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Camcorders

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Da_Chronic
Posts: 363 - Karma: 61
So i have used a very shitty camcorder over the season and i think its time to upgrade. I have looked at camcorders like HV 20/30, JVC-HD1U and a few others. i don't want to film hard drive disk but i would like a sd/mini dv. but i do have a kodak z1012 as a pic camera and ive done a video test with that and it came out well but id rather not film with that. if you have any suggestions for camcorders for a price range under about 800, and a legit place to buy it i would apreciate that. and btw i filmed with a panasonic SDR-S10 during the season.
Apr 13 2009 9:17PM
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Da_Chronic
Posts: 363 - Karma: 61
bump....karma for any help
Apr 14 2009 9:11AM
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MAC.D
Posts: 5654 - Karma: 344
it depends on what program your editing with, but i would suggest looking into flash memory cameras. like the canon hf10 or 11. or the hf100 and 200 which are cheaper. Its faster to move your footage to your computer.
Apr 14 2009 9:41AM
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Da_Chronic
Posts: 363 - Karma: 61
yah i use flash memory now and its easier but is the video quality the same or better than the hv20/30?
Apr 14 2009 10:49AM
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KarmaInitiative
Posts: 2028 - Karma: 174
I would say that HDV has better quality than flash. flash mem cameras compress the footage more, so you will get more artifacting and blurriness around motion. It also takes more processing power to edit it on your computer.

The hv30 is a very good camera, i have one, and it produces very high quality pictures. It also has a large community at hv20.com, dont underestimate how helpful that can be.
Apr 14 2009 12:58PM
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Da_Chronic
Posts: 363 - Karma: 61
do you have any attachments on your hv30 or is it naked...and what program do you edit with the hv30
Apr 14 2009 2:47PM
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aoe
Posts: 2947 - Karma: 51
Untrue. Flash mem or avchd camcorders are based on h264 mpeg4 codec at up to 24MB/s while HDV are based on Mpeg2 and record at 25MB/s, however, Mpeg 4 has had about 10 years of  development on Mpeg 2 and is multiple times more efficient. So a HDV cam at 25MB/s won't be as efficient as an AVCHD at 24MB/s (even at 17MB/s the quality is a tossup).  It does take much more computer power though thats true. like 4 times as much.
Apr 14 2009 3:51PM
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aoe
Posts: 2947 - Karma: 51
That being said, the HV30 is the best bang for the buck out there now and you can get them for under $500usd. The New round of AVCHD cams are amazing (canon hfs10 sony 520) but you need the comp to go with it. Capturing from tape and is  pain and you can drop frames yes, but unless you are willing to upgrade your comp its your best bet for the time being.
Apr 14 2009 3:54PM
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Da_Chronic
Posts: 363 - Karma: 61
would my lenovo laptop do...it has vista?
Apr 14 2009 4:18PM
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aoe
Posts: 2947 - Karma: 51
Specs? By saying it has vista I'm inclined to say it won't work. You'll need a high end core 2 duo (>2.33) at least. quad core is highly recommended. and 4 gigs ram. and a good vid card. 512 prefered. I think 256 may do tho depending on which one.  Processor is the biggie.
Apr 14 2009 4:26PM
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Da_Chronic
Posts: 363 - Karma: 61
i have no idea what it has its a lenovo t61 and its pretty new so....
Apr 14 2009 4:44PM
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aoe
Posts: 2947 - Karma: 51
Lenovo ThinkPad T61 Core 2 Duo T7300 2.0GHz 1GB 80GB CD-RW/DVD-ROM 14.1"
That's the spec I found. Sorry bro, probably not gonne be enough for AVCHD. Get the HV30, great camera.

Apr 14 2009 6:09PM
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Da_Chronic
Posts: 363 - Karma: 61
ok, where should i buy one and is there any big differnce bettween the hv20 or hv30?
Apr 14 2009 7:10PM
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aoe
Posts: 2947 - Karma: 51
check out www.camcorderinfo.com for a review on both. I can't remember the difference off the top of my head but I was checking it out a few days ago. Then google it and check out the lowest price through pricegrabber or a simmilar site. Find the lowest price, check the store that offers it to see if shipping is reasonablhy priced. The google reviews of the store to make sure they are legit. If they are, purchase it.
Apr 14 2009 7:32PM
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KarmaInitiative
Posts: 2028 - Karma: 174
major difference between 20 and 30 is the hv30 has 30p. Theres a ton of threads and sites about it, search ns/google. Theres also a hv40 which has improved 24p, but i wouldnt spend the extra $$ unless your a searous filmmaker, and i dont feel like you are

Acessories i have:
Bower fish eye lens
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HAQ8XG

Cheap Lens Hood
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019BGDPA

Filter Pack
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KN6WL2
UV filter does basicly nothing but keeps snow out of the lens cap mechanism
Polarizer is good at reducing light on blue bird days to open the aparature
Havnt used the Floresent

Manual Focus Ring
http://www.irvdesign.com/product/mfr/
Lets you manual focus like on a pro camera

I bought a DM-50 microphone, it hasnt shipped yet
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005LD4W/

Couple more tips:
Get a couple batteries, they dont work as long in cold conditions
Get a good hard case for holding your stuff and a good back pack for skiing with it.
Try to find a small but sturdy tripod you can take on the mountian with you
The HV30 doesnt come with a firewire cable(wtf), buy one at the same time
Check out hv20.com
Apr 14 2009 7:48PM
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Da_Chronic
Posts: 363 - Karma: 61
thanks that was a ton of help karma for everyone that helped me in this thread
Apr 14 2009 7:54PM
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