Sony Camcorders ??

[diversteve]

Whats a VOB file?

It's a container filetype used to store the data on a DVD during the burning process .vob is actually the file extension. From wikipedia:

A VOB file (DVD-Video Object or Versioned Object Base) is a container format contained in DVD-Video media. It contains the actual Video, Audio, Subtitle (VobSubs) and Menu contents in stream form.

More than you probably want to know: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VOB

 

[OceanObsessed]

If you buy a semi-generic housing (TopDawg, Ocean Images Dolphin Pro, others) you can always upgrade the camera later.

Great advice! Thanks. I like the Top Dawg housings.

Does your camera have a LANC port?

Judging from this chart (http://www.topdawgvideo.com/compatibility.htm) I would think so since my camera is compatible with both Top Dawg models. I'll have to check when I get home.

 

[diversteve]

Judging from this chart (http://www.topdawgvideo.com/compatibility.htm) I would think so since my camera is compatible with both Top Dawg models. I'll have to check when I get home.

It does, I went and looked it up:

The DCR-DVD403 has a number of ports. Located on the front of the camcorder, under a small port cover, is the machine’s A/V input/output. Its DC input is located on the right side at the upper left, with a LANC (remote) jack on the lower left.

btw, the reviewer went out of his way to comment on the low-light performance of your particular model:

The DCR-DVD403 really shines in low light, and quite unexpectedly. Throughout the last year, DVD camcorders have had horrible low light. In fact, they have had horrible everything, seemingly sacrificing manual control, low light performance, and compatibility conveniences for the gimmicky luxury of recording straight to DVD. Not so with this camcorder. Sony even reduces the price, relative to last year’s models, and offers low light and bright light video performance that is so surprisingly fantastic that I can’t believe I’m writing to recommend it--on a DVD camcorder no less

Read the whole review here:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-DCR-DVD403-Camcorder-Review.htm

btw, I just noticed that you're in Lauderdale, so you can pick up the TopDawg at Reef Photo/Video locally. Although with your stills setup, I'm guessing you already know Ryan...
http://www.reefphoto.com/index.php?...page=2&zenid=9fb5a8c0bccc776b59875d5e01d96925

 

[OceanObsessed]

Thanks for the links. You have been a tremendous help sjspeck! Great news on the low light review too. I need to read up on my camera... I really just know how to turn it on and film the kids. Now if I could just convince my wife that I need an expensive Top Dawg housing. Perhaps she will be getting one for Mothersday .

Yeah, I have met Ryan before. My cousin is actually one of the UPS delivery guys that delivers to Reef Photo. I just bought a flat port from Reef a couple of months ago. Super nice guy and very knowledgeable. I live dangerously close to his store and I am afraid to go in there. There is no telling what I might leave with .

 

[limeyx]

Thanks for the links. You have been a tremendous help sjspeck! Great news on the low light review too. I need to read up on my camera... I really just know how to turn it on and film the kids. Now if I could just convince my wife that I need an expensive Top Dawg housing. Perhaps she will be getting one for Mothersday .

Yeah, I have met Ryan before. My cousin is actually one of the UPS delivery guys that delivers to Reef Photo. I just bought a flat port from Reef a couple of months ago. Super nice guy and very knowledgeable. I live dangerously close to his store and I am afraid to go in there. There is no telling what I might leave with .

I sometimes see the topdawgs go for reasonable prices on ebay ...

 

[Trwmodela]

Ok, I just went ahead and ordered the Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV model. I am going to use this for a few years and learn about Videography. This is for FUN and thats what diving is for me. My plans are for an Ikelite Housing to keep the cost down. Both pieces are going to cost me $1,200 plus shipping. Lot's to learn before my Nekton Rorqual Northwest Bahamas trip in September.

 

[OceanObsessed]

I sometimes see the topdawgs go for reasonable prices on ebay ...

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep an eye out.

 

[robint]

Ok, I just went ahead and ordered the Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV model. I am going to use this for a few years and learn about Videography. This is for FUN and thats what diving is for me. My plans are for an Ikelite Housing to keep the cost down. Both pieces are going to cost me $1,200 plus shipping. Lot's to learn before my Nekton Rorqual Northwest Bahamas trip in September.

I have the Sony HC-42 with Ikelite housing and I am very pleased with it. I chatted with Ike about the mirror reversal issues and he had me send him my housing where he mounted the little switch inside for reversing the image back when viewed in the mirror. So if you get the Ikelite housing, give them a call and ask about it.

As far as HD not being as good low-light... it all depends which one they had, just like the others say. Every camcorder on the market has different lenses and lux ratings. When I got my HC-42 last xmas, I considered many different HC models on the market before I picked it. To me it looked the best overall as far as ratings. From what I have seen, the HD-1 and HD-3 seem to be giving divers the best results. Not too much good posted yet from divers using the HD-5 or HD-7.

here is a link to some videos I shot in very very low light with my HC-42. I am very pleased with it. Every now and then it is too dark to be able to focus well but that is rare.
please right click on link and "Save Target As" to your computer and play it from there.
http://www.rnrscuba.net/BlueholeJuly2006.wmv
http://www.rnrscuba.net/Grace/Grace_2006.wmv
http://www.rnrscuba.net/video_clips/Diving-BlueHoleMarch2006.wmv

robint

 

[Trwmodela]

Enjoyed the video clips and the amazing growth on the Oil Rig. Yes, I did order the Ikelite housing for my new Sony DCR-HC96.