I'm not sure exactly what you are trying to do. It almost sounds like you want to record to tape *and* hard drive. If you want to skip tape altogether, there are digital video cameras that save to flash memory cards (generally, Secure Digital cards or CompactFlash cards) or Microdrives (CompactFlash interface).
The higher-end (prosumer) ones I think start with the JVC Everio Tom's Hardware site has a typically thorough review (although http://graphics.tomshardware.com/video/20050113/ Rundown of features: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=14004270 Review from video camera site: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/JVC-GZ-MC500-Camcorder-Review.htm Some other members of JVC Everio line record direct to hard drive: http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/JVC-Introduces-Four-Hard-Drive- Based-Everio-Camcorders.htm (Not sure of availability, though). An older review at http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/JVC-GZ-MC100- First-Impressions-Camcorder-Review.htm mentions competitors of the JVC, namely the Fisher/Sanyo FVDC1 flash media camcorder and the Panasonic SV-AV100. You should read the preview to see the features of those cameras. There are many lower-end choices that record directly to Secure Digital cards. In terms of quality, I would start with the Sanyo/Fisher Xacti C5 (reportedly very good quality). You may want to look at Panasonic's SD line as well. Or try Samsung SC- X105, or Canon SD500 (or newer replacement model). The Canon is a digital still camera that can record unlimited video direct to SD card. As you move to the digital camera area, you may lose the ability to zoom while recording. And as you move to the lower end (less than US$200) you start to get Webcam quality and you lose one or more of resolution, optical zoom, low-light (read: normal room light) capability, and frames per second. Not sure if this is exactly what you are looking for. Hope this helps. Greg Smith Author, FeederReader - Pocket PC *direct* RSS text, audio, video, podcasts www.FeederReader.com - Download on the Road --- In videoblogging@yahoogroups.com, DrLinton Hutchinson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > For those Video Gurus out there - I have a question > Is there a camcorder that you can be shooting and at the same time it > saves to an external hard drive rather than tape? A 3 chip version > would be a preference, but one that can be recording action and also > saving it to a hard drive would be perfect! > > Thanks in advance > > With friendly greetings, > > > Linton > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Most low income households are not online. Help bridge the digital divide today! http://us.click.yahoo.com/I258zB/QnQLAA/TtwFAA/lBLqlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/videoblogging/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
