Camcorder newbie

[Rack]

I'm looking at buying my first Camcorder.

I have a HDTV with HDMI I can connect to, and I'd like to have content easily transfered to a PC - I have my HTPC and the laptop.

In regards to the Camcorder, I'd like it to be portable and easy to use (for the missus), and media to be easy to take along.

Got bub-number-1 on the way any day now.

Any advice or recommendations?? I don't even know where to begin with the different formats - is there are beginners guide that's up to date?

I guess price needs to be in the lower end (preferably <£300.).

Any advice appreciated

[Funkstar]

for starters i think the only camcorders with HDMI output are HiDef units. So I don't think you will get HDMI for less than about £1000.

DV camcorders are still pretty decent, tapes aren't that cheap, but they are readily available so you don't need to worry too much about running out of space, unlike HDD based camcorders. HDD and DVD recording also uses MPEG-2 as opposed to DV, so you have much higher compression ratios and footage that is less editable (DV is frame acurate, MPEG-2 is only partialy frame accurate, often limited to the start of a 15 frame block - known as a GOP or Group Of Pictures). DV is about 14gb/hour.

If you can get image stabilisation for that money then go for it, well worth it.

Can't think of anything else, but i'll post again if i do

[benstation]

The cheapest HDMI capable High Definition camcorder is the Sony HC3... about £700. It's being discontinued to be replaced by HC5 & HC7 tho.

[Koolpc]

Get a Sony Camcorder, MiniDV is awesome. Mine cost £190 and it is ace.

[Theo]

I have a Canon MVX450 and it's absolutely fantastic. Excellent quality, decent in dark-light, lots of features, battery lasts ages and it's bloody easy to use.

I do regret going for the 450 model rather than the 460, however, because the 450 lacks DV and AV inputs. As a newbie to camcorders when I bought it, I did not realise how useful these features would be.

[Grimley]

Originally Posted by Koolpc

Get a Sony Camcorder, MiniDV is awesome. Mine cost £190 and it is ace.

I have over 5 years experience of selling C/corders & I'll 2nd that - if you're going into video editing get one with a DV input & output. The video editing software Sony supply is a dog though

[abeacock]

I have a Samsung miniDV camcorder, and I edit the resultant movies with Windows Movie Maker. It's free and easy to do simple editing and transistions.

I use ours for making little 'memories' movies of the littl'n as well.

[jimbouk]

I can second the Canon DV camcorders. I've got a MVX450 as well and it is great for filming.

But get one with DV-in so you can back up recordings onto tape.

For transfer it's going to be firewire, so invest in a card (~£15) for you computer if you haven't got it already and a cable or two.

Windows Movie Maker is fine for a home movie, and it support widescreen camcorders as well.

[Lourdes]

Definitely go MiniDV, brand is another question. From experience Canon, Sony and Samsung have mature ranges so it's really a question of features. Try to find one that does true 16:9 widescreen, not letterboxed. And an external mic input is always nice but the cheaper Sony's tend to lack one.
For editing Sony Vegas is one of the best packages for the PC. Excellent software.

You could always just save for a low-end HD camera.