HD Video Camera with LANC?

[ErichF]

Does anyone have a suggestion for an HD, harddrive media, video camera that also has a LANC port to take remote commands? Looking for a unit with a small footprint to use on Observers and a Sig Rascal 110 plank.

[DebianDog]

The Sony HC-1 and HC-3 have LANC connectivity and a small footprint. I do not suggest HDD media myself.

[ErichF]

Thank's Dan

I couldn't find the HC3, but there's an HC5 and HC7. Both show LANC ports. Any comment on either of these cameras?

Why not HDD media? We were looking for easy transport from camera to computer without going through the capture process.

[DebianDog]

Thank's Dan

Why not HDD media? We were looking for easy transport from camera to computer without going through the capture process.

Well the "in general" problem with HDD is the format it is put on to the drive. If it goes on as HDAVC then fine. But, cameraa that stick it on there as regular or a non standard MPEG is not the way to go. Editing that format will not yield the best results. Also, depending on the format it writes in, you may be stuck editing with the software that comes with the camera. That stinks too. My other gripe is. How many hard disk drive do you have still working reliably after 8 years? My guess is ZERO.

There is no doubt that "tapeless is the future" and my next camera will most likely use a solid state P2 card (https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/sales_o/p2/flash/index.html) but, this comes at a price. Base cam is like 5K with no cards. :shock:

[DebianDog]

Thank's Dan

I couldn't find the HC3, but there's an HC5 and HC7. Both show LANC ports. Any comment on either of these cameras?

Those are the new Sonys. I have not read about them but I do see that:

Format(s) Supported

AVCHD (HD) and MPEG2-PS (SD)So if you stayed away from SD, I suppose it would be nice.

The only problem with Sony (and I have all Sony cameras BTW) is that they do not shoot Progressive, which is ideal for the web. Unless something has changed they shoot a cinematic 24P which is still a mixed/interlaced frame 1080i. But if you are looking to go broadcast (TV) then this is not a problem.

[DebianDog]

One of the reviews I found:

Conclusion
What can we say? Sony has produced a solid camcorder. Architecturally speaking, the HDR-SR7 (Specs (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/specs/Sony/HDR-SR7.htm), Recent News (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-Announces-40GB-HDR-SR5-and-60GB-HDR-SR7-AVCHD-Hard-Disk-Drive-Camcorders.htm), $1399 (http://camcorderinfo.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=36247700/mode=cci_article_inline_links)) should be marveled. The migration of the majority of ports to the right side of the body prevents cable clutter and provides LCD-related breathing room. The cam control dial is identical to the HDR-HC7’s, (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-HDR-HC7-Camcorder-Review.htm) and it blows touch screen menu-operation out of the water. On top of that, the SR7’s 60GB HDD offers plenty of recording time and allows for simple drag and drop file operation—no capturing needed here. So what’s the catch? In our eyes, based on Sony imagers of yore, the HDR-SR7 will suffer in terms of video quality. We witnessed firsthand the AVCHD's tendency towards noise, even in moderate low light. It’s too bad. Sony’s design of the SR7 knocked our socks off. The wrinkles of any AVCHD camcorder’s image need to be ironed out before a reliable model can be produced. But for now, the SR7 appears to be a stellar piece of machinery for those who will not lose sleep over a barrel full of noise in a dimly lit Italian restaurant.

So if you are shooting outside in the sun it should be fine.

[trackhead]

Thank's Dan

I couldn't find the HC3, but there's an HC5 and HC7. Both show LANC ports. Any comment on either of these cameras?

Why not HDD media? We were looking for easy transport from camera to computer without going through the capture process.

Stay away from the Pany SD1 and other cameras that record to AVCHD.

You have to capture, then encode to an editable format. This robs ALL your supposed time savings.

I had a Pany SD1 for eight months. Piece of garbage, in my opinion.

[DebianDog]

You have to capture, then encode to an editable format. This robs ALL your supposed time savings.


AVCHD -IS- an editable format if you have a good software ;)

[trackhead]

AVCHD -IS- an editable format if you have a good software ;)

What are you editing it with?

I have Vegas 8, and Vegas only handles AVCHD from Sony cameras, not Pany yet.

Either way, AVCHD from the Pany SD1 is truly ugly footage in many conditions, especially bright white clouds, and bright sun on snow. It turns them a green hue. Not what I'd want in my HDV cam. It's motion signature is quite ugly as well, especially objects such as ski poles, fence posts, and other vertical subjects.

Stay away from the Pany SD1, that's all I have to say. Garbage.

[DebianDog]

Well the lens size, CCD, and AVCHD together do not make a good team for sure.

Like I said currently, today, (unless you spend a lot of money) my suggestion is that you stick with HDV (tape)