New vs Old Recorder Features

8/13/2011 | MosesKnows

[MosesKnows]

I have a low-cost JVC HM50, a Flip HD Video Ultra, and a DXG-125 High Definition Digital Camcorders. All serve their intended purpose well considering their relatively low cost. I also have a Sony DCR-TRV-608 Hi8 Tape Recorder and an even older Panasonic PV-420 VHS Tape Recorder.

The Panasonic is the reason for my post. I wanted to call upon the wide range of FreeRepublic members because searching the Internet hasn’t been entirely successful.

The VHS Panasonic has two features, Time lapse and High Speed Shutter Recording, I want in a Digital Camcorder. The “Time Lapse Recording” is the more important to me. High Speed Shutter recording allowed playing back on a VCR at 1/1000th of a second with no blurred vision. Time lapse recording recorded 1 second of video ever minute.

The JVC has Time Lapse recording that can be set to record at fixed intervals between 1 and 80 seconds. However, playback is 30 times recorded speed for 1 second interval and 2400 times recorded speed for the 80 second interval. The recording appears to be a single frame.

[MosesKnows]

Are there modern Digital Camcorders that have both of the Panasonic VHS features I described?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I would get a Canon camera, used or new, that runs CHDK.

I have bought several used Canons off craigslist for under $50 that I use for time-lapse photography.

That would be a cheap way to start and later you could get a more expensive camera if you wanted, but CHDK gives the lower-end Canons most of the features of a high-end camera.

[Vermont Lt]

A lot of mid range DSLRs have these features. You can get better lenses and other stuff as well for a camera vs video camera.

[Harpo Speaks]

Also remember, no matter if the camera is undercranked or overcranked, you can always fool around with it in editing to manipulate what you’ve got.

[ADemocratNoMore]

CHDK is definitely one way to go, but make sure the Canon camera supports it, it takes a year or so for the programmers to make a workable port. see...

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

You can get cheap but quite adequate remotes with intervalometers for many dslrs for $30 to $50 dollars from places like B&H or Adorama or Amazon.

For high speed slo-mo, something like the Casio EX-FH100 or EX-ZR100 may do the trick, although at the expense of resolution, 1000fps all but unusable, 224 x 160 at 420 fps not bad, as good as you got with analog tape, looks like 4x3 aspect ratio. Check out the reviews & samples on youtube.

[MosesKnows]

Are there modern Digital Camcorders that have both of the Panasonic VHS features I described.

I appreciate you and others making me aware of "CHDK". CHDK is a truly fascinating introduction into something I didn't even know existed. I will check to see if any of my Canon cameras are included.

However, what I was seeking was an off the shelf Camcorder with the features I described.