My JVC camcorder went belly up after the last tour. I am enthralled with the new JVC camcorder that is all digital (no tape or dvd)but I don't take that much video so even the 20gb (7hr) is way more than I need. The DVDcams only hold 30-40 minutes and are just as costly but no need do a transfer. I would go back to the minidv cam which is half the price but it means carrying all the accessories. SO, the question is: does any one have any experience with the new all digital or the DVDcam and any recommendations?? I am open to any and all suggestions.

Bill -

I have a Panasonic VDR M30 which is one of the original DVD camcorders. I have been very happy with it for the past 4 years. Picture quality is excellent. The only difficulty I have experienced is when I film on DVD-R discs and then transfer my clips to my computer and edit them with VideoStudio (to add titles and music) the software drops or repeats a few frames at the end of the clip leaving a small jerk in the picture. For the last couple of years I have used DVD RAM discs exclusively. With the RAM disc I haven't encountered any of this sort of problem plus once I have saved the clips to my computer's hard drive I can erase the disc and reuse it.

The only other complaint I have is the battery life. It seems I use a battery's full charge during a day. Sometimes I get even less life out of the battery if I leave the camcorder on for extended periods of time. Fortunately there is an auto shut off after 5 minutes without filming.

There are very few features in this camcorder so I am looking to replace it with the new VDR D400 DVD camcorder from Panasonic later this year.


Hope this helps.

Jim

I use a Sony DVD803E for both video and still photography.

I use re-writeable discs exclusively and have never had a problem with transfer or editing.

As each take is treated as a separate file, editing is very easy.

I purchased a long life battery and with that and the standard battery I have never run out of power, I run them "flat" before recharging.

It didn't go belly up after our last trip but arrived home with an ant's nest in the viewfinder! Now awaiting a new viewfinder!

Many thanks for your replies. Tangata,what quality is the still photo, how many mp's?

HI Bill

On the box and in the advertising, it states 3.31 M pixels gross, 3.05 effective for still shots.

The image size is 2016 by 1512 i.e. 3.048 M pixels, when stored at "fine" quality the file size is 1.54 M Bytes, at "standard" 0.64 M Bytes.

I generally use the standard setting and the results are fine for showing on a TV or printing up to A4.

Hi Tangata Thanks again. I searched the internet yesterday and my davorite electronic stores and I get one site thatlisted your Sony model as made for the Asian market and it is in PAL and not NTSC format but I will keep looking.

Yes, mine is in PAL as used in Asia and most of the world, but they do make a NTSC model.

I have made NTSC discs for friends in North America, my editing software makes the change when compiling the video file.

I have a Pentax Optio Mx and a JVC Everio 30GB GZMG37, the Pentax costs AUD$300 ish and works well in ligt or dark conditions very well, the JVC costs AUD$800 ish & works well in light but terrible in semi dark and not at all in dark conditions!

Does anyone have any knowledge on the new Hitachi that has both DVD and HardDisk - model is DZ-HS301E (1.3 megapixel) or the 3.3 megapixel model the DZ-HS303E??