Help on Video Camera

Want2ride · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 182 City: Layton, Utah

OK I am thinking about buying a camera and I need some suggestions. I dont want to spend alot of money hopfully around $400. I also just want something that I can use for easy editing on my computer. So I am thinking of either a Mini DV or Digital 8 but I have no idea of what the diferance is, could someone please explain this to me.

thatnamealreadyinuse · Posted: May 10, 2003 11:31 am Post subject:

digital 8 means the video is recorded in digital format on an analogue tape (not real digital). mini dv is fully digital.

Mister C · Posted: May 10, 2003 11:57 am Post subject:

This probably should have been posted in non-wake, but whatever. Go for mini dv if your gonna edit it onto your computer. All you have to do is plug the camera into your computer and copy the footage onto your hard drive. It's better than Digital 8 for editing.

BillJ · Posted: May 10, 2003 12:05 pm Post subject:

Actually since both miniDV and digital8 are digital, they are just as easy to edit on a computer. I have a miniDV Sony and it works great. Digital8 is great for people that already have a bunch of Hi8 tapes since they can be reused. I went with miniDV because it's an industry standard and tapes that I record can be played back in my friend's JVC camera.

As for brands, I prefer Sony but my buddy really likes his JVC. Canon also makes very good cameras (some people prefer them over Sony), as well as Panasonic. Search around and you can get a pretty decent one for about $400. But then you'll probably spend at least another $100 on accessories such as UV filter (to protect the lens), blank tapes, extra battery, etc.

Want2ride · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 182 City: Layton, Utah

Hey thanks for the help I think that I will go with Mini DV.

Want2ride · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 182 City: Layton, Utah

Oh also can you tell me some of the accessories that I might need other than the batteries tapes ect. Like what does a UV filter do. Do I have to get one or can I live with out?

BillJ · Posted: May 13, 2003 3:42 pm Post subject:

UV filter is cheap, maybe $20, and the main purpose is to protect the lens of the camera. That way it gets scratched instead of the video camera lens. It also helps the picture quality slightly by filtering out UV rays.

There are a ton of accessories like additional lens (telephoto and wide angle). You don't need most of them - but they can come in handy. A tripod can be nice depending on what you're taping - it's great for things like weddings and even wakeboard contests. Another good thing to get is a bag to hold everything.