right camcorder.
Our extensive research sent us in this direction...
What We Wanted:
A small, lightweight model that we won't mind lugging around (in addition to our digital camera) that shoots high quality VIDEO using the Mini-DV Cassette Tapes (see below) and costs less than $400 out the door.
While the camcorder we ultimately chose has this feature, we didn't care much about the ability to take STILL PHOTOS with the camcorder. We have another top-of-the-line digital camera for that (Canon Digital Rebel D300), plus a middle-of-the-road pocket-sized digital camera that goes along with us in the car at all times.
What We Got:
Digital Video Camera Means Mini-DVDs, Right?
...WRONG!
In fact, we were torn between a digital video camera which uses those cool Mini-DVDs, versus one which uses the little "battery-pack-sized" magnetic cassette tapes, called Mini-DV Cassettes.
We figured (in error) that the tiny DVDs would probably the hippest, coolest medium for recording and archiving video footage available.
Likewise, we assumed (mistakenly) that the mini-DV cassette tapes were simply an archaic, out-dated and ANALOG way to record movies.
Fortunately, we researched this topic thoroughly before we bought our new camcorder, and we discovered the Mini-DV Cassette Tapes are probably the BEST way to digitally record video footage and movies!
See for yourself...
General Camcorder Resources
Here are the sites we found most helpful during our search for the best camcorder at a reasonable price...
- What to look for in a Digital Video Camera (which specs matter)
- CNet Camcorders (reviews, videos, specs, user opinions, where to buy, comparisons with other camcorders)
- PC World (use search box to find reviews & how-to's)
- Epinions (users' opinions)
Canon ZR200 Resources
- ABT Electronics Review & Specs
- Canon USA homepage
- OneCall Review & Specs
- Canon's ZR200 Support & FAQs
- review of all ZR200 buttons & features
- CNet User Opinions
How To Do Video Editing
Finally, we were CLUELESS about the process of video editing... including which software programs to use, how much you can do "live" on the camera, versus what you need to do after you download it to your computer's hard drive.
Here's are some great tips for how to do video editing.
We did learn that the Pinnacle Studio
A Little-Known Fact That You Should Know
--- > 1 HOUR of digital video takes up 14 GIG(!) of space on your computer's hard drive.
Of course, those shooting video for websites and such will take much shorter video footage than that (3- to 5-minute segments are ideal for video clips hosted from your website).
However, those wishing to create more thorough documentaries and home movies will need more than the "standard" hard drive space to be able to download and edit the footage on your computer.
The ideal scenario for ANYone shooting video is to download it to your computer... make the necessary edits RIGHT AWAY (or else you're likely to put it off)... then save your final version to a CD or DVD for long-term storage... and delete the copy that's on your computer.
Then, you just need a new handy-dandy CD/DVD organizer!
CD/DVD Organization Strategies
Some disc storage ideas to consider:
-- This is the one we currently own. We've been using it to store photo DVD's up til now, though we're sure to outgrow it now! ($20)
Lynette,
After you've been using this camera for a while, would you still recommend it? Or is there something better that you've come across (especially as a bit of time has gone by). I'm planning to start vlogging soon, and am in the market for a good, simple to use, digital video camera.