Dear Sifu,

I would like to ask some question on Mini DV camcorder.

1. Mini DV is mini tape? How can i view the recorded mini tape? Need to use special player?
2. Is the tape expensive and can it be rewrite?
3. What is the capax of the tape?
4. Is JVC consider the best brand for a Mini DV?
5. Can Mini DV act as a camera itself?
6. What to look for when purchasing a Mini DV? Exp: MP, Image Stabeliser etc? (I know camera but know ntg bout a camcorder)

Thanks for the time.

whats the model? u can check my siggie, i wrongly bought a dvd burner for jvc camcorder. maybe it is compatible with yours?

edit: owh u havent bought it. hurrmm... nowadays ppl go for hdd camcorder.

1) Mini DV is a mini tape. To view it you need to use the JVC camcorder to view it. Basically you playback the mini DV tape on the camera whilst connected to a TV so that the TV shows the DV tape.

2) Tape is relatively cheap and yes it can be rewrite. You will rewrite your data though.

3) The tape can have various capacity based on the time and the mode you are shooting, either SP (Short play with high quality) or Long Play (lower quality video)

4) JVC is alright (coming from one who used to build one) but it depends on personal taste. Panasonic and Sony are pretty good as well and there is always Canon and Hitachi.

5) Yes it can but don't expect the image quality to be good. If you are using mini DV, what you are doing is just taking a still shot and putting it on the tape which is rather difficult to extract. You would need to run it while recording it on a PC and that can take up to 10-15gb of RAW data.

6) What to look for? First, budget. Second, MP (in terms of VGA and MegaPixel), Low light capability

What model are you using btw?

First, thanks for ur time to reply me.

1. Erm, do this means i can connect the mini DV camcorder to my notebook and put it in my hdd? So that i dun have to view on my tv and can be store to my notebook hdd.
3. Various capacity like how many? Example? 100mb? 1GB?
4. I still havent buy yet and this is my first time buying a camcorder. Am thinking of JVC GR-D750AG which cost around RM1300
5. Hmm, it sounds kinda hard to copy the image to notebook hdd? U mean they act like digicam does? Like connect usb from digicam to usb notebook. (I am using Canon Ixus 75 and Sony T5 currently)
6. MP for Mini DV is consider ok? I saw some thing like 0.68mp?? Low Light Capabilty means shooting at night mode?

I am not using any camcorder right now and that's y i am a total noob. I am only using Canon Ixus 75 and a Sony T5. Thanks for all the help!

u really need to consider hdd camcorder for the ease of use and storage inside your computer. editing made simple too.

1) It will take a very very long time to stream it into your notebook.
2) Capacity for tapes are not in size like that mate. You must be very young since you seem to be from the digital era Basically its based on time, 60mins, 90mins. The longer the tapes, the more you can record
3) As suggested by dgrebel below, get the HDD camcorders and all your problems are solved.
4) the 0.68MP is not a megapixel resolution video cam.

i own the jvc gz-mg50ag and i can say it's a hell of a good camcorder. works fine on my 37" lcd tv too. picture is crisp and clear.

and you get to alter the scenes one by one, unlike mini dv, u have to manually rewind or forward to the scene u need to alter.

Hmm, yeah, it does a lot of easier with hdd in it. But my budget is below Rm1.5k. Can i get one from JVC or any others?



Lol I am totaly lost. Haha.. I am not very young la but i am too into digital era liau . My era was video tape to LD to VCD to DVD. I am 80's punya lah. I totaly forget about tape that run on time liau. So used to storage capacity in digital format liau.

Anyway, dgrebel and Mavik, can u suggest any camcorder (prefer mini type) that cost lest than RM1.5k? My mini type means smaller camcorder size and not mini = tape.

i think for rm1.5k u can get the canon dvd camcorder, which is much more PC-friendly.

maybe this? but its 200+ extra

http://www.moresales.com.my/catalog/entry/pzvszbhw.shtml

I do own a MiniDV cam but not JVC... its Panny.
You can get a firewire cable and card and you can start download it into your computer ... the easiest way is use Microsoft Movie Maker. It takes the entire duration of the tape to record onto your computer. Editing is another different story.

HDD cam might be easier.

In terms of quality, JVC = almost chap lap company. So, don't bet so much on it. Sony, Panny, Hitachi are acceptable brands. I don't trust Canon's.

Anyway, at RM1.5k, you might be able to get something decent. Don't rush. I always advise ppl this...
"Poor man pays twice"
So, it might be better just save a little more and go for the HDD type just to cut away all the trouble...

How much roughly a HDD one will cost? I check Sony and it cost a bomb. Around Rm3k above. I would rather buy D40x for that kind of money.

How bout if a dvd type? Will it be better? I cost somewhere between Rm1.5k to Rm2.5k..

Chap lap? JVC is owned by Matsushita who owns your Panny leh

Hehe, still got a bit of loyalty to my old company

seriously, for your budget, u might wanna consider a dvd camcorder like canon. coz sony will kill you with it's price.

but i do agree that the feel of canon is rather plasticky and not robust-built like sony or jvc camcorders. but hell, with a strict budget, the canon dvd camcorder is definitely a go. a good viewfinder, easy-to-use scene management, pc-friendly and etc.

Thanks for all ur advise dude... I will go Sg. Wang or lowyat to check it out on this weekend. Hope there is a promotion going on..

JVC owns by MAtsushita... means chap lap la.
Hahahaha...


Anyway, try Lelong.com for some pricing kick start.
You can try YS photo in SS2 for some price indication as well. Their price is slightly higher compared to the cheapest in themarket. Danny (the son) wll give you a tip or two but don't take it 100%. After all, he is still a salesman.

I would like to tumpang this thread since I'm also a newbie in this filed....

Currently I'm using Canon Mini DV.....thinking to upgrade to HDD type.....but also seen HD type....does the one with HD also have HDD....?

HD = Hi-definition. means can play at any latest LCD/PLASMA or hi definition TV with sharp images.

i am also planning to buy a DV for my dad...
budget around 2k-3k.
my dad want those using hard disk.
any recommendation guys?
i have no idea on DV ..