JVC camcorder hard drive VS Mini DV > To record tree work??

M.D. Vaden · Oct 8, 2006

I'm stuck between two camcorders to record my work projects.

JVC Everio w/ 20 gigabyte hard drive.

Or, a Canon DC 100, which I think is a mini DV (not a mini DVD).

Anybody have experience with either? Knowledge? Ideas?

Whatever I record, will not be in any planned order, not like "I'm going out today to record a full tape or disc on fertilizing".

It's whatever shows it's face, as a good opportunity occurs, and lighting and weather are decent.

I have no idea how hard or easy it would be to "snag" sections off a mini dv or a file from a mini dv if the whole thing is a hodge podge.

The hard drive camcorder, I can grasp. It works a bit like a digital camera. Every on and off starts a new file. Those, I can find, play and rename with easy to remember and locate file names.

Just not sure if that can be done in some fashion with the mini dv.

On one camera forum, a couple of users suggested steering away from the hard drive JVCs due to video quality.

I need to decide on one or the other before Tuesday.

John Paul Sanborn · Oct 8, 2006

M.D. Vaden said:
On one camera forum, a couple of users suggested steering away from the hard drive JVCs due to video quality.

.

When i was looking for a camera I was steared away from CD cam's sue to poor quality and slow write speed.

From what I've read it's still the same.

I looked for reviews for both and pic quality is one of the big hits. Though the JVC GZ-MC500 got a very good rating at C/Net and sellst at BBY for 525 clams, tax, tiltle tags and delivery.

http://www.bizrate.com/camcorders/pid332716939/compareprices__nwylf--.html

treeguy020 · Oct 8, 2006

Wife and I just bought the JVC. Well worth it. Have no problem with picture quality. Consider this though, do you want to continue buying the little dvds to write on or do you want to just link it to your home computer w/ a back up drive. We bought the back up drive so we can save all mini movies on there instead of eating up ram with it. your call. be safe.

M.D. Vaden · Oct 8, 2006

John Paul Sanborn said:
When i was looking for a camera I was steared away from CD cam's sue to poor quality and slow write speed.

From what I've read it's still the same.

I looked for reviews for both and pic quality is one of the big hits. Though the JVC GZ-MC500 got a very good rating at C/Net and sellst at BBY for 525 clams, tax, tiltle tags and delivery.

http://www.bizrate.com/camcorders/pid332716939/compareprices__nwylf--.html

If I read the "extra info" right, that looks like it uses a Compact Flash Card + SD Card + Hardrive.

Is that the camera you like?

By CDs, were you referring to the DVD camcorders, or actual CDs ?

The mini dv are a tape if I remember right.

I'm open to anything at this point.

The price range on the JVC was diverse. Something like that would be handy to find at the low end of the spectrum.

CaseyForrest · Oct 8, 2006

We have a mini DV camera. I havent read the directions in a long time, but if I remember correctly, you can "tag" the tape each time you start recording. You can set it up to be automatic everytime you hit the record button. Then, you can use those tags to search for the beginning of each recording session.

I may be wrong, and confusing my VCR with my Video Camera.