I am thinking about buying a video camera. The primary use would be filming disc golf. I would like to know what I need to look for, or recommendations on a good model. What software to use to edit and add music? How much money I would need to spend to make the end product worth the time and effort? Can it be done for under $600?

I have a sony mini dvd recorder and use my mac...

I would recommend getting a camcorder with a harddrive instead of media. When I download off the cam to my laptop it makes each session (time between pauses) a new file. I don�t have to search thorugh tape to find a file or edit out a section.



As for software I have heard great thing about adobe premi�re elements or even the windows movie make (movie maker cam free with my copy of vista)



As issue with the mini dvd is the format is not a standard format�. You can just copy the mini dvd as you would a regular dvd.





A great resource is www.cnet.com (http://www.cnet.com)





Hope this helps



Joe allmon


Thanks Joe
-Giles

I would personally say to get a mini DV ( not DVD ) camera. They are the most used format and every editing program will recognize it. The problem with DVD cams is that, like stated earlier, the format is nto the same. It makes it harder and more time consuming to get the footage into a workable format. If you are getting a handy cam then most brands will work well. I would say to do some research and find one that has the features you want. If you are getting one in the thousands price range then I wuold say canon and sony. But something tells me you wont be getting one of those. I have my degree in television broadcasting and have worked in the business for a while. Besides Beta, MINI DV is the most used format. That is my advice.

the short answer is yes it can be done for under $500, I have a sony handycam mini-dv that i bought new for about $300. Windows movie maker works fine for editing or else go to best buy and pick up a program for $50. I use Magix Music/Video Maker, i use it for audio editing, but you can do videos too.

I recommend a miniDV. I started with a used unit (a Sony TRV9) that's still working which I picked up used. Watching Ebay for a few weeks is a great help in getting to know the market. I've had good luck with my newer Cannon (GL2) and I think their basic z series is pretty decent.

I'd look for something that goes 16 to 20x (ignore the digital zoom numbers, you can always zoom more in post production) since some golf shots require all the zoom you can get.

As to software, there's a lot of very affordable stuff nowadays. I use premiere, but that's pricey. It's a lot cheaper to get into something like the Pinnacle or Sony Vegas packages, which also come with DVD authoring software.

Joe

I think there is a lot of solid advice here on cameras. one thing you might consider, if you haven't already... one of the cheapest and easiest way to improve the quality of your video is to invest in a sturdy, but light and portable tripod. When using a lot of zoom, the effect of a slightly unsteady hand is magnified intensely, and the result is very difficult to follow.

I second this. Tripod is a must. Avoid zoom as much as posssible, but its kinda hard not to with this sport. And for begining to learn to edit Iwould use windows movie maker. It has everything you need and is easy to use. And its free! Wait until you understand the basics before spending money.

Indeed!

I use a waist-mounted thing myself, not as steady as a tripod but infinitely more portable. I found a monopod a bit easier than the tri, but a lot depends on how much you want/need to move around.

Feel free to let me know if you folks have anything to share, I'm happy to consider all sorts of topics and stories for Disc Golf Live. My next episode (#20, just finishing up now) will have pieces submitted to the show including a San Francisco tournament, a disc-golf themed music video, and a piece of warped disc golf story-telling, somewhere between Capra and Barney. There will also be several pieces I've done myself including some '07 USDGC footage and a course tour of Cold Brook Park, one of next summer's Worlds courses.

Joe

Hi, Mr. Natural -

Do you have any conacts at the Ft. Worth community station?

http://www.fortworthgov.org/citymanager/...ubmenu_0_link_3 (http://www.fortworthgov.org/citymanager/cable/info/default.aspx?id=25126&ekmensel=120_submenu_0_link_ 3)

It would be nice to see some DG in the line-up.

Joe

your software depends on your computer. if you have a mac, or access to a mac, id say use imovie to start then move to final cut pro. ive taught video for years and although premiere is a good program, the mac programs are easy to get into and learn very quickly. if you dont have a mac, then there are pc programs that are intro as well (as stated above) that will be easier to learn, then move to a higher end program.

in my experience sony and panasonic are always reliable. if you want better quality you have to move up from a one chip to a 3 chip camera (or 3 CCD). panasonics are the most afordable anbd reliable for the price. if you are just starting out, there is nothing wrong with a one chip camera, just pay attention to the optical zoom and consider what options you might want. (remote, external microphone port, light, etc...)

id reccomend that if you dont want to get a nicer camera right away, make sure to get something decent, and brand name at least. dont cut corners and get one that will break in a month. you can always find reviews online.

I've produced a one hour commercial disc golf DVD on Highbridge using the suite of programs from Roxio which includes the Videowave editor and the DVD builder. That's less than $100 and I'm sure the current version is more advanced than the one I used in 2004. One of my favorite effects is the ability to automatically "animate" still photos to look like video clips.

One thing I believe many people overlook when pricing out what's involved with video projects has to do with music. If you plan to produce your project for sale, unless it's going to be all ambient sound and dialog, you'll need some non-copyrighted music. You can't just download wave files of contemporary songs unless they're specifically from a royalty free site. Usually your editing suites will provide some simple sound clips which might be all you need for DVD menus. However, I've been happy with using Smart Sound for preparing background music as needed. Depending on the quality of the music and and the type, you're probably talking at least $200 to barely get started. Additional song discs for your software in any genre you can imagine can run from $25 to $100 apiece.

Hi, Zac.

I'm mostly using the Premiere because it came my way at the right price and does everything I need, although its an older version. The Final Cut app is very nice from the brief contact I've had; mac users are all set from the get go to do most video projects pretty easily. I agree with Chuck, the basic stuff like Roxio and others previously mentioned is all pretty serviceable.

I found the online reviews pretty helpful as well, particularly when looking to buy my 3 chip unit. So many choices...

Have you whipped anything up of a disc golf variety?

Joe

Spend as much as you can on the camera I use a pansonic that is mini dv tapes that works great. You can use movie maker then later on upgrade your software. I was filming at the Euro open for DISC GOLF TV this year and got the chance to borrow a HD camera gosh those things take great video. But for us poor guys 600 is allot and will buy you a pretty nice camera. Best thing is read all you can about the different camera and pick the one that works best for you.

The problem and reason to NOT get an HD cam right is that the software to edit and prodice HD quality work is very $$$. Not the mention you will need one hecc of a comp to render it. And not everyone is HD capable yet. So HD right now ( give it a couple years to really take off ) is a waist of money.

And No. I do not have connections to FT. Worths comunity TV. I wish I did. I did my most recent work for FSN. And I know what you guys are thinking, But it doesnt work like that. We got all of our orders from LA.

Once more. The best thing for you to do is get an cheaper mini DV cam, tripod, and use a cheap and easy editing system until you understand what you are doing. Then make upgrades.

First off, the most important question there is?
What are you going to do with what you shot? If your looking to make money or make it look professional then 500.00 budget will not cut it. I use high end Canon cameras, and even used your looking at 1500.00 plus, and the difference in quality and what you can do is worth the money. Also the external devices to store on are a must.

I use several higher end video editing systems, but for the money premier is the best for the price and can't be beat. Adobe also makes a DVD authoring program that runs seamlessly with premier and is a must if your authoring.

Now, if your just taping throws and friends, then any 300-500 camera should suffice, again, though, look for good used equipment. You can save a lot of money on really good equipment if you look around, and I don't mean ebay.

First off, the most important question there is?
What are you going to do with what you shot? If your looking to make money or make it look professional then 500.00 budget will not cut it. I use high end Canon cameras, and even used your looking at 1500.00 plus, and the difference in quality and what you can do is worth the money. Also the external devices to store on are a must.

I use several higher end video editing systems, but for the money premier is the best for the price and can't be beat. Adobe also makes a DVD authoring program that runs seamlessly with premier and is a must if your authoring.

Now, if your just taping throws and friends, then any 300-500 camera should suffice, again, though, look for good used equipment. You can save a lot of money on really good equipment if you look around, and I don't mean ebay.



Just for fun. Film friends. See what my "swing" looks like.

The question begs to be asked, if not ebay... Anyone know of a Camera that fell off the back of a truck :eek:

Thanks to everyone for the great info.

Theres nothing wrong with Ebay if you buy from a power seller that has been on there for a while. It's no different then buying from any other online dealer. Just do your home work find what you want and get the best deal. With all thats been said the most important thing is go out and video allot and let the tape run in between throws, it will help you edit later. Tapes or mini dvd are cheap when you look at it. Would you rather have a great throw or save two bucks. Let us know when you get something and put it on YouTube