[senit] digital video camera

If you can afford it, buy an Apple Mac and download all your video

Totally agree with Patricia here. On the subject of what type of  
camcorder, there are several things to consider.

Firstly, check carefully that whatever type of editing you need to do  
on the computer, the camcorder storage is compatible (I say that  
because the ones that record direct to DVD are apparently not in most  
cases). MiniDV tapes continue to be the most versatile and practical  
option, and remember that although they are tapes the quality is  
digital, not analogue.
Secondly, how easily can they be used with the pupils. Most of the  
everyday camcorders are not too bad in this respect, it's pretty easy  
to show most SLD students how to use key functions for example. If it  
has a tripod mount (as most will) then you can make it stable for  
students with motor control difficulties to operate and to at least  
frame shots even if another student has to press record with them.  
Top loading tapes are important in this context, as it's a pain to  
mount the camcorder and then have to unmount it to load the tape you  
forgot, or to change tapes.
Thirdly, sound, This can be very important with our students, as they  
may be very quiet (or very loud!). Many mid range camcorders have mic  
inputs so that you can either hold a mic near them or use tie clip  
mics, but the other part you need is manual control of sound levels,  
so that you can either boost it or minimise it as appropriate.
Gimmicks. Ignore them, you might have no choice about some of the  
'features', but you'll be able to do all of it and more on the  
computer anyway, so stick to clear stable footage that allows you  
creative choices once it's all safe in the computer.

The models are constantly changing, but the closest I've seen to one  
of the ones we have been happy with is Canon's MVX350i
http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Camcorders/Digital/ 
mvx350i/index.asp?ComponentID=259465&SourcePageID=26346#1
Looking around it seems to cost about £400, which is amazingly good  
for what you get compared to years ago. Obviously there are plenty of  
other makes, and I've heard very good reports on Panasonic, but  
haven't used them.
Tom Barrance runs a useful website with advice on film-making as well  
as some guides to buying equipment:
http://www.mediaed.org.uk/

And David Baugh runs another good site called DV in Education:
http://213.232.94.135/dv/news.php

Hope that's of some help,

Sean O'Sullivan
sean.frankwise at easynet.co.uk
Deputy Headteacher
Frank Wise School, Banbury
http://www.frankwise.oxon.sch.uk

http://www.parkroadict.co.uk

On 17 Jan 2007, at 19:05, Patricia Bruce wrote:

> If you can afford it, buy an Apple Mac and download all your video  
> onto that, editing with iMovie which is so simple. (Mac minis are  
> quite reasonably priced and could share a monitor with a PC).Also  
> it keeps the movies in one place and everything else in another.  
> Once you've made your movie, iDVD makes it easy to burn onto disk.
>
> Patricia Bruce
>
>
>
>>
>> Hello, not strictly speaking an SEN question.  WE are considering  
>> getting new video cameras, higher res than the lovely Digtal  
>> Blues.  School is falling into two camps, ones with hard disc for  
>> easy editing,  but then you have to save it on something else, and  
>> if that something else is a PC without a DVD burner, OR one with a  
>> built in DVD for easy viewing and one-step saving, but not quite  
>> so good for editing. I believe there are also hybrid ones that  
>> combine most features. We run XP PCs, not on a network, as yet,  
>> which I chose to get without DVD burners, thinking it might be too  
>> much temptation for some, not realising that copyrighted DVDs  
>> won't copy anyway.
>> Any advice gratefully received.
>>
>> Richard O'Connell
>> Oakleigh School
>> N20