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  • Summary: digital camcorder feedback

    Dear BIOMCH-L Readers,

    About two weeks ago I asked for suggestions regarding digital camcorders
    and/or mixers to be used for observational video. Many models were
    recommended, particularly from Canon, Panasonic, and Sony. One response
    forewarned that some JVC cameras have tape compatability issues. A Samsung
    camcorder with a 1.5Gb hard drive was mentioned
    (http://www.gizmo.com.au/public/News/news.asp?articleid=1738) and may be of
    interest particularly for those who require camera mobility. A digital
    mixer by Videonics was said to be costly and may adversely affect the video
    quality. For those who can wait, Vicon has said that they are working on a
    software solution to split 2 fire-wire inputs at the PC but I am unsure
    about their progress with this.

    The hibernation (auto shutoff) appears to be a problem in many camcorders.
    Some only hibernate if there is a tape in the camcorder, and one response
    suggested that they avoid the auto shutoff by hitting record at the end of
    the tape. Also mentioned was that long (>15ft) fire-wire cables are diffult
    to obtain. I found longer firewire 1394 cables on one site, but they are
    costly (http://www.videonics.com/products/distancedv/). You can also use
    firewire repeaters (search 'IEEE 1394 repeaters') to string together
    multiple 15 foot cables.

    Ideally, we would like to send fire-wire inputs straight to the PC and then
    split the screen. Currently we divide two S-video inputs, record onto S-VHS
    tape, and convert to digital using a Dazzle Hollywood bridge. This setup
    works well, however the avi files have lost some quality and are very large.
    The replies have been helpful - we are now looking at some digital still
    cameras that support streaming video and are less costly, while we wait on a
    good digital mixer solution.

    Many thanks to all who replied - individual responses follow.

    Best regards,
    Matthew R. Walker, MSc
    Biomechanical Engineer, Motion Analysis Laboratory
    Shriners Hospital for Children, Erie, PA
    mrwalker@shrinenet.org

    ================================================== =====================
    From: "Mark Jaffrey"

    The hibernation shutdown 'feature' is very anoying! However, I don't think
    this occurs unless there is a tape in the cam, so you should be OK on this
    front. Most of the features you want require a pretty expensive cam and
    most of the feature you don't need will come with those anyway! My
    Panasonic NV-MX300 has a 3CCD and claims to have 1.8 Megapixel recording.
    It cost me over $3000 Australian $ last year.

    ================================================== =====================
    From: "Dr. Jack P. Callaghan, PhD"

    We use panasonic and canon cameras here for many of the reasons you listed.
    I believe panasonic is one of the very few brands that still offers an
    adjustable shutter speed. Canon has the progressive scan (new panasonics
    might but you need to check this).

    ================================================== =====================
    From: "Nicholas J. Gryfakis, M.S."

    You aren't going to find many cameras that don't have the automatic shutoff,
    but with the camera we purchased, we have been able to get around it by
    hitting the record button at the end of the tape. (Panasonic AG-EZ50U) We
    were also looking at the Canon GL2 and the Panasonic AG-DVX100. The GL2 and
    AG-DVX100 are much higher quality cameras than the AG-EZ50U, but we are
    pleased with the results so far. We are collecting all of our movie data
    through Workstation presently. As far as splitters are concerned, we are
    waiting for Workstation to be capable of taking two firewire inputs and
    split them for us. We investigated purchasing a digital splitter (by
    Videonics), but it was ridiculously expensive and Richard Baker (who has
    one) has said the results have been shaky.

    ================================================== =====================
    From: "Michael Orendurff"

    One more thing you'll have to look for is a firewire longer than 15 feet. I
    have bugged the Vicon guys about this, but no one has come up with one of
    the length needed to get sagittal and coronal views typical of most gait
    labs.

    ================================================== =====================
    From: "Dr. Stefan Schneider"

    We used the Sony VX 2000 a lot, which is a semi professional camera. But the
    Sony PC120 or the newest model PC330 will do the same job - all are MINIDV
    camcorder - its the best technique you can get for an affordable price. Just
    be carefull with JVC cameras. I made some bad experiences with that company,
    because not every tape is playable on a JVC camera. For most cameras you
    must have JVC-tapes.

    ================================================== =====================
    From: "Dr. Andrew Churchill"

    You might want to make sure autofocus can be turned off, if someone walks
    into a scene it will focus on them and then the
    background when they are not there. An alteration of focus also alters the
    zoom setting slightly so you might find if you want to collect spatial
    values from the footage they would have some error in there, i'm not sure
    how much.

    ================================================== =====================
    From: "Dr. Chris Kirtley, MD PhD"

    Haven't seen one myself yet, but this looks ideal for motion analysis:

    http://www.gizmo.com.au/public/News/news.asp?articleid=1738

    ================================================== =====================

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