Post by: daryl66 on August 21, 2008, 01:59:23 PM
Its one and only use was recording Dr. Patient meetings my better half attends for lawyers and insurance companies, so I guess we are going to have to get into the digital world now. 
Of course going digital will require the learning curve of moving to CD/DVD's and deep sixing the vhs mentality . Plus it will allow us to engage in Ichat et:al since we are still using G4 and first build G5 Macs with no Isight.
The local Shopco is having a sale on this one(nice and cheap)In the spec's it states "Wondoze"compatibility with no mention of Mac. Does this make it a "deal breaker"? Is it a matter of a driver??
I am really just looking for an inexpensive unit to satisify the professional requirement, The Ichat etc is just frosting until we HAVE to bite the bullet for newer MAC's.
Your input is appreciated
Daryl
Post by: Jack W on August 21, 2008, 03:46:05 PM
The camera may also be the same????
Also, the internal storage is SD/MMC cards. Won't hold a whole lot of video.
I have a Canon PowerShot S2-IS camera that can take stills @ 8MP and movies @640x480 @ 30 fps and Stereo.
It also can record stereo sound files at excellent quality.
The new Canon IS cameras are even better, and cost around $400.
They can run circles around this camera. 10X analog Zoom
+ 4x Digital Zoom on top of that, which I don't use for the reason stated above.
Stereo sound
With a 2GB SD card, they can store around 15 minutes of video.
2GB SD cards (high speed) go for around $20 now - quite cheap! (SanDisk Ultra II)
How much they asking for this camera?
Canon's have an excellent reputation for quality.
There are also other cameras that compete with Canon S5 IS such as Sony and Olympus.
I just happen to like the Canons.
- Jack
Post by: daryl66 on August 21, 2008, 04:18:49 PM
QUOTE(Jack W @ Aug 21 2008, 03:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Also, the internal storage is SD/MMC cards. Won't hold a whole lot of video.
How much they asking for this camera?
How much they asking for this camera?
I guess the old saying holds true. "you get what you pay for". "$79.00"
The fact that you can only get 15 or so minutes of video from 2gb makes this another strike.
Some of these meetings go for 2 hours or more. Guess I better start looking for a "tape" machine. More homeworkThanks Jack
Daryl
Post by: sandbox on August 21, 2008, 06:33:04 PM
I found this with two hour limits for $79 bucks
http://www.amazon.com/RCA-EZ205-Camcorder-...d/dp/B0016XMY4K
Post by: Jack W on August 21, 2008, 08:24:52 PM
quality???
Post by: daryl66 on August 21, 2008, 08:55:53 PM
QUOTE(Jack W @ Aug 21 2008, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
sandbox,
quality???
quality???
WOW: After about 3 hours of "surfing" and reading there begins to be light at the end of the tunnel. I had no idea that there was a "flip" camcorder with a plastic lens, or that the audio could/could not be accessed with an external mic,(required) or optical zoom traversed from zip to 40-50x.(Desirable but to what level?) Storage media small flash to long tapes(2 hours min).Light enhancement (yes I think) Guess I shouldn't have been too surprised given all the advances that have been made with the digital still cameras and Macs. At this point the decisions will be based on actual requirements and price. TBD. I know now where to begin. Many thanks
Daryl
Post by: sandbox on August 22, 2008, 01:45:53 AM
QUOTE(Jack W @ Aug 21 2008, 09:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
sandbox,
quality???
quality???
I hope you didn't see a quality rating in my post, I just found one that suited his 2 hour need and cheap price. I couldn't speak to the quality issue unless I had it in my saddlebag.
Yes daryl they are quite complicated, that's why so many folks go with a brand they can trust. Jack likes cannons as do many folks around here, and they're probably right!
Post by: Paddy on August 22, 2008, 08:10:23 AM
So, if you need anything more than a few minutes of video and need to be able to actually see and hear what is on that video, you need a proper video camera.
This one gets good reviews at Amazon - $306.
Canon DC330
It records on DVDs, btw, which is handy.
Post by: Jack W on August 22, 2008, 10:45:24 AM
Another question: Do you really need video?
If your major requirement is for sound recording,
The Cannon S5 IS camera will record a whole lot of stereo sound on a 2GB SD card.
Also takes a lot less power recording sound vs. video.
You could set in on the table kind of aimed at the participants.
With a video camera, you might have to jockey it around during the sessions.
Just a thought.
- Jack
Post by: daryl66 on August 22, 2008, 11:22:00 AM
QUOTE(Paddy @ Aug 22 2008, 08:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I came to the conclusion that there were no cheap AND good options out there, unfortunately.
So, if you need anything more than a few minutes of video and need to be able to actually see and hear what is on that video, you need a proper video camera.
This one gets good reviews at Amazon - $306.
Canon DC330
It records on DVDs, btw, which is handy.
So, if you need anything more than a few minutes of video and need to be able to actually see and hear what is on that video, you need a proper video camera.
This one gets good reviews at Amazon - $306.
Canon DC330
It records on DVDs, btw, which is handy.
I have came to the same conclusions re the requirements. The flip/plastic lens jobbers are definitely not an option. Records on DVD????? now that sounds interestng. I will check it out. thanks
Daryl
Post by: daryl66 on August 22, 2008, 11:32:34 AM
QUOTE(Jack W @ Aug 22 2008, 10:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Daryl,
Another question: Do you really need video?
Another question: Do you really need video?
Jack
In the vast majority of the cases the answer is no. She does the recording(s) on a nice little cassette tape recorder with an external mic. HOWEVER once in a while either an insurance company or an Attorney will request/require her to make a video. Most of the time these meetings are in a small "conference" room type setting with bad light and terrible acoustics. So we will probably end up with a mid-range $200-350 unit.
Daryl
Post by: jcarter on August 23, 2008, 12:34:56 PM
Then I just got the Olympus 1030SW, and use it evry single day! Waterproof too, smashproof, but dont tell the grandkids that.
Jane