Can you dub a disc from a Hard Drive or Flash Card Camcorder?

mini sport video camera image

Ronald

I need to recommend a new camera for my coach to use. He likes to dub the video from the camera to a DVD. I'm pretty sure he does this by hooking up the camera to the TV or DVD recorder and then playing back the video. Our current camera uses mini discs. Can a camera that uses a Hard Drive or Flash Cards do the same thing? And if so, what kind of ports does it need?

Answer
Hi Ronald:

The short answer to your Question is "yes": HDD and Flash Card video files can be copied to DVD for review & archiving.

The downside is that most consumer HDD and SD Card storage camcorders use high-compression of the video information (to save space), so individual frame detail is lost in the process. And for fast pans (following a football) and quick-action footage, compressed-video can have annoying "motion artifacts" where the frame-to-frame detail is "interpolated" (mathematically guessed-at).

These 2 types of camcorders typically use USB ports to connect to a computer for transfer & editing. MiniDV tape-based camcorders use lower-compression (more frame & pixel detail is stored), but transfers have to be in "real-time", so a 2-hour game takes 2-hours to transfer. MiniDV camcorders require a FireWire port on the computer or DVD recorder. Digital video files (from HDD and cards) can be just "dragged & dropped" to copy. The files are huge, so it still takes some time (especially over USB), but it's quicker than tape transfer.

I shoot a lot of "sports combine" review videos (like on Yahoo!Sports' Rivals.com), as well as live game action; and coaches & scouts almost exclusively want MiniDV-based footage because of the motion capture quality.

There are pro-level and "prosumer" (semi-pro) cameras & camcorders that use high-speed CF-cards and/or FireWire based external hard drives (FireWire is faster than USB) as well as tape storage. These typically run (new) in the $1500-$3000+ price range, but are ruggedly built (Sony HVR-Z1 thru Z7 series are a good example).

Having the option of "solid state" memory or HDD external storage gives you the speed of quick file transfers & editing for review. The TV pros call this "DTE" for Direct-To-Edit workflow.

If your coach has a lower budget (his mini-DVD camcorder was originally around $1000 or less, like the $1100 Sony HCR-DVD300), he'll need to make a compromise between frame-detail (especially when reviewing in slo-mo or still-frame) and price. Features to shop for include variable shutter-speed, Slo-Mo "burst" record mode (for things like gymnastics or golf-swings), and pre-record mode (actually captures the video just-before you hit Record, so you get all the action).

Feel free to update your Question with exactly what sport or sports your coach deals with, which can make a difference in feature choices, and what his price range is (which makes a big difference in model selection).

hope this helps,
--Dennis C.
 

What should I get my good guy friend for Christmas?

Jane

He is getting an Ipod touch at the end of January and i was thinking about an itunes gift card but I feel bad because he can't use it until January. He has a wii but he never plays it. Not really into sports. I am STUCK!
P.S. He is 12.

Answer
Hats
Wallet
Belt
Cologne
Sweaters
Leather Jacket
Jerseys
Pillow
Blanket
Socks
Boxers
Chocolate
Shirts
Jeans
Alarm clock
Video Games
CDs
DVDs
Car accessories
Portable DVD player
headphones
Concert tickets
Slippers
PJ Pants
Texting gloves
TV
iPod/iPad
Phone accessories
Tablet
Desktop computer
Mini fridge
Ties
Dress shirts
Sporting goods
Massager
Bottle opener
Kindle
Tumblers
Scarf
Beer-making kit
Hoodies
Camera
Bobbleheads
Giftcards
Snowboard/Skis

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