Camcorder Advice

Hi everyone. I am thinking of getting a camcorder but I do not know which to get considering all the options! I would ideally not like to be messing around with tapes / DVDs and so would prefer to record onto a memory stick and plug into USB just like I do with a digital camera. Does this therefore rule out MiniDVs? I dont really know what the technical blurb is so any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Dan

Hi Dan The camcorder David got me was Everio G, model GZ MG175. Heres a link to the JVC website http://www.jvc.co.uk/product-list.php?id=100094 You can get them in stores like Comet of Currys. I think the camcorder is fine, its got a hard drive disk and you just use cables to dowload files to the computer. The taped camcorders are apparently better quality but I find that the camcorder I have does for my holidays and film making. :-) Hope you manage to get a good one. :-)

Hiya Christine - thank u for reply to me :) I am thinking the Hard Drive ones are goin to be more suitable and that one looks good enough spec! Does it have night mode do you know? Where you flick a switch and it goes infra red? And also, how noisy is it when it is operating? If at all? Thanks!

Hi Dan I dont think my one has an infra red, it has a night vision mode but it is very jerky and slow. I would advise you to have a look at maybe the better ones in the range. I think I have the middle one, David got it for me for a Christmas present and he took ages looking up and reserching it. His cousin has the next modle up, it has more or less the same things as my camcorder but its got better quality. Its relitively quiet, well, it is quiet but does have a ping when you turn it on. You can easily switch between modes, manual or auto. It does pictures (only 1mg tho) but the video is better, it can do up to 50 hours on lowish quality, I ahve it on ultra fine which gives you 9 hours, but for my holidays and days out that is enough for me. I tend to only use one hour of film footage for over three days. You switch between different modes for the camera eg if its cloudy it has a setting or sunny, etc... There is a little joystick kind of buttin where you can change to sports mode etc... If you specifically need infra red, Id look at the other models in the range. Im no expert lol. JVC are usually a good make in camcorders though. Sony do good cameras and could do one with infra red, Id have a search online if I was you. My camera cost David about £300. I could have showed you my one on the open day if you were after on then. Are you after one to take night shots of the sheep/ :-) Let me know what you decide. :-)

I apologise for my spelling, lol, dyslexic fingers :-P

Hiya Christine - thanks for all this info! Ideally I need one to work with night time as I anticipate using it a lot at night for wildlifey things as well as sheep - bats etc hehe. I must admit they are rather a lot more money than i was anticipating spending :\ But I would like to get one as what making this DVD has shown me (apart from the fact it is a lot of hard work!) is how much fun it is to create something as nice as a DVD that you can give to friends and family and things. I was looking at the Sony line, and Canon but not done much research on the JVC one yet. So will look at them now! Thank you!

Omg Christine I just had a rush of blood... and bought http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/443395/JVC-GZ-MG430B From what I can see, it is basically the same as yours but has night vision, lasts a bit longer and is lighter... Ill be picking it up in my break time :) it was £300 which is more than i was anticipating spending but then i figured well, its one of those things u buy once then keep forever so figured why not!

Dan!! Im made up for you!!! Sometimes the best things one buys oneself is when you make a swift decision. :-) You'll have to let me know how it works and if the night vision is what you want. I dont mind you emailing me if you want any advice making films and such. Im like you it is very rewarding after you have finished a project :-) I look forward to seeing the films you take of the nightlife around the farm :-)