Some
of the most frequently asked questions that I get are regarding
digital camcorders and what's good at a reasonable price.
As
you've seen from my articles over the last few years, including:
I'm
generally very impressed with the miniDV format, even at the "consumer"
level. In fact, I know many professionals who are using these
cameras. However, I never thought to check into Sony's Digital8
until my man, Mickey Mac gave me a "wake up call." His insights
are the reason for this mini-report on this alternate digital
camcorder format.
While
Sony's Digital8 camcorders are somewhat bulkier than smaller and
lighter DV camcorders, they are indeed impressive. I was educated
by my friend, cohort, collegue and co-conspirator, Mickey Mac.
He's has become excited about the Sony Digital8 format as a lower
cost-effective alternative to DV. In fact, after some hands-on
experience, he plans to buy one. (One unit, for example, the Sony
DCR-TRV315, has a discount mail order "street price" under $900.)
| Here
are Mickey's views which I think make sense and which bear
out after some research: |
| • |
Sony
consumer cameras are generally fine products |
| • |
Digital8
is the identical video signal as DV (comparible image quality) |
| • |
It
is MUCH easier and MUCH less expensive to find a tape when
you need one at the last minute - (remember I am talking about
consumer use) |
| • |
There
are MANY excellent features, including: |
| |
• |
Zoom
Microphone - Low-light/no light capabilities |
| |
• |
FANTASTIC
battery performance - IR wireless beaming of audio & video
to TV or VCR |
| |
• |
EXCELLENT
image stabilization |
| |
• |
Large
LCD monitor and viewfinder |
| |
• |
20X
optical zoom & 360X optical/electronic zoom |
| |
• |
Excellent
ergonomics |
| |
• |
Many
fine accessories |
| |
• |
Same firewire connector and controls as DV |
In
addition, these camcorders are fully backward compatible with
Hi8 and 8mm analog tapes; and perhaps more importantly, I'm told
that they can also handle an analog input (such as a VHS deck)
so that you can digitize your VHS tapes for non-linear editing
by using this camera. That's something that few DV camcorders
can do.
Combined
with Apple's new iMac DV models (see http://www.apple.com/imac/movies.html)
among other systems, it appears that a new low cost "window" on
digital video production is opening. It remains to be seen how
many people take the plunge.
My
man, the Mick also likes the iMac DV, not only because of its
integrated Firewire (IEEE 1394) port, but he really like the iMovie
software, especially for entry level video editing. He said that
iMovie is "one of the best interfaces ever designed for the consumer.
It is obvious, intuitive, easy-to-learn, and it offers almost
all the features a typical consumer might want." The Mick's a
pro, so I'll take his word on that.
Hope
this helps, keep those questions coming, enjoy and stay tuned!
