Best camera for imovie

Can anyone recommend a camera that takes decent quality 15 min videos, compatible with imovie & mac, posting of my website so will be viewed by all computuers, easy to use and a reasonable price - I am a total novice as you can probably guess! thanks

H3l3nA wrote:
… if I film in iframe it is is completely compatible with imovie - then read the quality of footage is not hd
I definately want a proffesional output
short answer: iFrame IS professional/HD
long answer: many/most 'professional' content seen on TV isn't HDef!
'quality' isn't defined in pixels - ANY content recorded in 1080i gets de-interlaced on/for the web - ooops, 540 'only' … iFrame is 960?, 720p is ... ehm, 720.
usually, I don't participate in any 'qualiy'-debate - people are hypnotized by pixels, numbers, marketing promises - and miss completely the point: cinematography!
I gave you some hints for professional cinematography - light, light and light. tripod. 'professional' audio. tripod. an edit, no single shot, hour-long documentary of what went wrong. a tripod and perhaps good light. photography: depth-of-field, rule-of-3rds, contrast, color, and a tripod. and maybe additional light ...
....... you got the idea
another word about 'quality' - use the intended work-flows (Apple is famous for convenience); any 'manual' processes ask for a very in-depth-knowledge, eg compression: people complain 'bad quality' on final delivery on YouTube, but compress on recording, compress on conversion, compress on edit ("files are huge" - soooooo, what?!??!!), compress on export - and finally, oh wonder: 'pixels'.-
-end of rant-
good photography, good cinematography, good audio (includes: smart text, clear voice) = HD-quality.
Picasso created great art with a chewed pencil and a paper-napkin.

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Best Affordable Reliable Video Camera for imovie

Does anyone have suggestions for the most affordable and reliable video camera for imovie? I have tried to use an older model Samsung (w/mini-dvd), but, at best the uploads are 'quirky'!

Hi Sheila,
You still need to buy a miniDV camcorder if you want to capture your video into iMovie, without going through some conversion software, which will cause loss of quality of your image. Then just burn it to DVD, although the editing process can be a whole lot of fun, plus you can add music to your movie, if wanted.
Check out the Panasonic line of miniDV cams and for lots of helpful info on all Panny cams, go to the following website. I don't work for Panasonic, by the way, just the proud owner of a superb GS-500 (discontinued- sorry).
Forest
http://www.pana3ccduser.com/forumdisplay.php?s=8b722d3c98c5012437a68ecef324cdfb& daysprune=&f=6
iMac G5 20" 1.8 GHz - 400GB HD - 2GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.8) 300 GB & 160GB Ext drives, QT 7.1.5 Pro

Best format for iMovie input: DV or AppleIntermetiateCodec

I thought (and I think I read here several times) that the best input for iMovie, if you use a MiniDV camcorder, was to import the DV files into the app.
Now I have read an article ( http://imovietricks.blogspot.com/ )where it is said that iMovie does not properly work with those files and that a previous conversion to AppleIntermediateCodec should be give better quality.
Can someone give more information about this subject?
I think is a very interesting subject not only for the quality but because AppleIntermediateCodec files are half the size as DV files which make them more easily stored.

I have only DV camera and this issue is very important to me. I have read probably all the threads about it and have seen no solution. I even bought an e-book from a guy who said here that he knows the solution (but didn't of course open the secret here in forum) and guess what he recommended in his book? To convert the files to AIC.
As there have been so many discussions about it then I wouldn't say that iMovie works perfectly well with DV. Even Macworld mentioned this in their review of iMovie '08:
+"...The bad news is that in order to get this real time performance without renders or progress bars, there is some sacrifice in quality. For interlaced video such as DV and 1080i HDV, iMovie now uses single-field processing. This means every other horizontal line of the video is thrown out, which reduces the sharpness of the footage..."+
http://www.macworld.com/article/59668/2006/12/imovie08.html
Sorry, but I have difficulties believing anyone who claims that iMovie '08 handles DV fine. If all these reports were wrong and iMovie really could give full quality from DV then Apple would have refuted such reports (especially ones by popular magazines like Macworld) and given some guidelines.

Best camera for low light and sports

have the sx200is
looking for a newer camera for sports and low light shots

The challenge with sports is that you are REALLY pushing the camera gear to it's limits. Fast action requires fast shutter speeds. But fast shutter speeds demand a lot of light and only outdoor games played during the daytime have that. Indoor games or games played under field lighting at night generally do not have the kind of lighting needed to shoot with fast shutter speeds -- not the kind of shutter speeds needed to freeze action. So this ends up demanding a camera with excellent ISO performance and lenses with very low focal ratios so they can collect a LOT more light when the shutter is open. This gear is expensive.
You will want to consider a reasonable budget depending on what you can afford and the needs of the specific sports.
Are these indoor or outdoor sports? If outdoors, are these played during the day or are they night games?
The "best" camera for sports and low light is the EOS-1D X. It has phenominal low-light performance, has an amazing focus system, and can shoot at 12 frames per second. But it's about $6800 for the "body only" and then you still need lenses. I'm guessing this is probably not what you had in mind. But if money were not a constraint... this would be the one to go for.
The 5D III is another amazing camera for low light performance and and also has an amazing focusing system (largely the same as the 1D X) can shoot at 6 frames per second, and only costs $3500... again, that's the "body only". Still probably not what you had in mind.
The 70D has an extremely good focus system (though not as good as the 5D III and 1D X), not quite as good as low light (but pretty good and much better than a point & shoot camera) and shoots at 7 frames per second (1 fps faster than 5D III) and it only costs $1200 for the body only.
The T5i will be noticeably less expensive than the 70D... a good (but not extremely good) focusing system and 5 frames per second, but the body and 1 kit lens combined is about $850 but that wont a lens suitable for use shooting sports so you'll still need to invest in more appropriate lenses.
When shooting action photography in low light, what you _really_ want is a lens that can collect a lot more light than the average lens for that very brief moment when the shutter is open. Such a lens can allow you to use a faster shutter speed to help freeze those action shots. But *which* lens you use depends on the sport.
For low-light sports, these would ideally be f/2.8 zoom lenses... but f/2.8 zoom lenses are not cheap. Canon's EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM (ideal for most indoor sports and outdoor sports IF the action is happening close to you) is about $2500. Sigma's lens is about half that price. But if you're covering action on a large athletic field and the players are far away, they'll still be small. Sigma makes a 120-300mm f/2.8 zoom for sports... for the low low price of only $3600.
Scott Kelby does a video to talk about sports photography and he discusses the equipment used and why... and basically says if you want the gear for shooting sports, you basically need a suitcase full of money.
Tim Campbell
5D II, 5D III, 60Da

I have a Sony DCR -SR32 which does not appear in the list of compatible cameras for imovie '11. Does anyone know if there is way to import files from this camera ?

I have a Sony DCR-SR32 HDD video camera which does not appear in the list of compatible cameras for imovie '11. Does anyone know if there is way of importing video from this camera to imovie ?
Thanks
Pheona

Greetings Pheona,
That appears to be a hard drive based camecorder. Usually these mount on the desktop of your computer as a little white hard drive icon. If you go inside you should be able to find the movie files the camera is saving. See what format they are (the last 3 letters at the end of the file name is a good place to start).
You can drag the movie files from the camera hard drive to the computer to copy them. Then convert them with a video file conversion program to a format iMovie can understand.
Try converting one of the files using a video file conversion program like Video Monkey: http://videomonkey.org/downloads/
In the "Convert to" drop down menu choose "DV" (Preferred), "Quicktime", or "MP4". Then import the resulting file into iMovie and see if that works any better.
If that program can't convert the files you can try another file conversion program:
http://www.southpolesoftware.com/iVI/iVI.php
http://shedworx.com/voltaichd
http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/products/Turbo264HD-software/product1.e n.html
Hope that helps.

What is the best manual for imovie 10.0.6?

what is the best manual for imovie 10.0.6?

Hi asongbird,
It sounds like you are looking for a good resource to learn iMovie. I would suggest using the attached link as a resource.
iMovie Help
Have a great day,
Joe

What is the best kids camera for iMovie '08? Flip or, say, IXUS/Elph?

My kids love creating video clips and the old camera they use is beginning to fall apart and I'm trying to figure out what to replace it with.
USER BRIEF: The goal is simplicity and ease of use, so iMovie '08 fits the bill. Video and audio quality are of secondary importance. They do want to be able to crop their clips and string them together into a movie.
I was on the verge of buying a Pure Digital Flip camera but I've discovered a rash of threads in various forums describing problems importing Flip video files into iMovie 8. I don't really want to get my kids involved in a video conversion workflow if it can be avoided.
The other option is to buy a regular compact digital camera with a movie option. We have a Canon IXUS 70 (a SD1000 Digital Elph in the USA) that produced acceptable clips that iPhoto imports automatically. iMovie '08 trawls the iPhoto library for clips than can be used as fodder for iMovie projects. Pretty easy, I wonder if there are any drawbacks.
So, my questions are: is the Flip an attractive option in an iMovie '08 environment? Or should I give my kids a regular compact (and if so, are any of the major brands using codecs that are more or less iMovie-friendly than others)?

Here are some known issues:
My MAC Updater downloaded the new QT 7.4.5 on 5 Apr 2008. I have been making movies in iMovie, and then posting them to YouTube. In the beginning I uploaded the movies as MOV files but soon discovered AVI files (larger file and longer time to upload) had more clarity when viewed on YouTube. Once the new QT 7.4.5 downloaded all my AVI files had picture, but no sound! I downloaded the Perian component as posted in QT discussions. The sound returned to the AVI files. However, when I Exported an AVI movie from iMovie the picture quality was worse than the MOV movie. There is something wrong with the new QT 7.4.5 when working with AVI, my AVI movies look terrible. These AVI files were all downloaded from my Ultra Flip Video camera with Flip’s codec 3vix. Flip is aware of this problem and acknowledged it last Friday. Flip says Apple is aware of the problem.
My MAC PowerPc G4 has performed well in the past two months when working with the Flip Video camera. So, at Flip Video’s suggestion I upgraded the operating system to OS 10.5 from OS 10.4.11. Flip Video says their camera works with OS 10.5. Once OS 10.5 was uploaded I soon discovered that iMovie 08 would not operate on my PowerPc G4, 1.86 MHz. The speed requirement for iMovie 08 is 1.9 GHz.
At this point of “spinning my wheels for nearly a month” with this Flip Video camera, I decided to purchase a new iMac. On May 2, 2008, I walked out of the Apple Store in Walnut Creek with the new iMac 20-inch: 2.66GHz. Now the Flip video camera should work and all my video problems solved. However, this was not to be.
When I attempted to Import Flip Video AVI and MOV files into iMovie 08 the files were “grayed out” and would not Import. None of my previous Flip Video files would Import. I tried making new Flip Video movies, they also would not Import into iMovie 08.
At another Apple Store, the tech suggested I download the previous version of iMovie HD. I did this and with hours of working through the different Export options I was able to create movies to post again on youTube. However, the picture quality of the newer iMovies has never approached the quality of my last post before QT 7.4.5 downloaded. Remember my problems started with QT 7.4.5. Well, my new iMac came with QT 7.4.1, I have not Uploaded QT 7.4.5 and won’t until Flip Video fixes this problem.
Examples of my Flip Video movies can be viewed on youTube at: sffoggydays. The last video with excellent picture quality was posted 6 Apr 2008 titled “A Day at the San Francisco Zoo, Chapter Nine, L-Taravel Ride to BART.” This video was made in iMovie and Exported before QT 7.4.5 downloaded. All the youTube Flip Videos made after 6 Apr 2008 have poor picture quality.
It is time for Flip Video camera to stop “passing the buck” to Apple. When manufactures of operating system such as Apple and Microsoft create newer and upgraded systems, it is the responsibility of the manufactures of applications to redo the programs for operating on the new systems. Here is where Flip Video is not accepting this responsibility to Mac users of their camera. The Flip Video application/codex/drivers need to be updated in order to fix the following problems:
- No sound on AVI files in QT 7.4.5
- No Import of AVI and MOV files in iMovie 08
- Poor picture quality for youTube in Export of iMovie HD
I like my Flip Video camera, want to continue making movies for youTube, and recommending the camera to others. The Flip Video camera people need to fix these problems for Mac users.
I am still making Flip Video of my grandkids.

Best Camera for $1500 or less

What is the best mini-dv 3ccd camera for $1500 or less? I wish I could spend more but that is my limit at this time and I need a camera bad. Any suggestions?

Hey,
Keep in mind that the XL-1s is somewhat clumsy and awkward to handle. If you are used to ENG style... the Canon has no comfortable way to rest it on your shoulder. If you like to hold it out front, using the top handle, while framing your shot with the flip-out LCD... the XL-1s has no flip out LCD. Just a big eye cup style viewfinder.
The up side is the interchangeable lenses available for the XL-1. But if you are test driving one this weekend, be sure to ask how many lenses that price includes. Also, is there a wide angle adaptor included as well.
For my money... a used Canon GL-1 or a GL-2 if available, (the GL-2 is the newer version, with a better audio section). Being Canon devices, they already have superior optics. Both camcorders feature optical stabilization and [real glass!] 20:1 built-on lenses, and good sized flip-out LCDs. Since 2000, our church has been using 3 GL-1's for recording the services (via long S-Video runs to the switcher) as well as on remotes for the special dramatizations which are shown on the big screens during the actual services. Never a down day. The GL-1 is able to record in 30p as well as 16:9 anamorphic, and download via Firewire into any NLE. I've owned mine since 2000 as well. Never a glitch in the beginning with iMovie, later with FC Express, or now with FCP 5.1.4!
So... get yourself a used GL-1 and one of those Beechtek DXA-2S mic/line adaptors, so you can use pro mics in the field, and for under $1,500 you have a formidable, light-weight shooting rig.
JC
G5 Quad 2.5 PPC Mac OS X (10.4.10) 3 monitors powered by GeForce 7800GT and 6600. JVC GY-HD100 camera; FCS 5.1

Most compatable camera for imovie

I recently learned that my JVC HD camera was compatable with imovie cause it only uses USB port and mpeg movie files. It was about $600. I plan on selling it and buying a new camera. If anyone would know that best camera and most compatable with imovie for about the same price, I would love to know.

Hi there,
It depends on what you mean by 'most compatable.' Most consumer DV camcorders work fine with iMovie. I can reel off dozens of cameras that are compatable off the top of my head. You shouldn't have much trouble in this area.
As for what is the best, well that's a neverending debate. There definately is not one standout camera, and it all depends on what you want to do with it i.e. quality of lens, chipset (3CCD or not), size, features etc.
You've got plenty of choice out there!
PJ

What is the best camera for me?

I don't know much at all about cameras, so I'm really hoping someone will be able to help me! I'm looking for a camera that's better than your standard point and shoot digital camera but one that doesn't cost a fortune. I want to be able to take pictures of NASCAR cars going down the track without them being blurry. I would also like to be able to take pictures of things that are sitting still or aren't going quite 200 mph. I guess I just want an all around good camera that also has the ability to take good, non-blurry pictures of NASCAR cars in motion. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the best camera and/or lense would be for this. Thanks so much for your help!

This is one instance where good gear helps but knowing how to use it properly is more important. Panning skills will be important, & so will choosing the right focal length of lens. I'll assume you have to shoot from the stands but don't know how far you'll be from the stretch of track you're hoping to shoot the cars along. A camera with a good AF system matched to a lens with fast AF capabilities will help too, but you could do this old school & use manual settings & manual focus too. You would set up the camera based on the lighting favoring a Tv that can freeze the car but blur the background & wheels / tires. Then you pick an ISO to allow shooting in the f8 range at that Tv & pre focus on the section of track in front of you. Pan with the car or group of cars as they go by & take a few shots while they are in the zone you've pre focused on.
If however you're really serious about it & think you'll attend enough events to justify spending the money the 7D, 1D2n, 1D3 & 1D4 are all worthy bodies for action thanks to their AF systems & frame rate. For lenses I suggest considering any of these as a starting point but again you may need longer depending on access to the action. 70-200 f4 L, or the IS version or maybe the f2.8 versions but since the 70-300 L IS seems to have both a very fast & accurate AF system it would be my first choice as a from the stands starting point. The 100-400 L would be my next addition to a motorsports kit but I don't think it's the lens I'd start with.
As for setting up a camera for action (DSLR's but some P & S may work too) I wrote an article which is a good starting point & the suggested shutter speeds for prop planes fit a rookie shooting motorsports so I recommend reading this plus use the link in my last post for another set of lessons from Canon that you should read.
http://www.rccanada.ca/rccforum/showthread.php?t=147971
As a side note I started attending R/C events to work on my panning skills so I'd be better at the track. A smooth panning swing is developed through practice & it's the key to good results, and follow through after the last shot in each sequence.
"A skill is developed through constant practice with a passion to improve, not bought."

Best camera for compositing

I don't know if that's the best place to ask this but anyway ... I'm considering buying a HD camera for some short-movies and other minor projects but since I'm also interested in studying Shake, I'd like to know which specification I should take a closer look at for maximum results when doing compositing/etc ? Or in other words which of these specs are more important for compositing work ?
Color spacing ? (DVCPRO HD's 4:2:2 vs HDV's 4:2:0) ? High resolution (XLH-1 and JVC HD100's high res vs HVX200's lower res) ? Sharpness ? Progressive chip ? And how do you compare (for compositing purposes only) these flavors of HD with Super 16mm shot on a pin-registered camera using a sharp lens and Spirit datacine ?
(I mentioned these codecs before but my idea is to move to uncompressed for this kind of work)
Appreciate any help.

I would guess that most of our elitists (humor here :)) would say that mini-DV is crap and HDV is just a larger form of said crap due to the high compression needed to get all that HDV data onto a mini-DV tape.
Having said that, I soley use an HDV cam (Sony HVR-A1U). I always shoot HDV and in cam downconvert when capturing into FCP.
If I had had the money and transport (inconspicuous travel) wasn't my thing, I would have gone with that Panasonic P2 one (can't remember the name) or another true HD cam.
But, I'm extremely happy with my choice. When the money is there I'll add the HD cam and use my A1 as a second an my travel cam.

Best camera for Cisco Video Advantage

Hi,
I am looking for a camera which is having the best specifications for Video advantage. It looks like the Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000 is the one. (1600 x 1190 with 30 fps) Does anyone have experience with this camera or who has good experience with a camera which is not listed in the "tested" camera list:
Cisco VT Camera II
â¢ Cisco VT Camera
â¢ Logitech QuickCam Fusion
â¢ Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Pro
â¢ Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000
â¢ Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision
â¢ Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000
â¢ Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000 Webcam
â¢ Creative Webcam Live Pro USB 2.0 Webcam
Thanks in advance,
Jeroen

Hi Mark,
Thanks a lot for your reply. We tried several models which are not in the list. They all worked. The only problem is that the Video Advantage narrows down the format. I tried the Logitech Quickcam Sphere AF. In the Logitech application it's a great Webcam in with HD quality but these are the Specifications of Video advantage:
â¢ H.263 and H.264 video codecs: Bit rates from 50 kbps to 1.5 Mbps
â¢ Video formats (up to 30 frames per second): 352 x 288, 320 x 240, 176 x 144, and 160 x 120
â¢ Interoperable with most third-party H.323 video terminals from verified IP video telephony partners
So it's only working at 352 x 288. I hope the next version of Video advantage is able to increase the resolution.
I would also like to know if there is a way to enable the camera automatically when a phone call is established.
I don't have a MCU to do video conferencing but is there a way to conference a none-video phone into an video conversation?
Thanks!
Regards,
Jeroen

Best Camera for Graphic Design

I am a Web Designer and Graphic designer in American Samoa. I am looking at cameras for when local clients want me to do work.
What is the best one to get. I want a professional grade, not some $49 special from Wal-Mart.

Bill & Brendon, I have a G1X which I got to replace the G10 my wife has decided is now hers The G10 has totally changed my wifes approach and enthusiasm for taking pictures, mainly because her pictures are soo much better than with the little cheap compact she was using.
However, and it's a pretty big 'however' IMO, a G series camera is a convenient carry around camera that gives good results (the IQ from my G1X is at least as good as the Canon prosumer level DSLRs that I get to process files from, but it sure as heck is not a DSLR, and does not give the sort of control you'd need for a working camera. I actually PM'd the OP to keep an off topic thread growing (but it happened anyway) I suggested a used 5D2 and a Canon 100mm macro lens. That combination would be capable of outstanding product shots, and a lot of what a web/garphic designer might need to shoot.
BTW I get to process files from different assistants/second shooters, and can compare IQ. From the Canon range, the 5D variants can always match the image quality of my 1D bodies (I use 1DsMK3 and a 1DMK4 bodies). The prosumer cameras I have delt with don't come close, and even 7D shots fall short). Remember that is from processing many hundreds (probably thousands) of images from those cameras, so first hand experience.
As for my G1X, I got it as a carry around camera, and to take on overseas holidays as I am fed up with lugging heavy camera gear around, but I not yet convinced that I will feel comfortable relying on a compact camera.

Sony AVCHD + Voltaic HD = Best Output For iMovie?

After running into dead ends the past few months, trying to import HD video from my Sony HDR-SR5, I purchased Votaic HD. What is my best conversion type to maintain the best quality audio/video to edit in iMovie?

On Apple's iMovie '09 Camcorder Support page (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290#2) it is rather odd that they list the Sony DCR-SR5 in amongst the HDR models. I'm wondering if that is a misprint. A Google search on DCR-SR5 comes up with many references to HDR-SR5, but nothing of significance on the DCR-SR5 - does it actually exist?
So, I'm thinking your model is actually supported. I have the Sony HDR-SR7 which works fine. But be aware that you must erase any SD (MPEG-2) content from the camera before iMovie '09 will recognise the HD (AVCHD) content. See this Apple article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1793
John

What is the best format for iMovie imports

Hi There,
I am trying to convert some home movies to iMovie on my mac the movies are on DVD in VLC> VTS files. What is the best file available on Xilisoft video converter Ultimate for best quality in iMovie please.
so many choices but none specifically for iMovie.
cheers

I don't seem to have DV or AIC as an option! Nor M-JPEG.
What is available depends on which converter you are trying to use. iSquint, for instance, will only convert to MPEG4/AAC or H.264/AAC. A converter like MPEG Streamclip, on the other hand, will convert to DV, AIC, M-JPEG, Photo-JPEG, MPEG-4, or H.264 but requires the $20 QT MPEG-2 Playback component to work on VOB files.
Also, although my VOB file is about 15mins, when I enter it in my converter it comes up as 2 seconds in the 'Duration' column. Why?
This is a common problem with MPEG-1/2 files. Usually it stems from timecode breaks. Such breaks are ignored by many non-Mac multi-media players but not by applications relying on the QT structure which synchronizes tracks "temporally" rather than spatially as with "multiplexed" GOP files or interleaved tracks. Once again, this is why I prefer MPEG Streamclip for converting such files. It includes a "fix timecode" option ("Command-F") to correct these breaks.

Best camera for imovie

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