Mini DV or Mini DVD Camcorder?
 

Will you give your opinion on following:

a) Does Mini DV give better picture quality than Mini DVD player (compatible for use with CD's)?

b) Would camcorder or camera be better for chimp viewing/treking? If do choose to buy camcorder would want it to be versatile for use on Sailing trip in British Virgin Islands.

c) Your recommendation = brand and model of camcorders? My wish would be good picture quality and EASY to use.

Planning on getting a digital SLR for Tanzania N. Circuit safari regardless of this decision.

If you have any plans to do anything with your video other than simply view it as filmed, then stay with Mini DV. mini DVD is recorded already compressed into MPEG2 (or 4 now) and cannot be edited without losing quality. Mini DV is the current industry standard for high end amateur to low professional and is recorded uncompressed AVI, so it can be edited with no loss of quality.
You can only view Mini DVD on a DVD player once you "finalize" the disc and then it is locked and cannot be reused.
I personally carry both still and video, there is nothing like the thrill of reliving your trip and actually hearing the sounds and seeing the movement.
Sony and Cannon have a wide range of machines. If you can afford it look at High Def, otherwise at least a 3ccd machine. Get an external mic for (about $150) and your video will sound much better.
Here is a link to a good forum for many of your questions
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/

Thanks Shmulb - will check out the attached link as well. Do you have preference between Sony, JVC, Panasonic Canon and others?

Lovetodiscover,

I recently purchased the Sony HDR-HC 3E. High definition camcorder. I havent used it much, except just to check it out. Gaurang(Africa) on this board strongly recommended the previous model, the HDR-HC 1E.

I think in general,Sony and Canon may edge out the other brands.

Hari

I have a Sony DCR-PC100 MiniDV camcorder and I love it. For the reasons already said I don't want to record directly to DVD.

MiniDV tapes are cheap and small. Once recorded, you can decide what to do with them.

I am a Sony fan myself, but all 3 (Sony , Cannon, Panasonic) have very good models. Just be aware that not all models have an accessory shoe for an external mic, and like I said even adding a $90 external mic will make your videos sound like a million dollars,

Hari - that looks like a great camcorder, but much beyond my spending money. Since I don't have an HDTV yet either or way to view the High Def images, will probably go with the 3CCD approach. Hoping to spend under $1k and closer to $500 if possible. When you do get some video from Africa, would love to see it.

Thanks waynehazel - mini DV it is. Checked for your camcorder and it's not available anymore. Also great quality from the specs.

Shmulb - I'm researching Panasonic GS-300 camcorder now. The GS250 does not seem to be available which would have offered headset attachment. GS-300 is a compromise on the audio, but better picture quality which is a key feature to me with Image stabilization. I am concerned it does not provide the low light performance I'd want for chimp viewing since spec/features talk about blurring if objects move in low light conditions. What are the chances I make the chimps stay put?!

Still looking and will review some Sony models.

Thanks, all.

I just bought the Canon ZR500. It has 25x zoom, it got great reviews, and it was under $300.

Panasonic seemed to have cornered the low cost 3ccd market with some very good products. I personally found that the step from 1 ccd to 3 was the equivelant of going from Standard def to high def.
Sony tends to be at the upper end of the price range. Oh and whatever you get, buy a UV filter and leave it on. It's much cheaper to replace a $30 filter that took a hit than the whole camera with a cracked lense. If you will be filming lots of water and sky then a circular polarizer is also worth the cost.

Thanks again for the advice. Decided on a Panasonic PV-GS500 camcorder. Yes, did break my budget. Video quality and resolution were good as well as camera quality okay in case my camera is too far away and don't want to miss a shot. Was attracted to the ease of use of Sony, but liked some of the features on the GS500, the shape (easier to hold), manual focus ring, 3CCD, true 16:9, decent low light performance and 12x digital zoom with optical image stabilization.
If I hadn't bought the GS-500 was looking at SONY HC-96. Was looking over the Sony SR100 (new!) with Hard Drive type storage, but logistics with managing downloads, price, lack of availability and in some cases = performance characteristics to HC96 - thought I'd get more value with HC96. SR100 does look like a good camcorder and again easier to hold for shooting.

Shmulb - the website you provided was a gold mine for a researcher like me. Thanks again. With your advice, did buy a 3 pack filter set = UV, Circular polarizer and FLD for flourescent lighting. So I should be covered.

Carrie - I did give up some of the zoom for other picture quality, but really needed to have the low light performance as good as money would buy.

Hari - expect good things from your camera.

WayneHazel - love checking out your videos. Thanks.

Okay - one more question for the crew.
Does it matter what brand and type (quality) of Mini DV tape I use with the camcorder? Costco carries TDK and Sam's Club has Maxell. Best Buy showed me a "gold" tape version from Panasonic made for 3CCD camcorders, but these cost $12 each (2 for $24.99). Costco and Sam's offer packs that give you approx 8 for $20-22. Also thought I read somewhere than there are only 2 manufactures globally for Mini-DV blank media and that's Sony and Panasonic. So they must be making everyone else's too.

?? I'm leaning towards the TDK at Costco.

Most of the video forums have threads beating the tape issue to death. I personally use the sony tapes that I buy at Walmart.I like the different colors, helps me keep them sorted. The general concensus (though by no means confirmed) seems to favour sticking with one brand to avoid possible mismatches in tape lubes (dry vs wet). No one has been able to confirm or deny the fact that there are only 2 manufactures. I have an insider at Panasonic and have not been able to get a straight answer.
The 3ccd tape sounds like a gimmick to me

lovetodiscover:

Curious, dyou buy a warranty for this camera?

Den

lovetodiscover:

I wonder how many folks buy the warranty as they add so much-are they worth it?

Den

Shmulb - okay - decided on the economical 8 pack from Sam's Club (Maxell)DVM's - 60 minutes for just under $20. How do you tell if they are wet or dry - bear with me if this is an obvious question. Thanks again for your advice. Wouldn't be surprised if there were fewer manufacturers of the tapes and many others spec'ing their own version and selling under their label.

Den - yes, I bought a 4 year warranty for $69 given that I may drop it on the boat this next week :) (please not in the ocean!) or it may have an unexpected demise during the safari in December.

Now, I've got maybe a few hours to figure out the camera. Thank goodness there's an automatic setting for video, UV filter is already in place, and battery is charging. Now if I can just get the darn SW disc to load...FUN begins!

Den - you asked a very good question if a warranty is worth it. So, even thought I have the warranty now, the fine print excludes coverage for equipment that is misused, tampered with, modified or damaged due to accident, water, grit, impact or lack of proper care per operations manual. Humorous! Now what does that leave? Well, manufacturers defect I think. So whether spending 10% of the camcorder cost is worth the added 4 years after mfr warrranty is yet to be seen.

So before I go buy another one of these policies - would you buy it?

No one really seems to know what tapes have what lubricant, that is why the suggestion is to stick with one brand.
As far as warranty's go, I personally never buy them from places like Best Buy etc. Do a Google search for MACK warranty, they are considered the best in the business and are sold by most reputable online stores.

Bought my camcorder from dbuys.com using PriceGrabber.com and purchased Mack insurance.
Thanks for making me feel better.