Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xCustomx]

I'd like to invest in a camcorder before I head to Europe this summer, but am not sure which kind to get.

I'm looking at a Canon HV20 and a few other Sony models. Does anyone have any experience purchasing an HD camcorder?

[Col.Brandon]

I recently did a lot of research into buying an HD camcorder. In the end I decided on a Panasonic NV-GS65 - new old stock (2005 model) that is actually higher-spec than subsequent models. It got really good scores from several online reviewers that I researched. I got the camera and a bunch of accessories for around 480,000 won from auction.co.kr. Paid over 3 months on the credit card, it was a pretty painless purchase.

I'm really happy with it - quality is great and it's a third of the price of newer model HD cameras, whilst the mini-DV tapes are cheap and store their high-quality video digitally.

In my opinion, for the money HD camcorders that record to DVD are slow to write, whilst the models with built-in hard-drives limit your options if the drive is full and you can't necessarily upload your video to clear out the drive while you're in the field.

If you want to do your own research, try googling something like "Best Camcorder review" and see what you find. I added "Under $500" to my search and came up with a winner.

Edit: Here's one available online in Korea for 495,000:
http://cameraline.co.kr/layout.php?cath=shop&exec=view&uid=26941&code=primary

Another one for 400,000
http://www.bb.co.kr/main/pd/go_mall_report.php?mall_info=pd_id%3D229120%26pr_id%3D82457902&mall_id=3112&m_name=%B5%F0%C4%AB%BA%F4%B8%AE%C1%F6&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdicavillage.co.kr%2Flayout.php%3Fcath%3Dshop%26exec%3Dview%26uid%3D12388%26code%3Dprimary

Some more camcorders in Korea:
http://www.bb.co.kr/main/pd/pd_list.php?cid=020330020005&qword=camcorder

Camcorder review/comparison site
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

Happy hunting.

[spliff]

Yes, by all means...get two, even.

[genezorm]

yes do it...it will help the korean economy

[JiH]

The only issue with HD camcorders is space. If you're going to start archiving and capturing memories in HD, you will need GB of storage. A 1 terabyte array is no longer overkill but more like a necessity for even a modest HD library.

Also unless you've got an HD television then you'll only be able to see your footage as SD on your television.

Just some things to consider when given the fact that HD camcorders continue to improve on an annual basis.

[EricB]

I bought an HV20 a month or two ago here in Seoul. The video it captures looks great and I definitely would recommend it. Make sure you get a decent tripod for shooting in HD though, as any shakiness is amplified quite a bit.
The difference between standard def and high def really is quite significant. I couldn't imagine shooting any other way, especially with HD becoming more and more widespread all the time. Basically, if you are even asking yourself whether you should get an HD camera (as opposed to an SD camera) then the answer is yes. If you don't you will probably just end up buying a new camera in or year or two.
If you are interested in the HV20, check out www.hv20.com. Extremely helpful forum.

[xCustomx]

[EricB]

If you order from the States, expect to pay at least another 100,000 won in import taxes/fees. Still it may be slightly cheaper. I paid 800,000 won for my HV20 which is a bit more expensive than it is in the U.S. I have never seen either camera on display in Yongsan, but I went knowing what I wanted. I asked shop owners until I found a place that had it. Go to the second floor of Jeonja land and ask pretty much any place that sells cameras. They should be able to help you.

[xCustomx]

Just picked up a Canon HV30 for $650 from BH Photo, which is more than $300 cheaper than any Korean place.

Here's the link to the forum where you can get one. Make sure to use the link in the first post since it will give you a discount rate.

[sistersarah]

I've started researching camcorders as I'd like to get one soonish, and I'm definitely intimidated by all the information out there. I found this site which may be helpful to beginners like me:
http://www.easycamcorders.com/content/Beginners-Guide.htm


I have a question. Is sharing videos easy? The reason I want to get a camcorder is to send videos (hopefully burned to DVD) to my family. Is this pretty easy with camcorders these days?

[dc'79]

I have a Sony HDR SR5.

It can be a bit of a pain...since Sony uses a different format to record/play. But most major video editing software can handle it just fine. Havent tried burning onto dvd yet.

Video is awesome, records in 5.1 surround sound and I dont have to carry anything else since 40G is pretty hard to fill in one sitting. (for me anyways - I always record max settings)

[sistersarah]

[hanguker]

I say buy a nice still-shot camera. I always regret when I have to haul around a camcorder when I travel. You will never want to sit around video'ing things...and if you do get the inkling, all new cameras will allow for some decent video. Just MHO.

[sistersarah]

[bassexpander]

Sarah, a lot of photo cameras do great video. Many of the Canon cameras do video better than a lot of video cameras do. And they save to files on flash cards, which are easily compressed using the free program Windows MovieMaker, and then e-mailed.