video capture and camcorders

[Flibb]

Not really sure where to post this, so feal free to shift it if necessary

Right im going to be doing some outdoor stuff this year, mainly 4x4 and surfing and would liketo be able to film some events and put the video on a website. The only down side is no camera, so its to to flex the plastic and seek some advice. Due to what im going to be up to, I want to spend as little as possible (£50-£100 2nd hand) in case it gets nicked or bounced around the cab of a landrover. My graphics card is a 9800 AIW so has capture built in, composit and svhs, is the vide capture any good on these, do camcorders output svhs, am i misguided or deluded? Also any hints and tips for this type of thing, what do i look for in a camera and good models that go cheap 2nd hand??
Any advice gratefully received
Flibb

[Rave]

I haven;t paid attention much since I stopped working for a camera shop 10 months ago, but I doubt things have changed much.

is the vide capture any good on these

Dunno, but even if it's not great it's likely to be more than good enough for web video.

do camcorders output svhs

Hi-Band ones do (or 99% of them anyway). Hi-Band = Hi8 or SVHS(C).

good models that go cheap 2nd hand??

Well, if your main aim is web video, you probably don't need anything special. I can't recommend specific models, because most manufacturers refresh their model ranges every year, so there are literally dozens that might be suitable. A 90s JVC VHS-C or SVHS-C model, or Sony 8mm or Hi8 would probably do you fine, and looking around you should be able to get one for well under £100. I don't recommend the Sharp handycams, they're difficult to hold stady when you use the zoom, although you might be able to get a normal camera with a side screen. Not all camcorders have stereo sound so look out for that if you want/need it. Also remember that only VHS-C tapes can use the adapter tape that lets you put them in a normal VCR, 8mm/Hi8 can't.

The only problem I can think of is that apparently if the picture is noisy it makes it really difficult to compress the video, and really knackers the quality. I'm not sure how much of a problem that would be, or if you could apply noise reduction before you compress it.

One final thing to point out is that Mini-DV digital camcorders are now down to less than £300 for a (new) basic one, and they have much better picture and sound quality than most analogue cams. It's also a lot easier to capture video via Firewire. Mostly they're a lot smaller too, which makes carting them about that much easier. If you get lucky and find a secondhand one cheap, they're well worth the extra money IMO.

Any more questions just ask, although I rarely come into this forum so PM me if you don't get a reply.

Rich :¬)

[Flibb]

Cheers for the info. Have picked up a real cheap arse camera on ebay £45, more of a demo unit than anything. If it works how i want it to will upgrade later on, would like one with nightshot, but that can wait.
Cheers
Jon

[Flibb]

dble post

[5lab]

you probably want to stabalise it somewhat, or put it in something to absorb the impacts from yer landy. bumping it around probably wont break it, but it'll probably fark whatever your trying to recrod..

[Flibb]

Hopefully will be mainy doing marshalling this year, but a friend did manage to roll his down a bank the other month. My eventual plan for in vehicle stuff was to get a camera with composite in (think thast whats its called), keep camera in a padded case and use a remote camera. Have hada play with one, about 60cm long plugged into a mini-dv camera, quality was suprisingly good. Other idea was to get a wireless one possibilities for that one are endless.
Flibb

[5lab]

yeah that sounds like a better plan mate..

Hugh