What is the best recording medium for camcorders today?

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Nizanthan

I have a laptop capable of reading SD cards. I am going to buy a camcorder, for around $150-250 and need to know the best type of recording medium. Should I get a mini dvd or SD or something else? What is most conveninient? Thanks you for answering
Its just for casual use, home, college, outdoors etc...

Answer
For consumer camcorders, best video quality is miniDV tape (least compression applied to the digital video stream). Best archiving is miniDV tape (the original tape is the archive - don't re-use it). Best long-term shelf life is miniDV tape.

Flash memory (SD) and hard drive camcorders compress a lot - and generally use the same types of compression. Digital Video compression = discarded video data = reduced video quality. Hard drive camcorders have known problems with vibration and high altitude - and will not record video. Flash memory and miniDV tape do not have these altitude on vibration issues. Data recovery from a broken internal hard drive based camcorder can be an expensive challenge.

DVD based camcorders compress the most. They barely make decent doorstops.

You need to refine your definition of "best". In my book, that is video quality and long term "convenience" - not lesser video quality and immediate gratification.

Flash memory and miniDV tape are your best bets. At your stated price point, a point and shoot camera (like a Canon PowerShot something) that happens to take highly compressed video is probably a better option than a Sanyo Xacti...

Where is the best place to buy a flash based camcorder?

Brennan L

I am looking for a camcorder between $100- $150. I want an actual store not an online store.

Answer
Same places you would buy a miniDV tape or hard drive based camcorder... BestBuy, Circuit City, Fry's Electronics... Maybe even Target, WalMart or KMart...

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We had Christmas at my parents house today. My parents got my husband...?

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goaheadnfi

a Sony camcorder, a Tommy billfold with $300.00 in it, A Bose radio and leather rolling luggage.

I got two bars of soap ( I swear ), two crystal bowls that my mom has had forever (hello dust), some ice cream bowls (fifty cents), Estee Lauder Christmas Makeup package (which was good, except as soon as I opened it she said,"Let me see if I like any of the colors. I may want some", and a knockoff Coach purse that she paid no more than $50.00 for. I even told her, "mom, this is fake" and she goes, "no, it's one of the new ones.

I wanted to cry. Am I being a big baby and should I just let it go or should I be super Pi$$ed? I kinda got over it a few hours later. But thinking of it ticks me off.

Answer
Yep, you're being a big baby. He will probably take you out with at least part of that $300, he will be filming you (and you him) with the camcorder, you'll listen to the Bose radio and eventually use the luggage. I doubt you'll use the billfold, so that one is all his.

It sounds like you felt slighted and loved at least $500 less than they love your husband. Next year ask your parents to get you gifts as a couple, and if they insist on getting you something for you individually, limit it to one item. Unless they give him a brand new car and give you a $2 keychain, this should feel much more equitable to you.

And it's nice they like your husband so darned much!

Can you help me find best camcorder for my mom, around 300 bucks? See details please.?

funnypie

I am trying to find the perfect camcorder for my 60 something yr old mom. She has been using an old video recorder from the 90's (a compact VHS with 20x zoom and image stabilizer...she was GREAT with it, but it has become pretty much obsolete). It can't be more than say 320 dollars (less would be nice...I saved up and have tax refund money). It would have to have stabilization for shaky hands. It would have to work on my laptop, which has windows vista. At least 35x optical zoom. Must work with SD card (I don't know what that is, but ironically, my mom DOES and has told me what she needs). It can have DVD or not. It must have light (as in flashbulb...I don't know the current technological word) so she can take pictures and video of a black cat in a dark room (LOL...that's her baby kitty). It would be nice to have ability to use flash drive (removable USB drive thingee you put on a keychain and carry around). It would seem to me that all camcorders would be able to also take still pictures (???) but if not, that's another thing she would definitely want.

I am sorry I am just now myself learning some of the vocabulary...it all is very confusing, to say the least!!! The technobabble I've run into in my searches so far has my head spinning!

Those are about the main points I can THINK of. I appreciate any advice!

Answer
If it has to have SD card, go with Panasonic. Sony camcorders uses Memory Stick.

Panasonic has a wide range of camcorders that will fit your need and budget. Easiest thing to do is go to your local electronic store and talk to a sales associate.

Features to look for:
Recording media. Either tape, DVD or hard drive. DVD might be easiest for your mom. Just record and play in any DVD player.
Most has decent zoom, just find one that you want.
Almost all has imagine stabilization.
Hooking up to your laptop. If it is a DVD then it is ready to play right off the disc. If you're looking for video editing, go with mini DV Tapes and find a camcorder that has firewire hook up, your laptop must have firewire too. I don't think DVD camcorders have firewire, you'd be lucky finding one.
SD is Secure Digital memory card for capturing digital images. Most camcorders also have built in digital cameras. If it does, it also comes with a USB port (this is not firewire). The USB hooks up to your USB port to transfer the images, not video.
Some, not all camcorders have built in light. Find one that has.

Make a list before heading off to the store so you'll know what to look for. It is easy to over look something you want once you start shopping. Camcorders have become cheaper now, so for $320 you'll have no problems finding something you like. Good luck!

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