Camcorders??

We've had threads before about digital voice recorders, so I thought I would ask what people would recommend for a good quality camcorder, preferably toward the lower end of the $500 to $1,000 price range.

I'd like very much to start incorporating videography into my freelance work but am pretty clueless as to what sorts of things to look for in a camera. Suggestions regarding good, user-friendly and inexpensive digital editing software would also be appreciated!

 

If you're looking for a real simple camera that's good for youtube type video, try the Flip HD
http://www.theflip.com/
There are no bells and whistles, but it's a good point and click camera.
I use Sony Vegas ($99) for video editing, but I find Windows Movie Maker (free) works fine for basic editing.

 

I'm interested in something that will enable me to do video interviews that offer a bit more in the way of picture and sound quality.

Ideally, I'd love to eventually do multi-media projects that I can sell copies of on DVD.

 

I use a Canon HG10. Make sure you buy either a shotgun mic or a lapel mike, plus a tripod.

 

Make sure you hide it behind some stuffed animals and DEAR GOD, please don't let her see the red light [/homemade porn'd]



I've heard good things about Canons. Look into HD camcorder too, for what it's worth.

 

LOL.....doesn't black electrical or hockey tape over the red light work?

 

Hockey tape? Only in Canada.

 

Stuffed animals?

By God, Chris Hansen is getting involved here, isn't he?

 

I work at Sears part time selling electronics....I actually use a higher-end Sony digital camera to take game footage for posting on my paper's blog, YouTube'd. In that small a res, it looks fine.

If all you want to do it post on the web the aforementioned flip is great. If you want to spend a bit more money, I'd recommend Sony's SR47. Panasonic does a reasonably good job, not much experience with Canon.

definitely go for the external mic.

 

Thanks, everybody, for the suggestions.

 

Just don't shoot two people talking to one another from behind a desk for several minutes. I've seen enough of those types of Web casts from newspapers and all of them are horrible.

 

No, I agree with you on that. I plan to use interview footage sparingly, as I would quotes in a traditional written article.

I guess I'm looking for something that'll give me more and better quality than a youtube-ready camcorder, because, as I said, eventually I'd like to make documentary-style feature articles and be able to burn them onto DVD.