Looking for a good quality DV camcorder-Any suggestions?

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 6:54 am

I am looking for a good quality DV Camcorder. Price between $500 and $1500 any ideas or suggestions? Must have firewire ins and outs and must have a good optical zoom lens and good battery life. For use in remote recording situations. Thanks in advance.

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 1:18 pm

Tom, I would strongly suggest you go with an HDV camcorder as soon as you can. You can always scale the image back to SD in post production if you have to (or use the analog/SVHS outs), but you'll be glad you did in a few months, if not sooner.

Even if your computer's capture isn't up to HD yet, you can also shoot in SD mode in most of these units as well, for lower-end productions that don't (yet) need the HD image size. When you're ready for HD, it's just a switch-selection away, and off you go. (Personally, I'd shoot in HD anyway, and just use the analog outs - for now - if your computer wont do HD yet.)

In addition to HD, you also want to go to with true 16x9 aspect ratios nowadays. It's a GREAT look, and every important show on TV (and movie rentals) are now in that screen size, and as HD TVs become the norm, all SD pictures are going to look silly or compromised on 16x9 screens. (They'll either be fat and wiiiiide, or they'll have the black boxes on either side, if the aspect ratio is auto-corrected, which it sadly is NOT in many cases).

I have several Sony (considered "legacy" now) SD DV cameras; The 900, 1000, and 2100. I LOVE "EM ALL, but the day is soon coming where I won't be using them for much anymore. It kills me, but it's true.

We upgraded recently for a big video project; we went with the JVC line of HDV camcorders. Remeber, there IS a difference in compatibility between Sony's HD and JVC's HD standard...both are compressed HD on miniDV tape, neither will play the other's format, so beware! Your computer's editing sofware can probably handle either one, but you'll need the correct camera to load in the correct tape. In other words, HD footage shot on the JVC must be played back by a JVC device, ditto for Sony Footage. (Panasonic's uncompressed HD formt is of course a whole n'other story, and way beyond the budget we're discussing here!)

I bought my smaller, more affordable JVC HDV JY-HD10 and use it on its own for small things, and also use it as a center/master camera in between our two JVC HDGY-HD100U's on three camera shoots. It's a great camera for about $1700 (at B&H and others...) I really love it; you can shoot in HD or SD with the flip of a switch.

I took it with me to Ireland in the early Fall 06, and shot the music video that's featured on our website; (WestonSound.com) you can follow the link for "Angels in Twilight" and see it in small-screen 16x9 mode. (All natural light, shot guerilla-style in about 50 minutes, after the tourists had all left, using just a shoulder-mount and crappy tripod for most of the shots...) What a blast this camera was!

Last but not least: If you want to see a dramatic demo of picture quality, and have an HD TV feed, check out the difference between David Letterman's show on CBS at 11:30 p.m. (EST) and Craig Ferguson at 12:30 p.m. (on the same network.) Not only is the picture quality so much better, the aspect ratio is wide for letterman (16x9) square for Ferguson (4x3). I would imagine they'll upgrade Ferguson's show sooner than later..he's doing quite well in the ratings. Conan is already there with HD widescreen production.

Hope that helps!

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:24 am

The sony DCR-VX1000 is my A #1 choice for what you're doing. You can get a good used one for under $1000, and its got a good lens, and really good pro features, such as zebra (helps prevent overexposure). It does well in low-light environments too, which is a big plus.

If you'd rather get 2 cameras for the same money, the Sony DCR-TRV series is acceptable, although it lacks some of the more advanced features.

Both will do 4:3 and 16:9.

JVC makes some great stuff, but you better be prepared to spend up. I think sony is a better value than canon or jvc.

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:40 am

We got a GREAT deal on a SONY FX1 from B&H Photo in New York. We also got a really good deal on a Magnacase from http://www.magnacase.com/servlet/StoreFront. We have done a couple of shoots with the camera and are more than pleased. Thanks JoeH for your suggestions.

I also found a real bargain in fluid head for my FX-1. It is from Bogen/Manfrotto it is their 128RC you can see it here http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/2352 It works very well with the FX1 and is rock steady even on very long shots.

Thanks to everyone that replied....

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