Camcorders

[c.j.jaxxon]

I was trying to see if this question was asked before but I'd have to REALLY go WAY back to find it. Which is better; mini dvd or mini vhs camcorders. I've seen some mini vhs camcorders for sale where as the mini dvd cams are $100 more. (US btw)

[myson]

c.j.

If you're looking for quality then the "Mini DV" is best (note: DV not DVD).

Mini DV is a tape cassette format not disk.

I would image Mini VHS (along with full full size VHS) will be gone in not that many years.

I have the Panasonic NV-GS75 Mini DV. It's a 3 chip (CCD) camera that gives almost broadcast quality in a palm sized camera and was reasonably priced at a little over ?300.

Myson

[c.j.jaxxon]

As I have it here in front of me Sony, Panasonic and Canon has mini DVD Camcorders (that's what THEY call'em) and they all fit in the palm of your hand. They have a JVC Hard Drive Cam and a Canon Digital Cam as well. What I saw on sale was the mini DV Cams (the ones with the mini tapes). So which is better?

[myson]

Not having seen the DVD recorders I can't honestly say but have a look at this thread in the Promotions Forum.

According to the guys there the Mini DV (tape) has the edge.

Again I don't know but I have heard that the DVD's recorded by these cameras don't always play in standard DVD machines.

Myson

[c.j.jaxxon]

No they don't! Thats why they sell mini dvds to shoot with. You can also get mini DV tapes to shoot with as well here in the states.

[c.j.jaxxon]

Oh I'm sorry! You posted your answer before? So you say mini dv tapes is better huh? I woulda thought that the mini dvd discs were better! Here in the states with the mini dv tapes they sell an adapter that looks like a regular sized vhs cassette where you put the mini tape in and it will play like a full size vhs. They don't have nothing like that for mini dvd discs. I guess you'll have to re-record it to a dvd recorder from the camcorder.

[myson]

I was gonna say VHS-C there Blue but you beat me to it !grin!.

c.j. good advice for you from someone who really knows.

Myson

[c.j.jaxxon]

Thanks for the advice! I'll save myself a few dollars and get a mini dv cam. Now for the debate! Here in the states they DO have an adapter for mini dv tapes. It looks like a full size vhs tape with a cut out for you to put the mini tape in and when you pop it in your vcr it will play like a regular tape. Believe me! I'll purchase one so you can see what it looks like.

[eroticartist]

Hi Blue,

What you say about the superior quality of mini-DV is correct but don't you have to convert to mpeg2 anyway to put it onto DVD? Of course you could watch mini-DV on your TV or computer.
Mike Freeman