Opinions on digital video recorders

**Muqtar SGT_Clintok** · 11-14-09, 07:09 PM

I am in the market for a digital video recorder.

My guidelines follow:
Most of the videos will be shared/viewed on my PC.
I am leary of buying something HD, because of the amount of data it generates, and the price.
I have a Sony Bravia flatscreen, but no blueray recorder. I dont see how I could really pipe HD video from my PC into the TV with the equipment I have.

Muqtar Jr is scheduled for deployment in 6 weeks, and we are going to need to get some documentation.

Anybody have any insight on this subject?

**IRON MAN 2142** · 11-14-09, 07:24 PM

My brother has one of these

http://insigniaproducts.com/products...-DV720PBL.html

and he loves it

**WileECyte** · 11-15-09, 01:36 AM

Been looking at a Kodak Zi8. It shoots HD, but it's very basic in its feature set.

http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-Zi8-Pock...8270397&sr=8-1

May not be what you're looking for...

Another alternative is that I've found a lot of the more recent digital cameras have very good movie modes. Kill two birds with one stone.

**Kanati** · 11-15-09, 09:30 AM

You have a bravia and are worried about price? Bravia in japanese means platinum plated or my wallet had an anurism when I told it I was buying one or somesuch.

Do you mean camera (as has been extrapolated in the prior two posts) or do you mean a set-top recorder?

**iamjohnnyrico** · 11-15-09, 11:05 AM

Hey Muqtar, your post isn't really that clear on what exactly you want, but if it's handycams, here you go. Keep in mind you can always rencode the original video to a higher compression rate (i.e. less storage) via software.

Purchase one of these:HD OR SD

Then get one of these:Blu-ray Burner

And to play it back:Blu-ray Player, plus you can stream netflix and youtube!

Total cost: Under $1000.00
Having your kid shot in HD: Priceless!

**Muqtar SGT_Clintok** · 11-15-09, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by Kanati8869

You have a bravia and are worried about price? Bravia in japanese means platinum plated or my wallet had an anurism when I told it I was buying one or somesuch.

Do you mean camera (as has been extrapolated in the prior two posts) or do you mean a set-top recorder?

I didn't have a kid in the oven when I bought the Bravia, so it wasn't a big deal. Now I am suddenly very interested in every single dollar.

I mean a camera. To take movies of my kid.

I have a digital camera that does have decent movie mode. I want something better though.

I have a few weeks to make up my mind, Rico's suggestion looks like something along the lines of what I am looking for. I dont know anything about video cameras though.

**Muqtar SGT_Clintok** · 11-20-09, 10:03 PM

So I have been looking and somewhat settled on the Canon VIXIA HF200.

Looks like a bad ass camera that seems to draw good reviews. The price is steep...... but buying on Newegg should keep me inside my budget

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120313

Thoughts?

**Phyrelight** · 11-21-09, 08:54 AM

look like a nice camera, decent reviews and features. I think it's safe to say it will get the job done. :10 :10

**Muqtar SGT_Clintok** · 11-22-09, 10:46 AM

Purchased the Cannon VIXIA HF20, which is identicle to the HF200, except it has 32GB on onboard memory.

Now its time to get up to speed on HD video manipulation. Where's Veovis?

**Muqtar SGT_Clintok** · 11-26-09, 08:07 PM

Bought it, got it, took some video and I am now getting familiar with the process of manipulating HD video.

Great camera and I love it, but HD video editing is a sheer pain in the ass, and I am seriously tempted to upgrade my processor after working with a 60 second clip.