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Hi

I am a bit if a newbie, so please excuse some ignorance!

I am looking to start doing some short video blogging episodes. Having done some browsing over the web, it would appear that using a camcorder that has a built-in mic input is a 'good thing' and simplifies audio. Looking at inexpensive camcorders, it would appear that Canon camcorders have this functionality and should be top of the list. Is this the right conclusion?

Second, I am using a PC and intend on using Adobe Visual Communicator. Some other comments on the web imply that a firewire connection is preferred over a USB connection when linking a camcorder to the PC for better audio / video synching. Is this correct? Do Canon camcorders provide a Firewire connection? I suspect not, but am unsure

However, this may be only if using the camcorder as a webcam. Now, Visual Communicator uses the webcam as it primary source so using a camcorder as a webcam should provide better picture quality. Once again, is this correct?

Finally, based on the 3 criteria above (built-in mic, Firewire link, and webcam functionality) what camcorder would you recommend? Perhaps there is even a different solution? If so, I would appreciate your insights!

Thanks,

Robert

flag	asked Jan 4 at 17:59 Robert R 21●1

Noah Kunin · Answer 1 · 2010-01-04 20:03:54Z UTC

1

As long as you buy a mini DV based Canon camera (any of the HV XX series for exmaple) it will meet all three of your requirements.

answered Jan 4 at 20:03

Noah Kunin
101●8

Hi, Thanks very much for your prompt response. I shall investigate the HV range more closely! Robert – Robert R Jan 5 at 13:54

garyt · Answer 2 · 2010-01-05 20:24:19Z UTC

1

The Kodak xi8 does not have firewire but it does have a mic input and is very affordable

answered Jan 5 at 20:24

garyt
11●1

Thanks! That's an interesting idea. Havn't come across this before. I do use a Flip camera once in a while, but it picks up so much ambient noise - which kind of defeats its potential for 'vox pop' clips. – Robert R Jan 6 at 14:14

lImbus · Answer 3 · 2010-01-04 19:23:52Z UTC

I suppose your plan is to produce for the web, not television. This allowes you to run far already with digital still cameras that have some video functionality (with sound of course). These mostly have a usb-connection (rather than firewire), which is okay, since you transfer the video after having shot the take (and you'll transfer faster-than-realtime).

You'll sooner or later want an external microphone, so you need to be sure the camera you buy has an input for it, but most have.

Oh, by the way, firewire is present on most (if not all) camcorders that store the data on a miniDV-tape. It is often called i.Link (I think Sony), DV-Link or also i1394 / IEEE 1394. Firewire transfers the recorded data from time in realtime (1 minute of footage takes 1 minute to transfer) and most cameras also provide a "live" picture to the computer, so I'd suppose that Adobe-Softwares that can take on webcams can also handle DV-cams.

For newer camcorders that store the video to an internal hard disk (or memory stick), there is no problem of av-synch, since here also only "finished" data is transferred, faster as realtime. Although, it may be that the bandwidth or latency of usb may be a problem if used for webcam functionality.

Unfortunately, I cannot answer your questions in hindsight of Adobe Visual Communicator or webcams.

Rob Zdrojewski · Answer 4 · 2010-01-19 02:35:43Z UTC

Please ask your Adobe Visual Communicator questions in our new user community at:

TeachMeVC.com

We'd all be glad to help our fellow VC users out there!

Also visit our related sites for Adobe Visual Communicator:

SchoolTVmadeEasy.com AskMrZshow.com AskMrZblog.com AmherstTechTV.org

camcorder with mic input AND firewire

4 Answers