Sony Handycam video HI-8. 3ccd Tr910 NTSC....

Ok, so I would urge you to move to miniDV from Hi-8.

If your PC is of modest speed and you don't have enough money to buy expensive stuff, I would suggest you go with the Canon ZR800 (costs $230 on Amazon). While the ZR800 does not have a miniSD slot to capture still pictures (a feature than exists in the ZR830 and ZR850), it has a microphone input, which completely outweighs the higher models' extra features (camcorderinfo.com's review of the ZR series also had the same conclusion). Yes, there are a lot of other miniDV cameras out there, but I think the ZR800 has the best quality/features/usability for the price. And it works great with Vegas too. I am thinking of getting that particular model myself too, as a B-roll camera for my HD HV20 camera. The only thing you will need is a Firewire/i-Link port on your PC to capture the footage.

For sample ZR800 footage, check Ivan's youtube video:


I would not suggest you move to HD resolutions just yet, I have written here why:
http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2007/07/30/advice-on-camcorder-purchase/

A good site for Camcorder reviews is camcorderinfo.com. Click the MiniDV link on the left.

3ccd = 3 charge coupled device = in english means 3 sensors which translates to higher resolutions

The fraction I believe refers to the size of the sensor

thank you all for your answers.... I checked the indicated websites... I am surprised that the choice for the miniDv camcorder, with 3 ccds is so limited.... I am willing to spend up to $900... but can't find one that has 3 CCDs, . X30 zoom, ext. mic.... the reviews are not that encouraging either....
So,,,, is it a lost cause for me.... or ????

3CCD cameras are over $2000. As I said, get a normal DV camera if you are a consumer. The ZR800 will do the job much better than your Hi8. If you do want to spend so much money, get the HDV-based HV20 instead, which has much better quality than the 3CCD SD cameras and it's much cheaper ($850).

I think Panasonic still has a few low cost 3ccd cameras in production, but I think they dropped production of their flagship GS-500. (I don't have any experience with any of these cameras.)

Here is a review of the GS-320: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Panasonic-PV-GS320-Camcorder-Review-32895.htm

Here is a site devoted to the Panasonic 3CCD cameras: http://www.pana3ccduser.com/index.php

While resolution and sharpness of the miniDV video will probably be better than what you can get with Hi-8, be prepared to be disappointed by the low light performance. My old Hi-8 was incredible in low light, and both of my miniDV cams are disappointing in comparison.

I don't really know anything about your Hi8 Tr910, but I'm guessing with 3ccd's it was probably a high end camera? Perhaps the ancestor of the VX1000 and VX2000/2100 line? (The VX2100 is one of the top-end prosumer MiniDV cameras. The Canon GL-2 is also highly recommended. But both of those are way above your budget.)

I'm suprised Eugenia has not recommended her Canon HV20. It has a single CMOS imager, mic input, etc. Eugenia, isn't that a pretty decent camera? Even if you don't want to mess with HDV, can't it be operated/recorded in regular miniDV mode? Low light performance is augmented by the fact that it can drop into 24p exposure mode, while still recording in a normal 60i (NTSC) tape format.

Edit: OOOPS! I just re-read Eugenia's post above, and see that she did mention the HV-20 (Sorry...)

Tim L

Thanks again..... for all the infos.... I need time to digest them... will get back to you...

I have to say that if I was going in the price range of $900.00 I would absolutely consider a Canon HV10/20 or Sony HC3/5/7. They record in DV mode with excellent results. Plug this into the Sony or Panasonic dvd recorder & I've made a quick dvd without the need for a computer.

Eugenia has a good point. I'll bet that in 3 years we will also see many cams with no moving parts except for the optics. I still prefer tape though, you can work around and bypass bad spots on a tape. Can't do this with a corrupted harddisk or bad file.

Thanks Eugenia.... I did my home work... sort of.... my conclusion is hesitating between HV20 and Sony HC7.... I am a Sony person... but realy like some of the Canon features... I am not totally convinced about cmos versus 3ccd quality wise.... but have to go with the flow....Now, that I know that I can down convert from HD to SD....the question is Is my PC going to be "strong" enough for editing.... right now I use VMS plat. 7. Does it mean I have to upgrade to VMS 8?... I read so many people having problems.... I am a bit scared....I have a 250BG hard drive just for editing purpose.... but can only have 512 ram...MAX...is it too "short"....
As usual... this forum is such a great pool of infos.... Thanks to all

Yes, in my experience 512 and 1 GB of RAM is not enough for HDV/AVCHD editing. You need more than that. Some users said that it works for them at 512 MBs without swapping on their disks, for in my tests, I was always way above 1 GB when using HDV files.

I would go for the HV20 and get a new PC. If that's out of the question, just buy the ZR800, so you can keep the current PC.

Eugenia -- can the HV20 downconvert to std DV on capture? So you can record in HDV but upload it to the computer as a std def DV file right from the start?

I think a lot of HDV camcorders can do this. If your computer isn't up to the task of editing HDV, you can actually have the camcorder send you a regular DV file instead. In this way, you could record in HDV, but "pretend" it was only a regular miniDV camera and edit as such on your existing computer. When you eventually get a faster computer, then you can start using the HDV files.

Tim L

I don't think this is possible. You can record in SD, but I don't think you can have the camera upload to the PC a DV signal from its HDV source. I never head of this btw.

Regarding in-camera HDV-to-DV downconversion: I'm pretty sure I've read about this -- maybe in camcorder reviews, etc.

Here's a link I found on a quick google search: https://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=758918

I think the feature is common on Sony HDV camcorders, but I don't have any personal experience with this myself. I was hoping the HV20 had a similar in-camera HDV-to-DV conversion capability.

Tim L

Tim,

Yes, the HV20 can record in HDV but output to standard DV in-camera during capture. Done it myself.

Ian.

thanks you all.... Waiting for Santa to deliver.....

The HV20 will downconvert, there is a however, however.

from DV.com
Unlike some of the competition out there, the Canon HV20 does downconvert, but you don’t get the options (letterbox, squeeze, or edge crop) that Sony offers. You can have an SD image, but your editing software must format it for 4:3 viewing.


If your computer won't do HDV now, you can
Shoot HDV
Downconvert to SD
Deliver SD project

Keep the tapes, and the vidcap files and the .veg files. Then in 2 years you get a new powerful computer you can
pop the tapes in,
recapture as HDV,
change the settings in the veg file to HDV
and voila, deliver an HDV project without reediting.

that was my intention... thanks for confirming....
However... I will dearly miss my 3ccd and x30 zoom.....
The 2 things I won't miss are the resolution of my old camera...and the Dazzle converter. That TR910 was the best toy I ever had....it is 10 yrs old... and still works like a charm...
Thanks for the input.... time to move on..... HD here I come!!!

NelMichel

I purchased a HDR-HC7 a number of months ago and haven't looked back since. I moved up from DCR-HC20 & DCR-HC21. The difference is incredible!
I don't have experience with a 3ccd and went through the same thoughts you are going through. The only thing I don't like about the Sony HC7 is the manual controls at the front of the lens. I wish they had put them on a ring around the lens.
My computer is a Gateway 3Ghz HT with 2Gb Ram. I have 2 drives one 200GB and one 500GB. It runs fine but there's always room for improvement and speed. I'm running VMS 8.0 and it was one of the best upgrades, especially for the HD.

Hope this helps. Good luck

I bought a new cam 1 year ago and agonised over 3 CCD versus HD.

In the end I bought the 3 CCD cam from Panasonic GS500. IT is OUTSTANDING in picture quality - better than anything I have seen in the standard Def line up and only $680 or so.

why did I buy it ? a) I do not have a high def TV and DVD player. b) the editors and the technology is still being refined. High Def is still a nascent technology.

This will be my last standard def camera. In 3 years I'll buy a high def and not regret the purchase.

Unlike some of the competition out there, the Canon HV20 does downconvert, but you don’t get the options (letterbox, squeeze, or edge crop) that Sony offers. You can have an SD image, but your editing software must format it for 4:3 viewing.

That would be a problem. I record everything on my GS250s in wide mode. Even though it's SD, I want the widescreen format.

I couldn't imagine anyone wanting to live with downcoverted video at 4:3.

btw vincej, I had the opportunity to get 2 GS250s last year for a little more than 1 GS500. Bestbuy was having a closeout. I would have preferred 1 GS400 but was a little late for that.

MSmart: Unlike some of the competition out there, the Canon HV20 does downconvert, but you don’t get the options (letterbox, squeeze, or edge crop) that Sony offers. You can have an SD image, but your editing software must format it for 4:3 viewing.

That would be a problem. I record everything on my GS250s in wide mode. Even though it's SD, I want the widescreen format.

I think what the original comment is stating is that HV20 converts only to SD widescreen. If you want 4:3, you have to do it in your editor. Sony apparently gives you several 4:3 options built in.

Tim L