[videoblogging] Re: Elura 100 vs. Xacti C40 (and hello!)
Hey there, I just picked up a Xacti C40 a couple weeks ago as my MiniDV didn't like the cold weather (upwards of -30c). Like you I used a wideangle lens on my MiniDV. On the plus side I like the Xacti for it's small size, crisp video - even in low light and file format (.MP4). It's menu system is also easy to navigate. The sound is not all that great and I wish it had a threaded lens too. With regards to low light, I do quite a few vlogs at night from The Cabana, which is lit with a 100watt light bulb. I push the ASA to 1600 and I think it looks quite good, better then my MiniDV. I have lots of samples on my vlog, but note that it took me a few tries to get things the way I want. I would recommend the Xacti C40 as a secondary camcorder as the price is cheap and the video is good. Mike http://vlog.mikemoon.net --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, jsmooth995 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello hello, been lurking for a while now and gleaned lots of insight from you all (my first little forays into video are here: http://illdoctrine.blip.tv/). I want to pick up a second camera that's easier to carry around, and after reading up here and elsewhere I'm looking at the Elura 100 and the Xacti C40. Wondering how much difference there is, especially in terms of portability (xacti seems more pocket-sized, and just looks so much cooler lol), and audio quality (i've read the xacti is weak on sound recording). Also low light recording.. Much thanks for any insights! Jay Smooth WBAI / hiphopmusic.com
[videoblogging] Re: Elura 100 vs. Xacti C40 (and hello!)
Mike The VR feature is pretty cool. The rotation was fluid. I found a refrence to the software smoothing out the pan. But could not find the online help for Motion Director. http://www.sanyo-xacti.com/support/manuals/CA6_Software_GB.pdf How long did it take to convert? How much hands on does the software require of the edit? By that I mean are you babysitting frame by frame to adjust for lags or bumps in the pan? Was that as wide as your xacti can zoom out? The xacti is impressing me, especially the price ... http://www.6ave.com/product.jsp?zipz=11001x=VPCC40w=1 The audio on your xacti sounds pretty darn good (ignoring the wind noise), have you used the audio jack (for a external mic) and if so did you have problems like Halcyon has had with the plug needing to be fiddled with? What I am thinking about here is experimenting with two xacti's side by side. Not sure (e)xact(i)ly how I could do this but I am thinking 3d. Make a short bar with the bottom of the bar attaching to the tripod and the top with two mountings for two xacties. There is a lot more to pulling this off (sync, software) but my first thought is this is kinda like any other mashup, just needs imagination. A couple of quick links http://www.stereo3d.com/vidrec.htm http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3656494784112768834 --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Mike Moon [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hey there, I just picked up a Xacti C40 a couple weeks ago as my MiniDV didn't like the cold weather (upwards of -30c). Like you I used a wideangle lens on my MiniDV. On the plus side I like the Xacti for it's small size, crisp video - even in low light and file format (.MP4). It's menu system is also easy to navigate. The sound is not all that great and I wish it had a threaded lens too. I would recommend the Xacti C40 as a secondary camcorder as the price is cheap and the video is good. Mike http://vlog.mikemoon.net --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, jsmooth995 jsmooth995@ wrote: Hello hello, been lurking for a while now and gleaned lots of insight I want to pick up a second camera that's easier to carry around, Much thanks for any insights! Jay Smooth WBAI / hiphopmusic.com
[videoblogging] Re: Elura 100 vs. Xacti C40 (and hello!)
The Motion Director software was very easy to use. 1) Select the video, 2) Adjust the last frame of the video that generally is the same as the start 3) Processes the video, took about 5 minutes to go through the 1400+ frames 4) Then it gave me the option to fine tune the matching overlapping frame. Just drag and drop 5) Then go to the Trim option to square it up 6) done! Very slick. You have seen it, but for others, this is a 360degree virtual view of my backyard: http://blip.tv/file/get/Moon-BackyardVirtualTour996.mov (Quicktime required) The software is very easy to use, but has it's flaws. As you can see at the back, between the shed and the trees to the right, it's missing about 30 feet. That's probably due to the similar shadows. But unless I point it out, most wouldn't have noticed. I can hardly wait until summer when I'll do another from the center of the pool. :) With regards to the Xacti audio, I find it sounds hollow, tinny. With the C40, it's an older model and doesn't come with a mic jack. But overall, I'm very happy with the video, specially for vlogging. Mike http://vlog.mikemoon.net --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, bordercollieaustralianshepherd [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Mike The VR feature is pretty cool. The rotation was fluid. I found a refrence to the software smoothing out the pan. But could not find the online help for Motion Director. http://www.sanyo-xacti.com/support/manuals/CA6_Software_GB.pdf How long did it take to convert? How much hands on does the software require of the edit? By that I mean are you babysitting frame by frame to adjust for lags or bumps in the pan? Was that as wide as your xacti can zoom out? The xacti is impressing me, especially the price ... http://www.6ave.com/product.jsp?zipz=11001x=VPCC40w=1 The audio on your xacti sounds pretty darn good (ignoring the wind noise), have you used the audio jack (for a external mic) and if so did you have problems like Halcyon has had with the plug needing to be fiddled with? What I am thinking about here is experimenting with two xacti's side by side. Not sure (e)xact(i)ly how I could do this but I am thinking 3d. Make a short bar with the bottom of the bar attaching to the tripod and the top with two mountings for two xacties. There is a lot more to pulling this off (sync, software) but my first thought is this is kinda like any other mashup, just needs imagination. A couple of quick links http://www.stereo3d.com/vidrec.htm http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3656494784112768834 --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, Mike Moon mgmoon@ wrote: Hey there, I just picked up a Xacti C40 a couple weeks ago as my MiniDV didn't like the cold weather (upwards of -30c). Like you I used a wideangle lens on my MiniDV. On the plus side I like the Xacti for it's small size, crisp video - even in low light and file format (.MP4). It's menu system is also easy to navigate. The sound is not all that great and I wish it had a threaded lens too. I would recommend the Xacti C40 as a secondary camcorder as the price is cheap and the video is good. Mike http://vlog.mikemoon.net --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, jsmooth995 jsmooth995@ wrote: Hello hello, been lurking for a while now and gleaned lots of insight I want to pick up a second camera that's easier to carry around, Much thanks for any insights! Jay Smooth WBAI / hiphopmusic.com
[videoblogging] Re: Elura 100 vs. Xacti C40 (and hello!)
Checked out your videos. Entertaining. :) Depending on what you're trying to do, you might consider getting a digital still camera that also shoots video. I picked up the Samsung NV3, though it's unreliable sound-wise. Another option is the Sony W-70 for ~ the same price or the Sony W-100 for a little more. Both record video to a card instead of tape, so transfer to computer for editing is infinitely faster. Also, you get to carry around a still camera instead of a video camera. Comes in handy sometimes. ;) Also, use the search function. A lot of this has been discussed and is already available. http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/videoblogging/message/54600 -- Bill C. http://ReelSolid.TV --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, jsmooth995 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello hello, been lurking for a while now and gleaned lots of insight from you all (my first little forays into video are here: http://illdoctrine.blip.tv/). I want to pick up a second camera that's easier to carry around, and after reading up here and elsewhere I'm looking at the Elura 100 and the Xacti C40. Wondering how much difference there is, especially in terms of portability (xacti seems more pocket-sized, and just looks so much cooler lol), and audio quality (i've read the xacti is weak on sound recording). Also low light recording.. Much thanks for any insights! Jay Smooth WBAI / hiphopmusic.com
[videoblogging] Re: Elura 100 vs. Xacti C40 (and hello!)
What up Jay welcome! I can't offer a comparison, but I've been using to Elura 100 for a lot of my v-blog episodes, and I have no complaints. Its a very affordable camera, it takes great pictures (for a 1 chipper), it has a mic imput which is a must if you're doing any interviews, and it works as a vcr and can record from external video sources. I'm using a wide angle lens for most of my videos, except when I need to zoom. I also use it as a deck for ingesting video into my laptop (I also shoot on a Canon XL1 in low light situations). I checked into the specs of the Sanyo, and I didn't see anything about a mic imput. For now, I'd take tape (MiniDV) over a hard drive recorder any day because I like to keep all of my raw, and unless you're going to save all your video on an external hard drive, all that video you shoot will have to be deleted eventually. Any one chip camera is going to be weak in low light situations. I've found the Elura to be very portable, and it will fit in your coat pocket with no problem. Here are a couple of links to some videos I've shot with the Elura 100 http://blip.tv/file/144652 http://blip.tv/file/147489 You can compare that to the XL1 http://blip.tv/file/141349 http://blip.tv/file/130236 Hope this info helps. ac --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, jsmooth995 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello hello, been lurking for a while now and gleaned lots of insight from you all (my first little forays into video are here: http://illdoctrine.blip.tv/). I want to pick up a second camera that's easier to carry around, and after reading up here and elsewhere I'm looking at the Elura 100 and the Xacti C40. Wondering how much difference there is, especially in terms of portability (xacti seems more pocket-sized, and just looks so much cooler lol), and audio quality (i've read the xacti is weak on sound recording). Also low light recording.. Much thanks for any insights! Jay Smooth WBAI / hiphopmusic.com
