using it for open and low profile concert recording.
as I research, I want to be looking at?
- low light performance
- HD ?
- any form of media I should consider? i've got many 4gb CF and SD chips.
i'm in research mode. just wondering if there was a "go to" rig that might fit the bill, or at least give me a benchmark.
if HD:
There is the HDV standard recording to tapes, the HC1 and HC3 cams, they must be well over 1000$ new, not much less than 1000$ used.
Other even newer Sonys record to Harddisc or DVD.
All of the record in a compressed mpeg4 format which is difficult to edit and for that you need a good software and a faily fast PC, P4 3GHz and 1GB, better 2GB Ram minimum. The new Core 2 duo are much recommended!
There are very new Panasonic HD cams recording to SD cards using a newer also compressed format called AVCHD. There is not any software yet on the market to edit that.
to make short:
if you don't want to spend big bucks better stay with SD = standard definition. Easier to edit and after rendered to mpeg2 to be written on any DVD.
and yes, be sure it has got a mic-in, many cheapos don't
if it has headphone out the better, if it has mic level adjustment and meters even better again, but there are only the Panasonic GS500 and GS400 which I am aware of that feature those, speaking of pro/ or consumer cams, the first one lacking the headphone out.
use this:
http://camcorderinfo.resultspage.com/display.php?p=D&ts=v3 to find your model.
and look at:
- a mini DV cam ( which will be SD = standard definition recording to miniDV tapes )
- low light performance
- mic in plug
- and get a good tripod!
For those my recommendation would be either a Panasonic ora Canon. Sony used to make and recently again makes good cams, but their models during 2003 to 2005 were not so good.