Video Camera for High School Basketball Program-suggestions needed

[Mark Suszko]

As much as that camera may have to move, I would opine that you’d be better off with one that still uses a CCD chip, versus the now very popular CMOS chip. The CMOS chip cameras can have what some call the “jello-cam” effect, where vertical lines warp during fast pans. if this camera might be used hand-held under the basket somewhere, or along the edge of the court, jello-cam may be somethign you’d see a lot of. If the camera is perched high inthe stands for the overall wider shot coverage, this might be less an issue, IMO.

You say you want an SD camera. I’m tempted to suggest you look for used 3-chip broadcast cameras, which normally might be out of your price range, but lots of people are getting rid of theirs and moving to shiny new HD cameras so this is a good time to get a higher-end SD camera with some big glass, for less money. Might want to peruse what B&H has in their used department as a general guide.

[Chip Thome]

I agree, although not sure you need to go to broadcast level. There are lots of used Panasonic DVX100B model cameras entering the market, that do everything you describe and do it well. I sold mine a few months ago, and they brought me around $1350 each. Today I think I could find cams as nice as mine, for close to $1000 and maybe less. Most of those shooters are going DSLR and as nice as the DVX is, it’s not the same as a high def DSLR would be.

[Dave Petteruto]

Thanks for your input everyone. I appreciate your time.

Thanks
Dave P.

[Brent Dunn]

I do a lot of sport’s recruiting video. While filming over a Disney Wide World of Sports with my $6,000 Sony EX-1, I talked to an owner of a company that films most of the basketball tournaments there.

They actually use a $200 flip cam on a tripod. It looks great and is easy to upload to your computer for transfer to DVD.

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Video.com
Video Marketing Toolbox.net

Sony EX-1, V1U
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut Studio

HP i7 Quad laptop
Adobe CS-5 Production Suite

[Brent Dunn]

oh yeah, it’s always better to film in HD, even if you are delivering in standard def. Your final output will look better.

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Video.com
Video Marketing Toolbox.net

Sony EX-1, V1U
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut Studio

HP i7 Quad laptop
Adobe CS-5 Production Suite

[Dave Petteruto]

Hi Brent,
I have seen some video taken by a flip from the sidelines of a football game and it was pretty good stuff, but I wonder how the flip would handle the low light conditions of a high school gym?

Thanks
Dave P.