"ryeish" <castint@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote in message news:r53kvv0ih9ul44nmeuv7tac22epmm8fpi8@4ax.com...

> The State agency I work for is shopping for a camcorder. The sole

> purpose of this unit will be to record some classes that are taught on

> an ongoing basis, such as CPR, take down procedures, sensitivity, etc.

> Most classes are 2 hours, but some are 4 and 8 hours. One of the

> important features would be the ability to plug in an external

> microphone so that the person teaching the class can clip the

> microphone to their clothing so we get a recording of what they're

> saying instead of background chatter.

>

> What type of camcorder can give us up to 4 hours of record time? Is

> the ability to plug in an external microphone standard or an option?

> (I saw a couple of VHS units that didn't have this feature)

>

> Could you recommend a model or good reseller to purchase from?

> Pricewise they want to stay under 1k.

>

> Thanks so much for any help/answers you can provide.

The only format that I can think of that can record a straight

4 hours (other than direct-to-hard-drive DV) is VHS (SVHS,

too?), in LP-mode (which can go up to 8 hours on thinner VHS

tape). The quality would be poor, though - and in inexpensive

Mini-DV models, the low-light range may not be sufficient

for your purposes even if the total cost of a suitable FireWire

video HD and low-end Mini-DV camera may be low enough.

Perhaps a Sony TRV19 (or 22) + suitable DV-video HD can

do it...

--

David Ruether

d_ruether@hotmail.com

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com