--- Forwarded Message from Derek Roff <[log in to unmask]> ---
>Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2003 15:28:38 -0600
>From: Derek Roff <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>
>cc: Victoria Badalamenti <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #7207 Digital Camcorder
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>References: <[log in to unmask]>
------------------
>> Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2003 14:15:40 -0400
>> From: "Victoria Badalamenti" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Digital Camcorder
>
> I would like to know if anyone has recommendations on buying a
> digital camcorder for the English Language Center at LaGuardia
> Community College in NYC?
A full-sized VHS camcorder is the simplest choice for a teacher who
wants to tape something, and then play it back to students or others
on a regular VCR and TV. I love digital, but in this scenario, which
is the most common at our school, it gives no advantages, and
playback is harder.
To playback a digital tape on a TV, you can: a) make a copy onto VHS,
b) plug the digital camcorder into the VCR, (use the Input Select
button on the VCRs remote control to select the proper inputs, so
that the camcorder image is relayed to the TV) or c) plug the digital
camcorder directly into the TV, if it has RCA-jack audio and video
inputs (some TVs do, some don't. Again, selecting the proper inputs
will be necessary). None of this is really difficult, but for a
teacher who uses the equipment once per semester, it can be daunting.
Digital is great when you want to edit the video before presenting
it. We do almost all our video editing in the free iMovie software,
although we use Final Cut Pro for the most advanced projects. If it
is appropriate for the situation, we can teach the basics of editing
to the students in half an hour, and let them do the editing
themselves in our computer lab. Or, as appropriate, I train the
teacher or I do the editing. Basic editing on a computer is fast and
easy with iMovie, and the results are much better than anything that
can be done with VHS VCRs and a linear editing controller. There are
other good editing software choices available (as well as some bad
ones), but I don't have personal experience with them.
There are a few variations on the digital camcorder theme, including
mini-DV, micro-MV, Digital 8, and disk-based recorders. Mini-DV is
the biggest part of the market. This format (and the compatible
DV-Cam and DV-Pro) is the logical choice for most departments
entering the field, offering many equipment options and easy computer
editing. If you don't know which to buy, buy a mini-DV camcorder.
I have used various digital camcorder models from the low-end
consumer (<$400) to the low-end professional levels (>$3000). I have
not had good luck with the very cheapest camcorders. We have gotten
good service from the Canon ZR series (ZR-60 and ZR-70, for example),
which hover somewhere around $500 from the online discounters. You
may be able to find discontinued models for $400.
TV video is a low-resolution standard, roughly equivalent to the old
640 x 480 VGA computer resolution of 15 years ago. There is nothing
a camcorder-maker can do to improve on this basic resolution, so they
put a lot of hype into things that don't matter much to video. A
race is on to produce the smallest camcorder. I avoid these for our
department, because they are more delicate, more expensive, harder to
use, and more stealable. More expensive cameras often come with
higher and higher resolution still photo capabilities. We have not
found this useful, since digital still cameras are smaller, lighter,
cheaper and easier to use for taking stills. Camcorders also offer
an array of digital effects, which we prefer to do in the computer,
if at all (that allows you to undo the effect). Wireless networking
is another feature that we can do without. I haven't yet figured out
why I want my camcorder to communicate with my cell phone via
BlueTooth. Manufacturers make it difficult to buy a model with only
the features that we want, but we try to avoid unnecessary frills.
Low-light capability is important to us, since many classrooms are
under-lit from a video perspective. Better image quality and better
low-light capability is often found on cameras with three imaging
chips (often advertised as "3-CCD" camcorders) rather than one
imaging chip (1-CCD). These cameras used to be substantially more
expensive, but Panasonic recently announced a couple of new models,
one of which is selling (but still not shipping) for around $800. I
am very interested in seeing this camera.
In the $800-$1200 range, the camcorders are a bit more robust, have
better lenses, and are better in low light. I have liked the Sony
models best in this price range, although Panasonic, Canon and JVC
make models that have worked well for me. If anyone wants to discuss
higher cost cameras, let's start another discussion thread. Our most
recent purchase (last Spring) was the Sony TRV-38, for about $800.
As with all electronics, prices drop and features increase, sometimes
to the detriment of features that matter. I would rather buy another
Sony TRV-30 (discontinued) than any of their currently available
models in a similar price range.
Using a tripod with a video (fluid) head, and an external microphone
can improve the quality of the video more than $400 in extra
camcorder features. Make sure that the camera that you buy will
accept an external microphone, without having to buy an extra dock or
adapter. A wireless mic can be very valuable in some situations.
The recently released Sony WCS-99 wireless mike has gotten good
reviews for its price range ($120 from www.buy.com) 900MHz, three
channels, very small clip-on transmitter and receiver...with some
nice extras like an included lavaliere mike (also extremely small)
and a monitoring headphone. We often use the $50 Audio Technica
ATR-25 stereo mic, with a $24 Ettore-brand 3-stage extendable
aluminum window washing pole as our mic boom. We also use the
ATR-55, a directional mono mic.
Is this more than you wanted to know?
Derek
Derek Roff
Language Learning Center, MSC03-2100
Ortega Hall Rm 129, 1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505/277-7368, fax 505/277-3885
Internet: [log in to unmask]
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