Hi Julian,
First a BIG Thanx to Jules, Gena, and David for the advice that
pointed me in the right direction. As you know, the amount of product
avail is overwhelming and that's just on amazon & ebay. So I thought
I'd address 2 issues with one purchase, if possible, as I do need
primarily to address the video issue but thought I could also get a
suitable replacement for the Canon point-n-shoot that had a coronary
last month. Maybe not possible in one lo price unit, but that's ok.
So I've looked into the Zi8 which amazon has on a special price with
xtras thrown in to cement the deal. They are also offering the CG10 at
about $124. and that looks pretty good too. Getting past newer/older
tech, looks(professional if possible), and price..... not too much to
ask for, I mean I figure you ask for the sky and negotiate from there.
Anyway, after reading tons of reviews, some from very angry camera
owners, I really need to be sure that the images in the camera can be
seen on the client's computer either PC or Mac with very little
fumbling around. Or God forbid, crashing the system. Oy!
All of you have been stellar. Thanx again and if you have any thoughts
pleze add them.
Tom
Oh by the way, Jules, I read some interesting info on your company web
re: seo optimization and jquery. Like to know more after this debacle
is addressed.
On Jun 14, 2010, at 5:52 PM, Julian Seery Gude wrote:
> Hi Tom,
>
> Oops, didn't copy the list in my first response to you. Then thought
> of one
> last thing to add (at end of this email).
>
> In case anyone else wants to jump in to reply to Tom, my advice was
> that I
> believe a cheap camera like the Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10 would do just
> fine (as
> would many others). My other suggestion was just a basic one that
> others
> here have written about before, such as moving the camera closer and
> perhaps
> using a cheap audio recorder as a backup to reduce the worry of
> things going
> wrong with the audio in the field (good ol' murphy).
>
> One last note about something that surprised me on the Xacti's
> external mic
> jack. Sanyo doesn't use a standard sized audio input jack on cameras
> like
> the VPC-HD1000/2000. You'll likely need a $2.50 converter from Radio
> Shack
> (or similar) to plug your external mic into your camera.
>
> /jules
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 14, 2010 at 5:17 PM, Tom Dolan <tomjdo...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Hi Julian,
>>
>> I've saved the email that you wrote as a reference for the future. It
>> was the most considered and considerate response I got, and well, the
>> future rushed in the door this past weekend. Right off the bat, I'm
>> apologizing for this surprise email and if it's too much trouble to
>> answer, and it may well be, I am not offended. I do have a Skype
>> account w/video capability so if that's an option, I'm available at
>> your convenience. Here's the reason for this rushed if not frantic
>> communique,
>>
>> A non-profit org. where I volunteer, heard about a Training program
>> I've been developing. At one of their events this past weekend their
>> CEO requested that I run a couple of these workshops for their staff.
>> Although it came as a surprise, for all the right reasons I said...
>> Yes. Which brings this email to you.
>>
>> I know I'll need a video camera as that's part of the training
>> regimen. The main issue is $$. I really want to do the training but
>> the camera need couldn't have come at a worse time financially.
>> Nevertheless, what is, is. So I re-read your email, below and
>> consolidating all the suggestions I've read, I figured that I should
>> wait to buy a camera with an audio-in for an xternal mic. But, that
>> feature raises the camera price substantially as other features are
>> added also or upgraded.
>>
>> The training will take place in a conference room or office. One
>> person at a time. Camera on a tripod, maybe 10-15' away. I will
>> record
>> the person speaking, then plug the camera into a handy computer,
>> theirs, watch it and comment, then move on. That's it, no iMovie
>> editing, no saving on the camera. So I need some advice if you could
>> be so kind.
>>
>> Under the described conditions, do you recommend an xternal mic or
>> would the built in mic suffice, and remember this is about speaking.
>> Does the video format matter if I'm simply recording to view on a
>> computer, mac or pc, not to edit?
>>
>> As a result of this request, I've been frantically investigating
>> alternatives on the web. I went to ebay and found a VPC-HD 1000, USED
>> up for bids. Takes an xternal mic, which I may/may not need. Cruised
>> amazon. Found a simpler xacti CG10 on sale for $124. but no xternal
>> mic. Than I began looking at the newer digital point-n-shoots from
>> Canon, Sony, Nikon that are both pic & vid with audio. Priced at
>> around $150 w/vid capability, if they work and they might, that's the
>> top end of my budget right now. Would prefer around $100-125
>> actually.
>> I could go on, but out of respect for you, I'll stop.
>>
>> OK, so if you have anytime this week to address this or if you think
>> using Skype would expedite this or make it easier for you please
>> advise.
>>
>> If you've read this far, you're a gem of a person, and
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> Tom Dolan
>> tomjdolan.com
>>
>>
>> On Jan 26, 2010, at 2:52 AM, Julian Seery Gude wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Tom,
>>>
>>> You mentioned the Sanyo's and their Xacti line is a big hit with
>>> many on this list and I'm one of them.
>>>
>>> To get an external mic you can go with the VPC-HD2000 which has a
>>> street price of $500 new (I think they listed for around $800). I
>>> really am a huge fan of the Xacti pistol grip format and I've used
>>> their entry level 720p offering the VPC-CG10 (sorry, no ext mic) to
>>> great satisfaction. Just last week I picked up an older VPC-HD1000
>>> (does have ext mic) for $255 off eBay with lots of nice accessories
>>> (like a wide angle lens).
>>>
>>> I know a lot of people love the Canons. I believe Flash based units
>>> like the Canon Vixia HF200 are very good and in the price range of
>>> $550 street.
>>>
>>> Which leads me to a follow on question for the group. These HD
>>> videocameras need nice fast SDHC cards. Which ones have worked best
>>> for you?
>>>
>>> Theoretically any modern Flash based HD camera should be shooting
>>> through a Class 6 or better card. I've read lots of good things
>>> about Class 10 cards and after pouring through reviews settled on
>>> the Patriot LX series. The 8GB unit is only $26 but really hard to
>>> find in stock. 16GB in the Patriot goes for $46 and is widely
>>> available. I hear that the Patriots compare very favorably with the
>>> Sandisk Extreme's which go for over double the price. Any
>>> experiences with Class 6 and Class 10 SDHC cards to share?
>>>
>>> /julian
>>>
>>> ---
>>> Julian Seery Gude
>>> jul...@exceler8.com <julian%40exceler8.com>
>>> {561} 584-9088 or {skype} exceler8
>>> LOCALNa8ion.com and exceler8.com
>>> On the web: http://www.google.com/profiles/JulianSeeryGude
>>>
>>> On Jan 25, 2010, at 11:43 PM, Tom Dolan wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hey Vid-folk,
>>>>
>>>> I had an interesting idea and I want to run it by you. A local but
>>>> large pro camera shop might take in trade, a complete Pentax 35mm
>>>> outfit. Xcellent condition, lenses, motor, etc... towards something
>>>> else. I won't get what I think it's worth but I might be offered
>>>> enuf
>>>> to let it go. Now,
>>>>
>>>> Here's the conundrum: at different price levels starting lo and
>>>> ending
>>>> at about $6/800..(OK so I'm optimistic), what would you suggest I
>>>> consider? It's got to work with iMac-iMovie'09, have an external
>>>> mic,
>>>> and I prefer flash memory over tape/hard-drive. BTW, I was
>>>> surprised
>>>> to see a Sanyo model mentioned here several times. I don't see them
>>>> featured on the review sites, usually the same canon/sony/pana/etc
>>>> stuff. My 1st 16mm camera was a Sanyo and it was pretty good.
>>>>
>>>> So what video cameras would YOU trade the 35mm system for? and I'm
>>>> not
>>>> into the Flip style camera for now.
>>>>
>>>> Go for it...and Thanx.
>>>>
>>>> Tom Dolan
>>>> tomjdo...@gmail.com <tomjdolan%40gmail.com>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Tom Dolan
>> tomjdolan.com
>>
>>
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Julian Seery Gude
> jul...@exceler8.com
> {561} 584-9088 or {skype} exceler8
> LOCALNa8ion.com, BrandTrampoline.com and exceler8.com
> On the web: http://www.google.com/profiles/JulianSeeryGude
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
Tom Dolan
tomjdolan.com
