Still/Video Camera for students to learn?

[Mavoz]

Hi,

I'm a Computer teacher of Grade 5/6 students and am trying to get some low cost/lower quality cameras but that will still be good enough to introduce students to video editing.

Would love these features:

Ease of Download (ie. File based recording...not requiring capture)
Microphone input
Low Cost!
Compatibility with Video editor such as Premiere Elements.
Takes photos and video.

Can anyone recommend any cameras?

Am open to Digital Still...or Video...the quality of video does not need to be amazing...probably 640x480 or better.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Capt Quirk]

For around $130 USD, you can get a small Aiptek that shoots HD.

[Captain Pierce]

Mic input and low cost are increasingly mutually exclusive... some of the less expensive Canon ZR's used to have them, but not anymore (unless they put them back on the new 900's, I haven't checked yet).

[HBlack]

Aiptek doesn't make sense at all. No mic input, no manual controls, and you don't want to bother with HD when teaching 5th graders.

[Mavoz]

Thanks for the replies...I'm just trying to get something that will take basic quality footage..with no need for tape based capture.

HD is really not an issue as we just want a simple time efficient way to get video onto a computer that can be edited in a low end video editor...

I guess the mic input is the problem..so maybe we're better off just focusing on low cost cameras that takes reasonable video...and then we could always get 1 video camera with a mic input for the interview style shots.

Does anyone know of any type of video camera that is file based..has a mic input...and is low cost?

Thanks!

[mikkowilson]

I'm a little curious where the requirement of beeing file based comes from.

(Don't get me wrong, there are many advantages, I'm just curious of your preferance.)


- Mikko

[Mavoz]

Hi Mikko,

The key reason is speed and efficiency...

it takes away the need for the capturing process...and the camera being tied up.

We can simply copy all files to our server...camera can immediately be used by more students...video files can easily be copied to their own directories...sorted by date etc..

When dealing with 75 students across three classes..all who are 'digital natives'...it just seems a quicker method....

I just need the camera that will do it! We've used our current ones but the video is a little too dodgy..160x160 or something...

Being a HVX owner I love the P2 workflow..I just need a baby baby version of the same concept for our kids!

[mikkowilson]

As a former media teacher, I can totally relate to the need of getting gear out there again. And to educational "budgets" to do it all.


- Mikko

[Mavoz]

As a former media teacher, I can totally relate to the need of getting gear out there again. And to educational "budgets" to do it all.


- Mikko

Yes budget is certainly a challenge! Thanks for the understanding!

Anyway I found one option here: (complete with mic input)

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Canon-Enters-the-Solid-State-Memory-Category-34019.htm

They record to Mpeg 2. Any thoughts on the potential of these? Do any of the other companies offer a similar alternative?

[Mavoz]

Found a few more options here too...

http://www.elurauser.com/articles/CES2008-dual-flash-camcorders.jsp

one of these with a few cheaper regular dig cams may be a good way to go

[Captain Pierce]

I'm surprised to see Canon putting a mic jack on the FS-series cameras after taking it off everything else. That said, the FS10 looks like it could be right up your alley, Mavoz... :)

Actually, what I'm really surprised--not to mention annoyed--by is that they just put a mic jack back on the ZR900 series mini-DV camcorders after taking it off the 800's last year, just before I bought one. :(

[Mavoz]

Yeh..I don't know what it is with camera companies...they seem to hate putting mic jacks on cameras...and yet it is such a useful feature to have..even on low cost cameras etc.