Help-Can Anyone recommend a digital camera/video camera

Cpt Matt Sparrow · Post by **Cpt Matt Sparrow** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:12 am

It is my birthday coming up and I was going to ask for a new guitar but for a number of reasons (including needing it for Simon's documentary) I have decided to get a better video camera instead.

I have up to about £300 ($550) and want something that possibly has the option of using my own mic with it, as I will be reocrding recitals and also clips for youtube etc.

Any help much appreciated as I haven't a clue of what is good etc.

cheers

Matt

Ritchie · Post by **Ritchie** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:29 am

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/
http://www.smart-review.com/camcorderbuyingguide.html

Maybe these can help Mattmeister

Cpt Matt Sparrow · Post by **Cpt Matt Sparrow** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:54 am

Hi Ritchie

Cheers for the links

I am keen to hear from anyone who uses a camera they swear by. I know for 300 quid the quality is going to be far from professional, but I know it will be a damn site better than what I have

Matt

rice_pudding · Post by **rice_pudding** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 12:15 pm

Cpt Matt Sparrow wrote: I am keen to hear from anyone who uses a camera they swear by. I know for 300 quid the quality is going to be far from professional, but I know it will be a damn site better than what I have

Matt

Not true! I have used HD cameras that cost £3-4000 and i recently got a camera for about £400 and the quality is 90% there. i know that sounds like bullshit but im serious. As long as the lighting is good and the focus is within the optimum range the results are great.

This is what i have;
http://www.sony.co.uk/product/hdd-avchd ... /hdr-sr10e
it is however a discontinued model, but they are still probably available if you look around.

As far as using a mic is concerned, you can pretty much kiss that idea goodbye with most modern consumer cameras. On the bright side many cameras actualy provide good sound and you can often by extra mic's that offer better quality.

If you are a member of which you could look at them, my dad swears by um. http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/hd-camco ... ode=709EGJ

Word to the wise though, if you want to actualy record and edit HD footage it can be a bit of a pain, but if you need help i can probably offer a solution. The simplest option would be to record in Standard Def.

Rob

Cpt Matt Sparrow · Post by **Cpt Matt Sparrow** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 12:32 pm

cheers Rob!

I wasn't planning recording in high definition, unless you think I need to? 300 quid would be the maximum I would have. I have something to go on now so cheers. My present camera goes out of focus easily and the sound is not too bad, I just want something that is very easy to use, portable and better than what I have.

Cheers

Matt

rice_pudding · Post by **rice_pudding** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 5:35 pm

Well high def is increasingly the only option, manufacturers are producing less and less standard def cameras, there are still good options, but once you get to a certain price point your options become more limited.

And you don't have to use HD cameras on HD settings.

What camera do you have at the moment?

Rob

Cpt Matt Sparrow · Post by **Cpt Matt Sparrow** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:06 am

Hi Rob

Currently I have a Samsung DV D963. It goes out of focus really easily and you can hear the sound of the tape LOL

Thanks to Pieman and also The Mac website I am now set on getting this
http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TV957 ... Njk5MzY3Mw

It can be got for around £270

The picture quality and sound are awesome

Matt

rice_pudding · Post by **rice_pudding** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:33 pm

looks like a good choice, if it had manual adjustment for audio level it would suit you perfect no doubt. But that is a rare feature for consumer gear.

What kind of editing software will you use? Looks like it should work with most basic software.

Rob

Cpt Matt Sparrow · Post by **Cpt Matt Sparrow** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:54 pm

rice_pudding wrote:looks like a good choice, if it had manual adjustment for audio level it would suit you perfect no doubt. But that is a rare feature for consumer gear.

What kind of editing software will you use? Looks like it should work with most basic software.

Rob

Hi Rob

I use a mac and it has i movie with it, I think it is a 2006 version. Any recommendations. I don't want to do loads, just to cut better and fade in/out etc

Matt

rice_pudding · Post by **rice_pudding** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:40 pm

I movie should suit you fine as long as it is compatible, and it should be.

I actualy know of a college that used to teach film using i movie, low budget i suppose

If you want something else you could search for pinnacle video spin, its very user friendly and actualy fairly versatile. Oh yeah you can download it for free too

The only other software i have used is pretty advanced and has a million features you never need. If you did want something more advanced you could try sony vegas (last years its a lot cheaper) the audio editing tools are great But its confusing...

As long as you're not trapped on windows movie maker!

Rob