What to buy for High School
 

I have been elected by a high school booster club to purchase a quality dv camera for filming band, cheerleading, and other activities. Would any one suggest this camera for filming from the top of a press box and on the ground to catch action video.

One of the main goals of the filming is to play back to the different groups and critique their performances and improve their placing at competition.

I have around $3000 to spend and also intend to purchase a 42" flat panel plasma TV for viewing by the varius groups.

Any suggestions would be more than appreciated by this absolute novice.

regards,

I would probably recommend against getting this HD camera. Unless you invest even more money in a D-VHS deck, you won't be able to view HD material with it. You'll be limited with what software you can use to edit the footage, and you'll have to down convert it for DVD or VHS viewing.

With a normal pro-DV cam, like a Canon XL1s, or Sony PD150, you'll have a beautiful picture (though only 480 resolution), which will be a much higher quality (except for resolution) than with the JVC camera. You can also use any software to edit it, even stuff that comes with Windows XP, and you can easily make DVDs or VHS tapes from it. So that's what I'd suggest.

By the way I used the Sony PD150 once to videotape a stage play with lots of variable lighting conditions (spotlights, etc.) It performed magnificently well. I don't know how the JVC HD camerra performs in low light, but because it has only one small CCD (image sensor) I don't think it'll be as good as a PD150 or XL1s, with 3- image sensors.

I would say a GL2 or VX2000 would be your best bet. They are small, portable, easy to use, and have excellent quality. Also, I don't see how $3000 will buy you a high quality camera and a plasma TV. That will cost more than $3000. Good luck!

I agree, go with something more common, ie, DV or low-end SD. DV, yeah...

heath

ps-In two years, it'll change, just like in 1998-2000, when digital video really took off. Down with analog (except BetaSP, I guess)!