Good, but affordable, video camera.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Im after a decent, but affordable, video camera that i can set-up on a tripod and leave running for the duration of a night that i can they use the footage for a promo dvd.

However, i havent a clue what im looking for, so any help would be much apprecated. Budget, probably a couple of hundred quid, but im easy :)

Cheers

Steve

[OllieJames]

Depends on the quality. My camera (that i used to film the HD vids on my youtube account - although youtube compressed them ALOT) cost £700 with external mic... Check out some of the SONY Handycams.

I assume you'll be using WMM to edit? I'd advise getting a HDD based camera, as it's easy to drag and drop the files - however DO NOT get a camera that films in the 'avchd' format, because litteraly no software can cope with it apart from Final Cut & Premiere Pro (which is what i use).

Something like this would be good. It's not HD, but is good quality, has a harddrive and records in a format suitable for WMM.

However, i'm sure someone 'more in the know' will be here to help out soon :)

[CRAZY K]

Im after a decent, but affordable, video camera that i can set-up on a tripod and leave running for the duration of a night that i can they use the footage for a promo dvd.

However, i havent a clue what im looking for, so any help would be much apprecated. Budget, probably a couple of hundred quid, but im easy :)

Cheers

Steve

I just bought a Sony Handycam DCR SR37E with a 60gig HD that runs for 45 hours from John Lewis with a 2 year warranty included £289.

Used it on my trip to China and it was SO easy to operate.

I imagine the cost nowadays depends on the type of digital storage--i.e. dvd disc or hard drive and also the capacity in hours of filming.

I just wanted loads of hard drive space;)

Agreed the quality may be cut down on you tube--my normal £130 Canon digital camera makes vid clips of acceptable quality for you tube:D

CRAZY K

[DJMaxG]

Im after a decent, but affordable, video camera that i can set-up on a tripod and leave running for the duration of a night that i can they use the footage for a promo dvd.

However, i havent a clue what im looking for, so any help would be much apprecated. Budget, probably a couple of hundred quid, but im easy :)

Cheers

Steve

Firstly, you have to decide whether you want standard quality or High Definition.

The Semi Pro JVC/Sony ones are ideal, if you've got 2.5 Grand spare.

But otherwise, I'd reccomend getting a HD Camcorder, costs about £400-£500, and effective.

Decent Editing software is a must, Windows Movie Maker will do the trick, but not ideal.

[Tom]

Decent Editing software is a must, Windows Movie Maker will do the trick, but not ideal.


Sorry... I thought you said decent :confused:

My dad just bought this. http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/8154014/Magix-Movie-Edit-Pro-14-Plus/Product.html?source=5066&engine=froogle_pc&keyword=Magix+Movie+Edit+Pro+14+Plus

[visualdjmax]

Sorry... I thought you said decent :confused:

My dad just bought this. http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/8154014/Magix-Movie-Edit-Pro-14-Plus/Product.html?source=5066&engine=froogle_pc&keyword=Magix+Movie+Edit+Pro+14+Plus

Agreed!

[Charlie Brown]

Yeah, I used to love movie making and at one point got really into it. With everything else taking off I never had the time for it. I used "Sony Vegas" software which was rather hard to use, but once you got the hang of it, it was good. :) If your just wanting a camera to film your setup then I would rather spend the money on a professional photographer or someone who would come and film certain parts of your disco and edit it top notch?

[OllieJames]

Adobe Premiere Pro is the leading editing software along side Final Cut Pro. If you SERIOUSLY want to make videos, then i'd suggest getting one of those.. They are pricey though.

For a promo, an HD camera would be best, as the lighting would be picked out better than by a standard quality one.

[BigBen]

If your just wanting a camera to film your setup then I would rather spend the money on a professional photographer or someone who would come and film certain parts of your disco and edit it top notch?
Absolutely. I'm a member of the IOV (http://www.iov.co.uk/) - Institute of Videographers. Take a look at their website, speak to a couple of guys in your area and see if you can work out a deal.

Find a videographer (http://www.find-a-videographer.com/).

[Vectis]

You need to find a camera that is good in low-light situations and can cope with rapid changes in the lighting - for instance one that if 'hit' full on by a scanner on open white doesn't then take 5 seconds to refocus on the dark room afterwards.

After a LOT of trial and error (I went through about 5 different cameras including Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, SD/HD, DVD/DV/HDD) I settled on the Canon HV20. It's an HD camera (well, 1080i which is more than adequate for squirting onto DVD at 720i) and uses standard DV cassettes - which I much prefer for archive purposes - and has firewire and USB onboard. It's also a quite respectable 3MP stills camera with an SD card slot in the side.

I now have two of these and use them set in 'Cine' mode for recording wedding ceremonies etc. as well as the evening events and am 100% happy with them.

I would NEVER go back to an SD camera after owning one of these - the difference is startling. What sold me was the low light performance - it's instantaneous. I've never seen this camera struggle to grab focus in any situation.

Finally, by using mini-DV tapes I get to maintain my archive and there are no software compatibility issues because the data is stored uncompressed on the tape. Tapes are less than £1 each in bulk.

Having been a Premiere Pro user for a number of years I'm now more than happy with Final Cut after a switch to mac. However these cameras will happily 'chat' with Movie Maker for more straightforward editing requirements.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Thanks people. To be honest, im not going to be creating the final thing as a member of my lasses family runs a video/dvd promo company down south who can do it all. Its just i need to get a archive of footage that i can send to him, to save on him coning up 200 miles.

Im going to be mainly making a longer dvd that can be sent out as and when requested, and im getting a number of smaller clips done that can be put on the website. Im not keen on using youtube, but thats upto the web bloke to sort out for me :)

Cheers for the info on formats Ollie, useful to know what copes with what. Choices choices...... Its definately got to be HD so i think have a look round at the coices listed. Cheers :)

[PropellerHeadCase]

You need to find a camera that is good in low-light situations and can cope with rapid changes in the lighting - for instance one that if 'hit' full on by a scanner on open white doesn't then take 5 seconds to refocus on the dark room afterwards.

After a LOT of trial and error (I went through about 5 different cameras including Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, SD/HD, DVD/DV/HDD) I settled on the Canon HV20. It's an HD camera (well, 1080i which is more than adequate for squirting onto DVD at 720i) and uses standard DV cassettes - which I much prefer for archive purposes - and has firewire and USB onboard. It's also a quite respectable 3MP stills camera with an SD card slot in the side.

I now have two of these and use them set in 'Cine' mode for recording wedding ceremonies etc. as well as the evening events and am 100% happy with them.

I would NEVER go back to an SD camera after owning one of these - the difference is startling. What sold me was the low light performance - it's instantaneous. I've never seen this camera struggle to grab focus in any situation.

Finally, by using mini-DV tapes I get to maintain my archive and there are no software compatibility issues because the data is stored uncompressed on the tape. Tapes are less than £1 each in bulk.

Having been a Premiere Pro user for a number of years I'm now more than happy with Final Cut after a switch to mac. However these cameras will happily 'chat' with Movie Maker for more straightforward editing requirements.

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Arnold_disco]

A bit late but i will say just get a cheap MiniDV such as a Canon MD205

[DJMaxG]

If you want a Professional Camera, then the Sony PMW EX3 is a Great model.

But, as a DJ, I'd imagen you just want a decent camcorder.

The Hard disk drive option is great, and so are memory cards ... as they're not too expensive and just 'Click' in and out.

My Sanyo SD Camera (fits in palm of hand) has a pretty decent microphone [built in] which manages to pick up a lot of handling noise ... doesn't matter, as I use the tripod where required.

My Other one, which is a Sony 30GB HDD (Standard def) is also good, but both of the cameras are hard to compare.




The Sony PMW EX3 (Pro Cam), and similar ones have XLR Mic/Line Inputs, 2 card slots, and you can usually add a universal 'camera' type hdd which connects via firewire.


Which camera did you go for in the end?

[yourdj]

Do you get remotes with all of these?

Would be handy on the otherside of the room. i cant wait to see myself from a punters eyes!! i will learn allot about my mannerisms etc.

[OllieJames]

Do you get remotes with all of these?

Would be handy on the otherside of the room. i cant wait to see myself from a punters eyes!! i will learn allot about my mannerisms etc.

With the Canon's definately - well; I did with mine.

[DJMaxG]

Do you get remotes with all of these?

Would be handy on the otherside of the room. i cant wait to see myself from a punters eyes!! i will learn allot about my mannerisms etc.

Absolutely, some come with remotes and some don't.

My Sony and Sanyo's don't come with them, but then again I rarely need them, because I just hit record ... get on with whatever I'm doing; and edit out the walking up to the camera to turn it off etc.

If you do a Google search, or look on most camera shops etc, there will be specification sheets, and it will say stuff like (eg. Remote - Yes)

The Professional Cameras (Broadcast type) will often have a port for wired remotes.

Also another thing to look out for are Mic in's. Infact I'll add a list of things to look out for below here.


With the Canon's definately - well; I did with mine.


Options to Consider :

- Optical Zoom (35 X, and above is preferable)
- Microphone Input (extremely useful)
- Recording Format (MPG 2 / 4 etc)
- Records onto [HDD, SD Cards, Mini DVs]
- Remote Control Included
- Battery Type, and rechargable?
- Ports on the camera (eg. HDMI / Firewire)
- Video Definition (HD 1080 for example)
- Are certain accessories available?
- Recording Time (how much can I cram on it)

The reason why I have mentioned Battery type, is because some, believe it or not, are powered by standard Alkaline 'AA' type batteries. Yes, you can get rechargable AA's, but try to look out for Lithium Ions.

Most expensive video cameras will take the manafacurer's standard battery, which is upgradable and gets chunkyer for how long it can power for.

The Digital Zoom is not as important as the optical, as the quality gets degraded.

[ppentertainments]

Steve, did you get sorted with this ??

Just fished out my camcorder to try some video tonight and I think the battery has had it so thinking about a new one, but it's all above my head LOL.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

The Sony Handycam isnt too bad, but looses focus occasionally with the disco lights.

Max (VisualDJ) suggests an Aiptek HD, less that £100, HD and he has used one for his videoshowcases before.