Print

[kirky]

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&productId=8198552921665161560&langId=-1
What would you say about this camcorder? I, as well, am looking for something good for low-light situations. Would something like this do well? Also, I found this, which uses a cassette: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&productId=8198552921665255695&langId=-1
...but it's a little cheaper and has different benefits. So what do you think?

I've learned a lot here: www.camcorderinfo.com

HC7 - http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-HDR-HC7-Camcorder-Review.htm

[TheWorm]

My editing process is:

Record footage/Connect camera to computer
in final cut pro I go to Log & Transfer, which shows a list of clip files and I can transfer them into either Apple ProRes or Apple Intermediate Codec.
I edit using this and export it accordingly

The codec it transfers into does so at an extremely high bitrate(one's higher than the other I forget which). I still have the original avchd files which are really small by comparison to keep as my backup, I'll always be able to retransfer them so I don't need to keep the large version files, and when apple switches to native avchd support I can even use them directly. I am really not worried about transcoding issues degrading the quality between the avchd->Apple Codec step. If you're a purist it still shouldn't detract you since I'm sure FCP will support native AVCHD soon anyways and you can just switch out what files your timeline's media are pointing to, or use the newest Adobe I guess.

[kirky]

Thanks...  How about the time it takes?  When I was looking, it appeared that it would take like 2x the length of the clip to get it editable.  So, a 1 hour clip would take 2 hours (or so) to get into a format that's editable.  I remembe rthinking, well, with HD DV, I can do that in one hour (just the capture).

That's all I'm wondering...  Thanks again!

[eyore]

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&productId=8198552921665161560&langId=-1
What would you say about this camcorder? I, as well, am looking for something good for low-light situations. Would something like this do well? Also, I found this, which uses a cassette: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&productId=8198552921665255695&langId=-1
...but it's a little cheaper and has different benefits. So what do you think?

The first only goes to 2 lux (not good) without additional lighting and the second doesn't even mention it (just says it has the night shot facility).
My camera does 2 lux and it's way, way worse than my old VHS-C (that did 1 lux)
As martin said, look for not more than 1 lux minimum if you want the dark rides.
I find that the Sony cameras also have a rather tight infra red beam these days.
With my Sony Hi-8 I could get a clear night shot of the ramp in POTC DLRP (very dark) and a lot of detail. With my DV, it's a small area which looks like a torch is shining on it.
The Hi-8 one also seems to supplement low light conditions by adding just a little infra red (but without making it B&W or obvious) automatically - only found out when filming the end of PM when the monster appears over the doom buggy and you see it in the mirror - a little red light on the front of the camera.

[WDITrent]

Thanks for the info, everyone. 

[abovethefirehouse]

i my self got the canon HV-30 for 599$ new.  now they just came out with a HV-40 and the only difference is true 24p.  it's minidv so the picture quality is better IMHO.

[cocomonk22]

HD cameras don't seem to be able to match the low-light levels of standard definition camcorders yet due to the increased pixels and small sensors. Levelmaker99 has some great dark-ride videos well lit and in color, but in standard definition. Some good HD consumer camcorders for low-light according to camcorderinfo.com are the HV20 (miniDV) and the HF10 (AVCHD and no viewfinder), with improved lighting at 30P and 24P. The HG21 has Canon's updated versions coming out this year should hopefully be even better, but unfortunately none of them seem to have viewfinders...

[dolbyman]

HD cameras don't seem to be able to match the low-light levels of standard definition camcorders yet due to the increased pixels and small sensors.

and it's getting worse ..the new linup has more pixels and less size .. it's goin down for the low light consumer level I guess

Some good HD consumer camcorders for low-light according to camcorderinfo.com are the HV20 (miniDV) and the HF10 (AVCHD), with improved lighting at 30P and 24P.

My HD videos are done with an HV20 .. so you can see for yourself how the picture is

Canon's updated versions coming out this year should hopefully be even better.

for the NTSC modell it's added another progrssive mode and the BLC key is now customizable .. thats all ..

[cocomonk22]

dolby, what do you use for your audio?

[dolbyman]

most of the time I use my soundman binaural mics (worn inear)

http://soundman.de/usa/usa.htm

[eyore]

Look good but I can't find the cheaper ones in a UK site but I did find this
http://www.kmraudio.com/catalogue/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=okm&x=0&y=0
Anyone brave enough to ride with a dummy head

[cocomonk22]

You could probably attach the mics to a wide mount to the camera so it would match the video movement.

I did some research on low-light HD cams in the pro range. Sony PMW-EX1 to EX3 have a typical minimum illumination of 0.14 lux; might be worth a rental to try it out on dark rides at Disney.

[kirky]

You could probably attach the mics to a wide mount to the camera so it would match the video movement.

I did some research on low-light HD cams in the pro range. Sony PMW-EX1 to EX3 have a typical minimum illumination of 0.14 lux; might be worth a rental to try it out on dark rides at Disney.

Not really covert now is it?   

[ghostyroastytoasty]

I haven't posted here in AGES, but thought I would go ahead and make a brief post. I am on a MAJOR budget nowadays, so getting a regular HD camcorder is out of the question for me for a number of years. However, last Christmas I received a cheap Aiptek camcorder that has a little bit of optical zoom... (not much like 2 or 3x) but has the ability to record 1080p. It does great for the little bit that I use it. and it is TINY. It records to a SD card. I recorded a performance of the Mainstreet Sax Quartet which turned out great.. Maybe I should upload it so you all can see.. It was a great performance 


Edit: Here is a sample, I didnt take the vid.. just found it
http://www.vimeo.com/375200

[kirky]

There was some discussion on those in the past:  http://www.mousebits.com/smf/index.php?topic=3804.0