VidEo camera storing in digital format.

I'm considering buying one to replace my old/clunky mini-[VHS] [Video Camera].

Woot! has a $200 refurb [JVC] miniDV tape unit.

• but the [Canon Z R500] is available at comparable price and got a better review.

Getting a mini-DVD-based camera sounds more convenient (since I don't anticipate doing lots of editing). The rewritable options include DVD-[RAM] for Panasonic camcorders or DVD -[RW]/+[RW] for Hitachi and Sony camcorders. It's important to determine the compatibility with your home DVD player before going with a DVD Camcorder, as users are presented with the same -[RW], +[RW] compatibility issues that exist with PC-based DVD recorders. The latest DVD-based camcorders also provide support for write-once discs such as DVD-R and DVD+R, which means that, once finalised, the disc can be played on most DVD players without any trouble.

• I have a Panasonic [VHS]/DVD player - I think it's the [PV]-[D4745K] (that's definitely the one I bought for my mother) - offers playback of DVD-R, DVD-[RAM], [CD]-R, [CD]-[RW], [VCD] and [CD], plus MP3 and JPEG - but I'm not sure - the model number isn't on the front.

  • actually, it's the older D4743. It can play DVD, DVD-R ("DVD-Video formatted disks"), Video [CD], Cd, [CD]-R, [CD]-[RW]; handles [WMA], MP3, JPEG. Cannot play DVD-[RAM], DVD+[RW], [CD]-[ROM], [CFV], Divx, [PhotoCd], etc.

• CNet editors rate the Canon [DC]-40 best of those supporting DVD-R, costing over $600. Ack - A partly filled DVD-R requires almost half a minute before the camcorder is ready to record. Once you're ready to go, you'll always have a couple of seconds of lag between pressing record/stop and the action occurring.

On the other hand, could I transfer from camera to my IBook then write disks for permanent storage? My aging IBook handles just DVD-[ROM] and [CD]-[RW] ([Combo Drive], not [Super Drive]). [OK], so I could write [CD]-[RW] and play those on my DVD player. But what a pain in the butt! (Or I could just leave them on hard drive, and deal with BackUp fears.)

http://reviews.cnet.com/Camcorders/2001-6500_7-0.html

Outcome Jun'2007: bought the Canon [DC]-50 camera that stores to DVD-R. The guy in the store says there's no lag problem except for 10sec when you format a new disk.

It can store stills to the DVD or to a [MiniSd] card. I eventually bought the latter. It's rather slow at taking pictures, though, so only a last resort if I didn't bring a Digital Camera or Film Camera.

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