video camera

[Poppy]

any views or suggestions on a cheap starter video camera for an absolute thicko beginner

[Neal]

What type of camera would you like, anything?

Video camera, Hard Disc Camera?

[Poppy]

I am so green Neal, I don't even understand what you are saying. I want something really simple that I can take movies on that are recognisable and have sound. I know nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing about video. Please remember I am a bear of little brain, so as simple as possible please.:puzzled:

[Col.Kurtz]

Poppy, you can get some good deals on mini DV (tape format) camcorders, as the latest ones use either a disc or memory card to record the video onto (like digi cameras). You can get recognisable branded ones for around £250 that are ideal for beginners.

If your going to want to use it for uploading videos, just make sure it's capable.

If you need any more help just give us a shout!

[forceten]

So if you got a mini DV one, how would you go about transferring what you recorded onto a DVD? Would all the leads and such come with it and it would just be a case of connecting it to you PC?

Sorry for the hijack, but I'm after one too

[WillowTheWhisp]

The mini discs should pop into your PC shouldn't they? They pop into mine.They just sit in the central depression in the DVD drawer.

[forceten]

Ahhh right! And yes I have just opened the DVD drawer to have a look pmsl.

How much footage do the mini discs hold?

[Col.Kurtz]

Most camcorders nowadays come with software that allows you to transfer your footage to DVD or you can get some off the internet. What you need is either firewire out socket, USB 2 or equivelant.

If you check the big electrical retailer websites, they have all the features listed with the camcorders and sometimes a glossary of terms which can be helpful.

[Poppy]

don't be sorry forceten, the more heads get put together the more answers we will get, I shall have to save up a bit to buy one so am using the time to find out as much as I can.:lightbulb:

[Col.Kurtz]

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

The mini discs should pop into your PC shouldn't they? They pop into mine.They just sit in the central depression in the DVD drawer.

Hang on Willow, minidiscs are not what I'm talking about. They are part of the newer technology.

Mini DV is a very small tape that records digitally, much like a disc except you use them in your camcorder to play them into a pc.

They are really cheap to buy now, so it's a good alternative to getting the 'latest thing'.

[forceten]

:puzzled:I'm confused now

[lancsdave]

First of all decide your budget. If you only want it for average use ie family holidays, barmitzvahs ect then you can get a decent one for less than £200 these days;

ie This Sony one at Amazon is only £159.99. I'm not recommending it but just giving an idea of what you get for your money.

[Col.Kurtz]

Best thing to do is have a look on some retailers websites and look at cameras in your price-range. If you've any questions, let me know what you want to be able to do with it, send me a link and I'll see if it suits.

[lancsdave]

Here's the link for the above ( damn this senility )

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-DCR-HC2...249235&sr=1-19

[Poppy]

now I have learned quite a lot from this (Ithink)
1/ camera with casset like vcr. ( only small) will be cheaper as folk are moving on to disc. ( like vcr move to dvd)
2/ some have memory card like my fuji fine pix.

next question do they all record sound at the same time as you are filming
( Know it's basic but I have to ask)?
Do most have usb port to input to my computer?

Once I know enough to know what to ask ( if that makes sense) I shall have the confidence to go into a shop, I was thinking anywhere up to about £300. Cheap as poss to start in case I don't get on with it and it ends up in the cupboard( eas going to say under the stairs, but don't have them on the boat)