Vid Cam Needed

[samureye]

Okay, I was pointed in the direction of the Panasonic DVX series and Sony DCR series. I want something with decent quality, making it easy to get the video to get on the computer to be on the web. Looking for it on the cheap as well, best way to find out is via people's actual experience so have at it!

[ariastar]

Lookin' for some hot interweb pr0n action? :)

[tokenuser]

I love my Panasonic PVGS500.

It is NOT an HD camera, but it does film a native 16:9 aspect ration (no cropping). Colour reproduciton is awesome. Battery life is good. Sound is OK, but would recommend external mic for "produciton" work.

This camera uses MiniDV media. That means 60-80 mins (depending on brand) at SP recording (best quality), or 90-120 mins at LP (lower quality). That is important to note, because MiniDVD cameras don't have that sort of record time (30 min to a disc).

Now, this camera can be controlled from a firewire port on a PC/Mac for downloading into your editting suite of choice (Adobe Premiere). It will also stream over USB (can also be used as a web cam in this config), but the firewire gives a LOT more control.

Disadvantage of MiniDV is that the editting must be done off camera - access to content on a RW MiniDVD is non-linear ... so you can delete on the fly.

So, as a Panasonic user, thats my recommendation. The 3CCD and lens quality really make for a great camera. Taking it up a notch to the new HD cameras is great, but not easy to justify at US$1300.

[ariastar]

I don't know if $1300 would be considered cheap.

[tokenuser]

I don't know if $1300 would be considered cheap.I looked at HD cameras when I bought mine back in July/August last year - and it was over double the cost to go HD. As it was I had to scout to around to get my camera down from the MSPR of $1000 down to $700.

But you know ... 1080i/p is stunning, but 16:9 at 480p is pretty damn amazing as well - it IS DVD quality, and takes far less load time over the intarwebs.

Sammy - don't get hooked up on HD, but definately look into NATIVE 16:9.

[samureye]

I'm hearing Panasonic is the way to go. So what is the next model from there? Or should I go for the same model brand new and possibly get a better price?