Camcorder suggestions

Looking to upgrade my equipment.
Anybody have any suggestions for a good camcorder.
Something small for surveillance. Not those large $5000 ones
Just thought I'll ask and see what anybody suggests.

I am considering a Sony DCR-SR42 or 45. It has a 30gb internal hard drive, accepts a memory card also, 40x optical zoom. That's kind of why I like it. It has a good zoom capability. Wish it had an optical view also instead of just the screen though. Anybody have any experience with one of these.
It's the best I have seen so far (compact wise).
I'm probably going to check it out first hand at a store, but would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks

_________________
If the world didn't suck we would all fall off. (Luvonda)
Nobody has power over you that you do not allow them to have. (Scott)
Be careful of the seeds you plant because one day they will be harvested.

Dave
Private Investigator
Licensed by the NYS DOS Division of Licensing

Dave,

Be careful about investing alot of money in equipment and stuff just starting out. A year or 2 down the road you may decide to get out and be stuck with a huge investment.

You can find plenty of quality used items in pawn shops and e-bay that is adequate for the job. I still have and use a Hi-8 camcorder for jobs that require videotaping. I paid clsoe to $300 for it in 2006; now it's worth less than $100...but it still looks and operates like it did the day I bought it.

Here's something else to consider; not all courts accept digital imagery from cameras and video recorders. They can be manipulated too easily with computer programs. So alot of courts still require actual 35 mm or hi-8 or other film based cassettes for admission as evidence in cases.

Check with your local attorney's or DA's office for rules governing admission of evidence. Afterall, it is the Da who would be prosecuting you.

_________________
River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

I believe someone has told me that the ones that record directly on to DVD are good for court. I forgot about the court thing. Thanks. I wasn't even thinking about it.

I believe I'll still be around in two years. I invested a lot of time and effort to get Licensed here in NY (no easy task). If anything I'll have employees under me doing the work, with any luck, if I decide not to work anymore.

I have a hi-8 already, but want something with some more zoom capability so I can stay a little more covert.
The reason I'm upgrading is because I was conducting a lot of surveillance before and I always said that it would have helped me more if I can zoom in a little closer.
I stopped for a while to care for my child (stay at home dad) so I didn't need it then. I had to stop because many of those assignments are early morning jobs and I just couldn't do it (still can't unless wife is off )
I targeted at getting more BE assignments, but it's kinda slow for me.
The business is there it's just that I'm not getting it (since I went on my own I lost many contacts). It's a who knows who world as I said many times.
So it looks like I'm going to have to go back into getting those investigative surveillance jobs.
That's why I'm preparing now.
Thanks for your advice

_________________
If the world didn't suck we would all fall off. (Luvonda)
Nobody has power over you that you do not allow them to have. (Scott)
Be careful of the seeds you plant because one day they will be harvested.

Dave
Private Investigator
Licensed by the NYS DOS Division of Licensing

I recently researched camcorders too because I needed to upgrade from my older Sony camcorder. After much research, I decided on the Sony HC 62 a mini dv camcorder.
The odd thing about this particular Sony is that it cannot be purchased in stores anywhere ( at least that I have found) but can only be purchased online.
I am both a registered VA Private Investigator and a licensed BEA and soon to be Bail Bondsman as soon as I pass the State Insurance test and pay my fees.
For my surveillance requirements, I need super night shot, a high quality CCD, a remote control and time and date stamp transferability as well has a good optical x. All of the hard drive Sony's fail to transfer time and date stamp easily and have a much lower optical x.
I also discovered that the higher the optical x the poorer the quality of the video. I had originally thought I would want the 40 x optical but all of these Sony's had the lower quality CDD, so I went with the 25X of the HC 62 and added a 2x magnifier.
'Since I often use the camcorder as a camera only, linking it to a portable dvd recorder powered by a power inverter and marine batteries, I am not particularly concerned with tape time. However, if I am on the move, the mini dv still allows for enough time usage.
The best place I have found to order one is though Sam's Club because it offers the least expensive price as well as the least expensive 3 yr warranty.
Watch out for the gray market knock off's from NY. These are the cheapest on the net but they are not warranty by the US Sony manufacturers...so you are out of luck if it breaks.

_________________
Jenifer Jewell
AT YOUR SERVICE BAIL BONDS & RECOVERY
Private Investigator/Bail Enforcement Agent/Bail Bonds
DCJS 99-183465
Virginia

Thanks for passing the info Jenifer.
I'll check it out.

_________________
If the world didn't suck we would all fall off. (Luvonda)
Nobody has power over you that you do not allow them to have. (Scott)
Be careful of the seeds you plant because one day they will be harvested.

Dave
Private Investigator
Licensed by the NYS DOS Division of Licensing