Which One?

[olds]

I know zip, zero, zilch, nada about video cameras.
We have 3 at work and I am supposed to get one of them to work.
Since I know nothing of the technology, I turn to you. Which one should I revive?
The Camera will be set in the back of a classroom to film instructors.

Sony Video Hi8 CCD-TR101
http://www.docs.sony.com/release/CCDTR101.pdf

Canon Mini DV DM-GL1
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/camcorders/minidv_camcorders/gl1

Canon VC-40A - (This thing looks old)

 

[rivan]

None.

The money you spend repairing (then supporting!) any of them would be FAR better spent getting even a Flip. The technology has come that far.

 

[olds]

None.

The money you spend repairing (then supporting!) any of them would be FAR better spent getting even a Flip. The technology has come that far.

It has to sit on a tripod in the back of a classroom to video instructors.

 

[Kipper717]

Go with the Canon miniDV. It's the only one that I know is a digital format and I'm pretty sure that blank tapes are available.

 

[rivan]

It has to sit on a tripod in the back of a classroom to video instructors.

I'd think they (the Flips - not that I'm recommending those over any other inexpensive solution) have a mount. It might not be a standard mount, but I know they make tripods for them.

The models you have lying around all record to tape. To get that video to a computer, you'll have to capture it, which is a pain in the ass.

Modern ones are USB-> done. Formats vary, but the flips (and similar) are designed to be ULTRA simple to work with.

 

[ViviTheMage]

haha, awesome ... Hi8.

Go with the canon if you cannot purchase a new one, at least it's digital?

 

[olds]

Go with the Canon miniDV. It's the only one that I know is a digital format and I'm pretty sure that blank tapes are available.

Are they that old?

Some tapes here:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DVC-60-Pr...6766013&sr=8-1

 

[rivan]

Go with the Canon miniDV. It's the only one that I know is a digital format and I'm pretty sure that blank tapes are available.

The video isn't digital; it's analog, but written to tape in a digital format. They video has to be captured (via a separate device) before it can be used on a computer.

Edit: that said, if you HAVE to pick one of the older cameras, the GL1 had excellent quality for it's day. It's just been completely eclipsed by technology.

 

[olds]

The video isn't digital; it's analog, but written to tape in a digital format. They video has to be captured (via a separate device) before it can be used on a computer.

What type of device, in case we have it?

 

[rivan]

What type of device, in case we have it?

A video capture device. They're very inexpensive these days even if you don't have one. The capture process is real-time, though. 2 hours of tape, you let it run for 2 hours to capture. You essentially have the camera play the video for the device, which digitizes it.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...e_8230_30001_01_Dazzle_DVD_Recorder_Plus.html

 

[olds]

A video capture device. They're very inexpensive these days even if you don't have one. The capture process is real-time, though. 2 hours of tape, you let it run for 2 hours to capture. You essentially have the camera play the video for the device, which digitizes it.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...rder_Plus.html

Thanks for the link. I am going to take a look through these boxes.

We have it and it works!

 

[Anubis]

the red head

 

[olds]

Found another one:
Canon RC-250, looks like it's from 1988.

http://www.digicamhistory.com/Canon_XapShot_sep.html

 

[rivan]

Looks a bit like the first digital camera I ever used:

http://reviews.cnet.com/i/tim//2009/07/22/QuicktakeOVR_540x405.jpg

You up and running with what you had on hand?

 

[SandEagle]

take it to the right forum noob.

 

[olds]

take it to the right forum noob.

That forum should be closed, no one uses it.

 

[olds]

Looks a bit like the first digital camera I ever used:

http://reviews.cnet.com/i/tim//2009/07/22/QuicktakeOVR_540x405.jpg

You up and running with what you had on hand?

Ya, I am using the Canon Mini DV DM-GL1. We have everything we need to use it. I suggested we buy a new one but with our current budget, I doubt we'd get one.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-GL1-Digi.../dp/B0000507JI

 

[Born2bwire]

I know zip, zero, zilch, nada about video cameras.
We have 3 at work and I am supposed to get one of them to work.
Since I know nothing of the technology, I turn to you. Which one should I revive?
The Camera will be set in the back of my basement to film the people in my well.

D:

 

[Skitzer]

Ya, I am using the Canon Mini DV DM-GL1. We have everything we need to use it. I suggested we buy a new one but with our current budget, I doubt we'd get one.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-GL1-Digi.../dp/B0000507JI

So you got it to work? What was wrong with it?

 

[olds]

So you got it to work? What was wrong with it?

The parts were in different boxes and the capture cable is installed on another computer.
I have to get some tapes though.

 

[rivan]

Ya, I am using the Canon Mini DV DM-GL1. We have everything we need to use it. I suggested we buy a new one but with our current budget, I doubt we'd get one.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-GL1-Digi.../dp/B0000507JI

Well, as I mentioned above, the GL1 was an amazing camera for it's day. Lower-end pro optics with excellent built-in mic. If nothing else, the audio should be a lot better than any of the lower-end solutions available today.

I'd assumed something on each of the cameras you'd linked was broken - the GL line had some issues with the tapes not being recognized. Getting it repaired would be a spendy proposition.

 

[olds]

Nah, I just don't know anything about video cameras. I am the "tech" guy here because I can turn on a computer and email a pic on my phone.

 

[thepd7]

honestly: spending $70 would make your life so much easier.

 

[olds]

honestly: spending $70 would make your life so much easier.

That would cover the hooker but not the blow.

$70 on what? The camera and mic have to pic up someone speaking 30' away.

 

[Numenorean]

Don't listen to these people. The GL1 is still a decent setup for what you would be doing. I'm assuming you don't need HD output.

Take a look at some sample video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBEtXyzUPFg