Thread: Video Camera with these Function?

Hmmm....
You can get some nice pal DV cameras with XLR mic inputs, Manual controls including focus ring, with a healthy optical zoom.

Would you consider a DV tape camera?

Originally Posted by Bpotter908

Would you consider a DV tape camera?

I would consider anything at a nice price with the functionality I'm looking for, with DV's being mentioned and I am new to buying these types of products - can I shoot 1080p - 60fps or 24fps with this format and how easy is it to get content from the DV to a Mac?

If those things are all possible I would have no problem buying a DV Camera unless someone suggests some Cons as to my not...

It all depends on your budget.

You can get a pretty "pro" camera with all the manual features and great items "but" it will be in standard 16:9 widescreen DVD standard, This is DV.

HDV allows you to shoot in 1080p but the cost for such devices goes up and up.
HDV - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Now, Why do you need/want 1080P? Unless your producing blu-ray disks, You won't be able to take advantage of it on a DVD, and if it's for web upload, What content are you going to be producing that needs that resolution?

Personally, I'd suggest that you spend £400 on a very good Pal DV SD Camera, with manual controls and all the bells and whistles for you to "learn" how to be a cam OP proper.

Originally Posted by Bpotter908

Why do you need/want 1080P? Unless your producing blu-ray disks, You won't be able to take advantage of it on a DVD, and if it's for web upload, What content are you going to be producing that needs that resolution?

I agree with you, I feel if I'm going to be sinking £400+ I am kinda try to future proof in case I really get into it and want to produce higher quality video for showing online.

DVD is 720p - right?

If I can get 24fps and or 60fps with 720p then I guess that's enough quality I would need even if I start shooting more and more footage.

Let's think about resolution standards.

Taken from Display resolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Televisions are of the following resolutions
Standard-definition television (SDTV):
480i (NTSC standard uses an analog system of 486i split into two interlaced fields of 243 lines)
576i (PAL, 720×576 split into two interlaced fields of 288 lines)

Enhanced-definition television (EDTV):
480p (720×480 progressive scan)
576p (720×576 progressive scan)

High-definition television (HDTV):
720p (1280×720 progressive scan)
1080i (1920×1080 split into two interlaced fields of 540 lines)
1080p (1920×1080 progressive scan)

Now yes everyone is upgrading to "HD" but the SD standard still has plenty of life left, Especially if your doing online distribution. Just because you can upload a 1920x1080 video file, Does not mean the end user can stream it on their lousy internet connection! So consider of your target audience who would do that.

Now, the price for increasing the resolution goes up, If you want true 1080I, For a "good" prosumer camera, expect to sink in £700+.

Originally Posted by Bpotter908

Let's think about resolution standards.

Taken from Display resolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Televisions are of the following resolutions
Standard-definition television (SDTV):
480i (NTSC standard uses an analog system of 486i split into two interlaced fields of 243 lines)
576i (PAL, 720×576 split into two interlaced fields of 288 lines)

Enhanced-definition television (EDTV):
480p (720×480 progressive scan)
576p (720×576 progressive scan)

High-definition television (HDTV):
720p (1280×720 progressive scan)
1080i (1920×1080 split into two interlaced fields of 540 lines)
1080p (1920×1080 progressive scan)

Now yes everyone is upgrading to "HD" but the SD standard still has plenty of life left, Especially if your doing online distribution. Just because you can upload a 1920x1080 video file, Does not mean the end user can stream it on their lousy internet connection! So consider of your target audience who would do that.

Now, the price for increasing the resolution goes up, If you want true 1080I, For a "good" prosumer camera, expect to sink in £700+.

Understood and I agree, I need to look at who the audience is, if even it was only for YouTube I'd still like to work to the smallest size being 720.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying HD is bad, Far from it!

I'm just thinking that you'll probably want.

Camera £700
Tripod ( essential ) £100+
Software - Could be from £70 to £1700
Bag/case - Still costs money!
If recording audio, External mic is a must £100+

Bearing in mind these figures are rough estimates, And whilst there may be many more extras still to purchase, The above should be the minimum expectation for someone who wants to be "serious" about their videos.

I hope this is helpful for you...

Originally Posted by Bpotter908

Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying HD is bad, Far from it!

I'm just thinking that you'll probably want.

Camera £700
Tripod ( essential ) £100+
Software - Could be from £70 to £1700
Bag/case - Still costs money!
If recording audio, External mic is a must £100+

Bearing in mind these figures are rough estimates, And whilst there may be many more extras still to purchase, The above should be the minimum expectation for someone who wants to be "serious" about their videos.

I hope this is helpful for you...

I was looking at getting the Panasonic HDC-SD900 which is in the price range your suggesting, it seems to have the things i'm looking for, anything I've left out that this camera doesn't have?

I wondered about the Pana 900 - it is reasonably future-proof and has many satisfied Consumer-users, although in quiet situation there is sometimes mention of fan-noise.

Mic/headphone connections are 3.5mm (Not XLR, which Pros like) - and it won't impress any Pros, is my bet.
As for software many here like Vegas Studio (plenty to learn and v11 has animated titling, 3D effects DYOR - all for £35 - get the Production Suite for £5 more, with 1hr Tutorial DVD).

normal DVD's are 720 x 576 , but I suspect HD cameras will have better lenses/electronics so that's the point, perhaps?

I don't understand why anyone buys a tape-based camcorder, other than they are equipped to.

I think Bpotter908's list should include: " SDHC recording device " , eg PalmTrack, or Zoom models about £70, although these companies make a "video-version" with HD phone-style camera AND sound . . . but maybe good enough for recording a nightclub, but not serious audio......it gives you a "spare camera if all else fails" - OR more-likely a second angle opportunity. Very expensive versions do have XLR inputs and you sync it, using the camera-mic.

BTW the tripod needs to have a fluid-head, that makes it easy to pan shots . . . on those rare occasions.


FWIW I chose a cheaper HD stills camera . NEX5, but it has limited zoom....but interchangeable lenses and a massive sensor make up. It lacks mic and headphone sockets, so I use a separate recorder when I remember.