What Camcorder Do I Get?

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DD is a freshman this year and I am going to start doing the video thing to send to the college coaches. Never had any kind of video recorder. So the question is.....

What do I get?

Considering one that records directly to DVD but I don't know if that's any better than recording to a hard drive or a memory stick and transferring to a computer then writing to a DVD.

Also assuming a tri-pod is a necessary accessory.

Would appreciate any advice from those already using the camcorders.

Thanks!

 

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Sony make very good cam recorders,it's all in how much you want to spend.Check out Best Buy they can give you some help as to what you may need.

 

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Pretty thorough discussion of this topic a little while back:

http://www.game-ex.com/vb3/showthread.php?p=169832&highlight=digital+camcorders#post169832

hope this helps

 

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I would check out what Consumer Reports says then go to Walmart for the best price. Library has the magazines and buyers guide.

 

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Pretty thorough discussion of this topic a little while back:

http://www.game-ex.com/vb3/showthread.php?p=169832&highlight=digital+camcorders#post169832

hope this helps

Thanks - missed that thread but it's what I'm looking for.

 

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Bought a JVC Everio with a 60 GB hard drive and really like it. Can transfer directly to a PC and burn it to a DVD. Model #GZ-MG630. Right around $325. Has a 30X optical zoom. Really easy to use. Still haven't read the directions. Bought it at HHGregg.

If you want or need an extra battery, much cheaper on line than at the store.

 

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Thanks - missed that thread but it's what I'm looking for.

You're welcome

Bought a JVC Everio with a 60 GB hard drive and really like it. Can transfer directly to a PC and burn it to a DVD. Model #GZ-MG630. Right around $325. Has a 30X optical zoom. Really easy to use. Still haven't read the directions. Bought it at HHGregg.

If you want or need an extra battery, much cheaper on line than at the store.

That's what I got, too, 4carrs---got mine at Best Buy. Fun little toy, huh?

And you're absolutely right on the price of the extra battery---BB totally saw me coming.

 

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I like Sony. I bought mine online after doing research. It has a hi speed shutter to enable breaking video down into stills, great for mechanics. Talking with coaches, many prefer having video uploaded on the net for viewing vs having a DVD sent to them.

 

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Most all current models are digital and have the means to USB to a PC for downloading and editing. From there burning a short skills DVD is easy but for those of another generation you can get your kid to breeze right through it. College coaches get a ton of video and nowadays seem to prefer DVD to tape. As far as what kind of format - DVD, hard drive, tape it's a matter of preference and wallet size. Also does it fit your hand easily and are the controls easy to use with your fingertips? A lot of them have digital zoom along with optical zoom but optical zoom is far superior so make sure it has plenty of that. Picture quality suffers with a lot of digital zoom used. Remember most of your shooting will be through gaps in the chain link so tripods are fairly useless there but if you have a low outfield fence you're shooting over they're essential to stabilize the picture when zooming in from that distance.