Sony Camcorders Updates
Professional Video Advice. HD camcorders for around $4000.?
I have about $4000 (+/- some) and was looking to improve the quality of videos I make as well as starting a small business. I’m 16 and was wondering what cameras pack in the most professional features at this price range, and if there is anything I should save up more $ for, or pull the trigger immediately on. I’ve done quite a bit of research, but what i really need is advice from a seasoned professional as my consumer hdd sony wont cut it any longer. The three cameras I’ve been looking at are the Canon XH-A1s, the JVC GY-HM100U, and the yet to be released RED Scarlet. My concerns however
-Is tape dead, solid state the way to go?
-can i expect updates to the canon line anytime soon
-how is the compression of shooting to sd cards
-is the red worth the wait even if it kills my budget
-is dslr the way to go right now
-any other recommendations??
thanks
The Red Scarlet – and the various attachments – is out of your price range.
If you don’t care about archiving the video for long term, or, if you can afford to buy and maintain a good RAID1 or better NAS or other highly redundant storage system for long term video storage, then I suppose miniDV tape is unnecessary. Personally, I don’t trust the cloud security or stability, yet, and NAS units are only just now coming to small business/home use… and I prefer keeping the digital tape masters in an environmentally controlled cool, dry, secure, place for long term storage.
The last update to the Canon line was the introduction of the XLH series a couple of years ago. The XHA1 has been doing well for a while. Whether they will update soon is a good question – pro grade cameras are not subject to the consumer elasticity we are used to with their annual updates.
Speaking of which – the video compression applied to the digital stream is what the camcorder manufacturers want to make it. At the poor video side of the scale are the Panasonic anemic AVCHD camcorders they try to pass off as “pro”. But the Panasonic AG-HVX200 is a good one. Then there are those that use DV/HDV (just like miniDV tape) – check the HVR-Z7, and you already know the XHA1 is a miniDV tape based HDV system… then there is less compression – in the JVC GY-HM100.
If you plan to capture all your audio onboard the camcorder, I would stay away from the DSLRs. Their video looks good, but at the moment, their audio options are not so good. If you plan to capture all your audio offboard (like onto a Fostex or other manufacturer) audio field recorder, then the onboard audio does not matter.
Others suggestions:
Sony HVR Z1U (recently discontinued, but a long-time workhorse).
Sony HVR-Z5U (miniDV tape based)
You already know the others (Panny HVX200, Canon XLH, JVC GY-HM series…)
Don’t spend your entire budget on the camera.
Tripod, SteadyCam/GlideCam vest system, camera crane – or some other steadying systems.
Mics – shotgun, wireless lavs, stereo, etc…
Lights, mounts, cases… You can easily spend as much on the accessories as you did on the camcorder. I have also found multi-camera shoots to be fun… (I use a Sony HDV-FX1 – the Z1U’s consumer sibling and a HDR-HC1 – the A1U’s consumer sibling – may times, simultaneously)…
Sony HandyCam HDR-CX150 HD Camcorder Unboxing
|
|
Mediabridge – USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable – (5ft) $5.99 Mediabridge USB 2.0 A-Male to Mini-B Cable – 5ft This cable allows you to make a powerful connection between your device such as a smart phone, GPS, or digital camera and your PC. Charge your device simply by connecting it to you PC’s USB port. (See specifications of each device in the device’s user manual. Some devices will require an A/C power adapter to charge). – Create routes and waypoints on… |
|
|
LG GGW-H20L Super Multi Blue – Blu-ray Disc Burner / HD DVD-ROM Drive w/ Lightscribe – 6x2x6x/3x – Serial ATA – internal – 5.25 $330.00 WRITE Speed: BD-R (SL/DL) 4x BD-R (SL LTH)16x DVD+R: 16X DVD+RW: 8X DVD-R: 16X DVD-RW: 6X CD-R: 40X CD-RW: 24X DVD+R DL: 4X DVD-R DL: 4X DVD-RAM: 5X READ Speed: DVD-ROM: 16X Blu-ray DVD-ROM: 6X HD DVD-ROM: 3X … |
|
|
Dazzle Digital Video Creator 150 Video Capture Device and Movie Maker (210100325) $149.99 PINNACLE’s DAZZLE DVC-150 is the straightest path to creating Hollywood style movies from your home videos. DVD Encoder Chip automatically converts real time video into 1/4 size DVD quality (720 x 480) video Package includes A/V cables, USB cable, complete user’s guides Requirements – Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP; 128MB RAM, 500MHz+ Pentium II class processor, CD or DVD burner for disc creat… |
|
|
Nikon COOLPIX AW100 16 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera with GPS and Full HD 1080p Video (Orange) $379.00 … |