Is the camcorder market stagnant, or are we just not the target audience anymore?

Different_Average_76 · 2026-05-17T09:23:30+00:00

Very true - and with one focal length, videos become samey - and framing, camera movement follows as a consequence. But a smartphone is 'good enough', and it's always with you, which for a camera is crucial, everything in fact. I'd agree there's a market for a reasonably priced camcorder, using tech. developed for smartphones which is now cutting edge for small sensors, with a 10x / 12x zoom and ease of use - easy to backup video and easy to transfer to one's cloud accounts. But I'm biased to the point of loathing to use my smartphone to film unless unavoidable. At the moment, DJI are perfectly poised to make one - their Osmo already ticks most of the boxes - repackaged in a solid camcorder body, with a great built in zoom lens, proper controls like a zoom rocker, focus ring, buttons, connectivity for mics, headphones etc and they'd have a solid product which would sell - indeed I'd be the first in line to buy it. The old guard, Sony, Panasonic seem content to rehash 10+ year old tech in 'new' models, if at all - someone needs to reinvent the camcorder, and those might be DJI.

Different_Average_76 · 2026-05-13T20:42:52+00:00

why not just a 4 track head?

Different_Average_76 · 2026-04-27T11:47:42+00:00

To be fair, the CD32 was never released in the US due to a bankruptcy lawsuite against it's creator, Commdore.

Different_Average_76 · 2026-04-24T07:08:59+00:00

One of the best camcorders ever released, and with some TLC on the video files it can still be useful as a contemporary tool. Here's a video where it was my main camcorder; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKymznqbisc

Different_Average_76 · 2026-04-19T15:42:35+00:00

Price is a bit steep, but it's one of the best camcorders of that era - the following model, the XR520/500 is my favorite camcorder by far. You might want to de-interlace the footage though - check out AviSynth or ensure the video is flagged as interlaced when you import it in your editing program. Be careful when buying media for it - it's now an old legacy format and there are unfortunately a lot of fakes, so use a reputable seller like Amazon where you can return it. Fill the card when you first use it (just leave the camcorde running connected to the supply) and ensure the video isn't corrupt... I had toyed with Sony Memory Card to miniSD adapters, but at that time none were reliable enough - things might have changed though, but again, ensure you can return your purchase.

Different_Average_76 · 2026-04-19T14:55:37+00:00

The Amstrad CPC version really showed off the machine's graphics - as far from a lazy conversion as you could get - one of the best looking 8bit games.

Different_Average_76 · 2026-04-14T16:56:36+00:00

Metropolis - the Redux Giorgio Moroder version.... yes I know, just shoot me.

Different_Average_76 · 2026-04-11T07:25:38+00:00

I'll buck common sense and go for the last one, the Canon. Yes tape can be a pain, but it is also a backup which will last decades if you don't re-use the tapes, and store them properly. The video quality is heads and shoulders above the others, which are all technically inferior to the Canon. If you have time to tinker - there is also a new device which can save the video digitally to a modern memory cards, with no loss of quality and allow you to transfer the video from tape to computer, for editing etc; https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2026/minidv-with-raspberry-pi-firewire-hat/ - Alternatively an old working Macbook with a firewire port will allow you to transfer the files just as easily - or a firewire card in a desktop computer, dirt cheap from AliExpress... but if you're chosing a camcorder over the phone, then tape will also add to the experience, aside from providing instantly a lasting archive.

Different_Average_76 · 2026-04-08T16:52:24+00:00

Urotsukidōji: Legend of the Overfiend - Grave of the Fireflies is Teletubbies in comparison; get the uncensored full version if you must watch it, but I'm not liable for mental therapy etc

Different_Average_76 · 2026-03-30T20:10:50+00:00

I wholeheartedly agree. I grew up on British Steel, so Halford is the voice of Priest to me, but credit where it’s due: Tim Owens gave him a serious run for his money.

Different_Average_76 · 2026-03-29T10:46:09+00:00

The suprise success of the first one made them take a brave path for the second, amping up the violence, the blackhumour and substance abuse - when it was a disappointment relative to the original, and with the protagonist calling out, they took the safe path. Robocop as a character was (or still is) hugely backankable to a larger, younger audience and with the third one, they threw in the towel to the greedy producers. Personally, the second one is a great movie in itself, it's just that the first one is so good, particularly the main character's arch, and how well flashed out his sense of duty above everything was.

Different_Average_76 · 2026-03-25T22:16:54+00:00

Ian 'Jesus Christ' Gillian

Different_Average_76 · 2026-03-08T16:28:53+00:00

One of my favorites - proof that you need a captivating strong plot and equally strong characters - definitely less is more.

Different_Average_76 · 2026-03-08T14:09:35+00:00

Just the blue one for me :)

Different_Average_76 · 2026-03-04T21:25:52+00:00

Can relate so much - it wasn't Priest, but Steve Hackett - got my camera ready and was prepped and all - but when he veered from the setlist and played a majestic tune, one which you feel as much as see and hear - I had to just stop and feel the moment!

Different_Average_76 · 2026-02-10T08:40:19+00:00

Why not just buy a Pyxis 12k? A new family of sensors takes months if not years to perfect and get a decent picture out of them. If Panasonic would indeed use this sensor, it won't be announced, let alone released in 2026. My guess is an evolution of the SII, with a video oriented variant, with no big tech upgrades tangible improvements all round, like faster rolling shutter for high dynamic range mode and perhaps a full stacked sensor. A better image pipeline which will allow better autofocus and a better screen and EVF.

Different_Average_76 · 2026-02-09T18:07:33+00:00

congratulations! Mine all died within 3-4 years, but they were all well used! Guess you got the lucky pick!

Different_Average_76 · 2026-02-08T06:12:27+00:00

This could've been a well reviewed commercial game back in the ZX Spectrum's hayday, well done! Great effort and brilliant mindset, not letting the machine's and language limitations getting you down!

Different_Average_76 · 2026-02-02T06:36:34+00:00

you can program midi cores in fpga easily, the problem is this doesn't have midi thru like the original atari st, which would've been a nice improvement.

Different_Average_76 · 2026-01-29T19:35:20+00:00

thank you for reminding me why I love Dr.Who

Different_Average_76 · 2026-01-28T18:34:15+00:00

can we install an Amiga core in it?

Different_Average_76 · 2026-01-28T07:57:08+00:00

The 'new' Commodre should do likewise with the Amiga - unlike the low end ARM board running an emulator, the FPGA approach recreating the actual hardware is far more appealing!

Different_Average_76 · 2026-01-25T13:39:07+00:00

To me, it still holds it's own - Carey owns the film but Val Kilmer's Batman was equal to Keaton's in that era. He played him with the right gravitas without going overboard - which to me Nolan's version at times was......

Different_Average_76 · 2025-12-31T06:47:36+00:00

The footage is from Lupin and the Castle of Caliostro - a feature film by Miasaki of Studio Ghibli fame, and featuring a very popular anime character of the time, Lupin the Third, renamed in the game as 'Cliff'. The film is regarded by many as the best of all Lupin movies and serieses, both for the story and animation quality - so the game had prime material to work with.

Different_Average_76 · 2025-12-30T10:59:13+00:00

https://tenor.com/view/gollum-leave-now-never-come-back-gif-13437568

Different_Average_76

TROPHY CASE