Camcorders

[mikasas]

Hello all,
Was wondering was there anyone on here with some video capture experience.
I am looking for a Camcorder for a couple of projects that I have coming up with the club. I have done this type of thing before and just used my camera, but would like something more professional. I need it for recording action footage and interviews so the microphone on it would need to be of good quality and if possible have the ability to include a microphone input. Also on the night of the event it would be good to have the option of playing what is being recorded live onto a projector screen. I know I'm not looking a lot, lol, but surely there is someone out there who could offer me some advise as I do not have a clue.

[Ulick]

Hello all,
Was wondering was there anyone on here with some video capture experience.
I am looking for a Camcorder for a couple of projects that I have coming up with the club. I have done this type of thing before and just used my camera, but would like something more professional. I need it for recording action footage and interviews so the microphone on it would need to be of good quality and if possible have the ability to include a microphone input. Also on the night of the event it would be good to have the option of playing what is being recorded live onto a projector screen. I know I'm not looking a lot, lol, but surely there is someone out there who could offer me some advise as I do not have a clue.

Most mid-range camcorders now are broadcast quality and will easily do what you want. Best thing to do would be to start with your budget. Work out what you can afford and review the cameras in your price range. To be honest you're really not looking to do much so you may want to merely hire one for a few days. Once you have your footage and broadcast your signal to the projectors for that event you've no need for the camera again.

[mikasas]

That's the problem, within my price range there doesn't seem to be any devices with mic input facilities. I was looking at this Panasonic http://www.trustedreviews.com/camcorders/review/2010/07/12/Panasonic-HDC-SD60/p1
but there is no mic input. That seems to be the case with most cameras in that price range. Would the sound quality be good enough on a device like this for doing interviews?

[Tyrones own]

That's the problem, within my price range there doesn't seem to be any devices with mic input facilities. I was looking at this Panasonic http://www.trustedreviews.com/camcorders/review/2010/07/12/Panasonic-HDC-SD60/p1
but there is no mic input. That seems to be the case with most cameras in that price range. Would the sound quality be good enough on a device like this for doing interviews?

Absolutely... I have the equivalent of that in Sony and it's picture and sound is first rate.

[Ulick]

If you want, I've a couple of Sony's, mics and a tripod you can borrow. A few years old now and not HD but they're broadcast quality and more than adequate for what you've described. Have used them to make a few DVDs and some work for the club and had no complaints. Plus they have composite and S-video out that you can plug straight into a projector while it is switched on. I did have a wireless yoke for the same job but it's busted now so you'll need a long cable to connect directly to the projector.

Send me a PM if you are interested.

Edit: no charge of course if it's a GAA project.

Edit 2: actually for interviews I've found the best method is to record the audio with a lapel mic onto a laptop while you are filming, then align the audio file to your video footage in an editing package. That way you don't get the ambient noise. Should have one of those knocking about somewhere as well.

[Bud Wiser]

Good men, the spirit of the GAA is alive and well on the board and Im just wondering is there somebody prompting us from above at this particular time.

I have a Video Sender you can have.  It is more for outdoor though as it sends the signal over 400 yds to half a mile. Basicly you have a small power pack 12VDC and you take your video out from the cam and plug it into the VS.  Back at the clubhouse the pictures of the boys leathering into each other will come out on the screen.  It is much the same spec as here:  http://www.talitor.com/products/surveillance/30751115/page_30751115.htm  except that she'll fire the signal, both audio and video back to the club house from 400 mtrs.   Yours for free for your club to keep for club projects if you want it.

This will work for sending the signals short distances as well.  However, if you have broadband in the club and you are sending the signal from inside the club it will obliterate the broadband because it is on 2.4Ghtz.  If you are down d'end of the field though, away from the modem it will be fine.

[mikasas]

Lads thanks so much for the responce. I'll pm you both about what you are offering me. Great job all together. There was talk of hiring in a company to do the video work on the night, might have no need to now. Was down at the wake there on Saturday and you are right the spirit of the gaa is alive and well. I'll prob buy the other camcorder for personal use as well. Look like a good enough job to me.

[mikasas]

Got meself sorted with the pannisonic HDC-S60, looks to be a good enough yoke with positive reviews everywhere I looked! Class, now for the next part, what do you guys use to edit your videos? As in what software, have used movie maker before but wouldn't mind something with a bit more of a professional touch!

[Ulick]

I normally use Premiere or Final Cut Pro depending on whether I'm working on PC or Mac. Final Cut Pro is easier to work in but as I have a dual monitor set-up on the PC I tend to use Premiere for large projects with After Effects for any special effects. Anything requiring broadcast and real-time special effects I'd use Avid.

Note though that these packages are all expensive to buy though you could probably get cracked versions of the torrents. There's also a fairly steep learning curve so I'm not sure they'd be the best choice for a novice. It's been a while since I used anything lighter, so someone else may be able to advise on some of the other packages.

Wiki has a comparison page here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_video_editing_software

[mikasas]

Anyone any thoughts on the Corel Video editing software? I have heard that these types of software are prone to crashing?