<p>Our current camcorder uses DVD-R technology. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cursed out loud when recording something and I get a disc error message; then I have to make a quick switch of DVDs, during which point, I usually lose capturing a good couple of minutes doing so. Even when my disc is OK, and I run out of room on the DVD (only captures 30 minutes), I miss a solid minute, getting one DVD out, and getting the next one in, even when I have the second one ready to go.</p>
<p>So I noticed at work today, they have a digital camcorder. I figure the technology has been out long enough to refine it. So I’d like to hear from anyone here who has a digital camcorder and how they like it… pros and cons.</p>
<p>Oh, I’m asking now because I have a birthday coming up and D2 has a concert late April I’m going to.</p>
<p>There are two other popular kinds of camcorders. One is HDD (hard drive) and one is digital tape. Both will be more reliable than what you have, (esp. if you always use new tapes) but i would recommend the HDD type for you. Tapes still need to be changed and, what they lack that both the DVD and HDD type have is the ability to access any section of video “on-demand.” With the tape type, you have to physically play through the tape to record its info to the computer, not being able to say, select a scene that you shot in the middle of the day and access it instantly. Im not sure if I am making sense, if you need more help feel fee to PM me.</p>
<p>I’m assuming the HDD is the one that uses a memory card? If so, how much memory should you get on one? How long can you capture with specific-sized memory cards?</p>
<p>Cheap and easy (around $180) - Costco and others sell the Flip Video HD, which is cell phone sized and records in a format that’s easy to use and upload. Early HDD video cameras used strange formats that were hard to edit unless you liked the software they provided. I haven’t used the Flip, but the reviews are great. Maybe before you decide you could ask your D if she has friends who have one. The kids have all the cool hardware first…</p>
<p>Cross posted - they claim 60 minutes on a 4Gig hard drive</p>
<p>I’m going to miss mixed signal technology.</p>
<p>HDD = Hard Disk Drive</p>
<p>There are also models that use a flash memory card - i.e. like the small card that goes into a digital camera.</p>
<p>forgive me if I sound second-gradish here…</p>
<p>so digital comes with three(?) optional technologies? One, digital tape (yes, I don’t think I’d like that one). Two, a camcorder that utilizes a flash memory card, and three, HDD. I guess I’m not understanding the difference between how the HDD works and htose with memory cards.</p>
<p>Another question, are any of the above formats easier than another to upload data to the computer and/or places like facebook, etc.?</p>
<p>Digital tape: the 0’s and 1’s are placed on scotch tape coated with rust. </p>
<p>HHD: Instead of tape which unwound linearly, the HHD goes round and round, and the tape is now like a vinyl record but is made of metal and again coated in rust. </p>
<p>Memory Card: Doesn’t have rust as the memory medium but modified sand that happens to hold a static charge. </p>
<p>its been a long time since I needed this knowledge. </p>
<p>Someone else will have to answer your last question. I still use DOS.</p>
<p>The HDD is a small hard disk drive - like the HDD in your computer but small in diameter. It’s a magnetic medium that stores the digital data on magnetic coated metal disks that spin very fast and are read by a moving read head. It’s more rugged than magnetic tape which is really mylar plastic tape that can stretch and get twisted as it goes from spool to spool. Tapes can also get dirty and scratched if care isn’t taken with them once out of the camcorder. </p>
<p>The flash memory card has no moving parts - the data is stored in solid state memory - like the ram memory in your computer. this is the most rugged medium of the three.</p>
<p>The tradeoff is that an HDD holds more data per $$$ than a flash memory card but the price break keeps improving on flash memory cards which makes them more viable. Holding more data means you can store a longer time of video at a particular resolution (granularity/detail/clarity) on the camcorder.</p>
<p>Data stored digitally is easier to transfer to your computer and to edit. Any of the HDD/Flash/Digital tape should be okay as they all transfer digitally.</p>
<p>Check out the camcorders available. Determine the resolution of the CCD imaging device (i.e. mega pixels) and the resoltion of the storage onto the storage medium (HDD/flash). You might want to consider going to HiDef and a wide format if you have an HDTV. Pay attention to the amount of time you can store at the high resolution on the storage medium and the price of that medium. The HDD ones will come with the HDD already installed in the camcorder unit. Flash cards can be removed and spares inserted but the cost of very large flash cards is still high. A very large one might not be included in the cost of the camcorder. I’d avoid tape in favor of the HDD or flash card.</p>