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Rugged Mini-DV Camcorder for the Road?

Posted by Cliff on from the movies-on-the-move dept.

step asks: "As part of my job, I (and my colleagues) spend weeks at a time on the road, doing science shows for high school students. To review our work, we carry DV camcorders to tape and watch our performances. Unfortunately, all the previous models we've tried haven't lasted more than 12 months on the road (and not from lack of care). When returned for repair we were told that they weren't faulty, just not up to the task. We don't need a full feature camera, just solid reliable recording and playback. In fact, simple is probably better to accommodate the most users. What experience has Slashdot had with camcorders? What's a good model that can handle lots of travel?"

3 of 209 comments (clear)

  1. Solid state video recording by OriginalSpaceMan · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I have been looking for a good DV cam to use for a long time, but I didn't want to use miniDV, I want to use flash ram. Recently Panasonic has come out with a whole line of them that use SD cards, but they're a little pricey, and you can't get much video at DVD quality on one SD card. I don't know about the durability of the hardware, but at least this option would take out all of the mechanics.

    --

    You talk better than you fool!
  2. Panasonic by ianmalcm · · Score: 5, Interesting
    I highly recommend the Panasonic PV-GS150. We used it to stream LiningUpTV for 6 weeks on the steet of Hollywood Blvd, 24 hours a day. That camera is a workhorse - it survived torrential rainstorms, bleeding hot sun, drunk transients throwing it on the ground, and other insane hazards. The GS150 ran for 1000 hours straight, and is still working great.

    It can be had on Ebay for $600 package deals.

  3. Try this.. I am using it for my own documentary... by i_want_you_to_throw_ · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The Panasonic line.

    I am embarking on my two year bike journey/documentary. You can see it at worldcyclist.com

    What I am using is a 3 CCD chip (A MUST!) Panasonic PV-GS120 (the 150 has replaced it). It has a few drawbacks, no deal breakers though. It has a cinema-like mode, not true 16:9 shooting. It does have a stereo mike input which, with 2 Radio Shack lavaliere mono mikes and a stereo y connector, works pretty good for interview subjects.

    Before buying any Mini-DV get the manual from Amazon, you can download them usually.

    Before you know it people will beat down a path to your door if you have a good idea. I have a proven Emmy winning director assembling mine, the book already optioned and a sponsorship from Sugoi apparel

    I also smoked for 20 years, am slightly overweight and am 39 years old. No one is more surprised than me.