Are you buying a PAL cam in India? $750 US Dollars? Maybe the Sony TRV38?

No I am not buying it in India. But yes, it should be PAL. Yes USD.

I believe Panasonics come with a better international warranty, but I'd take a look at that TRV38. You get quite a bit for the money with that cam. Here's a good site that has consumer cam reviews:

http://www.dvspot.com

How about SONY TRV70? Though it is around 775USD.

That's a good cam also, but for more money. Maybe just shoot for a 3-chip?

<<<-- Originally posted by Frank Granovski : That's a good cam also, but for more money. Maybe just shoot for a 3-chip? -->>>


Is there a PAL version of the Panasonic PV-GS70? It's a 3-chipper at only $700 -- 3 CCDs means maybe better colors, but will the 1/6" chips have worse low-light performance than the single 1/4" CCD in, say, my $300 PV-DV53? Something to ask...

B&H has the NTSC version of the PVGS70 here:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&b=246&shs=PV-GS70&ci=1&ac=&Submit.x=22&Submit.y=

And regarding lowlight: indoor light -- what may seem like normal lighting -- can still be "low-light" to a camcorder. I shot some footage of a band playing live at a radio station recently -- the room seemed fairly normally lit, maybe a skosh dim, but I had to have both of my cameras' gains maxed out in order to even approach proper exposure. I was using a DVC80 and the DV53; the DVC80 at +12dB gain looks a little grainy, but still pretty good. The DV53's maxed out image was still fairly dark (darker than the DVC80) and very grainy and pixelated. So a room that may seem "normally lit" may not cut it for video. (By the way, I also shot an outdoor birthday party -- on a very sunny day -- with the DV53 and I must say I was very happy with this $300 camera's performance; of course, many cheap DV cams will look great if you've got a lot of light...)

<<<-- Originally posted by Frank Granovski : That's a good cam also, but for more money. Maybe just shoot for a 3-chip? -->>>

For only $250 more for a used Gl1. I'd certainly consider putting in some overtime to make the step up.

DV camcorder for shooting watersport DVD
 

I'm looking for a DV camcorder for shooting watersport videos for DVD (kitesurf, windsurf, surf,...) and other extreme sports events. I'm willing to pay <=2000USD
Optical zoom is pretty important to be able to shoot from the beach, but shoots will be taken from the water as well.
GL2 looks like a good camcorder (zoom x20, EWA marine underwater bag).
DVC30 (zoom 1.6) could also be nice.
Any recommandations ?

You've found out the long zoom cams in your price range, good eye.
I would go for the DVC30. Smart looking, well stocked cam.
I don't know how third party support of this cam is coming along...
Those bags are cam specific?

Choose a cam
 

I am ready to buy a camera but there are now more options. XL-1S, a JVC HD cam, or a Panasonic 24p cam? I use my school's XL-1s all the time, so I know how to use that and know what it can do. Plus I have the all the stuff edit with it. I am unsure if that stuff changes when I change formats. Some insight would be nice. I will be using he cam all the time. Contract work, like wedding videos, commercials, as well as indie films, short and feature. So thats why I am on the line so to speak. As for money, I would like to stay below $4500. Some insight would be nice.

Clint,

I'd wait till after NAB. Several new models are due to be announced. You could either save significantly on todays cams OR find a new HD that may fit your budget.

If you need a cam now for weddings etc, perhaps look at the JVC DV300 (good price), the DVC80 or the PD170 from B&H.

Ok, well maybe the question I am asking is what format I should go with. DV, 24p, or HDV?

24P like from a DVX100/A? That's a miniDV NTSC cam.

Re: "Contract work, like wedding videos, commercials, as well as indie films, short and feature. So thats why I am on the line so to speak."

Any of the 3 cams I mentioned should be good for these.

your right, my bad. I'm just lost.