December 2nd, 2006 by The Bosphorus
Since it’s consumer guide time here at the ‘tumor, I’ll throw this your way. The Cemestos Gardens folks are looking to get a digital camcorder for Christmas. That way we can entertain you all with more videos like this, but with even better quality.
We want to be able to plug it into the computer and upload our great recordings. Here’s the deal-breaker. It’s got to be cheap. We don’t want to put more than $250 into this gadget. Do you have any suggestions?
December 2nd, 2006 at 5:30 pm
If you didnt have money before BJ’s death then how do you have the money now to do all this stuff? Such as going out for drinks, out to eat all the time, buying new gadget.
December 2nd, 2006 at 5:51 pm
We got a Sony digital camcorder for ca. $450 a few years ago, but my lovely and talented wife tells me you can get cheaper ones. The one we have is user-friendly. Even I can use it.
December 2nd, 2006 at 5:58 pm
JT, check the post author before you say something that makes you look like a total jerk. Bos wrote it, not AT.
Bos, if you go to www.CNET.com and click “camcorders” from the menu on the left, there are a couple of categories under $250. Scroll through and read the reviews. Another option is that many digital cameras now make nice quality video, albeit in shorter lengths due to storage on a SD chip. I think my digital cam will do about 10 minutes of decent quality video, and works well even in low-light situations (like an orchestra concert) where the less expensive video cams tend to need a lot more light.
December 2nd, 2006 at 6:29 pm
Hey Bos, I got mine for less than $250 last Xmas at Sears Essentials. Like Netmom said, I can get about 10 mins of great quality on the card, and alot on the tape. But its so easy to plug it into my lappy or desktop and download it, its awesome. I can send vids of my grandbaby to all the family every day if I want. Its a Samsung SC-D453 Mini DV. I have been very very satisfied wtih it.
December 2nd, 2006 at 6:32 pm
JT, You kind of showed your butt there didn’t you. Back off.
Netmom and Joel, thanks. I haven’t really looked in the direction of a new digi camera. Do you suppose I can get a better quality camera for the money, than camcorder?
December 2nd, 2006 at 6:35 pm
It also takes still pictures, but I havent had much luck with that…poor quality when I use the card, but ok in the middle of the vids on the tape. Or maybe I just can’t take pics very well.
December 2nd, 2006 at 6:42 pm
Not sure. It really depends on what you’ll most be using it for most of the time, and make the call depending on what best fits your need.
I have this one, and you’re welcome to give it a try and see if you think it would meet your needs.
December 2nd, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Netmom, that looks to be a still camera. Digital, yes, but not a camcorder.
December 2nd, 2006 at 7:30 pm
Had you asked a week ago, I would have suggested trying to win one from the Kim Kommand show. http://contest.komando.com/ They don’t seem to have the digital camcorders available. They do, though, have gift certs avalible to win. You can enter via the website or call into the show - if you call in make sure your question is stupid and you act like a dumb-dumb. I can’t tell if the screeners only choose the dumb questions or if the listener base are dumb-dumbs. : )
December 2nd, 2006 at 7:35 pm
Joel, it IS a still but will do MPEG video up to the limit of the memory card installed, with reasonably good audio as well as video. If you just want to do short video clips for sharing on the web, it works great. If you want to record a 2-hour concert… out of luck.
December 2nd, 2006 at 8:09 pm
Hey,
AT and Bos. I know I am always offering up my computer junk so here I go again. I have a digital camcorder. I can give it to you all if you want it — I have had it for 2.5 years and have never used it really. It is a sony and you can sync it up via firewire or usb. If you all want to play with it I will get it to Bos. Most of the new ones burn direct to a mini dvd. This one takes the digital 8 cassettes. Only real difference is that you have to upload real time. Let me know. I have go too much shit in my house.
It is just sitting here.
JT — don’t know you, but what the hell???
December 2nd, 2006 at 8:22 pm
Got no opinion of the camera, but wrote this to JT
“Hi, I’m Jacob.
I see you’re wondering how we’re affording eating out, drinks, things like that.
Well, JT, we’re affording it by people giving us money as a way to help because my wife, and my children’s mother died. She was sick for half a month, and then died.
Its difficult to understand, and if you’re shallow, it doesn’t really sink in, and I guess I can understand that.
But yeah, thats your answer. Folks donated money. To us. And I thank them, because things like this are allowing some sort of sanity.
Now, I doubt your email address is really jt@gmail.com, but I know you’re on a Southwestern Bell DSL line, and your IP address is 66.139.218.189. I also see that you’ve got a pretty decent monitor, actually, one better than the one I have for my desktop (although, admittedly, my new laptop, donated also, is better).
Whats the point?
Probably the same point that you had, when you decided to come to my website, and talk shit about my money. Yes, asshole, I’m spending it.
Do me a favor, and stop coming here.”
Edit - OF course, he doesn’t have the balls to put his real email address on. Chickenshit.
December 2nd, 2006 at 8:23 pm
Do it, bos. Sony is good.
December 2nd, 2006 at 10:46 pm
I can’t believe someone would actually ask you about how you spend your money. How tacky. If I were in your situation, I would go out to eat all the time. It takes stress off to know you don’t have to plan, cook and clean up. Not to mention take care of your kids by yourself. That jt probably doesn’t even have kids. Plus, when someone donates money to someone, if they do it from the heart, they don’t care where you spend it, if they do, then that just shows their character flaws. Don’t let that stuff get to you. You obviously are a good dad, and put your kids first.
December 3rd, 2006 at 11:04 am
dpreview.com is the end-all be-all of digital camera review sites. When I am shopping for a digital camera, it is now the only place I look. They don’t seem to have digital video cameras listed but maybe their links or forums will help. You might email them and ask if they have a sister site that does dv.
December 3rd, 2006 at 8:12 pm
AT you are the coolest. JT, I think the J stands for Jacka$$ total.
December 3rd, 2006 at 8:38 pm
Timsan1, thanks I really appreciate it. We’ll have to talk about that offer.
December 5th, 2006 at 11:50 am
Bos, I just got my 2007 Buying Guide from Consumer Reports in the mail. Your welcome to borrow it or I can do a look up for you. We have trusted them in our purchases for the last few years and have been very happy.