Re: [videoblogging] xacti cameras for class
Jay, I have only used firewire with a mini-dv camera in the past, so I'm wondering, with the xacti how do you get the video into the computer? Do you need some sort of device on the computer to read the sd card? Does the camera have usb or firewire ports that can be used to capture the video onto the computer? These are issues, since the computers already have usb and firewire ports in the lab, but no special devices for reading the sd cards presently. ... Richard On Nov 8, 2007 5:55 PM, Jay dedman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have about $1000 to get two video cameras for students to check out and use for a multimedia class I'm teaching. Therefore they need to be under $500 each (complex math). The videos don't have to be pro quality or anything, but it would be good if: a) There was an input for an external mic, and b) If you could download the data via usb or firewire, since the computers in the classroom don't have readers/ports for memory cards. if its just for fun web video, i say get the Xacti E1. these are the water proof cameras...but they are also tough as hell because of the hard casing. i like the mpeg4 cameras because its easier to get the video from the sd card to the computer. Mini DV is cool...but more work IMHO. Jay -- http://jaydedman.com 917 371 6790 Video: http://ryanishungry.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/jaydedman Photos: http://flickr.com/photos/jaydedman/ RSS: http://tinyurl.com/yqgdt9 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] -- Richard http://richardhhall.org Shows http://richardshow.org http://inspiredhealing.tv
Re: [videoblogging] xacti cameras for class
On Mon, 12 Nov 2007 9:42 am, Richard (Show) Hall wrote: I have only used firewire with a mini-dv camera in the past, so I'm wondering, with the xacti how do you get the video into the computer? Do you need some sort of device on the computer to read the sd card? You can use a cheap SD card reader via USB to copy the videos from the card ($10-20). Some of these flash media cameras also have USB cable connections built in. I still think the $500 per camera range is a good excuse to step up to a descent miniDV camera. The flash media cameras are convenient, but they will limit you in some areas as well. The problem with $500 for a miniDV camera is you're right on the edge of the pricepoint where microphone jacks are available. Circuit City will sell you a Panasonic GS320 for about $600, which has a mic jack 3CCD sensor ... Nice camera for the money. One possible solution: buy that Panasonic and spend the remaining money on a $200-300 flash media camera. You might even have a few bucks leftover for SD cards tapes. Then you have both cameras for different types of projects, and students can see the advantages disadvantages of each device . -- Brian Richardson - http://whatthecast.com - http://siliconchef.com - http://dragoncontv.com - http://www.3chip.com
Re: [videoblogging] xacti cameras for class
- Original Message - From: Richard (Show) Hall (snip) These are issues, since the computers already have usb and firewire ports in the lab, but no special devices for reading the sd cards presently. Pretty much a non-issue to me. A card reader that plugs into a USB port sells for about $30 or less these days. Richard Amirault Boston, MA, USA http://n1jdu.org http://bostonfandom.org http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7hf9u2ZdlQ
Re: [videoblogging] xacti cameras for class
- Original Message - From: Brian Richardson - WhatTheCast? (snip) The problem with $500 for a miniDV camera is you're right on the edge of the pricepoint where microphone jacks are available. (snip) Not even close. The entry level Cannon has a mic jack and is *way* below the $500 point. Richard Amirault Boston, MA, USA http://n1jdu.org http://bostonfandom.org http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7hf9u2ZdlQ
Re: [videoblogging] xacti cameras for class
On Nov 12, 2007 9:42 AM, Richard (Show) Hall [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Do you need some sort of device on the computer to read the sd card? No you don't. You can plug the camera directly into the computer via USB cable. The videos can be accessed directly from the camera. (The camera has a 'card reader' mode when plugged into a computer an turned on). Not all xacti cams have a mic jack though ... so if thats a required feature be sure to check that closely. - Dave -- http://www.DavidMeade.com
Re: [videoblogging] xacti cameras for class
On Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:06 am, Richard Amirault wrote: Not even close. The entry level Cannon has a mic jack and is *way* below the $500 point. Please send me more information on that camera (model number, link, etc.). That's useful to know. -- Brian Richardson - http://whatthecast.com - http://siliconchef.com - http://dragoncontv.com - http://www.3chip.com
Re: [videoblogging] xacti cameras for class
- Original Message - From: Brian Richardson - WhatTheCast? On Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:06 am, Richard Amirault wrote: Not even close. The entry level Cannon has a mic jack and is *way* below the $500 point. Please send me more information on that camera (model number, link, etc.). That's useful to know. -- The Cannon ZR800$199.00 at B H Photo. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/478924-REG/Canon_1880B001_ZR800_Mini_DV_Camcorder.html Richard Amirault Boston, MA, USA http://n1jdu.org http://bostonfandom.org http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7hf9u2ZdlQ
Re: [videoblogging] xacti cameras for class
I have only used firewire with a mini-dv camera in the past, so I'm wondering, with the xacti how do you get the video into the computer? Do you need some sort of device on the computer to read the sd card? Does the camera have usb or firewire ports that can be used to capture the video onto the computer? These are issues, since the computers already have usb and firewire ports in the lab, but no special devices for reading the sd cards presently. others have answered your questions in detail. (you can plug in the Xacti through USB...or use an inexpensive card reader) Ultimately use what you're comfortable with. i like the SD cameras since they fit in my pocket. But if you want a bigger camera experience with tape backup and the extra extensions...then definitely go with the mini-DV. in 5 years, they'll be giving away these cameras with keychains when you get a new bank account. Jay -- http://jaydedman.com 917 371 6790 Video: http://ryanishungry.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/jaydedman Photos: http://flickr.com/photos/jaydedman/ RSS: http://tinyurl.com/yqgdt9
[videoblogging] xacti cameras for class
I have about $1000 to get two video cameras for students to check out and use for a multimedia class I'm teaching. Therefore they need to be under $500 each (complex math). The videos don't have to be pro quality or anything, but it would be good if: a) There was an input for an external mic, and b) If you could download the data via usb or firewire, since the computers in the classroom don't have readers/ports for memory cards. The problem is that there are a skizzillion xacti cameras, so I'd be interested in any opinions/advide -- Richard http://richardhhall.org Shows http://richardshow.org http://inspiredhealing.tv
Re: [videoblogging] xacti cameras for class
At that price, buy two miniDV cameras instead. They will have better picture quality and are more likely to have the mic jack. I'll post some models when I get a chance to Google :) On Thu, 8 Nov 2007 1:38 pm, Richard (Show) Hall wrote: I have about $1000 to get two video cameras for students to check out and use for a multimedia class I'm teaching. Therefore they need to be under $500 each (complex math). The videos don't have to be pro quality or anything, but it would be good if: a) There was an input for an external mic, and b) If you could download the data via usb or firewire, since the computers in the classroom don't have readers/ports for memory cards. The problem is that there are a skizzillion xacti cameras, so I'd be interested in any opinions/advide -- Richard http://richardhhall.org Shows http://richardshow.org http://inspiredhealing.tv Yahoo! Groups Links Brian Richardson - http://whatthecast.com - http://siliconchef.com - http://dragoncontv.com - http://www.3chip.com
Re: [videoblogging] xacti cameras for class
- Original Message - From: Richard (Show) Hall I have about $1000 to get two video cameras for students to check out and use for a multimedia class I'm teaching. Therefore they need to be under $500 each (complex math). The videos don't have to be pro quality or anything, but it would be good if: a) There was an input for an external mic, and b) If you could download the data via usb or firewire, since the computers in the classroom don't have readers/ports for memory cards. The lowest end model Cannon consumer Mini DV camcorder has a mic jack and is *well* within your price limit. They make that option available on their entry level camcorder for some reason (I forget) but delete it from higher units (go figure) Richard Amirault Boston, MA, USA http://n1jdu.org http://bostonfandom.org http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7hf9u2ZdlQ
