Hi all...there will be a new HHR enthusiast due at our house on september 15th...and with his arrival comes a need. Our OLD Hi 8 camcorder is antiquated & worn out. Been looking at all of the new models, is it worth the extra $$$ to upgrade to HD, or does standard definition record well enough? I'm going by the video quality of this old Sony, & if standard def hasn't improved since Hi 8, then HD would be the only way to go! Has anyone had the chance to see the video quality of the two side by side to compare? Could probably compare the two in the store, but it's not the same as replaying at home on a bigger screen than the LCD on the cam. Any thoughts would be appreciated...thanks in advance!

 

If you can, go for the HD recorder. You will want to show those videos on a wide screen someday and you might as well start with the better resolution of the HD unit. If not, you'll end up replacing it for an HD unit someday anyway.

 

I have a Sony FX1. I was the first kid on the block, probably the whole state to go HDV. I have tons of footage taken from when there wasn't even a delivery medium for the material. Now, this darn camera cost 3200. It still does actually, but today there are so many more. I could have 2 or 3 really decent cameras for what I paid.

Go to videomaker.com and read their reviews. Definitely go HDV or AVCHD.

Also, IMO. Sony or Panasonic. NEVER Canon. I have never ever had a canon anything that didn't crap out after a few months. Google "canon eats tapes."

 

I purchased a Sony DV recorder several years ago and it has been great. Not only was the video clear but the audio was amazing. I used it to record my son in the high school band playing the half-time show and his brother playing football.

I think I'd definitely stay with Sony, no matter what the price!

 

Sony is great except for all the proprietary crap like "Memory Stick". I've used Canon products for a long time and have never had any problems, either. I'd get a Canon or Panasonic with either flash or hard drive recording.

 

if you get a good SD type i think the reso would make a diff..
plus it would be cheaper huh?

 

Time to congratulate Jeff on his new son born Sept 9th. Maybe when he is done changing diapers he will respond. Here to ya Jeff and to your wife.

 

Congrats, Jeff

 

Thanks! Here's a pic of the new HHR enthusiast!

 

Wow, he's got alot of hair