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Which sony camcorder has Sony Nightshot?

I want to buy a Sony DCR-HC52 nightshot camcorder but it uses MiniDV. I hear its a dying format should I buy?

  • I don't mind it using tape but i am concerned that say in two years time i wont be able to find tapes to use with it. And with the Sony DCR-HC52, can I connect it up to the Pc so i can covert it into digital format. Please help

  • Answer:

    I agree with Glenn on both points - miniDV tape will be around for many years to come. Your computer requires a firewire port so you can connect the camcorder's DV port to the computer's firewire port. USB won't work. USB-to-firewire cable/converter/adapter things won't work. But I did want to clarify one thing you said... The "DV" in miniDV = Digital Video. It is as digital as the video stored on flash memory, hard disc drive or DVDs. Just because it is on tape does not somehow make it less than digital. The same zeros and ones are used by all four formats. Please do not confuse this with the analog tape formats - Hi8, Beta, VHS, VHS-C, among others - they are all very different from the video format recorded to miniDV (and Digital8) tape. The difference between the video stored on flash memory, hard disc drive, DVD and MiniDV tape is the amount of compression applied to the digital video stream when that data is written to the storage media. The "best" quality digital video will come from the least compressed video data. Since the Sony DCR-HC52 is a consumer-grade standard defintion camcorder, we'll stay with that... Most compressed video = DVD (VOB files). These should always be avaoinded and no one should ever waste their money on these. They barely make useful doorstops. Less compression is applied to the mpg and mod files typically written by the flash memory and hard disc drive consumer camcorders. There are some other plusses and minuses, but we'll just stick with compression for this response. For the most part, all the camcorders in this area use similar compression. Least compression is with DV format and currently onto miniDV tape. This is why the prosumer and professional camcorders continue to use it: Canon GL2, XL2, XH series, XLH series. Sony HDR-FX series, Sony HVR series. Panasonic DVCPR/DVCPRO HD series. No AVCHD, no mpg, no mod, no tod files. Even the flash memory cams (or external hard drives) they use record to DV (or HDV or DVCPRO - PVCPRO HD; DVCAM, HDCAM, XDCAM)... Sony HVR-Z7, Panasonic AG-HVX200, JVC GY-HM100... No AVCHD, no mpg, no mod, no tod files.

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MiniDV isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It's still the most compatible. Until they figure out the newer technologies and can make them actually work, MiniDV isn't in danger. Capture your video using your Firewire cable from within your editing app.

Glenn

I agree with Glen. I might add that it's more efficient with tape-based cameras in capturing video streaming into an editing program.

Mandy

as long as DVD is the most common distribution format for videos, miniDV will have strong professional support. DVD and file based media (memory cards and HDD) both use high digital compression. But not the same compression format, so there is a big quality hit when converting memory card video say to DVD due to a dual set of encoding artifacts. Another big plus for miniDV is it has pro grade digital audio, 48 kHz sampled, 16 bit uncompressed. And because HDV uses the same tape and that continues to be a popular pro-sumer format, we will see tapes being available for a long time. Historically, video products have a longer product life cycle than say computers. miniDV has already been on the market over 12 years, which is more than you can say for Windows 95 or Mac OS8. miniDV is likely to be still running after Windows 7 and OSX are history.

lare

well, why do you go all the way for that? you should enjoy the most convenient digital camcorder with card slot. it will not only saves you more money but also ensure you high qualtiy video making or image shooting. give a glance at this 12.0 Mega pixel Sensor Enhanced Digital Camcorder+ Night Shot Mode (http://www.chinazrh.com/wholesale-120-mega-pixel-sensor-enhanced-digital-camcorder-night-shot-mode-p-1885.html), which must meet your need and taste.12.0 Mega pixel Sensor Enhanced Digital Camcorder with Night Shot Mode! You are able to take videos and pictures at daytime and at night with ease. A flip-out new arrival 3.0 inch Color LTPS LCD 16:9 Touch panel brings you more than convenience. Easily change its different functions from digital camcorder to digital camera and then to voice recorder or mass storage according to your need.Having a high capacity SD/MMC card slot (supporting up to 16GB) and Casio NP120 Li-Ion Battery, you will have plenty of capacity to store all the days' events. Wish you love it!

eric

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