New Flash-based Camcorders

[doug1548534725]

Has anyone used the new flash-based camcorders, like the Vivitar DVR-530 (http://www.vivitar.com/product_camco.asp) or the Creative DiVi Cam 316? (http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=118&subcategory=309&product=11175&nav=0)

 

They're nice and cheap, and they're flash-based, so there's less worry about the mechanical bits of the device (the reels and tape system of a traditional or DV system). It looks like it would make a nice zip-tie-in-and-go setup. I'm just not sure about the quality of video/sound you'll get out of them.

 

The next option up from these is the bullet cam + neuros flash DVR cam setup, which is probably $150/$200 with everything.

[bsim]

I've got a JVC that takes compact flash cards. It's very cool, plus as you said, no tapes to get dirty, etc. Downloading (copying) a file to a laptop is easier than importing a tape.

 

Keep an eye out on the quality of the video though. The mpeg4 compression isn't very high quality, and doesn't seem to like fast motion. Try to find one that uses mpeg2 (like the JVC).

 

On another note, (as of now) we need to avoid the HDD-type camcorders. They can't handle the vibrations.

[doug1548534725]

What model is yours? The only JVC ones I can find are either mpeg-4, or hard drive models.

[GT4Point6]

The mpeg4 compression isn't very high quality, and doesn't seem to like fast motion.

 

Sounds perfect for a camaro

[bsim]

Shut up Kevin (though that was pretty good).

It's a JVC GZ-MC100.

 

From what I've read, JVC is going towards HDD based recorders only, so you can probably pick one up cheap as a closeout.

[doug1548534725]

The MC100 is looking pretty darn good. They're going for about $200 on ebay, and I can't find anything really bad about them. They seem at least a few steps up from those mpeg-4 low-end units.

 

The microdrive has moving parts, but that's replaceable with a normal compact flash or SD. Do you have any sample videos online to check out?

[mcmmotorsports1548534724]

Here is a video made at Rockingham last year using one of those Flash Camcorders. It was OK

 

Right Click, Save As:

http://www.mcmmotorsports.com/mcmtherock.wmv

[Richard Pryor1548534703]

if you're in the market ...Circuit City has a coupon on its website www.circuitcity.com for $40 off on any purchase over $199 including all sale items..good to 3/21..rp

[doug1548534725]

I ended up picking up an MC200 way below retail. It appears to be the same unit as the MC100, in a different form factor. It takes great video so far, now I just gotta get it in the car, and figure out how to compress them and make them web friendly.

 

Here's a raw mpeg 2 capture if you want to sit through a 20Mb download and have something that can play mpeg2 =) http://toric.loungenet.org/~doug/movies/cam/StartTest.mpeg2

[Renntag1548534718]

... if you want to sit through a 20Mb download and have something that can play mpeg2 =) http://toric.loungenet.org/~doug/movies/cam/StartTest.mpeg2

 

Anyone who can view mpg2 format.....what are you using to view files of this type?

[doug1548534725]

Mplayer (http://www3.mplayerhq.hu/MPlayer/releases/win32/MPlayer-1.0rc1-gui.zip) can, as well as The Core Media Player (http://www.tucows.com/preview/299014 with the codec pack: http://www.cccp-project.net/download.php?type=cccp).

 

I think Windows Media Player will, but you need codecs for it. Quicktime will, but you need a $19 plugin to do it.

[doug1548534725]

I've got a JVC that takes compact flash cards. It's very cool, plus as you said, no tapes to get dirty, etc. Downloading (copying) a file to a laptop is easier than importing a tape.

 

Do you run with any lenses? I'm looking at a .45x magnification, and possibly a polarizer.

[Renntag1548534718]

I use wide angle lenses on both of my cameras. I am not using a polarizer but I would like to.

[bsim]

mpeg2 files are standard, and usually *.mpg or *.mpeg named files. Pretty much any media player will handle them.

 

I don't have an external lens on the camera (yet). This is the view I get "stock":

[GT4Point6]

Shut up Kevin (though that was pretty good).

 

 

Anyway,

 

I use a 28mm fisheye type that came with my cannon and it pretty much gets A-pilar to A-pilar. I'm going to try a wider one this year to see how it turns out. I don't want too much going on in the video and so far the 28 seems to be really good but doesn't get any of the shifting or footwork in the frame.

 

This video will give you an idea of the 28mm lense:

http://www.margetta-racing.com/video/nov06bw1cw2.wmv

Right click save as (41 mb)

[doug1548534725]

This video will give you an idea of the 28mm lense:

http://www.margetta-racing.com/video/nov06bw1cw2.wmv

Right click save as (41 mb)

 

That's quite good, but I agree, just a little more would be ideal. I'll be happy if mine turn out close to that. I just ordered a .5x for my JVC and a polarizer, so I hope to have samples of that when they come in.

 

Bummer of a crash at the end, you were doing so well

[Lady in Nomex]

Kevin, which Canon do you have?

[GT4Point6]

Cannon ZR-300.

 

Turns out that the 28mm is the size of the lense, nothing to do with the view angle so there isn't much out there that I can find to increase the view angle at this time. I'll stick with the one I got for now