Below are some usefull info on buying Camcorder
If you want to go at your own pace scroll down
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The first question you might ask is, why I want to write on this subject? cause, this one gave me the most headachque and I don't want you guys to go thru the same truma as I did. If you are in US, the first question you got to ask is which format? As you guys know the yankees have NTSC video system and we back home use PAL system. I don't know why someone came up with these different standards. Anyway for you guys who always think American stuff is great, PAL is better than NTSC in terms of clarity. The format you want to buy depends on where are you are going to make use of the camcorder most. If it's in US then buy a NTSC model, cause they are much cheaper than PAL models and easier to find. You can use them in India too, if you have a multisystem VCR or a multisystem TV. But don't expect that most of your relatives will have one. Other option is you can buy a full (converts NTSC to PAL and vice-versa) multisystem VCRs like Aiwa MX1 or MX100(Hi-fi). But they are expensive $400 and $600. Don't ever go for the cheap NTSC to PAL converter which you get for around $70. The problem with these converter is they are not real converter. In simple terms you can't record the output from these onto your VCR, but you can view it on your PAL TV. If you are buying a camcoder, the brands worth considering are either SONY or PANASONIC. Panasonic only has VHS-C models. The problem with VHS-C format is limited recording time of 30 minutes and the quality is inferior compared to 8mm models. The only advantage you might find is using a adapter to view the cassete directly onto your VCR. But my recomendation is Digital8 format which SONY cameup with recently. This allows you to record the video in Digital format on a normal 8mm or Hi8mm tape. These tapes are easier to find and cheaper than the MiniDV tapes used by most digital camcorders. Now, you might ask why Digital? Dude... It's the technology for future. Everything is going digital. Your TV, Music system etc. With Digital8 format you get a DVD quality picture (500 lines resolution) and CD qulity sound. Also you can connect the camcorder to download the video onto your computer. But don't expect to do miracles with this feauter. For this you require a computer with IEEE-1394 (populerly known as Firewire or i.Link) connection. The only computers I know of having this built in are SONY VAIO series and COMPAQ 5700 series of computers. You can buy a IEEE-1394 card for your existing computer, but the cards tend to be expensive ($300 onwards). Even if you have connection in place, 30 minutes of DV (Digital Video) when transfered onto computer as AVI file it takes 6.4MB of space. Obiviously you need to convert the AVI file to either MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 format. If you have a CD-RW and VideoCD mastering software on your computer, you can create VideoCD with the MPEG-1 file. One CD can hold 74 minutes of VHS quality video. The VideoCD can then be played on your VCD or DVD player. But there is too much of effort involved here, which I don't think is worth it. My recomendation for Digital8 model is SONY CCD-TRV310 (NTSC) and SONY CCD-TRV310E (PAL). You can expect to get then in mail order for $700 and $900 respectively. The CCD-TRV310 model has 3.5" color LCD, 20x optial and 240x digital zoom, Infolithium battery, Stedy shot, Night shot (0 Lux), Hi-fi stero etc. Coming to 8mm models, you can consider Hi8 as well. But if you are plannig to buy PAL, Hi8 models tend to be expensive (above $800). For PAL I recommend SONY CCD-TRV45E model. This has all the best features like, 3.5" color LCD, 18x optial and 220x digital zoom, Infolithium battery, Stedy shot, Night shot, Hi-fi stero etc. There is a cheaper model too CCD-TRV35E ($100 less than 45E). But I think investing that amount on a bigger LCD is worth it, specially when you don't have a luxury of having a TV, while editing your video. For NTSC my recomendation is CCD-TRV65 which is Hi8 model. Hi8 models have better picture qulity (280 lines) compared to 8mm (240 lines) and have Hi-Fi stereo and S-Video connection. But my first priority will be for Digital8, which I wish I could have. I own SONY CCD-TRV45E. Most of the people I have come across are amazed by the ZOOM number on camcordere, like 220x 240x etc. Guys beware!!! this is digital zoom. What camcorder does is, it get's the picture and internally extrpolates it. You loose much of the picture detail in this process. The usable range for digital zoom is 2 to 4 times the optical zoom. So, don't give too much weightage to those x number when you shop around for camcorder next time. Click here if you want specs on SONY PAL models SONY PAL and here if you want specs on SONY NTSC models SONY NTSC Best of all Click here to fill out a form giving details about what type of camcorder you are looking for and I might be of help to you :-) Give Details Tips on where and how to buyThe best place to buy a camcorder is from mail order. Contradictory to the general belief, most of these shops are reliable. You need to show them that you are an experienced buyer. Call all the places and compare the prices & services before proceeding to buy. Don't be shy to bargain. Always use the credit card to make an payment and never give the credit card number before you get all the details. Which are... Price and S&H (Shipping & Handling) charges :- Keep an eye on S&H charges, since they tend to be ridiculus some time. Some vendors might not charge any S&H charges. Make a decesion based on the total price. If the product is new and not refurbished one. Product warranty :- Make sure that the product comes with full manufacturers warranty. Return policy :- Find about the return policy. Most of the shops have 15 days return period, but you need to pay for S&H. Some places charges for the Re-stocking fees. Confirm before ordering. Product availability :- Make sure that the product is in stock before you place a order. Delivery :- Find out how soon the order will be shipped. Most of the guys have 3 day delivery period and some offer overnight delivery too. But as you guessed it's expensive.
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