WTB ?- Digital Movie Camera

I'm seriously contemplating purchasing a digital movie camera. I was curious what you guys use, the cost, and the quality. My main concern isn't the picture as much as the audio capability's.

Is there a decent make/model around $200.00 or am I dreaming? Is there one out there that I can plug in the ZOOM and record with it at the same time? That would be ideal, but maybe that's not possible. Not beating on anyone at all, but some of the vids I watch have horrible audio and some have great audio. I know the tape video recorder I have, (Sony) has terrible audio, when recording a band, so even though I can have my brother-in-law convert a vid to digital, it just doesn't seem worth the effort if it sounds like crap. I want this to be so simple a cave man can do it, as I'm a little slow. Can I get a little help?

Thanks,

marko

2 hun seems a little unreal but i do produce documentarys and we use sony hd if you'd like i will trace down the model for you,the video is awesome and it comes with xlr inputs that would be great for what your looking for it also has 2 wireless lav mics,i believe the cam itself is around 2 g's but we upgraded the lens [7 g's] of course you would not need that,the only reason i did that was because i'm trying to sell it to get on television.

Thanks satman,

I realize 2 hundo is way low, but 2 grand is on the other side of the spectrum for me man. How about 5 hundo?

I just got a sony digital....along with a couple of mini dvds and a memory stick it was around 600. Im just learning to use the thing. Im hoping to do a test sound run on a kit to see what it sounds like. They say recorded it sounds nothing like what you hear behind the kit.....I will see but may take some time......sorry not much help.

I went with Mini DV (that is, small digital cassettes). The image quality is slightly better than hard disk recorders and because hard disc recorders are so hot now, you can get them cheap. I got a Sony TRV-27 used for $175...right in your budget. (You'll also need a $20 cable to transfer everything to your computer if you don't already have it.)

PS - I've also used the TRV-22 and it was just as good.

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/sony-dcr-trv22/4505-6500_7-20791504.html?tag=mncol;lst

Here's a vid recorded with the Sony DCR-TRV22

[YOUTUBE][/YOUTUBE]

Thanks guys. Turd, I'll get on the hunt for the Sony. I appreciate the help:wave:

Here's one on ebay with a buy it now of $129!!! Gotta love it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-Handycam-DCR-TRV22-MiniDV-Digital-Zoom-Camcorder_W0QQitemZ200357941612QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamcorders_Professional_Video_Cameras?hash=item2ea643916c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1234|293%3A1|294%3A50

:thu:Holy sh*t man! Thanks turd! I'm on that tonight if it's still there.

I use a Flip Video Camera....$99 30 mins record time. I like it!

if you're putting em on the 'puter, look for an editor that will let you replace the audio. then run the camera and zoom in tandem and line em' up on the computer later. you'll have the added capability to position the camera for best visual and the zoom for best audio.

I'd look for a cam that has auxiliary audio inputs so you can connect a good mic to it. The on-board mics usually aren't very good. This is probably what the difference is in the videos you see that have poor vs. good audio quality.

I work at a camera store, so I might have a little more insight. First of all, don't go tape or dvd. Get something hard disk or flash based. Fewer moving parts = fewer things to break down over time. Plus you have to capture that in real time when you want to upload it, which takes forever. Someone said that miniDV tapes have better video quality, that's sort of wack. It depends on the quality you're recoding at.

Anyway... Canon is the only manufacturer that makes affordable/reliable cameras with an audio input. The FS200 can be had for sub $350 and is a great camera.

If the audio input isn't that important, go with a Sony webbie MHSCM1 for under $200. That thing records direct to mpeg4 (sort of an industry standard now) and is an absolute breeze to upload. You could always mix in the audio later. The image stabilization isn't great, but that wouldn't matter if you're on a tripod or something.

More great info, killer guys! madt0wn, I'll check into those too. manouever, explain "editor". Do you have some names to look into that are fairly simple to use? Thank you

You goin make documentrees about nekkid ladies?

Naw. I'm way past dat. maybe a drum vid or two. Gonna borrow the bassist's Sony, I think it's the one turd recommended, this weekend just to check it out. I may shoot something Friday after we get set-up. We'll see.

i would look for xlr input [line level] audio,screw the built in,the audio will splatter if not overmodulate.

$ 0.02

I haven't done it. google 'video editing software' and see what you fnd. there's also Windows Movie Maker which might be good enough and is probably already on your PC.

If you have a Mac, iMovie HD is built-in and will do all the basics including simple video editing and sync'ing a separate audio track.

But see I don't have a Mac turd.

But see I don't have a Mac turd.

Pinnacle Studio for Windows will getcha done for $50.

Edit: Looks like it might be more than that (but under $100) if you need the hardware to get the video into the computer

Sounds good man. Thanks again.