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fence !!POey2hdozCZ
my turn to be a noob. i know less than jackshit about camcorders, but i need to advise my girlfriend on which one to buy in about three hours. so far, i'm thinking:

1) go dvd. i don't know how much editing she's actually planning on doing, but i would guess none. but if she does want to, how hard is it to edit stuff recorded to dvd? i also doubt she wants to couple the cost of an external HDD to her camcorder, so dvd has the added bonus of instant "archival".

2) all camcorders advertised as HD for less than 1000 bucks are really just upscaling lower res video, right? does it matter?

3) or should i maybe go minidv?
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon PowerShot A80Camera SoftwareImageReadyMaximum Lens Aperturef/2.8Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaImage-Specific Properties:Compression SchemeJPEG Compression (Thumbnail)Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2007:11:12 17:27:43Exposure Time1/5 secF-Numberf/2.8Lens Aperturef/2.8Exposure Bias-0.7 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length7.81 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1136Image Height852RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceManualScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Anonymous
MiniDV is really really nice. Great video quality. If she goes, "Eww, tapes", tell her it's still digital and you can easily transfer videos to the computer. From there, it's easy to edit them or put them straight to DVD.
>> Anonymous
Sony makes some kickass HD camera's with features that will boggle your mind (Face recognition and easy search, being my favorite) They usually have about 8 hours worth of 720p on a HD too.
>> Anonymous
Sony hands down.
>> hatefag
MiniDV is definitely the way to go. Cheap format, looks good, perfect for importing to a computer for editing.
Several companies make quality cameras, and many of the more expensive ones just have retarded bells and whistles and in-camera editing bullshit that you don't need.

Have her figure out what features she needs, then buy any big-name camera that has those features in her price range.
>> heavyweather !4AIf7oXcbA
Can someone explain to me how video works? D:

35mm motion picture film is super simple to understand, since it's basically photography, just at 24fps... but video? I understand the recording medium is electromagnetic tape, but... but... I'm not smart, this doesn't make sense to me. WHAR DO THE PICTARS GO?
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>171125
Works just like an audio cassette, but the data it's recording are light levels and audio levels rather than sound levels.

Or, with a digital video camera, it's even simpler. There's an imaging chip in there just like a digital still camera, and it records the frames on the magnetic tape digitally, just like a hard drive but linear.
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
Sony or Canon, either are good as consumer cameras.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Canon HV20, less than $800

1920x1080
24p
HDMI

1080p24 is fucking win

yes, it's true high def, no upscaling shit
>> Anonymous
>>171236
But no focusing ring, so it automatically fails.
>> Anonymous
>>171236
Also, just checked, it is NOT 1080p. It is 1080i HDV.
>> Anonymous
1080/60i, 1080/24P, 1080/30F, 1080/24F

1080p24
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
Is there like a video equivalent of the PowerShot A-series? Something less expensive than one of the big cameras you have to hold on your shoulder but that gives you manual aperture/shutter control and possibly manual focus?
>> Anonymous
>>171268
Yes, see>>171236

That's exactly what it is.

I had one, great camera. The manual controls are limited and difficult to get to, but if you really want them they're there. The image quality is phenomenal.
>> fence !!POey2hdozCZ
>>171236

i wish. her budget is 300-400 bucks. but thanks for the advice. this question feels stupid before i even ask, but you can re-record on miniDV, right?
>> Anonymous
>>171377
Yep. You really only need one MiniDV tape anyway. Think of it as a harddrive.
>> fence !!POey2hdozCZ
well, went with a sony (ib4butterfly) dcrhc38. minidv. 180 buxx at circuity city, open box.

thanks, motherfuckers!
>> Anonymous
how are you going to buy an open box for your girlfriend

that's like her offering her cum soaked vagina to you after some stranger used her up
>> Anonymous
>>171453
Why? With the money they saved by buying open box, they could have a nice meal together or something.

Nothing wrong with buying open box or used or whatever.
>> fence !!POey2hdozCZ
>>171453

she bought it. that's how.