Comments on: WVU #6 – What’s The Best Video Camera To Use?

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 14 May 2011 15:32:28 +0000

@John – The Canon XH-A1 is a good choice, but it’s not cheap.

By: John

John — Sun, 08 May 2011 19:29:15 +0000

Anyone have a suggestion on buying a older camera with xlr ports and tape ? Looking to shoot web video with good sound.

By: Ely

Ely — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 03:04:08 +0000

Thanks for the advice. I’m new at the whole podcast/video casting. Since viewing your video, I have heard the same advice from two other people. So today, I found a ZR900. I also learned that there is a Z950, but it’s more expensive. I’m guessing because of the memory. I think I’m going to take your advice and get the ZR900 even though it uses tapes. I’m going to be doing interviews and they need to be somewhat professional. If I need to, I can always upgrade later. Thank you again for the video!

By: Phil Hughes

Phil Hughes — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:29:48 +0000

I also have a JVC Everio. I have one of the earlier models (not HiDef) before they took out the mic jack.

I’ve made over 1000 videos with it and honestly use Cyberlink PowerDirector for the editing. It may not be Sony Vegas but for fast and solid useable editing (not to mention it’s dirt cheap, like $60…) it’s a great deal. It allows pic in pic, transitions, music tracks, etc… Because it’s easy to use and really fast it’s usually my first choice for editing.

BTW, I compared the ‘SuperFine’ setting on my JVC with a Canon miniDV and couldn’t find any real difference in quality. I’m a big guy on time (not a lot of it…) so being able to usb a few hours of footage in about 10min from the JVC hard drive is a HUGE bonus.

I know it’s completely against what you’re talking about but for streaming video made fast and furious it works for me.

My 2 cents,

Phil

Love your site!

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 01:46:05 +0000

Terry – Unfortunately the JVC Everio is a nightmare when it comes to getting footage off the camera and into video editing software (if it helps, you’re not the first person to ask me about this camera).

Basically, it’s up to the individual software companies (Apple, Sony, Adobe, etc.) to decide what cameras they support. And most camera manufacturers follow standards to help things go more smoothly. But every once in a while, they don’t (like the Everio)…and you get what you’ve run into.

A couple of suggestions that may or may not help:

First, you MIGHT be able to import the footage into low-end software like iMovie or Windows Movie Maker (sounds counter-intuitive but it’s true). You can then export the footage from that software as an AVI, MPEG-2, etc. and bring it into more robust video editing software (but you may lose video quality).

Second, when your footage is put on DVD, it’s usually as a .vob file. And often you can copy a .vob file from a DVD to a hard drive, then rename the file extension from .vob to .mpg. Then, you can open it in video editing software.

No guarantee’s on either of these, but they may be worth trying.

By: Terry Rayburn

Terry Rayburn — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:31:38 +0000

Dave,

Love your stuff.

I unfortunately bought a JVC Everio Harddrive. It uses a .mod file and has been a real pain to put on my computer and make DVD’s.

I’ve tried renaming the .mod file to .mpg, converting to mpeg-2 and mpeg-1, and I can’t get a decent recording.

All I’ve been able to do is transfer from the camcorder to my DVD recorder/player hooked up to my TV, but I can’t do any editing with that, of course.

Any suggestions, other than breaking up the JVC with a hammer and buying something else?

Wish I’d found you before I found the camera (that was a year ago…too late to return it to Circuit City).

Thanks,
Terry Rayburn

By: Randall

Randall — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:20:17 +0000

It was OK. I’m distracted by your hands, Dave.
Hold one of the cameras. Look at it as you talk about it and tell me what price range it will come in.
I get a better idea if you use a tripod. You’re assuming too much. I’m not a camera buff.
Just some tho’ts… too picky, – probly.
Randall