Camera Advice Needed

I remember reading a review of the A1U when it came out. Exceptionally good video quality for a single chip camcorder. It should work.

Another consideration, if standard def is still an option, would be a used Sony PD170 (or even the older PD150), which has excellent low-light performance. You wouldn't need to annoy Grandma with bright lights in her eyes.

Ken
 
The more I think about it and stew about it, the more I think I'm taking Standard Def off the table. I mean everyone I know has a 720P or better widescreen TV and so I think high def is here and standard def is going to be ancient history one day. So I think I am going to be looking at a High Def camera with XLR inputs. So the next question I have is what is the differences in Frame Rates / 1080i vs 1080p / etc... What difference does it make? I mean I know the HVX200 has variable frame rates and captures 24 progressive frames per second, but what does than mean in the way of a finished video / asthetics?
 
My 2 cents.

Get a GH2 for about $900 (or get a GH1). Get a manual Nikon or Canon FD 50mm lens + adapter to micro4/3 (should total $60 or $70 total. Get a Tascam DR-100 for $300. Get a lav mic (Have to ask someone else about what a good lav mic is... I'm guessing you don't need the best one ever made... I'll guess in the $200 range). Get a 16 or 32 GB SDHC card (class 6 would be ideal)

GH2 records to SDHC cards (cheap) and has no issue with time limits like the Canon's 12 minute clip limit. My GH2 can record roughly 1.5 hours on it's 16GB card. It's 1080p and high quality, and you'll get a nicer "interview" look than you would with a 1/3rd or 1/4th inch chip camera.

You'd come in under $2000, get good audio, and a really nice looking image.

Just my 2 cents.

P.S. I think this is a really nice idea and I commend you for it. Whatever camera you choose, I hope it goes well for you and you're able to record some great stuff from your grandma.
 
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