I am in need of a used digital camcorder that has pass through capabilities. I am having issues converting analog tapes to digital files and thought perhaps this would be an easier route. The added benefit would be that I would have a digital camcorder when needed. Now that my daughter is growing up I don't have the need for one like I used to however there are still those times when it would come in handy. I was thinking perhaps of picking one up off Ebay but really don't know which ones would be particularly good deals or which ones to even look out for. Any recommendations of particular models to keep an eye out for would be appreciated. I am sure there were those models that were much better than some of the others. Thanks
There are different types of camcorders out there. There are miniDV tape, hard drive, miniDVD, and memory stick camcorders. The last thing that I would do is get one off of e-Bay. If you live in a European country, you can't legally purchase a camcorder with pass through capabilities. I prefer the miniDV tape camcorders, because for now, I have no need for Hi def movies.
See if you find a Canon Elura 100. I have one and it has the passthru. Definitley stay away from Ebay. I've been burnd a few times....
Sorry, but that is not true. There have been several models over the years which have analog inputs. The issue is European taxes on recorders. A camcorder becomes a recorder, like a VCR etc. Rich
Thanks for that clarification. Every Sony model, that I have seen, that has analog inputs available for US buyers, had an E after the model name for buyers in European countries, the E designating Europe. The Sony models, with the E designation, do not have analog inputs. I inquired somewhere, why, and was told it was no legal to sell video cameras, with analog inputs, in European countries. The answer that I got was pretty much what you said, except that I was told that that was why no pass through video cameras could be sold in European countries.
Here is a partial listing I researched in the past of PAL camcorders available in the UK which have "Analogue Inputs" (Analog-Digital Converter, commonly called 'Pass-Through'). I could very well have made an error, however I will wager an ale that I have not...: Rich
I'd buy you an ale, if I traveled across the pond. I am just going on information that I received, when I inquired. The answer that I got was evidently incorrect.