I am thinking of buying Optura 600 which is mini DV format. now I am a bit confuse on the other format? Is mini DV becoming obsolete ? will I be able to buy the mini DV format in the future ? Which format is better ?

I am definately going to edit my home movie using my computer and off the shelve software.

I also like the Optura 600 for its high quality still capability that Dan mentioned on his review.

So members help me with the decision process ?

DV = Canon Optura 600
DVD = ?
Hard Drvie = JVC GZ-MC500U or ?

Thanks

Michel

Hi Michel

I am in the same situation. I don't know what camcorder type(or media type) I should buy.
I assume that miniDV will be available for a very long time because it has become too popular. But even if it does not become obsolete I don't know whether to go for it.
The new optura600 sounds good and I would also need a camcorder with excellent stills but I like to wait until a professional review is available. In case the optura600 would have bad ratings I would maybe choose the Sony HC90.
The media type that I would prefer is harddisk or memory cards.
Unfortunately all available camcorders for these medias(especially the GZ-MC500, the SDR-SD100 or the GZ-MG75) have either bad video performance or other weakness that I don't like.
For example the MC500 does not make good stills(I have donwloaded some from the internet), does not have a viewfinder and can not do analog-digital conversions.
I also thought about going for DVD camcorders and maybe this media type is the best compromise for me. Here the Sony DVD403 is the king, all others can not beat it.
I think that the future belongs to the harddisk/memorycard camcorders but we would need to wait until good models will be available.

Unfortunately I can't tell you what camcorder you should buy but I recommend not to go for the MC500.
I would also at least wait for a optura600 review before buying it.
Regards
Sektionschef

MiniDV provides video in the DV AVI format which is designed for editing. DVD camcorders and so far I think all the hard drive based camocorders like the GZ-MC500U all use video in the MPEG2 format which is not as easy to edit because of the method of compression.


Rich

The only reasons I can think of to buy a DVD camcorder are convenience (just pop into DVD player) and not having to position the tape for new shots. But it's not for someone who wants to edit a lot.

Hard drive camcorders are cool...but eventually you have to move the clips to your PC or to DVD, and once again, MPEG2 format is not for extensive editing.

If you want to edit using a computer you will find that anything that creates compressed video is going to cause you a lot of problems. You can try editing video from both mpeg2 and DV avi to compare for yourself. You will find that editing with mpeg2 (or even worse mp4) is much harder and the quality will drop considerably because you will need to render your edited video after you edit which means another time the video gets compressed.

Download some DV format video and some mpg2 video and try editing both and rendering a new video then compare the results. I think you will quickly be convinced. If you just want something to capture video for playback similar to how video cameras were traditionally used you could do well with a hard drive or DVD camera or even a memory card camera. But if you want to edit on a computer you will want to go with minidv.

Aybody else notice that we jumped from 10/23/05 to 3/14/06? This is a five-month old thread.

Anyway, it's worth mentioning that MiniDV tape is a fairly good archival storage method. The shelf-life of data on a recorded DVD is highly variable and dependant upon a number factors. A HDD camera lacks any form of removable media at all - you'll have to regularly offload your recorded video and make an archival backup (to questionable DVD's?).

I'm skeptical of how "convenient" MiniDVD is. Shoot five minutes of video and want to see it in your DVD player? You'll have to finalize the disk first (5-10 minutes) and if it's a DVD-R disk, that's it for the disk - you won't be able to fill the disk later. That particular home movie cost a $1 per minute even if it's no good and needs to be re-recorded (on a new disk).

The "installed consumer base" for MiniDV products worldwide is huge and continuing to grow. MiniDV cameras and HDV cameras using MiniDV tapes are both likely to be in production even five years from now. Personally, I have little concern about being able to access my MiniDV tapes in ten years time and beyond.

Anyone who thinks minidv is going be dead any time soon should take a look at this web site.