Camcorder help
Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 20 February 2008
I want some basic camcorder help.
We use a camcorder at work for training, the existing one has croaked. I need the following
-remote control
-good wide angle coverage (or attachment possible)
-mainly will be viewed on TV or computer then deleted without a hard copy. Some may be saved, likely to DVD although VHS possibly.
-very basic editing only
-image quality not especially important, nor image stabilisation as camera is fixed
-good internal microphone
-small size ideally, must be quiet in use too
-average record time will be 1-2 hours at a stretch, rarely longer.
-simple to use
I've done some research. I cannot really see why not to buy a hard disk camera as it saves messing with tapes and a lot of the recordings will be deleted straight away. Superb quality is not a major issue. My only concern is if these require a very high powered PC to use effectively via a PC. Those at work are not lightning fast and have slowish video cards (although I can upgrade them).
Can anyone offer some basic guidance, any ideas on good resources to look further etc. The 'expired' camera was a Sony and has been extremely good until dropped. Twice. I'd be happy to buy another Sony-anyone advise against?
Bruce
We use a camcorder at work for training, the existing one has croaked. I need the following
-remote control
-good wide angle coverage (or attachment possible)
-mainly will be viewed on TV or computer then deleted without a hard copy. Some may be saved, likely to DVD although VHS possibly.
-very basic editing only
-image quality not especially important, nor image stabilisation as camera is fixed
-good internal microphone
-small size ideally, must be quiet in use too
-average record time will be 1-2 hours at a stretch, rarely longer.
-simple to use
I've done some research. I cannot really see why not to buy a hard disk camera as it saves messing with tapes and a lot of the recordings will be deleted straight away. Superb quality is not a major issue. My only concern is if these require a very high powered PC to use effectively via a PC. Those at work are not lightning fast and have slowish video cards (although I can upgrade them).
Can anyone offer some basic guidance, any ideas on good resources to look further etc. The 'expired' camera was a Sony and has been extremely good until dropped. Twice. I'd be happy to buy another Sony-anyone advise against?
Bruce