Camcorder Recomendations

Hey everyone I'm getting a new camcorder and I really want a HDD (Hard drive) based camcorder, no miniDV or dvds but I don't really know what kind to get. i was looking at all of the Sony's and they look and sound good, but the only problem is they use some wierd format for their video that doesn't work with FCP. I know you can convert it all but it's a hassle. Do any of you have some good ones, maybe an Everio or a Panasonic?

Forget the SD1 and the SR82/300 as they both use the AVCHD/MPEG-2 formats which will cause you a whole lotta problems trying to edit with in FCP. MPEG-2 is a delivery format not editing and if you manage to get it into your system, probably using MPEG Streamclip and the $20 Apple MPEG-2 playback component, the quality will certainly take a hit - don't bother.
IMHO - AVOID AVCHD/MPEG-2 FORMAT CAMERAS! If in doubt, search this forum for further info.
You're best options are:
1) Minidv (cheap tapes, straightforward editing workflow)
2) HDV - Better quality images but editing difficulties and expensive external monitoring. Search the forum for HDV to check out the workflow and editing difficulties.
So, personally, if you're looking at cameras in the sub $1000 bracket, I'd advise MiniDV. Again the GS500 appears to fit the bill (although it has no headphone jack).
When you say good stabilization, most camcorders have some form of image stabilization or another but none are a substitute for holding it steady to start with - a tripod (even a small one) is a must - I find that with a small camera, doing handheld shots with a tripod or monopod attatched are more stable.
You could always make your own 'steadicam'
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/
How much better is the quality of picture in a miniDV than an HDD?
Once its been through the editing hoops, the quality from HDD will be noticeably inferior. Directly connecting the cam to your tv you won't notice a difference unless it's hi-def.

Similar Messages

  • Camcorder format recomendations

    I am looking for a new Camcorder. Sony and Canon are my top choices for Hard Drive HiDef cameras. I would really like one that records the video files in a format that can be directly used by FCE 4 rather than having to convert them or have to render the clips when I bring them into FCE 4.
    Mostly, I have used tape based cameras that have to have FCE capture the data through FireWire as it plays it back, so they get stored as MOV files. However, my Pentax K-x records HiDef video as well, but it stores them as files in an AVI file wish requires a render before I can do anything with them. I really want to avoid that if possible.
    Any recommendations?
    Thanks.

    If you're looking for a HD hard-drive camcorder, you'll have to purchase one that records in AVCHD. I'd recommend checking the websites of Sony and Canon to pick out an AVCHD camera that works for you and fits into your budget.

  • Need recommendation for video camcorder

    I have an old Sony DCR TRV8 mini DV standard def camcorder. It has recently been giving me problems. I love the FireWire interface. I generally use it to make home movies and my kids use it to make their music videos. I would like to spend under $500 for a new camcorder. Of course, it must work with FCP X. Any suggestions ?  I realize I won't be getting a pro camera for that price, but I need one that is easy to use decent zoom and decent picture. Keep in mind where I'm coming from (the Sony).
    Thanks

    Hi Alfredo,
    don't let you make you 'monkeys' on these quality-only-with-big-bucks discussion.
    for sure, you get a decent quality for $500 - if you keep some simple rules (of photography) in mind.
    It's very difficult to recomend types&models, due to different demands ...
    Example: I LOVE my Lumix FZ35/38 ($300!) - it lacks a mic-in, no foldable screen, no 'FullHD', handling like a stills-cam (which it is) not like a 'camera' - but for MY needs a superb camera: 26mm (KB) wide-angle, you'll not find on camcorders (perhaps a few) good for indoors, it has a super-zoom (>500mm/KB) good for my soccer movies, it allows manual control for more cinematography needs (aperture, speed, ...), it's small and reliable. And records in 720p good for my 'effects' and is fully compatible with iMovie and FCPX.
    For 'camcorder' I lately was pointed to the Panasonic HDC-SD99 ... seems to be a very nice device, and (almost) within your budget
    Make a wish list - what do YOU need your camera for?
    lots of indoor (e.g. daughter's ballet)? => light sensitivity, big lense, 3 ccd?
    lots of 'action' (e.g. skiing) => simple to use, no -zillions of knobs to care for
    lots of audio (e.g. music tutorials) => ext. mic-in or additional costs for am audio rec device as H1
    lots of 'long lense' (e.g. nature, football, ... ) => avoid 'digital zoom', get a real glass zoom
    camcorderinfo.com is an excellent source for technical info and independent tests.
    All AVCHD-devices are supported by  FCPX, except the latest models with 1080/50p/60p ... (fingers crossed, Apple updates to AVCHD v2 soon ... FCPX DOES handle these formats, but not straight from camera)
    Take super-zoom/bridge cameras into consideration ... somehow, the market for camcorders shrink, the all-in-one-devices, stills with video-ability, is common standard. DSLR is nice to have, but a) $.$$$, and b) not meant for point 'n shoot, in terms of: for real quality such devices need photographer's skills.

  • Unable to capture movie from camcorder.

    I had tried to capture a movie from HDV camcorder for the first time since I updated to 10.5,
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    Anyone with similar symptoms? Any troubleshoot check list anyone?

    yes, my powerbook is too slow to capture at full resolution, so I've tried with smaller size w/
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    i had no problem before upgrading to 10.5. i checked the mini DV tape for any defect playing
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  • FCP 6.0.6 will not recognize my new Sony HVR-Z7U camcorder

    I cannot capture any mini DV fotage from this camcorder (Sony HVR-Z7U) into FCP.
    Im using I link 1394 6pin from the camera to the computer.
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    Thanks Nick and all,
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    I thought since I shot in HD, setting the camcorder in DV NTSC mode would not run the camcorder in HD for FCP. That was my original thought, so I keeep trying all the HD capture presets. It's working, hope it is capturing in HD.

  • Looking for help getting imovie to recognize sony DCR-SR47 camcorder

    Has anyone been able to up load to imovie from sony DCR-SR47 camcorder?

    It depends on which camcorder you have.
    If it records onto miniDV tape (..or "microMV" tape..) then you definitely need to use FireWire; nothing else will do. Buy one at any electronics store; it's called a FireWire or DV or i.Link cable. It must have a teeny 4-pin connector at one end (..to plug into the camera..) and a larger 6-pin connector at the other end (..to plug into your Mac..)
    ..unless you have a new MacBook Pro, which needs a slightly different shaped 9-pin FireWire 800 connector instead of the 6-pin connector.
    You cannot use a USB connection for tape-based camcorders, even if they have a USB socket ..as that's just for transferring stills, not video.
    If your camcorder does NOT shoot onto tape, then you'll need to transfer via USB. That applies for all chip-based and hard-drive based camcorders, and - I think - DVD-based camcorders.
    All current AVCHD camcorders use USB.
    If in doubt (..but there should be no doubt..) read the camcorder's instruction book. If you can't find the instructions, download them from the manufacturer's website ..almost all instructions are available online.
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  • Please Help:(,Unable to capture from camcorder using Audigy 2 ZS Video Edi

    Hi there! Well I have been trying to use the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 zs video editor to transfer Hi8 tapes from my camcorder (Samsung SLC860) to my laptop (Compaq presario, AMD Athlon 64 3200+, .25 GB RAM, xp). I have successfully done this before *sort of*. Before i was able to capture video from my camcorder without the sound. But now I cant even capture video! I get an error when using Ulead VideoStudio 8 SE reading: 5065:29:0. Please help, anything would be great! Thank you! Oh, i've tried reinstalling the drivers already, didnt work. P.S. I connect the camcorder to the Creative Audigy using S-Video. I have also tried A/V out from the camcorder to video-in on the Audigy. I have also downloaded VidCap and other driver updates from Creative but those didn't work either. I've tried VidCap other capture programs, none worked. Any help would be great. Thank you!
    Message Edited by DjShadowalker on <SPAN class=date_text>06-06-2006 <SPAN class=time_text>:09 AM
    Message Edited by DjShadowalker on 06-06-2006 :09 AM

    Hi there! Thanks for the reply, unfortunately, I've tried VidCap and it wont let me capture either. The Start button on Step 3 isn't acti've. Its not bold, and when i click on it nothing happens. But under device manager and Sound, Video and game controllers, there are alot of things. They are as followed: Audio Codecs, Legacy Audio Drivers, Legacy Video Capture Drivers, Media Control Devices, Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Video Editor Audio Device, Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Video Editor Video Device, SoundMAX Intergrated Digital Audio, Video Codecs. Do you think any of these could be interfering with one another? If so, which ones can be safely disabled? I've also tried downloading all the necessary updates for VidCap and I've even tried reinstalling the Audigy card many times. I am able to see the preview of the video on both programs VidCap and VideoStudio but I just can't capture. Once again, the error message on VideoStudio is: 5065:29:0. Thank you so much, hopefully I hear from ya soon and this can be fixed.

  • I need a digital camcorder that imports direct to iMovie - any ideas

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  • Elgato video capture versus digital 8 camcorder to import hi 8 movies

    Hi!
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    Earlier I plugged my hi 8 camcorder into my panasonic DMR E85H dvd recorder with built in hdd.
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    If i would use a Elgato Video Capture to import or a digital 8 camcorder to import the videos to my MacBook would i be able to get a better result?
    Which one should i prefer - i have to buy each of them!
    Would the size of the camcorder-imported videos be bigger then with the Elgato device?
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    Thanks a lot for helping me out!

    Based on your comments about horizontal interferences, it may be that you are seeing interlace artifacts. The solution may be to deinterlace the clips.
    You might try checking the settings in handbrake to deinterlace.
    You might also take the clip you have produced in HB and deinterlacing using a free tool like MPEG Streamclip or JES Deinterlacer.
    Your MPEG2 on DVD is already compressed from the original on tape. Then HandBrake decompresses and recompresses it to h.264. You generally want to cut out compression steps in your workflow whenever possible, because each generation of compression will introduce noise and loss.
    You could also reimport from DVD using MPEG Streamclip (and the Apple QuickTime MPEG2 Playback Component). You could deinterlace at this step if needed.
    You could certainly import through a camcorder with passthru capability. It will be DV which will be a very high data rate and potentially high quality, but it will never be higher quality than the underlying analog material. But you will have eliminated a compression step so you will be closer to the original.
    ElGato products will certainly work as well. I use the ElGato EyeTV hybrid to capture from a VHS Deck, as well as to record high definition TV shows. My ElGato will capture to MPEG2, although the newer models may capture directly to MPEG4 (not sure). You would then use the ElGato software to export to iMovie in an editable format such as h.264 or Apple Intermediate Codec.

  • Choppy video in iMovie/iDVD from Sony HDD Camcorder

    I feel like I must be doing something wrong here, I've just moved from a windows XP machine to a nive shiny iMac which is lovely and I just want to hug it a lot, but.....
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    Ok, this time I tested it in playback mode.
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  • DVD camcorder (VIDEO_TS) - preserve clip date and time

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    Thank you for your post.  I figured out why iMovie was assigning today's date to everything that I imported.  It turns out that many of my video files did not have a real "created" date--some had no date at all and some had Wednesday, December, 1967 or 9 (I think).  iMovie defaulted today's date in both of these situations.  I took your advice and ot A Better Finder Attribute and easily converted all of the files using the option to copy the "modified date" into the "created date" attribute.  Now everything imports correctly into iMovie.

  • Unable to connect Hitachi camcorder to iMovies

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  • Capture video from a USB camcorder?

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    Well the help seemed straightforward, but....
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    I used to work for Sony and Canon and I can tell you I wrote instructions that were understandable. All I get on my screen with the Final Cut Express is:
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    Well that is not OK since they don't directly send you there to make the changes and after searching for 30 minutes you wonder WHY it should be made such a mystery. WHY not just tell us what to do and lead us there? We are not interested in reprograming like the windows boys - that is why we use APPLE but Apple have left us with the "searching forums" option. You have better things to do with your time rather than write the Apple instructions. But there is NO other option, rather than try combination after combination after combination after combination until you have no more time and look for something which has a chance of success - like stopping the river flowing outside past the house. Managed to do this four times in the last month - why is this easier than connecting the camera to the computer? Because you can see what is going on.
    Your help is as ever greatly appreciated and will rescue the Apple from joining the fish;-)

  • Unable to import video from camcorder into iMovie HD

    I am using a Mac mini PowerPC G4 (1.5). I recently bought a Sony Handycam DCR-DVD 106E camcorder that uses DVD discs. The camcorder has no Firewire (iLink) output so I have inserted the DVD into my external DVD writer/player. I can play the footage via the Mac Mini's DVD player software but I cannot import the video clips into iMovie HD.
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    Your camcorder is incompatible with iMovie 5, which is designed to use DV streams from tape, imported via firewire.
    If your camcorder uses DVD disks it likely produces files in mpeg2 format, which is the standard, compressed, final delivery format of a DVD and is not intended for further editing, and cannot be imported into iMovie 5.
    I am a bit puzzled as to why you chose that camcorder!
    Ideally you should take it back and exchange it for a camcorder that records onto mini DV tape and which has a firewire output.
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    But any way you do it, there will be penalty in terms of quality.

  • Why does my FCX program quit suddenly when I try to capture from my camcorder?

    Why does my FCX program quit suddenly when I try to capture from my camcorder?
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    Do you mean Final Cut Express or FCP X?
    These are two different apps.
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