good hd video camera for sports image
Talon
I need to film myself playing drums. Ideally the camera doesn't have to have any features, like zoom or any editing stuff, except recording because I'm just going to set it up on a tripod in a fixed spot. I just need a video camera that can record fast action well and has a sharp picture.
Answer
Consumer level HD camcorders have 3 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording consumer level HD camcorder, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes - all times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event i have aver been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video.
With a MiniDV tape camcorder, record 60 or 90 minutes ( camcorder settings), 90 second or less to change a tape and record for 60 or 90 more and repeat till you run out of tapes.
You can get a Canon ZR960 for $250. It is a MiniDV tape camcorder, has a Mic jack. You need a firewire (IEEE1394) card ($25 to 30) for the computer and a firewire cable (less than 10) to be able to transfer video to your computer.
Just to add to Number 2 from up above, the movements of you playing your drums would not look good on a consumer level HD camcorder at all.
Consumer level HD camcorders have 3 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording consumer level HD camcorder, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes - all times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event i have aver been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video.
With a MiniDV tape camcorder, record 60 or 90 minutes ( camcorder settings), 90 second or less to change a tape and record for 60 or 90 more and repeat till you run out of tapes.
You can get a Canon ZR960 for $250. It is a MiniDV tape camcorder, has a Mic jack. You need a firewire (IEEE1394) card ($25 to 30) for the computer and a firewire cable (less than 10) to be able to transfer video to your computer.
Just to add to Number 2 from up above, the movements of you playing your drums would not look good on a consumer level HD camcorder at all.
What is the best semi profesional video camera?
Caleb
I am looking for a semi professional video camera that shoots 1080p HD. The two things it needs to have a mic input and either a built in memory or a SD card slot (preferably a SD card slot but not necessary). I would like it to be able to take both 30 fps and 60 (it would be nice but not necessary). I don't have a opinion as to what brand but it needs to be around the $1000 or less range.
Answer
semi professional, its a lot of perception, like is the glass half full or half empty. if a camera is not professional, then it is consumer grade, period. If you want to think that a consumer camera is "just like" a pro camera but costs less then that is your perception. but for a reality check, remember that's not true.
the first point is no professional camcorder uses SD cards for media. Those are ok for still shots, but they require super compression of video by a codec that does not hold up to professional use. And professional videographers shoot for the purpose of making money, not "prestige". They need to usually provide a client with a DVD of the finished work. The only consumer HD format that can make decent DVDs is the miniDV based HDV type which is not SD card or under $1000. When Sony invented AVCHD, it was never intended for pro use, but for people to show off home movies directly from the camera without editing. Same can be said for H.264 which is a public variant of Sony proprietary AVCHD. Having a mic input does not magically result in HiFi sound if the memory card based camcorder compresses the bejeebers out of the audio, and all do. Speaking of editing, AVCHD and H.264 have no support for timecode.
for the purpose of making DVDs, whether wedding/event, music video or action sport genres, the weapon of choice is miniDV. You can still get a consumer miniDV camera, the Canon ZR960 has a retail price way under $1000. It shoots in 16:9 so once it is on DVD, it will look better than any consumer SD card based HD camera.
semi professional, its a lot of perception, like is the glass half full or half empty. if a camera is not professional, then it is consumer grade, period. If you want to think that a consumer camera is "just like" a pro camera but costs less then that is your perception. but for a reality check, remember that's not true.
the first point is no professional camcorder uses SD cards for media. Those are ok for still shots, but they require super compression of video by a codec that does not hold up to professional use. And professional videographers shoot for the purpose of making money, not "prestige". They need to usually provide a client with a DVD of the finished work. The only consumer HD format that can make decent DVDs is the miniDV based HDV type which is not SD card or under $1000. When Sony invented AVCHD, it was never intended for pro use, but for people to show off home movies directly from the camera without editing. Same can be said for H.264 which is a public variant of Sony proprietary AVCHD. Having a mic input does not magically result in HiFi sound if the memory card based camcorder compresses the bejeebers out of the audio, and all do. Speaking of editing, AVCHD and H.264 have no support for timecode.
for the purpose of making DVDs, whether wedding/event, music video or action sport genres, the weapon of choice is miniDV. You can still get a consumer miniDV camera, the Canon ZR960 has a retail price way under $1000. It shoots in 16:9 so once it is on DVD, it will look better than any consumer SD card based HD camera.
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