Video camera suggestions please to record play/poss streaming

Kickin' Chicken

Kickin' Chicken

Kick Shot Aficionado
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Hello all;

I am wanting to go forward with a camera purchase for my rec room to record play and am also considering if it's not too expensive to have streaming capabilities, as well.

My questions:

1. Are cameras for streaming different than regular cameras?

2. Is it actually just a camcorder that I need?

3. Since streaming for me is pie-in-the-sky at the moment, if there is a big $ difference, then can anyone suggest a good quality brand/model camcorder?

4. Do these cams typically come with or have avail as an accessory, a wall mount kit?

5. Finally, what is the media type used these days for new cams, cd, sd card, or otherwise?

As you might have guessed from these questions, I'm not residing on the edge of new technology. :confused: But that won't stop me from trying to get-r-done. ;)

Any and all replies will be most appreciated.

Best,
Brian kc
 
Just what do you mean by "streaming capabilities"?

Wall mounts will need to be purchased separately. Make sure you get one that matches the mounting pad on the camera. It isn't easy. The vendors don't seem to care much about good product description. I'm sure someone on this forum can lead you in the right direction.

Dave Nelson
 
Dave Nelson said:
Just what do you mean by "streaming capabilities"? Dave Nelson
Click to expand...

Hi Dave and thanks.

Basically, if I have some friends over to play and wanted to post it via ustream for instance. Again, that's not very important to me at the moment but if such a camera was avail for not too much more $, I'd consider getting it.

Best,
Brian kc
 
I'm not sure but if you ask someone like Bigtruck, he could tell ya. The last stream he did in Texas this past weekend was the best I've ever seen. I'm sure he spends a lot of $$$ on his equipment to do such clear feeds but I'll bet you can get a decent cam for a fair price. Good Luck
 
Brian

All of the consumer grade camcorders have nearly the same capabilities and I think any of them would do what you want to do.

I have 2 cameras. A high end Sony hdr-sr1 hard drive which was originaly a $1700.00 camera but was a discontinued model on sale and I got it for about $800.00. You can get its equivalent today I think for about $600.00 but that is way more than you need to pay. My second camera is a Cannon zr800 tape drive which ran $280.00. There is no difference between the two in the quality of the videos. The hard drive will record 684 minutes and it takes 12 seconds to erase and reformat the disk for a new start. The tape will only take 1 hour, but it doesn't take long to insert a new tape.

I'm a real amature at this myself but if there is any more I could help you with don't hesitate to ask.

Dave Nelson
 
I would suggest that you use a mini DV Camcorder, uses a mini digital tape. The benefit of this cam is that it connects to the computer via firewire and everything that I have read is that it is a better connection for video transfer than USB.

Two years ago I bought a new Canon Vixia HV30 (records in High Def) for $1,000 and it does a great job for streaming.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=177&modelid=16206

Here a sample of the streaming quality of that cam with a good internet upload speed (about 1mbps).
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2336779

I recently bought a Canon Optura 30 off from ebay for less than $100, including shipping. It isn't quite the cam as the hv30 but still has good quality.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=174&modelid=10079

The very beginning of this video is using the Optura 30 and later the overhead view of the table is using the HV30, if you watch far enough into the clip, the "booth cam" is logitech webcam, which I would not recommend for streaming pool. The webcam doesn't handle motion very well and is a very wide angle lens that may give some curvature to straight lines. This was streamed from a venue that has a very limited internet connection, less than 400kbps upload speed and limits the quality of the stream.
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/7463109
Here is a link to all the older models in the Canon line, if you would like to do some research.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ArchiveAct&fcategoryid=2464

Keep in mind that to use the mini DV cams you must have a computer with a firewire port and not all have that today.

I am not an expert by any means but if there is anything I can do to help I'll be happy to do what I can.

Steve

There is a HV30 on ebay now, if you can get this for less than $450, I think you will be very happy.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-Vixia-HV30-Mini-DV-1080i-HD-Camcorder-W-EXTRAS-/180520395729?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Camcorders_Professional_Video_Cameras&hash=item2a07daa3d1
 
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Kickin' Chicken said:
Hello all;

I am wanting to go forward with a camera purchase for my rec room to record play and am also considering if it's not too expensive to have streaming capabilities, as well.

My questions:

1. Are cameras for streaming different than regular cameras?

2. Is it actually just a camcorder that I need?

3. Since streaming for me is pie-in-the-sky at the moment, if there is a big $ difference, then can anyone suggest a good quality brand/model camcorder?

4. Do these cams typically come with or have avail as an accessory, a wall mount kit?

5. Finally, what is the media type used these days for new cams, cd, sd card, or otherwise?

As you might have guessed from these questions, I'm not residing on the edge of new technology. :confused: But that won't stop me from trying to get-r-done. ;)

Any and all replies will be most appreciated.

Best,
Brian kc
Click to expand...

Brian,

Give me a call. I'll help you hook your room up.

Ray

254-379-2569
 
Great info, and nice stream you linked, the players were very elegant and courteous, exactly the opposite of how pool/billiards is represented 99% of the time.

sde said:
I would suggest that you use a mini DV Camcorder, uses a mini digital tape. The benefit of this cam is that it connects to the computer via firewire and everything that I have read is that it is a better connection for video transfer than USB.

Two years ago I bought a new Canon Vixia HV30 (records in High Def) for $1,000 and it does a great job for streaming.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=177&modelid=16206

Here a sample of the streaming quality of that cam with a good internet upload speed (about 1mbps).
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/7463109

I recently bought a Canon Optura 30 off from ebay for less than $100, including shipping. It isn't quite the cam as the hv30 but still has good quality.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=174&modelid=10079

The very beginning of this video is using the Optura 30 and later the overhead view of the table is using the HV30, if you watch far enough into the clip, the "booth cam" is logitech webcam, which I would not recommend for streaming pool. The webcam doesn't handle motion very well and is a very wide angle lens that may give some curvature to straight lines. This was streamed from a venue that has a very limited internet connection, less than 400kbps upload speed and limits the quality of the stream.
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2336779

Here is a link to all the older models in the Canon line, if you would like to do some research.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ArchiveAct&fcategoryid=2464

Keep in mind that to use the mini DV cams you must have a computer with a firewire port and not all have that today.

I am not an expert by any means but if there is anything I can do to help I'll be happy to do what I can.

Steve

There is a HV30 on ebay now, if you can get this for less than $450, I think you will be very happy.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-Vixia-HV30-Mini-DV-1080i-HD-Camcorder-W-EXTRAS-/180520395729?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Camcorders_Professional_Video_Cameras&hash=item2a07daa3d1
Click to expand...
 
thank you

A BIG thank you to Dave, sde, mikeiniowa, APA32920, and Big Truck Ray for your kind responses.

I did look at all of the links provided by sde and enjoyed the 3 cushion play. I am keeping an eye on the canon cam on ebay.

I put in a call to Ray per his generous offer for a telephone consult, and am looking forward to hearing back, given his major expertise with this.

I will keep you all posted on how things shake out.

Best,
Brian kc
 
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