Camcorder recommendations?

[Rob N]

What would you buy?

Would need to be easy to operate,not excessively expensive and would be used for just general use ie family get togethers.

Would also need to work well indoors in low light levels.

Which is best - tape,DVD or hard disc?

 

[GreatDane]

I still think miniDV tape is best for PQ. It's been a while since I researched them but the Panasonics used to be top choice in the $800~$1,200 range.

Once again,I recommend spending time at camcorderinfo.com

 

[vibin247]

Same here with Mini-DV. Being experienced with the Sony 3-CCD camcorders, I highly recommend them for picture quality. If you can find one, the DCR-TRV series camcorders are quite good.

 

[kramer5150]

Mini DV for me... Ive had 3 different corders in the past ~5 years. Each one was around $450

I have had NOTHING but trouble with JVC units. Each one died within ~18 months of carefull use. One died within ~10 days while I was on vacation.

Ive had a panasonic for ~6 months. So far so good, in terms of reliability Knock on

I used the camcorderinfo.com message board to research the Panasonic unit

 

[GreatDane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vibin247 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Same here with Mini-DV. Being experienced with the Sony 3-CCD camcorders, I highly recommend them for picture quality. If you can find one, the DCR-TRV series camcorders are quite good.

I have a DCR-TRV70 from a couple years back. It was a $1,300 msrp model that I found at a closeout sale for $600 at Best Buy. It works very good and even does true widescreen footage...stills pretty much suck but that's not why I bought it. It has worked flawlessly so far.