Digital Video Camera around $1000 with Still Pics? - GoFuckYourself.com

Hypo · 08-12-2001, 04:19 AM

I need to buy a digital video camera for $1000 or less (or slightly more), which also gives web publishable still pics.

If this video camera is good enough for cheap TV documentaries that would be fantastic, else I'll use it for homevideo.

How does one transfer the video to a PC, using the USB port or does it require a separate card? I would like to opt for the cheapest method. Camera should have an hour's memory at least.

08-12-2001, 06:45 AM

If you're looking for a digital camcorder then you will probably have to get a firewire card as well.

They are less than $150. Or you can just use an analog cam and buy a video capture card. Will still cost you the same thing as the digital though so it's best to go firewire.

Most camcorders have pretty shitty still picture capabilities, usually no better than 640X480. Just make sure the one you buy does the still photos in "progressive" mode, otherwise they won't be of ANY use to you on the web, unless all you want to do is make thumbnails, as they will be blurry as fuck.
http://www.canondv.com/zr_s/zr25/index.html

The Canon ZR25MC is a decent cheap one that does progressive stills. Spending more will get you better quality of course.

Hypo · 08-12-2001, 07:20 AM

Thanks. These Firewire cards, do they double up as video cards or they just take a whole PCI slot? Is there some specific card I should go in for or are they all basically similar? Any features I should look out for?

Do I have to buy storage media along with the cam? Which ones shoul I look for?

What about this cam -

JVC GR-DVM90 Digital CyberCam Digital Video Camera and Still Camera http://www.consumer-direct.com/detail.cfm?vpartno=GRDVM90&weight=5.00&add=Y&afl=C MJ&AID=1035233&PID=594934
Our Price: $1,159.95

Hypo · 08-12-2001, 07:22 AM

The link you just gave, gives this free -

ZiO!? is the perfect portable solution for people on the go. Use it to quickly and easily transfer data from digital cameras, video recorders, music players, cell phones and Pocket PCs to a USB equipped Mac or PC.

Do I stil need a Firewire card along with this? Looks to me like this will transfer video thru the USB port.

08-12-2001, 09:33 AM

I'm pretty sure you still need a firewire card if you want to transfer movies from your digicam and edit them on your PC with no loss of quality, then transfer them back to video still in digital format.

The USB attachment is what you would use to transfer the stills though, and maybe you can transfer video with it too, but it would have to have a drop in picture quality, as I don't think USB has the bandwidth necessary to transfer full quality DV.

The firewire cards will take up a separate PCI slot. You still need to have a separate video card in your PC.

Video cards like the ATI All In Wonder will capture analog video, but not digital.

Hypo · 08-12-2001, 09:50 AM

Thanks again. Here's another camera I found if anyone has any experience with it let me know -

Canon Elura 2 Mini DV Camcorder ***$829.98*** PRETTY SMALL, OK AUDIO http://www.hotbuyselectronics.com/it...p?item_id=1180 http://www.vanns.com/avcom/De.dna?RG=8243-6895&dt=731074&tm=38012&cart=320660121265496&cID=0 &MC=Video&DC=Camcorders&SKU=497999002&objdata=nacc SKU&com=shwpg&dfp=y&pTitle=Canon%20Elu ra%202

Also, anyone know the difference between Elura 1 and 2? Which is more expensive?

If anyone can suggest a Sony digital video camera for $1000 that can take stills I would prefer that.

Hypo · 08-12-2001, 10:08 AM

Also, what's the difference between a -

Digital 8 Camcorder
and
Mini DV Camcorder

They are listed at this page and the price for Digital 8 is around half that of MiniDV - http://www.hotbuyselectronics.com/co...=3&company=122

08-12-2001, 01:15 PM

Digital 8 is a proprietary Sony technology. It allows you to record digitally on a regular 8mm tape like analog cams, and they have the firewire connection so you can edit them on your PC just like the DV format.

However the cameras are bigger, and you only get to choose from Sony, and I guess the picture quality isn't as good as the more expensive DV cameras. They are great if you are on a budget though.

I don't know the specifics of the models you mentioned, but your best bet is to go to the various camcorder review sites you can find in the search engines. Sites like Cnet can also be helpful as their reviews include comments from people that have actually bought the camera so you get a good idea of its weak points.

BrettJ · 08-12-2001, 06:37 PM

I have the canon ZR30MC... we paid about 800 for it. I love it. great picture... good zoom. A guy down at the show had a sony that produced better up close skin shots than mine. I can get up to 8 inches away...he got up to 3 inches.

I'm sure he spent a few bucks more though.

BrettJ · 08-12-2001, 06:38 PM

I have the canon ZR30MC... we paid about 800 for it. I love it. great picture... good zoom. A guy down at the show had a sony that produced better up close skin shots than mine. I can get up to 8 inches away...he got up to 3 inches.

I'm sure he spent a few bucks more though.

Hope that Helps.

~Brett

dank · 08-12-2001, 06:55 PM

HYPO-

Youre i luck! I just happen to be selling my JVC digital cybercam camcorder. Sell it cheap for $350. Icq me right away for details about cuz I'm trying to sell it quickly.

Icq# 96637175

hottshot · 08-12-2001, 08:52 PM

Take a look at http://www.pcmall.com they have some pretty good deals

08-12-2001, 04:19 AM	#1
Hypo So Fucking Banned Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,104	Digital Video Camera around $1000 with Still Pics? I need to buy a digital video camera for $1000 or less (or slightly more), which also gives web publishable still pics. If this video camera is good enough for cheap TV documentaries that would be fantastic, else I'll use it for homevideo. How does one transfer the video to a PC, using the USB port or does it require a separate card? I would like to opt for the cheapest method. Camera should have an hour's memory at least.

08-12-2001, 06:45 AM	#2
evildick Guest Posts: n/a	If you're looking for a digital camcorder then you will probably have to get a firewire card as well. They are less than $150. Or you can just use an analog cam and buy a video capture card. Will still cost you the same thing as the digital though so it's best to go firewire. Most camcorders have pretty shitty still picture capabilities, usually no better than 640X480. Just make sure the one you buy does the still photos in "progressive" mode, otherwise they won't be of ANY use to you on the web, unless all you want to do is make thumbnails, as they will be blurry as fuck. http://www.canondv.com/zr_s/zr25/index.html The Canon ZR25MC is a decent cheap one that does progressive stills. Spending more will get you better quality of course.

08-12-2001, 07:20 AM	#3
Hypo So Fucking Banned Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,104	Thanks. These Firewire cards, do they double up as video cards or they just take a whole PCI slot? Is there some specific card I should go in for or are they all basically similar? Any features I should look out for? Do I have to buy storage media along with the cam? Which ones shoul I look for? What about this cam - JVC GR-DVM90 Digital CyberCam Digital Video Camera and Still Camera http://www.consumer-direct.com/detail.cfm?vpartno=GRDVM90&weight=5.00&add=Y&afl=C MJ&AID=1035233&PID=594934 Our Price: $1,159.95

08-12-2001, 07:22 AM	#4
Hypo So Fucking Banned Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,104	The link you just gave, gives this free - ZiO!? is the perfect portable solution for people on the go. Use it to quickly and easily transfer data from digital cameras, video recorders, music players, cell phones and Pocket PCs to a USB equipped Mac or PC. Do I stil need a Firewire card along with this? Looks to me like this will transfer video thru the USB port.

08-12-2001, 09:33 AM	#5
evildick Guest Posts: n/a	I'm pretty sure you still need a firewire card if you want to transfer movies from your digicam and edit them on your PC with no loss of quality, then transfer them back to video still in digital format. The USB attachment is what you would use to transfer the stills though, and maybe you can transfer video with it too, but it would have to have a drop in picture quality, as I don't think USB has the bandwidth necessary to transfer full quality DV. The firewire cards will take up a separate PCI slot. You still need to have a separate video card in your PC. Video cards like the ATI All In Wonder will capture analog video, but not digital.

08-12-2001, 09:50 AM	#6
Hypo So Fucking Banned Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,104	Thanks again. Here's another camera I found if anyone has any experience with it let me know - Canon Elura 2 Mini DV Camcorder *$829.98* PRETTY SMALL, OK AUDIO http://www.hotbuyselectronics.com/it...p?item_id=1180 http://www.vanns.com/avcom/De.dna?RG=8243-6895&dt=731074&tm=38012&cart=320660121265496&cID=0 &MC=Video&DC=Camcorders&SKU=497999002&objdata=nacc SKU&com=shwpg&dfp=y&pTitle=Canon%20Elu ra%202 Also, anyone know the difference between Elura 1 and 2? Which is more expensive? If anyone can suggest a Sony digital video camera for $1000 that can take stills I would prefer that.

08-12-2001, 10:08 AM	#7
Hypo So Fucking Banned Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,104	Also, what's the difference between a - Digital 8 Camcorder and Mini DV Camcorder They are listed at this page and the price for Digital 8 is around half that of MiniDV - http://www.hotbuyselectronics.com/co...=3&company=122

08-12-2001, 01:15 PM	#8
evildick Guest Posts: n/a	Digital 8 is a proprietary Sony technology. It allows you to record digitally on a regular 8mm tape like analog cams, and they have the firewire connection so you can edit them on your PC just like the DV format. However the cameras are bigger, and you only get to choose from Sony, and I guess the picture quality isn't as good as the more expensive DV cameras. They are great if you are on a budget though. I don't know the specifics of the models you mentioned, but your best bet is to go to the various camcorder review sites you can find in the search engines. Sites like Cnet can also be helpful as their reviews include comments from people that have actually bought the camera so you get a good idea of its weak points.

08-12-2001, 06:37 PM	#9
BrettJ ol' timer Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 4,715	I have the canon ZR30MC... we paid about 800 for it. I love it. great picture... good zoom. A guy down at the show had a sony that produced better up close skin shots than mine. I can get up to 8 inches away...he got up to 3 inches. I'm sure he spent a few bucks more though.

08-12-2001, 06:38 PM	#10
BrettJ ol' timer Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 4,715	I have the canon ZR30MC... we paid about 800 for it. I love it. great picture... good zoom. A guy down at the show had a sony that produced better up close skin shots than mine. I can get up to 8 inches away...he got up to 3 inches. I'm sure he spent a few bucks more though. Hope that Helps. ~Brett

08-12-2001, 06:55 PM	#11
dank Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 1,674	HYPO- Youre i luck! I just happen to be selling my JVC digital cybercam camcorder. Sell it cheap for $350. Icq me right away for details about cuz I'm trying to sell it quickly. Icq# 96637175

08-12-2001, 08:52 PM	#12
hottshot Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: AZ Posts: 900	Take a look at http://www.pcmall.com they have some pretty good deals