Video Camera Question

[Sinastir]

I am looking to purchase a video camera. I be using mostly to record RC stuff. I was wondering what camera everyone is using to make all these great videos. Thanks

[John Deere]

Well, how much money are you wanting to spend and then go from there. Cannon and Nikon make very good cameras. I prefure the cannon though.

[Sinastir]

No more then $1000.00.

[John Deere]

You might wanna send Jasoninaugusta a PM and see wat he uses. He is always taking some damn nice pictures. So I am sue he could hook you up with a Camera somehow.

[badltl510]

I just bought (about a year ago ) a Sony handy cam mini dvd. Seems to work really well however I wish I had gotten a hard drive camera rather then the mini dvd. So my suggestion would be to get a camera that uses a hard drive.

[cotharyus]

I'm looking at video cameras right now too, and all I can do is second the previous post - if it doesn't record to a hard drive, you don't want it. Also, make sure it records in a format you can edit - some cameras only record in mpeg2, which it seems like only expensive editing software can work with.

[skellyo]

Originally Posted by cotharyus

I'm looking at video cameras right now too, and all I can do is second the previous post - if it doesn't record to a hard drive, you don't want it. Also, make sure it records in a format you can edit - some cameras only record in mpeg2, which it seems like only expensive editing software can work with.

I've got a Sony Handycam that uses a built in HD for video storage. It does record in MPEG2 though. However, I purchased a program called WinAVI that will let me convert the video type, overall resolution and sound to several other easy to edit formats. It has worked very well for me since my main purpose with the cam is to take vids of my daughter and upload them for family to see on my website.

[JasonInAugusta]

I have a Sony Handycam DCR-HC30.

It's a Mini-DV camera. Small enough to throw in the toolbox and it accepts an external camera source such as a helmetcam.

Most of the time I just use the Sony by itself. The only time I use the Helmetcam is for on-board shots.

I use Pinnacle Studio to rip the video to the computer and edit.

[Sinastir]

Jason,

So with the Sony you just plug straight into your computer, to download the video? Thanks

[Cloak]

Mini-dv means he pulls it in with firewire and records (think old vcr, you hit play on the camera and record on the computer. You have to wait 1:1 time to get the video).

That's exactly why I moved away from that into a hd cam. I vastly prefer it and I will never go back to a non-hd cam again.

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by Sinastir

Jason,

So with the Sony you just plug straight into your computer, to download the video? Thanks

Yes, pull it down through firewire.

It's not complicated like Cloak makes it sound. When I plug in my camera Studio automatically opens.

I hit "Start Recording" with the camera in Play/Edit mode and Studio starts the camera and records. If you recorded 30 minutes of video it'll take that long to yank the video off. Basically all you're doing is copying the tape onto the hard drive in digital format.

Cloak's camera eliminates the extra crap.

I'm sure Cloak's camera is nice, but I have no reason to buy a new one right now. Maybe when this one is dead.

[Sinastir]

Thank you Cloak and Jason. I start looking for one.

[rockwerks]

I really like the video in of many of the sony cameras. Ive used a wireless setup plugged into the video in on my ol sony to do a bunch of 1:1 wheeling stuff awhile back with that tiny camera and 9V battery on the bumper.

very few have the video in.

[Cloak]

Originally Posted by JasonInAugusta

I'm sure Cloak's camera is nice, but I have no reason to buy a new one right now. Maybe when this one is dead.

That is exactly what I did. I was planning on taking all sorts of video last year at Nationals. Somehow *cough* nice packing driver *cough* my camera got damaged in transit and I was out a camera.

I waited a while and eventually bought me my current one.