Digital camcorder ???'s

[Bait O' Eggs]

I have been thinking I want a digital camcorder to keep up with the times, my High 8 camcorder is kinda big, and the format will soon enough go the way of the 8 track tapes :depressed:

I have already figured out I will probably have to do some computer upgrades to support the camcorder
- probably some more memory (got 40 meg)
- add a connection to the PC which will handle video downloads
- DVD burner
and who knows what else

For those who have already stumbled down this road of digital camcorders, any suggestions, comments, ideas etc....

I plan to shoot film of the kids, some fishing and hunting experiences. Not sure how hard it is to get this captured footage into a useable format that I can print a CD/DVD disc and maybe send a copy to grandparents, save for watching when I am an old man or maybe posting a clip of footage on the internet, etc...

I have already figured out there are different recording formats on the camcorders, are some better than others? what should I stay away from?

Dont know much about the subject and am just starting down the road. Hate to start out at the video store and get a sales pitch from some commissioned kid.

[uhmw]

I use my wifes new digital camera for short film clips. She got large mem card and can get several 30 sec shots at a time. Works in a pinch. I need one too, so when Im really old , I can rember how I got that way.

[Rank Amateur]

I have gone down this path in the last six months. The learning curve is not too bad. I would suggest getting a external harddrive to do all your video work on. I bought a 150 GB external and I have filled it a couple of times. Video takes a lot of memory. I have two programs I use to create DVD's, Studio Plus and Adobe Premier. Quite frankly, I use the Studio program the most and it is quite easy to use. I think the Adobe program is better, but I was importing my hi-8 tapes and I bought the Dazzle 150 converter that came with the Studio program and so I just became more comfortable using it. With a digital camera (I bought one for the wife), you can import directly via a firewire.

The Dazzle converter can be used also to down load VHS tapes into you computer and you can also take your finished product back to VHS through the converter. DVD's are nice, but can be fickle as to which players they will work on. This is still developing technology and there are still some bugs. You sure can dress up your video's and add a lot of special effects, music, ect.