Videocamera question

[Bob Thomas]

Well, with the impending doom, err, baby, the wife and I are looking to upgrade our video camera from the 1980's VHS to something a little better.....and smaller.

I have never purchased something like this before. Can someone steer me in the right direction?

This is our dilemma....we'll want to send VHS copies of the pictures to family (not many have DVD yet) We'll need to make the copies using our VHS deck at home.

I have a DVD writer in the computer if needed.

Do I go with "Hi-8" "Digital"

I'm so confused !!

[rexhamer]

After never having owned even a VHS video camera, I took the plunge about a month ago and bought a Sony-TVR38 digital camcorder. I did a lot of research before buying. It records Mini-DV digital tapes. You can download the video directly to your hard drive via USB or Firewire cable (I had to buy a firewire card for the computer). Of course, you can play it directly from the camcorder on a TV.

I bought this with the intent of recording video, editing it on the computer, and burning DVD's for distribution to family & friends. MicroSoft's Movie Maker II is video editing software that you can download for free. My Firewire card also came with video editing software.

Although you mention your family doesn't have DVD players yet, at less than $100, they are the wave of the future. I also presume that by "DVD writer" you mean "DVD burner". You are already one step ahead regarding equipment/hardware. Besides - won't you need a second VCR to make VHS copies? If your VCR has the three port audio/video connection (yellow/white/red) you may be able to record the video directly to VHS during playback - I have never tried this, but you may want to ask a salesperson.

Having digital copies also allows you to send video as an e-mail attachment.

P.S. - interesting tidbit I picked up in my research - Consumer Reports did a survey that showed the average family that owned a video camcorder only uses it twelve hours a year. I hope you and I can do better than that!!

Good luck.

[maddog2020]

We have a Sony Hi-8 video camcorder - got it back in 1998. We use it probably less than 12 hrs a year. I bet it is more like 3 hrs a year. We do birthdays (keep it on seperate tape) and then generic on others.

I got this thing to edit the tapes to tie it into one VHS video tape, but haven't taken the time to do it yet. You need a pc, vhs player and a tv to use it......LOL. I bet I end up taking all the tapes to a place and let THEM edit it all.

My cousin picked up a digital Sony video camera that uses this thin media cards/strips. Camera is physically smaller than mine by at least 50%. He likes the compactness of it. Its easier for some one to steal as well.

You can always get a Hi-8mm video camcorder and then copy it to VHS and make more copies that way to send to family. That would be the cheapest out IMHO. My was around $800 and you can buy them now for well under half of that.

Congrats on your new arrival. Kiss your fishing time goodbye....LOL.

[HighTide]

I recently picked up a JVC DV72 for around $450 at BB. I like it because it's compact, user friendly, shoots well in low light conditions, and easy video transfer.
Before you buy, it's a good idea to do some research and compare the different brands out there and find exactly what you want.

cnet

Good Luck