Hi Everyone! Camcorder Suggestions Please?

[Mercedes29]

Hello all. I am looking to buy a camcorder and I am clueless as to which one to buy. I need to use the camcorder for private one on one cam shows and also for weekly members shows. I have seen some of the girls who do webcam shows using a camcorder and their live stream is always crystal clear. I have E-Mailed two girls asking them what kind of camcorder they use, but I have not heard back from any of them, so I thought I would try this route and see if anyone on a webmasters board can help me.

I have been using a regular Logitech webcam for the past couple of years, however it kind of sucks after awhile ..... because I cannot zoom in or record the members shows to put inside my members area etc. I did buy a Canon Optura a few years ago, but that sucked big time when I tried using it for cam shows. It distorted me (like distorted my picture), when I tried using it for live shows. It also lost a lot of true colors, it just kind of looked "blan" when I would try to use it live.

Hubby bought me a Sony DCR-DVD408 MiniDVD camcorder for Christmas, but after 4 hours of Sony support they told me that the USB port on the camcorder itself was defective and that I should return it. So, we are in the process of returning that now. I was able to hook the camcorder up to my computer using the "Analog" option, and I did test it on a live cam system, however I was not happy with the video that it was putting out. I was not ever able to hook it using the USB because the port itself was defective, so I am not sure if that would have changed anything or not.

I just know that I need a good camcorder that puts out really good video quality and that is clear. I am just confused on what brand is the best for this. I am also not sure if it is best to use Analog, or USB or Firewire when using a camcorder as a webcam. I am also confused on which kind to get as far as "MiniDVD", MiniDV, HardDrive, or High Definition Recording.

If anyone here know anything about this type of thing, can you please offer me suggestions as to what to get or what to look for when it comes to the above things I had asked? I would greatly appreciate it if you could because I am clueless!! Thank you so much and sorry for the long post!

Mercedes

;-)

[Mercedes29]

P.S. I forgot to mention, that I'd like to spend between $500.00 and $1000.00 for right now.

[mikesinner]

I would go with a MiniDV if you can afford it but others here might disagree. What site are you going to be camming through?

[Mercedes29]

Hi mikesinner, thank you for responding, I appreciate it!

So, the MiniDV's are with the little tapes right? Not the little cd's or little dvd?

I've been camming on the same site for yearsssss .... I think since like 2002 or 2003 LOL. (Not sure if I am allowed to say the site name here or not? I don't want to get in trouble). They use Flash for both their Private Shows and also for their one hour long shows, which is where I also do my one hour member shows weekly.

I am not sure if it's the Flash that makes camcorders appear messed up when you stream live with them or if it's the camera itself. I am not too familiar with this aspect of things. I also want to make more Windows Media Videos for my members area with the new camcorder. Right now I just do them with my webcam, but it sucks because I cannot zoom with my webcam.

I just want a good camcorder this time .... one that will give me a clear video without distorting the picture and keep the color ya know? I just don't know much about it. I know some people have mentioned some camcorders that are like $2000.00 - $4000.00, I definitely can't do that right now LOL. I wanna spend like between $500.00 and $1000.00. I could even probably go up to like $1300.00 but that would have to be the max for me for right now.

Do you know which is better to use to stream ... like the Firewire, USB, or Analog?

Thank you in advance for any answers you can give me!

[JenMadison]

Hey girllie! I know where you are talking about assuming you do not want to archieve these to tape, any camcorder should do the trick. all you are really looking for is the optics in the camera. Some cameras come with USB connections and drivers that allow you to feed them just like a webcam. Others use firewire will require you to buy a piece of software that makes the video available for the webcam software. The third choice would be to use composite video (red, white, yellow plugs) and go into a video capture device/card that you would need to install on your puter. Also, I will tell you the best gizzmo for shows is the pan, tilt, zoom base from eagletron that is a MUST have, it is the greatest. You purchase the one that is used with camcorders and is uses a remote control, you will be all set. I would then buy a "learning universal remote" and program in the camcorder remote functions and the eagletron functions into a single setup. If you have any questions do not hesitate to hit me up.

Hugs,
Jen

[Mercedes29]

Hi Jen! Thank you so much for your post! That definitely helps me too! In your opinion, what is easiest to use as far as hooking your camcorder up to the computer? I wanna use my Laptop for cam shows, so it does not have a video capture card. I am thinking about buying a new Laptop, can you buy a Laptop with a video capture card already built in or no?

I got a new camcorder, and it came with a USB cable, a FireWire/i.Link Cable, A/V Cables and Component Video Cables. I do have a thing called "Dazzle" that I used to use with an older camera. Not sure which of these cables would be best to use. I am not sure if one cable would create a faster stream than the other, ya know? I am clueless when it comes to this stuff LOL. I was also looking online, and saw there is a program called "WebCamDV". I was thinking about ordering that. Do you know anything about this stuff? If you do, could you please give me your opinion when you get a chance? I would greatly appreciate it!

Mercedes ~

[NinjaSteve]

This video recorder is awesome. Sony Handicam scr-sr82 and should fit your budget.

[JenMadison]

Hey girllie! No prob at all. I was using a laptop as well and used the firewire (not sure if you have a firewire port on your laptop?) If so, Webcam DV is exatly what I used. The hubby says the dazzle will work but the fastest stream will come through the firewire. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hugs,
Jen

[Mercedes29]

Hi NinjaSteve! Thank you very much for your suggestion on the camcorder!! I appreciate that!

Jen, thank you very much for your last reply!! I do not currently have a FireWire port on my laptop, but .... I was looking around and saw that I can buy a FireWire Adapter, to slide into my empty adapter port. So, I am gonna go buy that ..... and then try to hook it up through FireWire and see how it does. I did hook it up through Dazzle, but it was kinda slow, so I was like ..... screw that LOL. I'll try the FireWire adapter first and see how that does ..... if it doesn't work out too well, I'll just buy a new laptop with one built in. Did you like the WebcamDV Jen and was it easy to use?

Does anyone know .... if there are any Laptops available yet that have a HDMI input? Was wondering if it there was ..... would it be possible to hook a camcorder that has HDMI to a Laptop that has HDMI as well. Not sure if that would work to stream live video or not??

Thanks again everyone for posting, I do appreciate it!!


Mercedes ~ xoxoxox

[minniesoporno]

I use a JVC-290 for my cam shows comes wiht a remote control. and takes still pics. it was a give but when I was shoping around for it was about $500 when it first came out I am assuming by now it's about $300

[hollyhoby]

Hey! I have a JVC Minidv it came with a remote, usb, and software that I thought was all I needed to get rolling but I am wrong. Since I dont know how to get this camcorder hooked up as a webcam right, I bought a cheap logitech cam and quickly discovered that its a pain in the "A" as far as getting good footage and the coloring/lighting takes FOREVER for me to get a somewhat clear picture. SO the question is... Can anyone tell me what software (assuming thats the missing link lol) I need to get? I have a couple different players like windows media, then a cam thing Microsoft Amcam. Im clearly confused but I know theirs an easy answer. Its just strange that I can plug in the logitech cam in the same usb port and get a picture, then I plug in the camcorder and NOTHING? Is it as simple as installing the camcorder to the usb port so it recognizes it? HELP!

[minniesoporno]

Originally Posted by hollyhoby

Hey! I have a JVC Minidv it came with a remote, usb, and software that I thought was all I needed to get rolling but I am wrong. Since I dont know how to get this camcorder hooked up as a webcam right, I bought a cheap logitech cam and quickly discovered that its a pain in the "A" as far as getting good footage and the coloring/lighting takes FOREVER for me to get a somewhat clear picture. SO the question is... Can anyone tell me what software (assuming thats the missing link lol) I need to get? I have a couple different players like windows media, then a cam thing Microsoft Amcam. Im clearly confused but I know theirs an easy answer. Its just strange that I can plug in the logitech cam in the same usb port and get a picture, then I plug in the camcorder and NOTHING? Is it as simple as installing the camcorder to the usb port so it recognizes it? HELP!

with your JVC you could use the video capture device either from dazzle or d-link. and your lighting helps. the better you video capture device is the better your colour will look on the camera.

http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-USB-Vid.../dp/B00004Z78W it's hard to find this product it's the best one Dlink has, and for some reason they took it off the market. I wish I never sold it.

but Dazzle Video creator 80 or 90 works just the same and it comes with video editting software from pinnacle.

[hollyhoby]

DAM the D-Link USB wont work but thats for the suggestions. I have been checking online and allot of people are saying they have the same problem, the camcorder isnt recognized when you've inserted the usb it gives some error message. I guess I need some kind of part thats like $90 WTF! Thats crap, apparently the problems is with Windows XP which is what I have...I need a laptop! Anyway thanks for the advice!