PDA

View Full Version : I Hate Camcorders...


Muffit
July 16th, 2004, 12:11 PM
Yes, I really do. For all you young'uns out there, there was actually a time when home-made videos were /rock-solid/ and crystal clear.

But then some brilliant person decided to miniaturize video recorders for "progress".

So now I am stuck with videos (done by relatives) of my wedding and daughter's important school events that look like the camera was attached to a paint shaker. Converting them to DVD only exacerbates the problem, since mpeg/etc simply cannot handle drastic frame changes (like shaking cameras and too-swift of panning) without blurring the mess to unrecognizability.

I have yet to see a modern camcorder that doesn't shake like go-go dancers from Laugh-In.

And now we even have "palmcorders", which is kinda like asking an Alzheimer's patient to enter a spelling bee. !@#$% (!@#$%)^! My first camcorder rested comfortably on my shoulder (or I mounted it on a tripod, even better) and so my old old videos are crystal clear and tremble-free. Sure it was big, but when was the last time you saw a news team use a camera smaller than a big breadbox??? I rest my case!!! ;)

Between dizzying images and expensive batteries that croak after 5 uses, I think I'd rather have a sketch pad and charcoal, than you very much.

Keep your itty bitty cameras folks! Give me a shoulder mount anyday!!!

Fuming (but smiling),
Muffit
:muffit:

shiningstar
July 16th, 2004, 12:43 PM
Yes, I really do. For all you young'uns out there, there was actually a time when home-made videos were /rock-solid/ and crystal clear.

But then some brilliant person decided to miniaturize video recorders for "progress".

So now I am stuck with videos (done by relatives) of my wedding and daughter's important school events that look like the camera was attached to a paint shaker. Converting them to DVD only exacerbates the problem, since mpeg/etc simply cannot handle drastic frame changes (like shaking cameras and too-swift of panning) without blurring the mess to unrecognizability.

I have yet to see a modern camcorder that doesn't shake like go-go dancers from Laugh-In.

And now we even have "palmcorders", which is kinda like asking an Alzheimer's patient to enter a spelling bee. !@#$% (!@#$%)^! My first camcorder rested comfortably on my shoulder (or I mounted it on a tripod, even better) and so my old old videos are crystal clear and tremble-free. Sure it was big, but when was the last time you saw a news team use a camera smaller than a big breadbox??? I rest my case!!! ;)

Between dizzying images and expensive batteries that croak after 5 uses, I think I'd rather have a sketch pad and charcoal, than you very much.

Keep your itty bitty cameras folks! Give me a shoulder mount anyday!!!

Fuming (but smiling),
Muffit
:muffit:

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((MUFFIT))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

It depends on the camcorder and the Palmcorder as the case may be.
There are some really great ones out there ......but you have to be
prepared to PAY for them. Either that or wait until the price comes
down. Of course by the time that happens they'll be obsolete :/:

thomas7g
July 16th, 2004, 01:06 PM
There are cameras out now that have stabilization built into them. I think they overshoot an image and compute cameramovment and compensate.

:)

shiningstar
July 16th, 2004, 01:38 PM
There are cameras out now that have stabilization built into them. I think they overshoot an image and compute cameramovment and compensate.

:)

:nervous: I think that's what I was saying but not in TECHNICAL terms lol :nervous:

Darth Marley
July 16th, 2004, 02:14 PM
The Sony "SteadyShot" feature is worth paying extra for.
For special events, a tripod is a worthwhile investment.

Can you still buy Super8 film these days?

shiningstar
July 16th, 2004, 03:22 PM
The Sony "SteadyShot" feature is worth paying extra for.
For special events, a tripod is a worthwhile investment.

Can you still buy Super8 film these days?

Darth I haven't seen the Super8 Film in ages. By the way
I haven't seen YOU in ages either. Welcome back. ;)

Darth Marley
July 16th, 2004, 09:42 PM
Oh I'm here, until they kick me out.
Just been lurking, staving off the gloom, etc.

Apologies to those I have not dropped a line to for a while.

shiningstar
July 17th, 2004, 07:42 AM
Oh I'm here, until they kick me out.
Just been lurking, staving off the gloom, etc.

Apologies to those I have not dropped a line to for a while.

You're forgiven Darth. Welcome home :)