Gage
I'm planning on getting a new Digital video camera...I have a budget of about $800-$900... I want an HD camera of course, and I plan on using the camera to make short films on YouTube, and also to enter into contests...I want it to have some built in memory if possible, and also needs to have good sound and lighting... I'd like a new 2012 digital camera if there are any new good ones out...Thanks!
Answer
Getting a HD camcorder is taking a step backward in Video Quality. HD camcorders Interpolate the video, which means of every 25 frames of video, 4 or 5 frames are taken by the lens assembly, the other frames in between these are filled in by the camcorder inner circuitry, thus giving you not true video. MiniDV tape camcorders give every frame of every shot and usually cost less.
http://simplevideoediting.com/learn/part1_camcorder_choices.htm
http://simplevideoediting.com/learn/part2_connect_camcorder.htm
Consumer level HD camcorders have 4 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) These Consumer level HD camcorders all have a habit of the transferred to computer files are something you need to convert, thus losing your HD quality, to work with your editing software. 4) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes â four different times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event I have ever been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video.
MiniDV is currently the most popular format for consumer digital camcorders. MiniDV camcorders are typically more affordable than their HDD and DVD counterparts. Each MiniDV tape will typically hold an hour of footage at normal recording speed and quality. MiniDV tapes are available for purchase at not only electronic and camera stores, but also at drugs stores and grocery stores, making them easy to find while your on vacation. There are literally hundreds of MiniDV camcorders available; both in standard and high-definition. And add the fact that to get a HD camcorder that could produce better video quality footage, one would have to spend in excess of $3500 for that camcorder that could produce higher quality video.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/camcorders/consumer_camcorders/zr960
Getting a HD camcorder is taking a step backward in Video Quality. HD camcorders Interpolate the video, which means of every 25 frames of video, 4 or 5 frames are taken by the lens assembly, the other frames in between these are filled in by the camcorder inner circuitry, thus giving you not true video. MiniDV tape camcorders give every frame of every shot and usually cost less.
http://simplevideoediting.com/learn/part1_camcorder_choices.htm
http://simplevideoediting.com/learn/part2_connect_camcorder.htm
Consumer level HD camcorders have 4 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) These Consumer level HD camcorders all have a habit of the transferred to computer files are something you need to convert, thus losing your HD quality, to work with your editing software. 4) Mandatory maximum record times - 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes â four different times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event I have ever been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video.
MiniDV is currently the most popular format for consumer digital camcorders. MiniDV camcorders are typically more affordable than their HDD and DVD counterparts. Each MiniDV tape will typically hold an hour of footage at normal recording speed and quality. MiniDV tapes are available for purchase at not only electronic and camera stores, but also at drugs stores and grocery stores, making them easy to find while your on vacation. There are literally hundreds of MiniDV camcorders available; both in standard and high-definition. And add the fact that to get a HD camcorder that could produce better video quality footage, one would have to spend in excess of $3500 for that camcorder that could produce higher quality video.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/camcorders/consumer_camcorders/zr960
Anyone who knows a lot about camcorders (I have question(s))?
Bob
My mom gave me a samsung Q10 camcorder for christmas, but I have some question(s)......
Are all camcorders grainy at night when you record something with them? You mean to tell me even if I bought the most expensive camcorder in the world, there will still be grain in it?
Are there any camcorders that do NOT show grain when you are in low lite rooms?
Answer
Hi,
Unfortunately, all cheap cameras will record a lot of noise (aka grain) when you record low light. This is something I have experienced a lot as, like you, I am a low budget movie maker. I have never used a Q10, but I believe it is generally in the price bracket of £100-200, so for that you cannot expect a great low light quality video. However, if you are crafty you can get round this. I suggest you record is a bright daylight (as natural as possible), set your white balance to something orangey-brown (packing paper or a brown envelope perhaps); if you do not know how to white balance, check it in the cameras instructions and the idea is to make the orange-brown paper look white on your camera, and then everything else in the video should look very blue. When you put it on you computer, you can change the video brightness and contrast in your editing software at make it look like it was shot at night, or in the dark. On top of this, some software packages come with noise reduction effects, and these can be quite helpful.
In answer to you second question, upper end video cameras will be less noisy. If you are looking to invest money in a bigger, better camera I would suggest you look at DSLRs, as these can record very good quality full HD videos, and of cause all the different lenses allow you to shoot with different DoFs, etc. I use a Nikon D5100, and it is very good in low light.
If you want anymore help, I am currently making a youtube vid that covers all the low budget cinematography tips I can think of. It should be on my youtube channel (youtube.com/munnbrice) by the end of January 2012.
Hi,
Unfortunately, all cheap cameras will record a lot of noise (aka grain) when you record low light. This is something I have experienced a lot as, like you, I am a low budget movie maker. I have never used a Q10, but I believe it is generally in the price bracket of £100-200, so for that you cannot expect a great low light quality video. However, if you are crafty you can get round this. I suggest you record is a bright daylight (as natural as possible), set your white balance to something orangey-brown (packing paper or a brown envelope perhaps); if you do not know how to white balance, check it in the cameras instructions and the idea is to make the orange-brown paper look white on your camera, and then everything else in the video should look very blue. When you put it on you computer, you can change the video brightness and contrast in your editing software at make it look like it was shot at night, or in the dark. On top of this, some software packages come with noise reduction effects, and these can be quite helpful.
In answer to you second question, upper end video cameras will be less noisy. If you are looking to invest money in a bigger, better camera I would suggest you look at DSLRs, as these can record very good quality full HD videos, and of cause all the different lenses allow you to shoot with different DoFs, etc. I use a Nikon D5100, and it is very good in low light.
If you want anymore help, I am currently making a youtube vid that covers all the low budget cinematography tips I can think of. It should be on my youtube channel (youtube.com/munnbrice) by the end of January 2012.
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