 People are Confused about MiniDV - It is NOT obsolete |
| Review Date: November 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Charles Seiler, Spokane, WA USA |
I am getting very upset because all of the people who say they have done video for 25 years should no better than to say that MiniDV is obsolete! MiniDV records in 500% compression. MINI DVD and HardDisk HDD and FLASH cameras record in 1500% compression. MiniDV records in in superior DV AVI format, which has individual frames and editing can be done WITHOUT LOSS OF QUALITY once uploaded to your computer. The MINI DVD/HDD/FLASH cameras are NOT better in this respect, they are far worse.
Consumer MINI DVD/HDD/FLASH cameras have not reached a level where they can compete with MiniDV for high end recordings. MiniDV doesn't take longer to edit. You have to play it back in real time, but in order to EDIT .MPEG videos from MINI DVD/HDD/FLASH you have to spend an hour converting it over to uncompressed AVI format! Either way, you have to spend an hour. It makes much more sense to start out with high quality RAW video, and then compress it AFTER you edit it. You can ONLY do this with MiniDV.
The MINI DVD/HDD/FLASH cameras are only excellent for NON TECH junkies who don't care about quality and just want to record home movies. You will lose more quality with these cameras than you will with the superior MiniDV.
If you are going to use a MINI DVD/HDD/FLASH camera, you should NOT edit the video direclty. You need to uncompress it, and convert it into a superior AVI format, because it lends itself to editing. That means you need to use a video converter on your computer and convert the MPEG2 video to AVI before editing. With MiniDV you don't have to, since MiniDV records in AVI, and only AVI, which is ready for editing as it is, just upload in real time to your pc, cut frames out, and then conver it into MPEG2.
MiniDV is getting a terrible name because it uses a tape. This is not right. It really records with LESS compression than a comparable store bought DVD! Now, you know what this means. Uncompressed video is always better to start with than starting with compressed video.
Please research MiniDV more before giving it a terrible name. It is not going to be obsolete until the MINI DVD cameras can record uncompressed video, which for all practical purposes, will never happen. SO that leaves HDD and FLASH cameras, which will eventually have that option, but they don't have that option yet, so for now MiniDV Is the best for for home video projects that require video editing.
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better than expected
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| Review Date: July 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Philip J. Herman, NYC area |
| I bought this camera to replace my other Canon ZR100, which just wore out. I record video every day, so I need a camera simple to use, and always ready. So far, the ZR960 is simpler on battery life than the ZR100 was, which is excellent. The new lens cover is simpler to use... fantastic. The new screen is larger... fantastic. So far this camera is better than I expected. |
Yes its a MinDV format, but I like it for ease of editing.
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| Review Date: February 12, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Reversemidasman, |
I use to have a Sony HC-42 but it jammed and choked on a MiniDV cartridge, thus I had to replace it and researched what was remaining camcorders that use the MiniDV cartridges. Not that many left on the inexpensive end. Sony has a HC-52 and the Canon ZR960. Went to B**tBuy to look at the Sony HC-52. What a disappointment in the quality and feel of that camcorder. Total junk feel to it. I was really disappointed since that is the successor model to the HC-42. So I researched and settled for the Canon ZR960. Okay, fantastic Standard Definition MiniDV camcorder. Has nice 37x Optical Zoom, my HC-42 only had 10x Optical. Yeah it says 41 Optical Zoom on the ad but the booklet states 37x Optical zoom and another zoom setting called Advanced Zoom which is the 41x zoom with some blurb about it can do this without lost in picture quality in combo of digital/optical. (Hey thats what it says..beats me, no claims to being a techie). Then it has the 2000x Digital zoom. Which for me I stay at the 41x zoom setting. Very light, plastic housing felt better in hand than the Sony HC52 did. Very straightforward button layouts for play and record, felt sturdy and durable (not something that would breakoff from being used). The record button on the Canon was an "Offwhite color", Hmmm...was use to seeing that as red colored but no biggie. The LCD screen decent size, seems a bit squished in dimension but not in viewing. It had this small toggle joystick took a small getting use to, something akin to that joystick button on notebook computers between the G,H and B keys. I was use to the Sony touchscreen of my HC42, but simple to overcome and get use to. What I really like was, you know how these miniDV camcorder loads a cartridge, well unlike the Sony mechanical mechanism which reminds you of the ancient betamax loading, where when you release the clam shell housing and it opens, the mechanical mechanism goes up and then outward so that you can insert the cartridge, the canon mechanism is more simpler I found. Thus less chance of it jamming and choking on a cartridge. Yes in either case, don't push in on the cartridge carrier, like it says in bold letters on a yellow background or you're guarantee to choke and jam a cartridge on either camcorder. Once you have the camcorder slipped in your hand, the canon is very light and where you rest your right hand to work the wide/telephone toggle switch, there is a comfortable ridge designed there so your hand and fingers can feel steady. I liked that feature. The viewfinder has a separate switch to turn it on if you need to use it. Found that convenient. Has built in 1394 connection unlike my Sony HC-42 which needed it's separate docking station to do that. So the only thing I didn't find on the Canon camcorder was a remote controller with it. Ehhh...didn't use it much. Also no shoulder strap. Thats an extra too. Overall a fantastic standard miniDV cartridge camcorder. Simple to download onto your PC for editing whether Windows MovieMaker or any current video editing software using its capture video capability. Didn't have any problems recognizing the camcorder when capturing video on several video editing programs I had on my computer. I'm glad I bought it and will serve its purpose well.
Update 04 Aug 2010: My camcorder failed to powerup on battery, sent it in to Canon Repair Center via priority mail. They fixed it under the one year warranty and returned it to me within 1 week of receipt. That was very quick service and the camcorder is fixed. Problem they noted was a circuit board and they had it replaced and did other adjustments as needed. I am pleased with the quick turnaround time of their repair center. |
Canon ZR960 MiniDV Camcorder
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| Review Date: May 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jaycoub, Minnesota |
| Fantastic product, picture quality from Canon still needs improvement but for the price of the camera it is user friendly and reasonable.Canon ZR960 MiniDV Camcorder w/41x Optical Zoom |
Brilliant camcorder
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| Review Date: June 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Pat, |
Quality is fantastic when using Sony Vegas Pro. (only saying as I have not used it with another Video Editor) Fantastic quality on LCD, Viewfinder is a plus...not alot of Camcorders have them. Functional toggle and buttons simple to use. Manual settings usually not needed, unless you shoot night shots of lightning as I do. Mic jack a huge plus! MiniDV is still better than other mediums.
Def recommend the Canon Line of camcorders! |
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December 3rd, 2009 | 
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