pluses and minuses of a mini DV camcorder?

12 Dec 2006 2:55 AM

heironymous

We're considering a new digital camcorder and have seen some mini DV
camcorders, which apparently use digital tape? Could anyone kindly
discuss the pros and cons of this type of camcorder, versus, say the
mini dvd camcorders?
Specific one we liked was a Canon ZR500.
Thanks

12 Dec 2006 7:32 PM

PTravel

"heironymous" <heironym***@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1165892127.254860.306900@j72g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> We're considering a new digital camcorder and have seen some mini DV
> camcorders, which apparently use digital tape? Could anyone kindly
> discuss the pros and cons of this type of camcorder, versus, say the
> mini dvd camcorders?
> Specific one we liked was a Canon ZR500.
> Thanks

Though it varies from model to model (and I'm unfamiliar with the Canon
ZR500):

MiniDV:
Highest quality video in a consumer format.
Video is easily edited -- can readily do titles, transitions, special
effects, compositing and corrections.
Tapes last a long time.
Requires additional software and a learning curve to produce home-viewable
DVDs.

DVD:
Lower quality video.
Video is not easily edited -- primarily, only cuts-only. More powerful
computer required for anything more.
DVD-Rs may not last as long as tapes.
No additional software required to produce home-viewable DVDs.