# Need help buying a digital camcorder **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 14, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-buying-a-digital-camcorder/344483 "2006-02-14T17:24:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-buying-a-digital-camcorder/344483/1 "2006-02-14T17:24:05Z")
My brother has been put in charge of finding and purchasing a digital camcorder for his girlfriend’s family. They are going to be taping a memorial service and a birth in the upcomming weeks. I know NO-THING about this type of thing. I looked online at some reviews and still can’t get my head around it. Mostly I am worried about the fact that the reviews tend to say “bad in low light” for all of the cameras I see. I think that won’t be good for a memorial service. Thinking it might not be too bright… Can anyone recommend a camera that meets most or all of the below requirements? - Around $300 (preferrably in a Brick and Mortar store, because of course they need it ASAP, no time to wait for shipping) - Good or at least decent in low light - USB or Firewire connection. I don’t have a video card with video-in. - Fairly easy to use interface. Also, any tips on what software we’ll need to manipulate or at least copy the video? I have Nero 7 which has a ton of features. Will that do? I don’t mind hearing about your personal digicam. Don’t need to hear from experts so much as users. Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-buying-a-digital-camcorder/344483/2 "2006-02-14T21:53:22Z")
I did a lot of research about a year and a half ago and decided to get a digital 8 camera. Digital format, high availability of tapes for cheapish. Not the most advanced gadgets, but there are some good ones. Bigger than the mini-dv cameras, but to be honest, I preferred that. I don’t want a camera so small it feels like it can blow away in the wind. I _think_ [this](http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-Handycam-Camcorder-DCR-TRV480-/sem/rpsm/oid/116662/catOid/-13063/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) is the camera I own, but I can’t check as it’s not currently in my possession. It was $430 or so when I bought it - I got a package deal with a nice carrying case, a tripod, and an extra battery for like $520. No complaints - it has an infrared night mode with two modes (one is surprisingly bright but with jerky motion - it collects several frames of light and then combines them in one frame, or something along those lines, I think) while the other isn’t jerky at all and decent quality. The optical zoom is good. Touch screen is cool. No complaints at all, really. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2006, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-buying-a-digital-camcorder/344483/3 "2006-02-14T21:55:03Z")
Also, it has a firewire connection. Forgot to mention: There’s no external mic port, so you’re stuck using the camera’s internal microphone. It’s not bad, and for 95% of casual users it’s fine, I just thought I’d mention it because it’s probably the only drawback I can think of.