[Hidden-tech] questions about digital video cameras

[Adam Bauer]

> My son has been working with a small $250 video camera that uses memory chips,
> rather than tapes. He is frustrated with its limitations and wants to get an
> HD video camera that uses tapes instead of memory chips. He has budgeted about
> $1,000, but can go up to $1,500.
> 
> Does anyone know,
> a) is this the best way for him to go? (he does a LOT of video editing,)
> b) is this a reasonable amount to budget, and
> c) what would be a good camera for him to get?
> 
> Thanks, 
> stephanie 

Hi Stephanie,
When I went to India and Afghanistan to work on a film/media project, I
faced exactly this scenario, and my girlfriend/travel partner at the time
was media person.

She preferred tapes. No chance of a simple digi-glitch ruining all your work
and leaving you no backups. Yeah, you've got to capture all the video onto a
drive for editing, but that's OK.

HD is a must. We chose the Canon HV20 (I think they are up to the HV 30 or
40 now)--very small, very high quality, pretty easy to learn and use. I
think the unit itself (through B&H in NYC or whomever else) was approx $700;
once you added all the necessaries--external shotgun mic w/on-camera
adaptor, lavalier and proper boxes for plugging the mics into the HV20,
you're definitely somewhere north of $1000.

Maybe the whole thing is doable in the ballpark of $1500 (depending on one's
choice of mics etc.), although then you've got to get a supply of digital
media (not too expensive from the right sources but still, every 100 tapes
adds up!).

So depending on what he needs for external mics etc., he might bust his
budget--but for a solid HD video recorder that's small and potent, he should
at least look at the Canon HV 30, or whatever takes it place these days.

B&H in NY may be worth a call for basic info gathering.
866.264.7509 / 212.560.3239
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Good luck!
adam

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Adam Bauer
Founder, Dharma Boutique

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