Okay, I have like a 5-6 year old JVS video Camera. Its a DV cam. So all my surf footage etc is stored on DV tapes that I still havent converted to digital. I have like 300 hours of surf video... The quality is pretty good. The zoom is fantastic... But its not HD or anything... So, while I am looking for a surf video camera upgrade, mostly for ease of data transfer. I just need something that will plug right up to my laptop and convert to digital video... So, I am 3.5 months away from having my baby girl. I DEFINITELY plan on being a camera nerd from the second she is born. I want a good HD camera, that is easy to carry, easy to just pull out at any moment and easy to use to get HD video feeds... Any suggestions? I had a buddy of mine who has a new baby, and he has the FLIP hd camera. He suggested that one. Anyone ever used these? Or have any recommendations? I am obviously on a budget, so something cheap would be nice too =) And further more, while I not too worried about the ability for the camera to zoom in heavily for advanced surf video taking, but, it would be a plus if the camera I upgrade too can do both. Cause having footage in HD going forward will be sick! I cant imagine how sick that would look... So, im looking for advice on a HD camera upgrade... mostly for my baby, but also for some surf video =)
just upgraded to hd. It's a panosonic with like 16x zoom. Holds all footage on a memory card. I love it! The quality is unreal and a 8gb memory card holds about an hour of footage. Hook it up to your computer and you can edit it or burn right to dvd.
small, fits in the palm of your hand. It is similar to this with less zoom. I think my fiance got it for $300 http://http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+HDC-TM80K+16GB+HD+Flash+Memory+Camcorder+-+Black/2009315.p?id=1218305998785&skuId=2009315
I have a JVC Everio GZ - HD7U (3CCC). It's HD and Hard Disk. I still like tape better - The quality is awesome on the HD esp. with the 3-CCC's, but getting the files on to my mac is another problem. Well not problem, i just have to spend money on a converter from .MOV to a file format accepted by my Mac. I miss just taking my Mini DV cam, plugging it into my 'Pinnacle' editing program, dumping the footage and doing whatever i want with it. Not sitting on Camera forums hearing the same thing from atleast 20 guys trying to figure it out Also, I have lost lots of footy from leaving my camera in the car on a cold night, dropping, shaking, etc - HARD DISK SUCKS! Hope that helps.
See, im happy with my DV tapes, but again, I have over 5 years of footage saved up, and I dont have firewire or anything. So I have been unable to get my files on my laptop period. I have a whole gang of editing software and stuff, im just waiting to figure out the cheapest easiest way to do it. The USB stuff doesnt work. My JVC and laptop lack firewire... im to the point where im going to pay someone to just convert it to AVI files on DVDs. I know how to edit and put it into video, but I just cant get it off the damn tapes!
Ok I had to write in here just because the last comment you made. You are going to pay someone to convert your tapes. 300 hours? Wow man, thats going to cost you a pretty penny. You are better off just buying a firewire card and doing it yourself. That way you can select what you do and dont want. These other guys are going to charge you and arm and a leg by the hour. As far as cameras, nowadays they pretty much have a lot of the same features. What you should focus on is what type of lens it has and also make sure it doesnt record in interlace. Full HD should be 1280X720. You are better off posting your concerns in a video/photo forum. I'm sure 99% of us on here only use video for hobbie purposes. I can help you out but its better to talk to an actual professional. Sony handycam HD, small and the picture is excellent, for water or action shots. You can't beat the GoPro.
I've talked to professional video guys and they just further confused me. The guy at best buy tried to sell me some giant data box that you then hook to your laptop and all this stuff... Long story short though, what i have been told is that there is no firewire adapter that is for sale that you can just plug into your laptop. I have 2 laptops, both have no firewire connections... And the video pros said that those USB converters lose quality and all these other things... Basically ive been told like 30 explanations of what I need to do, all of which were complicated and told to me with a level of uncertainty. So I kind of just gave up on it for a while. I have a guy that works for me, and he is in a band. He has a DV camera and all the firewire setups so he can record his bands shows. So he offered to let me come by sometime and just put my tapes into his equipment and convert... but I would imagine all that video would take forever to convert, and take up a TON of space.... But yeah, I have to invest in it eventually somehow, just to get it all digital. I just have so much damn footage. I got like 3 full tapes of a 10 day hawaii trip. So, its something like 12 tapes or more. 60 minutes each. Yikes! so, i guess its not quite 300, but its a ton.
I agree, sometimes the pros just confuse your and try to sell you unessicary sh*t. You can simply get a firewire cable and get a 1394 firewire converter for teh other 6 pin end. Of course, the best buy guy is going to tell you, you need to purchase something more. As far as quality, its not a noticable difference. If your worried about quality, make sure you are using a good program that can convert without downconverting your video. (thats were I ran into issues not the cable). Its really simple to do, just very time consuming. If your friend has the equipment and is going to let you use it free, all the better. Otherwise, I would just pay the 30 bucks and do it myself. As far as cameras, personally I prefer to use SD cards because I feel they are more rugged than Hard drive. Like I said before, Its just a matter of doing a little research to find what suits you best. Honestly, for my lifestyle (snowboarding, skydiving and surfing) the GoPro has been my go to cam only thing that sux is it has no controls and it always on fish eye but the quality is amazing and... its Cheap.
Some interesting feedback here 1. Exactly what editing software are you using (Premiere, Avid, Vegas, Final Cut, iMovie, et al)? 2. What platform (computer) are you using with exactly what operating system? Desktop units can typically install a firewire card and cable pretty reasonably, and it's not hard to do at all. Every Mac that I've seen since the Power Mac (what I use) has one or more firewire ports, and newer ones offer 800 firewire speed/port as well as the more common 400speed. USB2 can be used, but typically at a snail's pace and clean/steady/smooth video input demands high speed cabling and port speed, hence firewire. 3. Newer machines obviate the need for a firewire port because of the camera based digital format is now standard for HD. Flash media cards can now be imported directly but don't settle for a low capacity or low speed memory card. Go SDHD or better. A 16gb card that I have in my Pentax Optio 80w cost around $125 just for the card. If your computer has a side port for just such media cards, you're all set, otherwise, you'll have to use a card reader and they typically are USB 2 based. Just open the card and drag the files to a folder in your computer and your editing software should be able to access it directly, be it .avi, .mov, or otherwise. Since I'm using Final Cut Pro, and since Apple's default video files are .mov, my transfer is native from my Canon GL2 to my desktop or laptop (both Macs, one a Power PC and the other an Intel Based laptop.) If I happen to run into a variable format other than .avi or .mov, I use Apple's Quicktime Pro software, which is available for either Mac or PC to make the conversion. If Quicktime can't do it, it's not worth doing. (For the record, newer versions of iMovie store files in a format that is not compatible with Final Cut Pro. While iMovie used to use Quicktime .mov files, I'm now so sure they do now.) Final Notes: Flip video camcorders are convenient HD camcorders made specifically for mass appeal, and they've been especially successful at marketing it to young parents like yourself. Not a bad thing, but I really can't vouch for the quality or convenience of it for shooting long range surf video. It's designed for hand-held use, and for that reason alone, I would shy away from it. On another note, most point and shoot cameras these days do both HD video and still images. I bought my Pentax for convenience and ready adaptability, and have shot excellent quality digital HD video for production work with good success. While it's not my preferred camera, it is convenient and of good quality, but it definitely needs a tripod for serious work. Post Script: Kodak cameras typically use their own brand of lenses which happen to be plastic, not glass. You'll pay more for glass, (Nikon, Canon, etc) but it's worth it.
If you are looking for an inexpensive waterproof camera that works well in and out of the water, I would recomment the Sanyo Xacti, sold on eBay. The Sanyo worked great until I got water in the housing (I believe it was my fault not the device) and produced some great images. Currently purchased a JVC HD 1080i (Not Waterproof) that works nice and I just picked up a HERO Pro 1080HD, but haven't had a chance to use yet in the surf, but did use it to film my kids at The Great Wolf Lodge, the images came out great, no flexability with the HERO though with only a straight lens, I hope to use it this weekend. Check out some of my images on my website >>> www.eastbreak.com Sanyo Info >>> http://sanyo.com/xacti/english/products/vpc_wh1/index.html HERO >>> http://gopro.com/products/ Olympus >>> http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital.asp?section=tough
Just ordered one of these.Should get in the mail any day.Do you know whats the coldest water temp it can take?
Damn! Great info man! As far as the firewire ports. I have a couple of old PC desktops in my closet, but they have bad hardrives and crap. The only 2 machines that I currently have are two HP laptops, 3g Speed, 3 gig HD, but no firewire ports. Just standard USB and laptop stuff. Both of my laptops are the exact same model. Both lacking firewire access. So from what I understand, there is no easy way to buy a firewire adapter to just hook into a laptop. Its kind of stand alone at this point. I could just try and get my old PC desktop working. Wipe it clean and start over... but thats a lot of work. But as far as the camera advice, I will just print that, show it to the wife to help us make a decision. Again, thanks for the great info
i have no idea. it didnt get that specific on the website. i have used it in snow and stuff even though that is clearly not the same as water but other then that i have ni idea you might have to call them
firewire cards & express card adapters See if this helps at all: http://m.tigerdirect.com/m/www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=510&name=Firewire%20Adapters
