Digital camcorder needed for high school application class... advice...

7 Nov 2006 3:14 AM

Jazz

You will have to forgive my ignorance in this department... my computer
applications class has expressed an interest in video editing. We have
the money and the means so needless to say, I am looking to purchase a
video camera to allow students to create and edit videos and I would
like to have some input from you folks in here in terms of quality,
price and reliability.

Naturally, one of the number one aspects to consider would be ease of
use. It would be great to get a camera that could intergrate nicely
with windows movie maker, so that any and all computers could be used
for video editing, rather than relying on some software that comes with
the camera...

Secondly, being a school, price is the next factor... not sure what I
am willing to spend, but under $1,000 would be ideal... in fact, under
$500 would be even better :)

I suppose reliability would be last, but certainly not least as the
camera will be used by lots of teenagers and would need to last for
several semesters...

Again, sorry for the ignorance factor, but I am used to teaching
applications and programming, but want to do things that interest the
kids too!

thanks in advance!
Jazz Mann

7 Nov 2006 4:53 AM

yeltz

Jazz wrote:
Show quoteHide quote

> You will have to forgive my ignorance in this department... my computer
> applications class has expressed an interest in video editing. We have
> the money and the means so needless to say, I am looking to purchase a
> video camera to allow students to create and edit videos and I would
> like to have some input from you folks in here in terms of quality,
> price and reliability.
>
> Naturally, one of the number one aspects to consider would be ease of
> use. It would be great to get a camera that could intergrate nicely
> with windows movie maker, so that any and all computers could be used
> for video editing, rather than relying on some software that comes with
> the camera...
>
> Secondly, being a school, price is the next factor... not sure what I
> am willing to spend, but under $1,000 would be ideal... in fact, under
> $500 would be even better :)
>
> I suppose reliability would be last, but certainly not least as the
> camera will be used by lots of teenagers and would need to last for
> several semesters...
>
> Again, sorry for the ignorance factor, but I am used to teaching
> applications and programming, but want to do things that interest the
> kids too!
>
> thanks in advance!
> Jazz Mann

Go with a miniDV (tape) videocamera rather than a miniDVD or a hard
drive model.
There are comprehensive reviews over at www.camcorderinfo.com - I'd
recommend taking a look at the Sony and Canon range.

8 Nov 2006 10:55 PM

bernie

....and of course, you'll need a miniDV camera that has a Firewire out,
and a Firewire-in on your computers. Some have this integrated, but you
may have to buy Firewire cards for your computers. And the camera
really ought to have an aux mic input, because the on-board sound will
be very average. So you'll need a mic or two, and maybe a tripod, and
and.....

Cameras to be used by many people, especially school kids, would need
to be very robust, and such a thing doesn't really exist. Even at the
very top end - a professional camera to be used for news perhaps - is a
delicate piece of equipment that needs to be looked after. Perhaps it
would be best to go for the absolute cheapest and expect attrition. In
the end, editing is about telling stories, and the quality of the
camera isn't too important.