Camcorder recomendations?
 

I'm interested in picking up a new camcorder. And was wondering what you guys would recommend for a good in car track/DE camcorder.

digital
Hi 8
or those ones that burn DVDs?

what are your thoughts?

thanks for the input

Jay

I would go for a digital one for starters. The new DVD camcorders would probably make more sense, as I a sure you would use it for other family coverage.

You may want to edit the raw material so consider how the camera will link to a PC, and the size of memory, processor and hard drive you would need to edit digital video.

If you are going to mount it in the car, consider how this is going to be done, see post from Jack Olsen to give you sound advise.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/248301-car-video-system.html?highlight=camera

Well after much looking. this is the one I decided on..Man this thing is amazing, it will probably take me til the spring to get everything dialed in on it..


http://product.samsung.com/event/optin05/sportscam_site/


Jay

Make sure you get one with an Image Stabilizer, those are worth their weight in gold, you'd be shocked how much your car is vibrating at 150mph. Personally I love Canon, I always have, but they don't have cameras with remotely mountable microphones, which is kind of a big deal. You want to be able to get it out of the airflow so you don't just hear wind noise.

video cam
 

Make sureyou get a wireless remote to start the camera. Once you are strapped in you cannot turn around and hit the record button.

Post on their message boards to see if anyone has used one in car. I bought a bullet cam that rocks when I'm in my shifter kart, but sux in the track car. The audio is WAY overmodulated. I've put inline resistors between the mic and the recorder...put the mic in a sock filled w/ cotton balls and still no love. When the camera is in the car and strapped to my helmet, it iris's up and down slowwwwly as it picks up the outside light and the shade of the interior (I havn't tried it statically mounted in the car).
Or...you can look on flea bay for a sony TRV 18. They're going for about $275 used. you can get a fish eye lens for about 40 bucks. Bought mine new 3 years ago for 1,200.00. It has finally let go after more than 12k miles on the track.

I will have to look into that..Guess I will have to wait until this spring..Well unitl I get my rollbar in and fix those damn oil leaks..lol


Jay

Definately go digital. You'll wind up with a better quality image when you're done editing and compressing it. I'd suggest a mini DV vs one that records onto a DVD, as they tolerate vibration better. You'll get a much better image recording through the camera directly vs through a lipstick remote as well. Look for 3CCDs or something equivalent if you can afford the upgrade. If having a remote on/off is useful, look for one with a LANC jack. I haven't looked too much at this site, but it looks useful:

www.camcorderinfo.com

Jay--Im looking at camcorders too--any comments on how the Samsung is working out for you?

I'm on the fence as well guys. For me it's between the Samsung sportcam and CHASECAM.COM's PDR100.

I know reviews must be taken with a grain of salt but I just read a review of the Samsung at the camcorderinfo.com site and said the sportcam was horrible for everything but the gadget 'wow' factor.

We bought a Sony TVR19 in MiniDV format a year ago Christmas and we are very happy with it. Over a year and no problems!

well I have been pretty happy with it so far..havent used it in my car yet...I does have a high gadget factor but I really do like the shock and weather proof factor...I really havent had a chance to really dial it in yet, but what I have used it for it has been great. I recorded this clip using the samsung sports cam...this is one of my skaters at a park up in Ma.(I own a skateboard company on the side)

http://media.putfile.com/andreclip

Im pretty happy with the quality so far
Jay