First time Camcorder buyer. Is DV-in really that important. I can only
really see myself downloading to PC and storing files on PC or output to
DVD. Read something that makes editing easier with DV-in. Not sure I
understand why.

Also is widescreen and Megapixel worth the extra?? Maybe I would be best
with HC22. No need for analogue in or digital photo on HC32

Any views on these models. As I said I'm a total newbie. Would like
something small enough to snowboard with. Don't know why only looking at
Sony either,. just makes it easier.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Jon

He He

The bloke above (StephenH) must have been writing post at same time!!!!
Sorry for "double post"

"Jon Pitt" wrote in message
...
First time Camcorder buyer. Is DV-in really that important. I can only
really see myself downloading to PC and storing files on PC or output to
DVD. Read something that makes editing easier with DV-in. Not sure I
understand why.

Also is widescreen and Megapixel worth the extra?? Maybe I would be best
with HC22. No need for analogue in or digital photo on HC32

Any views on these models. As I said I'm a total newbie. Would like
something small enough to snowboard with. Don't know why only looking at
Sony either,. just makes it easier.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Jon

Jon Pitt wrote:

He He

The bloke above (StephenH) must have been writing post at same time!!!!
Sorry for "double post"

How scary! They do say "great minds think alike"!!!! lol

Stephen.

In message , Jon Pitt
writes
First time Camcorder buyer. Is DV-in really that important. I can only
really see myself downloading to PC and storing files on PC or output to
DVD. Read something that makes editing easier with DV-in. Not sure I
understand why.

We have to remember that DV eats hard-disk space (3.4Mb per second of
video). The "good stuff" that I've trimmed the dross from, I archive
back to miniDV tape. When I went digital, I had some Hi8 footage of
family which I was able to transfer to miniDV through analogue in.

Also is widescreen and Megapixel worth the extra?? Maybe I would be best
with HC22. No need for analogue in or digital photo on HC32

I was a bit "tongue-in-cheek" about widescreen, but I've just looked at
some wide-screen on the TV that I've shot in the last few days, and it
is impressive - especially if you have a wide-screen TV.

Any views on these models. As I said I'm a total newbie. Would like
something small enough to snowboard with. Don't know why only looking at
Sony either,. just makes it easier.

I can't comment on the particular models, but Sony seem to bring out new
models very frequently that have very little difference in functionality
than the model they are replacing.

All manufacturers seem to produce good camcorders, but having had three
(now four) Sony models (one 8mm, one Hi8, and digital TRV30 and (very
recently) a TRV80) you've guessed it - I'm a Sony fan. I've have no
trouble with any of them, and my TRV30 has been heavily used over three
years and it still produces as good video as the latest models.

--
Tony Morgan
http://www.camcord.info

"Jon Pitt" wrote in message
...
First time Camcorder buyer. Is DV-in really that important. I can only
really see myself downloading to PC and storing files on PC or output to
DVD. Read something that makes editing easier with DV-in. Not sure I
understand why.

DVin is great for transfering between cameras, you never know when you may
want to do that.

Also is widescreen and Megapixel worth the extra?? Maybe I would be best
with HC22. No need for analogue in or digital photo on HC32

I have the HC30e and the image quality is top notch, analogue in is good
should you ever have the need to digitise old vhs stuff. I dont use the
photo facility as I have digital SLR setup also.

Any views on these models. As I said I'm a total newbie. Would like
something small enough to snowboard with. Don't know why only looking at
Sony either,. just makes it easier.

You could do worse than go for a Sony. You should be able to snow board with
one easy enough with a helmet mount. I have to seperate helmet setups I use
for skydive filming you can see them here.

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/foru...tatt_id=39554;
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/foru...tatt_id=39555;
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/foru...tatt_id=39556;
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/foru...tatt_id=39557;
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/foru...tatt_id=34581;
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/foru...tatt_id=34582;

Every skydive cameraman I know uses a Sony of some description, I can vouch
for mine handling falling through the air at 120mph and standing up to the
opening shock of the parachute.

If I cah help you out setting up kit for a helmet let me know.

Buzz
Thanks in advance for any advice

Jon

"Jon Pitt" wrote in message
...
First time Camcorder buyer. Is DV-in really that important. I can only
really see myself downloading to PC and storing files on PC or output to
DVD. Read something that makes editing easier with DV-in. Not sure I
understand why.

Also is widescreen and Megapixel worth the extra?? Maybe I would be best
with HC22. No need for analogue in or digital photo on HC32


I am also looking to get a Sony HC39 for its widescreen abilities to replace
a JVC camcorder that had only 6 hours use but is 3 months out of warranty.

The JVC had only DV-out but I have a hard drive DVD recorder so I would copy
the tape via the i-link to the hard drive, edit the movie there and then
burn it onto a DVD.

In message , Alex Busby
writes
Snipped...

You could do worse than go for a Sony. You should be able to snow board
with one easy enough with a helmet mount. I have to seperate helmet
setups I use for skydive filming you can see them here.

Snipped...

Every skydive cameraman I know uses a Sony of some description, I can
vouch for mine handling falling through the air at 120mph and standing
up to the opening shock of the parachute.

Reminds me of the Irishman who wanted to learn to skydive....
Having done all the ground training, Paddy was about to embark on the
aircraft for his first live jump...

Instructor:
Now don't forget. Pull this ring to open your main parachute.

Paddy:
What happens if it doesn't open?

Instructor:
Then pull the ring on your reserve parachute.

Paddy:
What happens if that one doesn't open?

Instructor:
The reserve parachute always opens

Paddy
Then why don't I pull that one first?

After further reassurances, Paddy embarks on his first live skydiving
flight, and when told he leaps out of the door, waits the required time
and pulls the ring on his main parachute.

Nothing happens!

A little disconcerted. Paddy thinks "the reserve parachute always opens"
and pulls the appropriate ring.

Nothing happens.

Looking down at the ground rushing up towards him, he sees a Scotsman
travelling up towards him at a similar velocity.

As they pass, Paddy calls out "Do you know anything about parachutes?"

To which the Scotsman replies "Sorry, Paddy, No. Do you know anything
about gas cookers?"

--
Tony Morgan
http://www.camcord.info

"Tony Morgan" wrote in message
...
In message , Alex Busby
writes
snip


Reminds me of the Irishman who wanted to learn to skydive....
Having done all the ground training, Paddy was about to embark on the
aircraft for his first live jump...


snip one very old and unfunny joke

alt.rec.bad.jokes in along the corridor.

BTW, my father jumped without a reserve parachute and witnessed many brave
troops fail to their deaths as a result - assuming they weren't shot on the
way down after opening their shoots.....

"Jon Pitt" wrote in message
...
First time Camcorder buyer. Is DV-in really that important. I can only
really see myself downloading to PC and storing files on PC or output to
DVD. Read something that makes editing easier with DV-in. Not sure I
understand why.

Also is widescreen and Megapixel worth the extra?? Maybe I would be best
with HC22. No need for analogue in or digital photo on HC32

Any views on these models. As I said I'm a total newbie. Would like
something small enough to snowboard with. Don't know why only looking at
Sony either,. just makes it easier.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Jon


I have just changed to the HC42 from a JVC. The build quality is far
superior. The touch screen could be akward for those with big fingers, or
wareing thick snow gloves!
Also DV is only accessible via the Handy cam station. This is a real pain
for those who like "swapping" video in the field, or when copying lot's of
tapes to the PC after a photo shoot. Having to unplug the power and un-dock
the camera to swap tapes gets frustrating when you used to having all the
cables plugged in the camera. Why couldn't they have found space for an on
camera DV in/out?

Also widescreen does drive you to want to film a wider field of view, and
for that you need an add on wide lens. I have seen one make of widescreen
cam due out this month which include that for free!

Also why is that cameras which are not "budget" models still come with the
"composite" only cable. Anyone buying a widescreen cam will have a
widescreen TV with s-video inputs, and expect to use that! So that's
another extra you have to get.

"John Russell" wrote in message
...

"Jon Pitt" wrote in message
...
First time Camcorder buyer. Is DV-in really that important. I can only
really see myself downloading to PC and storing files on PC or output to
DVD. Read something that makes editing easier with DV-in. Not sure I
understand why.

Also is widescreen and Megapixel worth the extra?? Maybe I would be best
with HC22. No need for analogue in or digital photo on HC32

Any views on these models. As I said I'm a total newbie. Would like
something small enough to snowboard with. Don't know why only looking at
Sony either,. just makes it easier.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Jon


I have just changed to the HC42 from a JVC. The build quality is far
superior. The touch screen could be akward for those with big fingers, or
wareing thick snow gloves!
Also DV is only accessible via the Handy cam station. This is a real pain
for those who like "swapping" video in the field, or when copying lot's
of tapes to the PC after a photo shoot. Having to unplug the power and
un-dock the camera to swap tapes gets frustrating when you used to having
all the cables plugged in the camera. Why couldn't they have found space
for an on camera DV in/out?

Also widescreen does drive you to want to film a wider field of view, and
for that you need an add on wide lens. I have seen one make of widescreen
cam due out this month which include that for free!

Also why is that cameras which are not "budget" models still come with the
"composite" only cable. Anyone buying a widescreen cam will have a
widescreen TV with s-video inputs, and expect to use that! So that's
another extra you have to get.




P.S.just ignore the "camera" function. It's like TV's with in built
surround sound. If you want a decent large screen TV it will come with
surround sound, yet most peole wanting a decent large screen TV will have a
decent seperate surround system!

Now when we get camcorders with 5m pixel CCD's it might be worth having.
Even phone's come with 1m pixel camera's now!