What kind of video camera does everybody use when making foot videos? How about non foot-related videos?
[ July 09, 2005, 10:43 PM: Message edited by: Ben Del Amitri ]
Posted by Hal (Member # 3484) on :
I bought a JVC video cam three years ago and it broke on the first day. When I returned it to the shop the salesman said: "We have a new Panasonic camera, it`s basically like the JVC only better and a third of the price". So I bought that one (Panasonic NV-DS30), together with a wide-angle lense and I´m very satisfied with it. But that was three years ago. If I´d get a new one now, I´d try and get hold of a good Sony 3CCD camera.
-Hal-
Posted by Gimme (Member # 6872) on :
Right Ho! My favourite non-foot fetish subject! I own a Canon MVX-150i(Optura).
I think photography is in my blood. I like it a lot but I didnt have the chance and the money to buy a decent one let alone a videocamera. Three years ago my wife, seeing that I love taking pictures and videos, bought me a videocamera. Actually I wanted to buy one earlier than that, I had a list of some good vidcams for that time .. a friend of mine, who is a photographer adviced me to buy this one, so my wife took me by surprise virtually buying it as a present.
The first use of the camera to me is to keep favourite moments, as everybody else I guess. But I didnt want just a vidcam to record and that's it. I wanted big and bright lense, colour match, good zoom function, highspeed shutter. I guess that was it. Indeed it proved to be above my expectations. Nice and bright shots, able to shoot in low light conditions, good close up of subjects. All the travelling I ve done have been captured by this camera. I m very satisfied with it.
Now for the Foot related subject. Taking photos is not a strong point. A digital camera is preferable ... but the whole candid feet situation and the high motion of walking feet in the streets, which I m keen on, proved to be more than excellent. Very high speed shutter producing the most of moving images.
Very glad I bought it back then .. and I m not sure whether I could do the things I did and still do with another mainstream amateuristic digital videocamera.
If someone asks me what would I buy now.. I d go for a 3CCD camera definately. The prices have gone down ever since I was searching to buy a camera (4 years ago). Of course it worths the money even though they seem to be semi-professional leaving you no choice of bargaining or going for a model lower than this.
Gimme Posted by ledaemon (Member # 198) on :
Got a little Digital Sony Handycam. DCR-DVD 100.
Its not the greatest thing in the world, but it does record directly onto mini DVDs that you can upload directly into your computer to make clips. And of course the cool thing about the mini DVDs is they can go straight from the camera to your home DVD player! Don't ask me anything technical about it because my eyes will just glaze over and I'll start mumbling like a ngongongongognngnnnn...
Posted by Gimme (Member # 6872) on :
Yeah miniDVD is cool comparing to some old formats like S-VHS and Hi-8 or even miniDV but what about editing and cutting scenes? I mean, I was about to buy one of these models (DVD), which you record the films straight on to a DVD disc but I kept thinking If I wanted e.g. to shoot the Eifell Tower and Arc de Triumph .'.. and the next thing was a pair of nice French feet how the yell would I do it? Where would I store it? How could I be able to edit and where....
Anyway, I guess there are editing features within the cameras... but what about scenes you dont want to appear on a DVD ...
Gimme.
Posted by LaylaMercedes (Member # 7797) on :
I don't have one yet. But I really need to get one. Any suggestions?
Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
Hal - I know somebody who had the same problem with a JVC camera (Mini-DV) and it happened just a few weeks ago. She bought the camera, it punked-out on the first day; exchanged it for another one and within a few weeks she noticed some kind of visual artifact on her tapes - and audible distortion. She then exchanged it for a Canon (Mini-DV), which she loves.
[ July 05, 2005, 11:10 AM: Message edited by: Ben Del Amitri ]
Posted by ledaemon (Member # 198) on :
quote:Originally posted by Gimme: Yeah miniDVD is cool comparing to some old formats like S-VHS and Hi-8 or even miniDV but what about editing and cutting scenes? I mean, I was about to buy one of these models (DVD), which you record the films straight on to a DVD disc but I kept thinking If I wanted e.g. to shoot the Eifell Tower and Arc de Triumph .'.. and the next thing was a pair of nice French feet how the yell would I do it? Where would I store it? How could I be able to edit and where....
Anyway, I guess there are editing features within the cameras... but what about scenes you dont want to appear on a DVD ...
Gimme.
You can upload everything you recorded onto your computer and then edit it. Then of course burn it onto a cd or a dvd if you have a DVD-R on your computer. It comes with the software to edit movies, create DVD menu's, add music, titles, etc...
Posted by Gimme (Member # 6872) on :
you mean that the recorded material isnt being recorded directly on the DVD? My cam, for example, has miniDV which writes the material on cassete and then I extract the clips into the pc with special software. And then burn them on a DVD or do whatever I want with them.
Posted by Gimme (Member # 6872) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ben Del Amitri: Hal - I know somebody who had the same problem with a JVC camera (Mini-DV) and it happened just a few weeks ago. She bought the camera, it punked-out on the first day; exchanged it for another one and within a few weeks she noticed some kind of visual artifact on her tapes - and audible distortion. She then exchanged it for a Canon (Mini-DV), which she loves.
She made the right choice to get Canon
Both my vidcam and digicam are Canon and they are pi eeh ar eef eeh kk t' Posted by Hal (Member # 3484) on :
I think new cameras can transfer the .avi file (the movie) via USB 2.0 --- my old cam still uses firewire.
What I´d like to know about the mini-DVD cameras: How much fits onto one of those DVDs (in minutes)? And does the camera compress the movie in realtime? So do you finally have an MPEG-4 movie on the DVD or is it a raw .avi? I was thinking of getting one of those DVD cameras but my notebook can`t read mini-DVD because I have one of those modern DVD-drives (like in an Apple Powerbook). They are cool but just can`t read mini formats, neither DVD nor CD.
Just saw a new video camera with a 4 GB micro-drive --- now that seems like a cool idea.
Ben, if you`re thinking of getting a good camera it`s probably cheapest & best to get a traditional camera that uses tapes, and then to transfer the movie to harddisk and edit it with Adobe Premiere. That is one of the best video editing programmes available.
-Hal-
Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
Hello Hal -
What a bunch of great info, thank you! I agree with your idea about buying a conventional tape camera, transfer it to HD and edit - in fact, I've already bought an external hard drive specifically for this purpose and I will dedicate that drive to movie making / editing. This would be cheaper indeed.
Like you, I'd also love to know if those discs are encoded in MPEG-4 or (raw) AVI file and I do think those 4GB Microdrive cameras are REALLY cool - that would be the best for application dummies like myself because you can then just hook up your microdrive and have XP recognize it as a simple hard drive, etc. Shoot, you can probably edit right off the card / drive itself.
[ September 19, 2005, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: Ben Del Amitri ]
Posted by Gimme (Member # 6872) on :
Hal I would advice transfering such huge amount of data with USB cables. You'll get jerky video, freezing frames and the rest. Firewire is faster and more reliable; and I found it to be more than perfect and basically having lossless video tranfering to hard-disk with zero (0) dropped frames.
Basically with my Canon MVX 150i miniDV I have to do the following in order to get its video material.
Via the Firewire's cable I extract the material from my vidcam to the pc. I press play and it transfers real-time all or part of the tape's content. After finishing, I had a raw AVI uncompressed audio/video (720x576 image resolution) and raw PCM (48 khz) digital audio.
WIth software like Adobe Premier, or TMPEnc I can make it an MPEG-2 DVD compatible format ready to burn to a DVD.
Whole Process duration:
1) Extraction of miniDV (real time): 60 mins for a 60 min miniDV tape.
2) Convertion to MPEG-2 for DVD compatible players ( depends on each PC's CPU). Mine takes 1hr45 min for 1hr of video with TMPGEnc DVD Author.
3) DVD burning with 8x (or 16x) DVD disc: 5 minutes.
Total time: 3 hours approx.
Same process goes when you want to make Divx AVI format, but with different software. e.g. Virtual Dub and filters.
I ve read in an online manual that these miniDVD cameras transfer their data into memory sticks or compact flashes. So I presume you ll have to buy extra amount of CF or MS to be able to save videos and then transfer to the camera's DVD.
As for the amount of duration in a miniDVD I think it depends on the compression and size of the video recorded. I assume you ll have to be somewhere in between 6 to 7 Megabits of video compression for 1 hour of video (and therefore less quality if you want to make the duration more than 1 hour.
Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
Hello Gimme -
USB 2.0 is faster than Firewire. I have both but I do get better (faster) results with USB 2.0 on most of the things I do (photo transfer, etc.)
The speed of Firewire is 400 Mbits per second, while USB 2.0 is 480 Mbits per second. You do have two different architectures of course so some might even say it's "apples and oranges".
I have no experience with these cameras so my limited knowledge of real world application comes from a girl here who owns a Mini-DV camera with USB 2.0 transfer capability. She tells me it's great.
Thank you for the outstanding, detailed information on the process itself. It gives me the perspective I need for this type of project. It also illustrates to me that it may be more than I am capable of. I really appreciate this information.
Posted by Hal (Member # 3484) on :
Gimme,
yes, I also still use firewire. My camera doesn`t allow USB transfer --- but I´ve noticed that new cameras give you the option of USB 2. Not sure if the transfer is worse (frame-drop), I´ve never used it.
Ben,
I also have an external harddisk but I´ve noticed that it is slower than my internal one. If you`re grabbing videos it is important to use the faster one, else you might experience a jerky video clip in the end. I usually transfer to and compress/render from the faster harddisk, and then copy the finished files to my external drive for backup purposes.
-Hal-
Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
Hello Hal -
Thanks for the heads up. I'm getting all kinds of great information here.
Posted by Gimme (Member # 6872) on :
Here are some links on USB 2.0 vs IEEE 1394 (aka Firewire) .. to see and compare
As far as I could read there has been a rivalry between these two types of connection, which I was not aware of. I m familiar with IEEE 1394 better than any USB connection, simply because it gave me the crap for being stubborn and slow at the same (remember USB 1.1 ?) I m happy with Firewire and for real-time use is above all expectations.
I havent checked whether my video camera has USB 2.0 compatibility (which I doubt) .. but I think it would be worth checking it, although of what I have read so far there is no practical difference in speed transfer.
[ July 06, 2005, 08:22 AM: Message edited by: Gimme ]
Posted by Gimme (Member # 6872) on :
there is no difference in USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 cables. Therefore, I would assume that with a decent PCI card and peripherals every videocamera with a USB plug-in compatible system would be OK!
Even though I am a fan of an American moto which says "If it works, don't fix it" ... I ll give it a try to see how USB 2.0 works, if my videocamera can make such a connection.
PS: Mr. Ben Del Amitri, any other questions you might wanna ask regarding video/audio, videocameras etc I d be more than happy to help/explain (to the limits I know these things)
PS: Hal, why using hard disk for back up purposes? Is it a temporary back up or for ever?
I mean, you could burn them onto DVDs or CDs if you want them to last for ever (well for at least 100 years according to what the CD/DVD companies claim they last).
You could also back them up into 2 different levels: First back up for usage ( to do everyday stuff with it).... and second back (basically "DON'T TOUCH" items for historical purposes, sealed tightly to avoid dust etc ... and enclose them to a place where noone will ever finds them) ... That's what I do, at least. You see hard-disks are still magnet type of material (and God forbid) if something happens.... then caput - as you say
Regards,
Gimme.
Posted by Hal (Member # 3484) on :
quote: Hal, why using hard disk for back up purposes? Is it a temporary back up or for ever?
No, it`s just a temporary backup. I have all my important stuff on DVD or CD. But every now and again I need parts, stills or title-frames from the older movies, so it`s easier for me to find on HD than on DVD. If you`d see my office you`d know why
-Hal-
[ July 06, 2005, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: Hal ]
Posted by Gimme (Member # 6872) on :
hahaha I get the picture! Wait and see mine! lol I know what you mean.... CDs, DVDs, covers and tapes here ... there.. and everywhere! Posted by ledaemon (Member # 198) on :
Actually guys on my cam you have the choice of just "finalizing" the DVD you record directly onto so that you can take it straight from the camera to player (without any editing of course) or using a USB to connect it through the computer to upload and play around with using the movie software program. I use a re-writeable mini-DVD in the handycam so it doesn't cost any more dough than just recycling the disc after you upload all the Mpgs to the computer. The only thing is the movie files are HUGE. I mean about 10 megabites for 30 seconds worth of footage. I always convert them to WMV files after that which take up much less space before I do anything else with 'em.
The software that came with the camera is pretty much only compatable with the Sony Handycam. I'm sure there's much better software out there for video editing, but I'm not really doing anything professionally so fuggit! Posted by Gimme (Member # 6872) on :
Well, it depends on how you Author the DVD to be able to play on a stand-alone DVD player. There are some worldwide standards which allow a DVD disc to be played in a DVD player. New models of DVD players can virtually play anything .. even Divx AVI format ... but with some parametres such as resolution, audio/video compression. Therefore, the problem is not the technology of the camera but the way in which one makes the DVD discs.
Mr. Ben Del Amitri, I think that any videocamera you chose can do the job, as soon as the DVD authoring procedure is correct. Even with the videocameras which have direct DVD burn can be possible to make a disc that it will play on all DVD players.
Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
Hello Gimme -
You make a great point on the DVD authoring procedure because that's what it all comes down to in the end. I've been using a "cave" Hi-8 camera for years and I've got tons of video footage from the girls on my site (and elswhere) - even recorded an episode of "Bowling For Feet" with Footgirl Liv and a few mini dramas (with feet).
I've got piles of raw footage with very little time to do anything about it and complete ignorance as to how I'd begin these projects. SO - I am just about to make my decision, buy a camera and software package. Here's what I've simplified it down to:
1. 3CCD chip is a must. Regardless of the camera's format, features, and abilities, the best thing I can do is to make sure it's got a 3CCD array.
2. Format is less important than the "back end", transfer, editing and mastering process & procedures.
3. Software is important. Many to choose from and Adobe is great if I can afford (and understand) it.
3b. Selection is greatest in the Mini-DV format. Although I do think the direct-to-disc recording is great, it leaves me far fewer camera choices and particular inasmuch as I'm steadfast on the 3CCD array.
5. JVC - might be good and it might be a coincidence, but - Hal pointed out some personal problems with that maker and I know a girl who bought one, replaced it with one and had problems with both (ended up with a Canon). I won't buy JVC.
6. Hal likes Panasonic
That makes this thing pretty simple. All that's left now is to go out to the store, plunk down the money and score a vidcam. I'm going to get one today.
[ September 19, 2005, 09:35 PM: Message edited by: Ben Del Amitri ]
Posted by Gimme (Member # 6872) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ben Del Amitri: I've got piles of raw footage with very little time to do anything about it and complete ignorance as to how I'd begin these projects.
If only we lived close enough it would be my pleasure and an honour to help you out with your collection: you see my hobby is video editing/authoring.. etc etc .. and I spend most of my free time doing these stuff ..
Anyway, good luck to any choice you make!
Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
Hello Gimme -
I wish we did live closer, I could definitely use the help of a good person and professional. I'm beginning the task right now, of sifting through books, online tutorials and forums in order to try and figure it all out.
Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
I bought the camera and have done a few tests with our footgirls Kirsten, Liv and Erin.
The camera I landed on is the Panasonic PV-GS150 with 3CCD chip, Image Stabilizer, sharp optics and photo capability. It feels great in the hand and is easy to operate.
Now I can't wait to go out and start using this thing. I've been taping footgirls all over the place and in fact, I've got people coming over tonight to have a little "taping party".
Were it not for all the excellent advice and insight from everyone here, this decision may have taken more time. This made it simple and I am happy with my choice.
Posted by Hal (Member # 3484) on :
Hi Ben,
Congratulations --- In my opinion a very good choice for a camera. I read a review of the Panasonic 3CCD cameras and all 3 models (NV-GS 150EG + 250EG + 400EG) got very good marks.
Have fun with it and do post some videos sometime
Cheers, -Hal-
Posted by Gimme (Member # 6872) on :
Congratulations for your choice Mr Ben Del Amitri. I hope the lens captures many beautiful moments from your life as well many beautiful feet you could ever capture BTW the LEICA lens it has is the best optical lens in the world
Again, any questions, worries, and the rest about digicam operation and software video editing feel free to ask either here or by email.
You are always welcome to do so.
Gimme
[ July 11, 2005, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: Gimme ]
Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
Hello Hal -
A good part of this final decision was based on the fact that you had praised Panasonic so highly. After seeing this in action, I can say with certainty tha you are absolutely right. These guys know how to make a great camera!!!
I had a little taping party the other night with some footgirls and we were all astounded at the clarity and quality of the (moving) images. When viewed on a 56" HDTV monitor, the video footage was clear, clean, sharp, vivid and vibrant!
There are still a few lingering thoughts as to whether or not I should have bought a direct-to-disc camera and those will probably remain. But going this route (mini-DV) widened my available choices greatly so overall I am extremely pleased with this choice.
Posted by Ben Del Amitri (Member # 2724) on :
Hello Gimme -
I'll be looking for some advice and getting lost a lot along the way so I really (REALLY) appreciate the offer. I'll probably get around to the software and editing issues within another few weeks.
The Leica optics. Yes, they are SHARP! When I balance a Panasonic product against that of another maker - and all other things are equal between two cameras in the same range, those optics help swing my vote over to Panasonic.
Yes, this is the "new Leica" and camera purists may scoff a little about that - particularly, camera purists from the 35mm rangefinder days, etc. That said, this is about as fine a lens as I've encountered on a consumer video product.
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