Video camera for recording fencing?

[tbryan]

This isn't a question about fencing itself, but it also didn't seem appropriate for the armory. Anyway, here it is.

I've recently decided that I'd like to buy something on which I can record footage of fencing bouts. Both my own and that of some of my students. (I'm a volunteer assistant coach at my club.)

Anyway, I've never owned a video/camcorder of any sort. So, I really know nothing about them. Not about media formats. Related software for storing or manipulating the video after the fact.

I was just hoping for some pointers on where to start reading about these devices. Actually, I can find that on my own. I was really hoping for any specific warnings like, "Don't get X since it's bad in low light situations, which includes many venues." Or "Stay away from Y since it can't maintain focus as the fencers move quickly up and down the strip."

[wflaschka]

Anyway, I've never owned a video/camcorder of any sort. So, I really know nothing about them. Not about media formats. Related software for storing or manipulating the video after the fact.

I've always just shot video with what I had handy. Lately I've been using a Sony digital cassette recorder which is pretty handy. I'm no camera person, so I don't know what the best cameras are, but the things I like in a camera:
- small size
- swivel screen
- FireWire/S-Video out
- Jiggle correction, so your hands can shake a little
- Rugged, so it can get banged about in transportation

By far however, the most important consideration for me is: How will you get the video out of the camera, edit it, and put it into a DVD. Capturing the video has always been the most time-consuming and frustrating aspect. Filming things is easy... putting the video into a format which you can use and share, is hard.

The Apple software that comes with their machines, iMovie and iDVD, are life-savers in this regard. The software is "mostly free", and makes the process easy if the camera uses FireWire. The final results are suitable for making DVDs of lessons and tournaments. If you need more, Apple also has tons of pro-level video and DVD software, which is used for making things like the Fencing Pictures DVDs.

The Windows platform may have video+dvd software that comes pre-installed now too, but I don't know very much about Windows anymore. Thank goodness.

[lindajdunn]

I've always just shot video with what I had handy. Lately I've been using a Sony digital cassette recorder which is pretty handy. I'm no camera person, so I don't know what the best cameras are, but the things I like in a camera:
- small size
- swivel screen
- FireWire/S-Video out
- Jiggle correction, so your hands can shake a little
- Rugged, so it can get banged about in transportation

By far however, the most important consideration for me is: How will you get the video out of the camera, edit it, and put it into a DVD. Capturing the video has always been the most time-consuming and frustrating aspect. Filming things is easy... putting the video into a format which you can use and share, is hard.

The Apple software that comes with their machines, iMovie and iDVD, are life-savers in this regard. The software is "mostly free", and makes the process easy if the camera uses FireWire. The final results are suitable for making DVDs of lessons and tournaments. If you need more, Apple also has tons of pro-level video and DVD software, which is used for making things like the Fencing Pictures DVDs.

The Windows platform may have video+dvd software that comes pre-installed now too, but I don't know very much about Windows anymore. Thank goodness.

I recently purchased a Sony which includes a memory stick so I can both film and take single frame photos. As my husband has a Macintosh, we've been using this to burn DVDs and the results are (imho) spectacular. Windows XP Service Pack 2 includes Windows Movie Maker 2.1.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...er/21/faq.mspx

has Frequently Asked Questions concerning the software.

I confess I've not used the one on my Windows XP system simply because the Macintosh (imho) is easier. Of course, this may be due to our own individual home setup rather than the features for the different applications.

[esskreemr]

I've been playing with the idea of getting a DVD Handycam. They're a little more expensive but record to a format and media that is easily viewable on most dvd players. Up to 60 minutes per disk and the disks aren't expensive compared to the tapes. In addition, they take still images.

Here is the one I would get if I didn't have uses for the money:
http://www.enotalone.com/photo/B0007LZGDS.html

Just a consideration. I can't actually recommend it one way of the other.

[wflaschka]

Here is the one I would get if I didn't have uses for the money:
http://www.enotalone.com/photo/B0007LZGDS.html

LOL... from the link: Price: Too low to display!

I thought about something like this, because that intermediary tape->digital step is such a hassle. But recording to DVD would mean having to capture off of DVD to edit the vid, which would be more of a hassle.

At least the way I shoot video, I need to be able to edit out all the bad stuff.

[WhipLash]

i would think capturing from a dv cassette would be more of a hassle. first u need a capture card, or firewire. second your computer must be reasonably powerful to handle video. third it takes a long time. for dvd all you have to do is pop it into your dvd drive. i'd get the sony dvd handycam if i had the cash. but if u are juz looking at something cheap to record your training sessions sony has some old model handycams that record on dv and are quite cheap.

[misha]

[QUOTE=esskreemr]

.... In addition, they take still images....

QUOTE]

Do not expect to have good still pictures of fencing actions with anything less
than digital SLR. Even with those, even professional photographers have
trouble to get fencing action with good quality



.

[bernard c]

A couple of these should do it:
http://www.ikegami.com/br/products/h...ra_frame1.html
then click HDL-40HS on the list at left 2/3 of the way down.

Don't forget the servers, sold separately, and maybe 50kW of HMI lighting.