Pro Camcorders Recorders
question about film makers’ equipments?
why do film maker use bulky and heavy HDV like example:Sony’s Pro HDV Camcorders it records at 1080p and it cost around $4,000 and while HD camcorder which are much more portable and 10x smaller and recorders at 1080p also and cost only $1000
First of all, the folks that use the $4,000 are not typically making feature length films. For that, many continue to use actual film cameras. Check the Sony CineAlta, Panasonic Varicam, Panavision, Arri – and others… They don’t take stills; they don’t even record any audio. At 20 pounds +, they are very rarely used handheld. Most don’t come with a lens – the lenses can cost more than the camera. If digital, examples include Red (Scarlet or One) or Silicon Imaging. At least they record audio.
Check the Sony SDCAM, HDCAM and XDCAM series – up around $40,000.
The $4,000 camcorders are a little on the low side for professional video. At the range you are talking about, indies and some documentary folks use them because their lenses are big, they have large imaging chips (good for most lighting conditions) and all the manual controls are on the outside of the camcorder. Many times lenses are interchangeable and the favored storage media is miniDV tape (there are other tape media, like DVCPRO / HD). Audio connections are made with XLR connectors. Generally, DV and HDV video formats are stored. Refer to the Sony HVR-Z7 and Panasonic AG-HVX200 for flash memory examples – for hard drives, check the externals from Sony or Focus Enhancements (FireStore) for miniDV tape based camcorders.
Below about $2,500 drops you to the high-end consumer range. Lenses and imaging chips get progressively smaller (reducing low-light behavior), audio connectors are 1/8″ (3.5mm) stereo audio connectors.
Below this, there are good consumer miniDV tape camcorders (that record to DV/HDV), but the unknowing consumer is sold on “good enough”, marketing hype, and is baited by flash memory and hard disc drives (it must somehow be more digital than digital tape, but is not) that capture very highly compressed video (either very highly compressed MPEG2 for standard definition or AVCHD/MTS for high definition – no DV or HDV) with lesser video quality. The manual controls are nowhere to be found on the outside of the camcorder – most of that is buried in a menu somewhere – and “auto” is about as good as it gets…
So… to answer your questions… Why do they spend so much time learning to use the manual controls and all that other stuff? To give YOU the experience you expect and demand.
Sony HVR-Z1U
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SVAT GX301-011 Digital Wireless DVR Security System with 7 LCD Monitor, SD Card Recording and 2 Long Range Night Vision Surveillance Cameras $299.99 SVAT’s GIGAXTREME 301 system can be used to monitor and record video and audio in any indoor or outdoor space at any time of the day. Digital Wireless Technology 2 Way Intercom Feature |
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KJB Security DVR-001 – PI Cam Stick with 4GB Memory, digital camcorder $169.99 KJB Security DVR-001 – PI Cam Stick with 4GB Memory, digital camcorder. When you are looking for a small camcorder then the PI-Cam stick is the product for you, recording has never been made easier and now the PI Cam Stick has a 4GB internal memory! The PI-CamStick is the smallest high resolution, real time digital camcorder on the market today. Just push the record button and with one touch you a… |
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Muvi Micro DV Camcorder $89.99 Make your own action movies never miss a minute! Great for cycling, hiking and running, this incredible pocket-size camcorder fits in the palm of your hand and mounts easily to your bicycle handle bars for thrilling action videos you film yourself! You can also strap it to your helmet or arm for hiking and running. Great for boating, motorcycle, car trips and skateboarding, too! All mounting and c… |
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LeapFrog Leapster Explorer Camera and Video Recorder $8.95 Turn the Leapster Explorer? handheld into a digital camera and video recorder! Kids can take pictures and personalize them and shoot movies for music videos. Eight activities encourage creative expression, explore emotions and help build skills with letters, numbers and shapes. ? Take, edit and store up to 1,000 photos. ? Stretch, stamp and draw on pictures to personalize them. ? Create puzzles o… |