Hi everyone,
Last week I requested info on digital cameras. I thank all of you who
responded. A lot of you suggested the Flip camera or the RCA Small
Wonder. These are great for small resolution type projects but I wanted
something with a lot higher resolution and features. Below are the
suggestions I had for those along with the camcorder I ended up decided
between.
-We use digital cameras extensively here that have both video and still
photo capability. A brand we like is Aiptek but my Follett rep just
showed me one last week that I liked even more. Of course, I can't
remember the name of the brand now but it was a simplified version that
operated like a flip phone - great even for the younger grades. Our
Aipteks cost about $150 and the version I saw last week was a little bit
more, around $175, but that allowed rechargeable batteries to be used.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you do get a version that
allows for rechargeable batteries because these devices eat a lot
juice!
-I like those little Sony camcorders because of the superior lens. I've
got a couple here at school, and I bought one for home. We've got Macs
at home, and the camera just plugs right into the computer via
Firewire.
Downloading is simple, as is editing. We then burn the finished product
to a DVD.
Here at school I have proper editing equipment, so I can do much more.
I think the newest version burns directly to a mini-DVD.
-I have two Canon DV digital camcorders. They work great. Cost around
$150-200.
-I didn't see your original post but I do have to say that if you have
Moviemaker or iMovie or some other editing software already, don't let
the software that comes from the camera deter you. I got a hard drive
camcorder last year and even though the files are .mod files, I can just
rename them .avi and use this software to edit. I never use the editing
software that comes with the camera. The nice part about the hard drive
camera is that I don't' have to worry about the tapes or disks getting
messed up or scratched and kids loosing what they taped. The disks are
nicer than the tapes if you get one that records to RAM disks because
then you can erase and reuse them. But the downfall is that you don't
know if there is a bad spot until it is too late.
To make a long and rambling email short... Since most computers now
have some sort of video editing software already on them, you aren't
limited to what comes with the camera.
-Don't get Canon ZR 800. It's a nice little camera for basic video
production students, but it's not advanced enough for what you want.
I personally have a Panasonic with the 3CCD (don't have model # here
at
school), and I really like the resolution. Beach Camera sells them
for
about $430, I believe (beachcamera.com). I'm not sure what the
"miking"
capabilities on are. I just use it for home b-day parties and things.
One of my production students tried it for a day, liked it, and
ordered
one.
Be sure that whatever you order matches the computers to which you'll
be
uploading and editing. Our new school cameras have Firewire
connectors,
but the computers have USB, so we have to buy and install PCI cards at
$30 a pop.
-I have really come to like the JVC's. They have microphone jacks,
which are really hard to find. I used a couple of Sony's but they
lasted just over the year warranty while the JVC's have lasted much
(years) longer. There are some in our district who use Sony's but I
have not had their luck with them. I have a junior high video club so
they get pretty heavy (and not always the most careful) use.
-I would recommend JVC but not the hard drive kind ----I like Sony -
but then
you can only purchase Sony accessories from the Sony website and it
gets
kind of spendy. Sony cameras only take "SONY" brand items - and it's a
pain
when you are looking for a battery or lens, etc. and have to order it
all
online. Just my experience. Good luck!
-Yes, we have a nice Panasonic hybrid camcorder. Taking the files into
movie
maker won't work. Transferring them into Pinnacle in AVI format is
time
consuming but works.....and is not user friendly. I haven't conquered
the
issue so it works comfortably yet. But the MAC's may be easier. If
you
just want to throw what you recorded onto a DVD, it is a snap.
The DVD recorders have little 30 min DVD's that have to be 'closed'
after
1/2 hour .....they are also expensive. I don't know what type of file
extensions they have. But video editing is a hassle on a pc no matter
how
you do it. Our school got supposedly top of the line Pinnacle.....we
were
putting files in from a prior made DVD and it couldn't read it off the
computer's DVD, so we had to drag a TV type one over, plug it into the
computer and then pinnacle accepted it. Nothing is in sync between
various
hardware/software with a pc. My next computer will be a mac.
My Picks after researching were:
Canon Vixia 3.3 HIgh Definition Digital 60 GB Hard Drive model HG20
(too expensive for me at $900)
Panasonic 2.1MP High Definition Digital 60GB Hard Drive model HDC-HS9,
cost between $500-$600
Sony-Handycam Camcorder 60GB Hard Drive model DCR-SR86, cost $529.99
I ended up writing the grant for the Sony Handycam after reading
several reviews and talking with sales people who sell all of the above
items. I actually talked with the Sony rep (the one who sells to the
product to the businesses) to find out the specifics. The issue of
downloading and editing the video onto the computer seem to be great for
the Sony if you have a pc and not a MAC. There seems to be some issues
now with Sony working easily on the MAC side. The extras that I also
put in the grant were additional longer life batteries and a wall
charger for the batteries. The recording time of the batteries that
comes with the camera are only about an hour so I bought batteries that
would last up to 3 hours. That way if I need to record a presentation I
would have enough juice!
Again, thanks for all your input and I hope this helps someone else!
It definitely wasn't easy to sift through all the info (or lack of it)
out there and pick the best suited camcorder for my needs. I stumped
even some of the sales personnel with some of my questions!
Tammy L. Dineen,
tdineen@lomira.k12.wi.us
K-12 Library Media Specialist
Lomira School District
1030 4th Street
Lomira, WI
tdineen@lomira.k12.wi.us
Phone: 920-269-4396
Fax: 920-269-4996
"You don't know what you don't know until you know it!"
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