Which Derby Camcorder???

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Derby Monkey
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Which Derby Camcorder???

Post by Derby Monkey »

Hi Folks...

OK... I've put it off long enough. Now I must buy a digital camcorder. Since I'm gonna get one I might as well get one good enough so that I cun use it to video Pinewood Derby races. So, can you give me some recommendations on a digital camcorder that would be suitable for filming Pinewood Derby races?

What format is best? DVD, Mini DVD, Hard Disc, etc...
Does it need to be HD?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve
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gpraceman
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Re: Which Derby Camcorder???

Post by gpraceman »

What is it that you are trying to get video of? Just the races? Wander around getting video of all the race? Something small enough to mount on a PWD car? Knowing what you need it for would help us to give you recommendations/feedback.
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Re: Which Derby Camcorder???

Post by Derby Monkey »

Hi Randy:
Sorry for being a little too vague. I am talking about a standard handheld multifunctional video camcorder... for videoing everything from birthdays to pinewood derby races. However, its main use will be to video pinewood derby races and how to videos.

In order to get good pinewood derby action videos what would be the minimum requirements?
Does it have to be HD? If so, does it matter if its 780p, 1080i, 1080p?
How much optical zoom do we need? Is 10x enough or do we need more or less?
Does it matter what format? Tape, DVD, Mini, Hard Drive?
I suppose we need Image stabilization? Electronic or Optical?
Hopefully for less that $500.
Anything else?
Steve Robbins

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Re: Which Derby Camcorder???

Post by Mr. Slick »

Based on my experience:

Optical stabilization -- electronic is just pixel clipping

Tape - avoid the time delay of writing to memory - continuous system electronics versus interrupt driven

HD 1080P is best. . . . film would be better.

Zoom, from 50 feet to 8 feet (42 foot track) with the 3 lane end being a foot wide ==> 10x is not enough for good starts, 20x would be better
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Derby Monkey
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Re: Which Derby Camcorder???

Post by Derby Monkey »

Mr. Slick wrote:Based on my experience:

Optical stabilization -- electronic is just pixel clipping

Tape - avoid the time delay of writing to memory - continuous system electronics versus interrupt driven

HD 1080P is best. . . . film would be better.

Zoom, from 50 feet to 8 feet (42 foot track) with the 3 lane end being a foot wide ==> 10x is not enough for good starts, 20x would be better
Thanks again Warren...

You know of any specific cams? I've had trouble finding any video cams that record on tapes. I thought they'd quite making them by now.

I've found a few flash card memory HD camcorders at 1080i with a 16x Optical zoom, Optical Image Stabalization, 1 min lux, for around $300. The others are way more expensive... $500 to $1000.

Thanks,
Steve
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sporty
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Re: Which Derby Camcorder???

Post by sporty »

You might find a good used unit on ebay or something.

The real issue is fps, being able to capture high speed movement. you almost need a motion moving high end custom equipment to move the camcorder along the track.

but depends on how good of quality you want.

Digital still seems to lack in this area, with out big $$$ to get the high end you might want and would be happy with.

sporty
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Re: Which Derby Camcorder???

Post by Derby Monkey »

sporty wrote:You might find a good used unit on ebay or something.

The real issue is fps, being able to capture high speed movement. you almost need a motion moving high end custom equipment to move the camcorder along the track.

but depends on how good of quality you want.

Digital still seems to lack in this area, with out big $$$ to get the high end you might want and would be happy with.

sporty
Thanks Sporty:

I just got a new HDC-TM10K Camcorder on eBay for $275 (MSRP $595). Its a nice, modern, HD Flash Drive camcorder with plenty of optical zoom and O.I.S.. It will likely give me the quality I can deal with. As always... what I want and what I can afford are on two different planets.

After I get it and try it out, I'll post a review.

Thanks for the help guys.

Steve
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