Should the MiniDV tape recording method be an issue? I'd love to go no tape, but Idk if it makes a difference...what are the pros/cons?
Most prosumer / professional cameras use MiniDV / HDV tape for recording, for a few reasons. Firstly, there is much less compression than with the other formats, meaning a better image quality. And you also have a backup of whatever you film (because you usually keep the tape in your archives as a backup after having transferred to a computer, you don't usually re-record over it). Tapes are also much cheaper than SD cards or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards and they record for longer (typically 60 mins). However capturing footage to a computer is PITA because you have to play everything back to the computer in real time (so if you filmed 20 mins of footage, it will take 20 minutes to transfer it all to your computer), unlike HDD or SD cameras which transfer the footage like a USB stick. Bear in mind that in a few years' time all professional cameras will be moving to P2 / SxS or other types of solid state media, and HDV won't be as popular.
This tutorial might help you, namely the 'Types Of Cameras' section:
Should the MiniDV tape recording method be an issue? I'd love to go no tape, but Idk if it makes a difference...what are the pros/cons?
Most prosumer / professional cameras use MiniDV / HDV tape for recording, for a few reasons. Firstly, there is much less compression than with the other formats, meaning a better image quality. And you also have a backup of whatever you film (because you usually keep the tape in your archives as a backup after having transferred to a computer, you don't usually re-record over it). Tapes are also much cheaper than SD cards or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards and they record for longer (typically 60 mins). However capturing footage to a computer is PITA because you have to play everything back to the computer in real time (so if you filmed 20 mins of footage, it will take 20 minutes to transfer it all to your computer), unlike HDD or SD cameras which transfer the footage like a USB stick. Bear in mind that in a few years' time all professional cameras will be moving to P2 / SxS or other types of solid state media, and HDV won't be as popular.
This tutorial might help you, namely the 'Types Of Cameras' section:
Should the MiniDV tape recording method be an issue? I'd love to go no tape, but Idk if it makes a difference...what are the pros/cons?
Most prosumer / professional cameras use MiniDV / HDV tape for recording, for a few reasons. Firstly, there is much less compression than with the other formats, meaning a better image quality. And you also have a backup of whatever you film (because you usually keep the tape in your archives as a backup after having transferred to a computer, you don't usually re-record over it). Tapes are also much cheaper than SD cards or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards and they record for longer (typically 60 mins). However capturing footage to a computer is PITA because you have to play everything back to the computer in real time (so if you filmed 20 mins of footage, it will take 20 minutes to transfer it all to your computer), unlike HDD or SD cameras which transfer the footage like a USB stick. Bear in mind that in a few years' time all professional cameras will be moving to P2 / SxS or other types of solid state media, and HDV won't be as popular.
This tutorial might help you, namely the 'Types Of Cameras' section:
Alright, you have allayed my fears. Do you personally think that this is the best choice for me?
The HV series is not a bad camera for anybody. Picture quality is great, it has some nice features, and you can get loads of aftermarket upgrades for it. I personally don't like the lengthy capturing to computer and the fact you have to rewind the tape to view footage on the camera, as well as the fact that no tape camera is full HD (due to limitations of the tape bandwidth). But thousands of industry professionals can't be wrong, so I would say go for it. The good thing with the HV line is that they have a lot of the manual features that you need, so you can keep it for a long time as your video skills progress. I find that the Sony HDR-SR12 I have lacks some the manual features I crave to make my videos better, but when I bought it over a year ago I didn't really care about manual features at all. How much experience do you have with cameras, and HD?
Most prosumer / professional cameras use MiniDV / HDV tape for recording, for a few reasons. Firstly, there is much less compression than with the other formats, meaning a better image quality. And you also have a backup of whatever you film (because you usually keep the tape in your archives as a backup after having transferred to a computer, you don't usually re-record over it). Tapes are also much cheaper than SD cards or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards and they record for longer (typically 60 mins). However capturing footage to a computer is PITA because you have to play everything back to the computer in real time (so if you filmed 20 mins of footage, it will take 20 minutes to transfer it all to your computer), unlike HDD or SD cameras which transfer the footage like a USB stick. Bear in mind that in a few years' time all professional cameras will be moving to P2 / SxS or other types of solid state media, and HDV won't be as popular.
This tutorial might help you, namely the 'Types Of Cameras' section:
Alright, you have allayed my fears. Do you personally think that this is the best choice for me?
The HV series is not a bad camera for anybody. Picture quality is great, it has some nice features, and you can get loads of aftermarket upgrades for it. I personally don't like the lengthy capturing to computer and the fact you have to rewind the tape to view footage on the camera, as well as the fact that no tape camera is full HD (due to limitations of the tape bandwidth). But thousands of industry professionals can't be wrong, so I would say go for it. The good thing with the HV line is that they have a lot of the manual features that you need, so you can keep it for a long time as your video skills progress. I find that the Sony HDR-SR12 I have lacks some the manual features I crave to make my videos better, but when I bought it over a year ago I didn't really care about manual features at all. How much experience do you have with cameras, and HD?
I have moderate experience with camera settings (White Balance, Exposure, etc.), but I have no experience with HD, as the current camera I have is a Panasonic DMC-TZ1 point and shoot. (amazing SD picture quality btw)
I'm not a camera pro, but it's a pretty good deal for the $$$. But for just ~$60 more, you could get a canon hv30. Better quality I'd assume, and more features. Whatever you get, just make sure it'll last your expectations. Hell, I'm filming for a ~30 minute long season video on this:
if i wanted to step up my video camera, or lets say a couple steps up, from my sony hdr sr11 hd handycam, would anyone be able to give me a couple ideas on what i would be looking at?
if i wanted to step up my video camera, or lets say a couple steps up, from my sony hdr sr11 hd handycam, would anyone be able to give me a couple ideas on what i would be looking at?
I have pretty much the same camera (an SR-12) and have been looking to step up for a while. Basically, the next step up is a prosumer camera, such as the Sony HDR-FX7 or the FX1000 (or others from Panasonic, Canon, etc.). Or you can go for a fully-fledged professional camera.
if i wanted to step up my video camera, or lets say a couple steps up, from my sony hdr sr11 hd handycam, would anyone be able to give me a couple ideas on what i would be looking at?
I have pretty much the same camera (an SR-12) and have been looking to step up for a while. Basically, the next step up is a prosumer camera, such as the Sony HDR-FX7 or the FX1000 (or others from Panasonic, Canon, etc.). Or you can go for a fully-fledged professional camera.
okay well what do you think about this one? its not to much of a step up and i would try to buy it used...
if i wanted to step up my video camera, or lets say a couple steps up, from my sony hdr sr11 hd handycam, would anyone be able to give me a couple ideas on what i would be looking at?
So I like the specs of the Canon HV30, except that I would prefer tapeless, and it only films up to 60fps (correct me if I'm wrong) in interleaved format. So how is this for another option?:
http://www.adorama.com/JVGZHM400US.html
Personally I think it's pretty awesome ( :: ) but I am not exactly an expert. However, it shoots natively (apparently) in full HD progressive, and has all of the manual features of the HV30, as well as being tapeless. Any opinions on which is "better"? -Help is appreciated AM
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Video-cameras/Video-cameras/auction-245066466.htm this camera is kinda cheap is it ok to get and what would the video quality be like.i cant really look up sample footage as it has no brand and i dont know what to look for in the specs.
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: ) but I am not exactly an expert. However, it shoots natively (apparently) in full HD progressive, and has all of the manual features of the HV30, as well as being tapeless. Any opinions on which is "better"? 
