My mini-DV camcorder is acting up. I think it’s a JVC GR-DVF21U, circa 1999. There’s nothing particularly good about this model, it was small for it’s day but is quite large by 2005 standards. It’s giving me an E04 error. The Internets tell me that the primary fix is to give it a good whack, and the cause is either moisture or impact / vibration. I got the camera soaked rolling tape during the wet side of Wilma, it fell off my bed last week, and the headrest mount in my car vibrates like crazy — the E04 trifecta.
I think it’s time to just replace it.
My shopping parameters:
- Mini-DV: I don’t have many mDV tapes, but converting them to other formats is a big problem with my current camcorder acting up. I also like that mDV tapes are readily available at reasonable prices from most “big box” stores and places that do photo processing.
- Tripod mounting hole: I’ll mostly be using the camera for in-car filming, so it must attach to my headrest camera mount.
- Image stabilisation: Don’t much care if it’s digital or optical, but the car is a high-vibration environment and there needs to be compensation.
- Durable: Don’t want something that will die from vibrations. Being able to survive my dumb-ass standing outside recording the wet end of a hurricane is a big plus but I will endeavour not to do that again.
- Good battery life: Minimum 90 minutes continuous recording with the LCD on.
- Compact: The smaller it is, the greater the chance it won’t just collect dust in my closet once I build a more elaborate in-car recording system.
- Analog input: Handy to have but I would willing to forgo it for a camcorder that is exceptionally cheap.
- Inexpensive: The cheaper the better, I figure that JVC cost me around $100 per hour of raw footage and I ain’t too happy about it. I’m feeling like $350 from a highly reputable vendor (Amazon, JR, etc) is my absolute maximum, $300 would be better.
Any suggested models?
I could also use some pointers to camcorder review / comparison websites, I’m looking for the camcorder equivalent to DP Review or Steve’s Digicams.
