[MACEP] Camcorder

[Tim Chase]

> Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 09:48:36 -0700 (PDT)
> From: "Douglas Gravatt" <dgravatt at ttsd.k12.or.us>
> Subject: [MACEP] Video Camcorder
>
>
> I am looking for some advice.  My Drama and music departments are  
> looking
> for a DV camcorder.  It needs to have the following capabilities.
> Good in low light
> Good audio.  External mic. capability seems like a good idea.
> Video format that will upload to our Mac computers for video  
> editing.  I
> understand that the DVD-R formats don’t allow editing.
> Easy to use (students will be using it)
>
> I am looking for suggestions in two price ranges.  Cameras that  
> cost less
> than $700 and cameras that are over $1000
> Any suggestions?
> -- 
> Doug Gravatt
> Instructional Technology
> Tigard - Tualatin School Dist.
> (503) 431-5273
>

I have a couple of suggestions for what they're worth. (and we all  
know the value of free advice)

1) When students are going to use mobile equipment, there is great  
benefit from getting the longest warranty possible, even if it adds  
25% to the cost.
2) Every digital camera I've seen can attach to a mac via firewire (I  
haven't seen DVD-Rs, but I can't imagine that they really can't go  
out with firewire).
3) Having Mic-In is nice, but only for the occasions when I have the  
stage mic-ed for sound and I can come out from the sound booth and  
directly into the camera.
4) I am increasingly impressed with the video capabilities of the  
cheaper digital still cameras.  I recently bought a hybrid digital  
still/video Sanyo that I like.
5) The enormous advantage of the still/video cameras is the discrete  
files that it makes as you take clips.  Compare the classroom where  
teacher first films students doing an experiment, then imports from  
camera into iMovie, then exports/shares as a .mov file, then finally  
drags it into a powerpoint to show the class . . . with the teacher  
who films students, imports .mpg clips directly from camera, and puts  
them onto the powerpoint.  Skipping the iMovie step is huge in terms  
of making it accessible for same-day Jeopardy games and student  
projects.  (all this is moot if the point is to teach videography,  
even though .mpg files can be dragged into iMovie, too)
6) B&H Photo is a good source for purchase, and VideoOne in  
California is fabulous for camera repairs.

~Tim

"Many schools are out of sync with the way their students and adults  
communicate outside of school today. It’s as if we are preparing the  
kids for the past instead of the future.”     [Teaching & Learning,  
Feb 2007]
__________________
Tim Chase
Technology / Reading
LaPine Middle School
Bend LaPine School District





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