Camcorder suggestions

I am about to purchase several camcorders and two Apple computers for my classroom with grant money I received. I can spend abot $300 each on the camcorders. Does anyone have suggestions for compatible camcorders I should purchase? Also, what other accessories might I need (special cables, etc.)? My students will be using iMovie in the classroom.
Thank you,
TF

Our AV specialist at school recommends the Canon ZR series camcorders. It is what she uses in her studio and what I use in my classroom. There are different models and you should be able to find some for under $300. Mine is a ZR60 which I bought over 2 years old. It does a relative good job of picking up audio if you are close enough to it. A different AV tech person recommended I add on a Mic. He recommended the AUDIO TECHNICA ATR-55 Condenser Shotgun Microphone. This has helped pick up sound.
The one problem that I know of with some of the older Canon ZR camcorders is that the humming of the motor is often picked up during recording. It's faint but noticable. The add-on mic helps lessen that hum. I don't know if the newer ones also have this hum.
Other camcorders are also good. Do a web search for camcorder reveiws and you might some another model that is even better. I bought my Canon on our AV tech's recommendation and the price. At the time the other camcorders that were highly recommended were out of my price range.
12 inch PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

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Cheap camcorder suggestions / that can be easily uploaded to computer for editing

Hi all,
I am looking for a camcorder for under $150 for my son who likes to make little videos. He wants to be able to upload the video to his computer and edit them. He does have Microsoft movie maker. What would you suggest, the kind that have the USB port or the ones that record on to SD cards? Also what type of file should the recording be in, so you can edit it? Sorry I have no idea about editing features. Any camcorder suggest would be appreciated.

If you are looking for a simple camcorder for fun little videos, and not for professional ones, I would reccomend the Kodak Playsport HD Camcorder. For the price, its is a nice little camcorder that shoots in 1080p and takes 5 MP stills. It connects to your computer via USB, so you can easily transfer the videos and pictures to your computer, and has an expandable memory slot so you can hold more videos and pictures at a time. It's also waterproof up to 10 feet, which is always a fun little feature. Great starter camera for fun videos to share with friends, family, and on the internet.
Store 112 in Thousand Oaks, CA
My opinions do not in any way shape or form represent Best Buy's Official decisions.

June 2009 affordable HD camcorder suggestions please

Hi
Need to buy an 'affordable' (student budget) HD camcorder to get me going.
What suggestions today - 18th June 2009 - and why?
Many thanks
SC

Canon HV10, 20, 30 or 40 are very good, affordable and easy to edit. Should fit in your budget.
I would not look at anything AVCHD, because that would require a more powerful PC to edit, negating the possible price advantage of the camera by requiring more/better hardware.

New camcorder suggestions

I have a Sony TRV 900 camcorder that is about 10 years old now and still working fine, but it won't last forever and I am looking for a possible replacement.
The TRV 900 was a great camcorder with 3 ccds, manual exposure and audio levels, and both analogue and DV in/out, and I am looking for something with similar features.
The new crop of camcorders today seem much more limited in terms of full manual controls unless you are willing to spend several thousand pounds.
I think that the AVCHD and memory card recording format sounds like the best choice for the next generation of camcorders, based on what I read, so I am looking for something that uses that. I don't think that hard drive camcorders are robust enough and the mini dv tape ones appear to be using aging technology.
Can anyone please suggest some camcorders around the 1500 pound price point that might be comparable in manual control features to my great TRV 900 and use the memory card/AVCHD format?
Obviously, image and sound quality are critical, too, but I definitely need good manual controls for exposure and audio levels.
Thanks a lot for any advice.

I'm in the same boat as you.
I own a couple of TRV 900s and have grown accustomed to their small size, huge monitor and easy access to key functions . I've been praying that Sony (or anyone for that matter) would introduce a new camera with all of the attributes of the TRV in a small package but it's not looking good. What's most annoying to me is that built in mic/handle that seems to have become an industry standard on many prosumer cameras. I prefer to use the mic of my choosing and have a smaller profile camera.
As you've learned it's either spend 3-4k on a larger camera or deal with the clumsy & limited functionality of the smaller cameras.
Here are a few that I've considered:
JVC GY-HM100
Not shipping yet & Over your budget. But I think this might be the one to watch.
Sony HDR FX1000
Over your budget and larger than the TRV but looks like it has decent access to functions.
Cannon HV-30
Affordable - Tape based. menu style functionality
Cannon HF11
Flash memory
Sony HDR-HC9
Mini DV
Hope that helps!
g

Camcorder suggestion?

I have an iMac....what camcorder would you suggest? Looking for ease of uploading videos. I had a JVC and had nothing but problems with it uploading video from the camera.

Yes external microphones receive better sound. However, most consumers will only be using the built-in microphones because of cost (shotgun? wireless? can cost as much as a second camcorder) and portability (external microphones risk being smashed off or is tough to fit in purse without dismounting).
I too like the HF Vixia line as it offers 24Mbps. HOWEVER, AVOID THE ENTRY HF products!
Most camcorders have rear loading batteries. The entry Canon camcorders have BOTTOM loading batteries. The cameras are smaller, but I've heard the 2hr battery lasts as little as 30 minutes in the hands of a consumers. Many are unhappy. I recommended getting an extended battery as a backup (weddings, events, or when you need a camcorder and you don't have time to recharge). BOTTOM loading cameras don't allow for oversized extended batteries because it blocks the tripod mount. BAD DESIGN for consumers, good design for Canon as it forces you to buy multiple small batteries.

Digital camcorder suggestion

Hi Support
Have MacNook Pro, researching digital camcorder. Image stabilization, optical zoom, mike with noise reducton/ability to block wind/noise, able to function low light, Plan to use with iMovie, IDVD. Any thoughts? Thank you!

If it doesn't use tape and a lot of JVC use hard drives then it records MOD files which are in fact MPEG-2 files and they won't export from QT Pro with sound. The question of MPEG-1 and 2 exports is asked here a thousand times a month. The answer is always the same:
Open directly from the camera in iMovie 08 (not from copied files - it has fits if it loses the MOI files that are on the camera) or use MPEG Streamclip to open the MOD files and edit (cut, trim etc.) and export to MPEG-4 using the iTunes button and appropriate size in MPEG Streamclip. Or trim and export them to MPEG-2 again if you want not that that seems to be too helpful.
If you have Toast 8 you can use the MOD files directly but you cannot edit them but it exports to various formats including DivX for those who like DivX (I don't).
I normally open in Streamclip, edit out the dross , export to MPEG-2 and use those new files in Toast to make DVD's in 1/2 the time of iMovie and iDVD.
When dealing with MPEG 1 or 2 ALWAYS correct timecode errors first in Streamclip Apple+F if it doesn't remind you to as it probably will or your 1 hour movie might be 3 minutes long. However after editing don't do that or it puts all the cuts back.

Want to buy a camcorder

Okay, I've read some posts here so I know I need to buy a mini dv camcorder if I want to use idvd 6.0. (Bought new imac 2 weeks before new iLife 08 intro so not going to jump yet.)
First choice is the Sony TRV900 but at $900 or so my wife would kill me, so after checking on ebay I see quite a few JVCs. Seeing so many makes me nervous. The JVC GR-D350 can be had around $100. Good deal? Good camcorder? I'd like to spend less than $300, if possible.
Question: besides firewire what other features should I look at? Actual camcorder suggestions welcomed too. Thanks.

Hi ipodguy,
I have a GS-500 and it works great AND gives near broadcast quality video. It has been discontinued by Panasonic, but I believe B&H Photo still has stock. It was the last of the Panny cams to allow use of headphones (with an easy workaround of the AV port) and it has other features not found on the GS-320 that replaced it. If you could get a good used GS-400 on eBay, that had even more features than the 500 does. For tons of useful info on Panasonic camcorders, you might want to look at this panny user's website.
http://www.pana3ccduser.com/forumdisplay.php?s=8b722d3c98c5012437a68ecef324cdfb& daysprune=&f=6

Need Suggestion for a Camcorder

I was wondering if any of you fellow Mac users could recommend me a good camcorder I could use to make movies and import the footage into iMovie. Currently I do not have a camcorder and can only made videos using pre-existing footage from DVDs and Quicktime files that I download. However, I would like to be able to make my own movies, which is the entire reason iMovie exists. I would like to have a camcorder by the time I go to the Japanese animation convention Anime Boston 2006 at the end of May (so I can film the events), so any help would be appreciated.
Money-wise, I'd rather stick to cheap camcorders. I'm currently a college student with no job, so it's not like I can spend tons of money and earn it back by working more hours or anything like that. My dad would probably be willing to help me pay for it, but that doesn't mean I should take advantage of his income.
Again, any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

What about something like this
http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=QC3230&CA
TID=&keywords=video+camera&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdC
odeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&pri
ceMax=&SUBCATID=
I know you're in the States, but I reckon if U can
find something like this in your area, it might be
all U'll need.
Whoaa there !!!
What ever u decide. make shure it has a FIREWIRE usb is useless with iMovie
Go with tiger! Ivar. . .

Suggestions on camcorder,please

Hi All,
My beloved canon XL1 is near the end of it's lifespan (repeatedly sent in for repairs and still chewing up tapes). My boss has approved up to $5,000 for a new camcorder, preferably miniDV cassettes.
Any suggestions on a good, tough, easy to use camcorder that plays nice with FCP?
I videotape lots of workshops where the speaker is across the room and the lights are dimmed part-way through for powerpoint slides and in the schools themselves where I can be jostled by students, etc.

Let me preface this response by saying that i'm not a video
expert, and i would hope others chime in here...
but i know FLV's are good for streaming over an internet
connection, and since you're running it locally you may want to
consider plain old swf video for the ease of use factor... you
don't have to mess with the media playback component (or any such
superfluosness), you can just use 'loadMovie' and treat them like
any other movie in flash. You can detect when the video is finished
playing with some code like this (assume loadedMC holds the video
that's playing)
onEnterFrame = function()
if (loadedMC._currentframe >= loadedMC._totalframes)
// movie is done- notify

How can I retain my HD quality from a camcorder in live streaming? Also - any camera/converter suggestions?

Currently we use Adobe Connect to stream and record live events that go on in our office (panelists, speakers, etc.) This is not very interactive - we do not receive video from the viewers, we only broadcast the presentation and post it online. The quality of our webcam is very poor, and we would like to get an HD video camcorder that will give a better picture. However, in my research I have found that in order to ensure the HD picture is retained in the streaming, I need to set up a converter or encoder of some kind that does something to make sure the bandwith can handle the HD picture. I am very new to this and I am having a hard time figuring out what exactly I need. If anyone can help me out and inform me of what setup you use (camera too - would love to know suggestions for the best cameras that work with Connect) it would be much appreciated. Thank you!

I believe you posted in both forums for Connect. My response is here: Adobe Connect User Community

I recently purchased a refurbed iMac with a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. It came with iMovie ver. 9.0.5 installed. I do allot with iMovie and iDVD and would like to get a camcorder to add movie clips. Does anyone have any suggestions for a reasonably pri

I recently purchased a refurbed iMac with a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. It came with iMovie ver. 9.0.5 installed. I do allot with iMovie and iDVD and would like to get a camcorder to add movie clips. Does anyone have any suggestions for a reasonably price camcorder that would work with my setup?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I recently purchased a refurbed iMac with a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. It came with iMovie ver. 9.0.5 installed. I do allot with iMovie and iDVD and would like to get a camcorder to add movie clips. Does anyone have any suggestions for a reasonably price camcorder that would work with my setup?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Camcorder Purchasing Suggestions

Looking to buy a camcorder for home movie-type shooting, and I'm looking to find something that will work with iMovie more or less out of the box without workarounds and jumping through a lot of hoops. Anyone have any suggestions? I don't have a way to burn to Blu-Ray at this point, so SD would be a viable option, although I'm not averse to future-proofing with HD as I'm sure I'll be adding a BR burner at some point down the road...
Thanks in advance for any thoughts folks might have.

This is the 'official' Apple iMovie 09 camera support list however I find that it is not quite complete:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290
Regards,
Z

Suggest Camcorder less than $500, prefer not tape

Pardon the awkwardly worded headline.
Do I still need a tape camera to edit with FCP Express?
Would prefer not. Regardless, suggestions of a good camcorder for less than $500 greatly appreciated. Shooting mostly family stuff. Don't know if I can accomodate the extra disk space required by HD.
Thanks for any guidance.

"Do I still need a tape camera to edit with FCP Express?"
No.
" suggestions of a good camcorder for less than $500"
Any standard AVCHD Video Camera will do the job using FCE > Log & Transfer.
Cameras are personal and features are important such as headphone socket, external mic input and an OIS (optical image stabilizer).
You need to test drive cameras in your buget zone to try how they fit into your hand and where buttons are located etc.
3 sensor chips are important to boost the image quality as is the quality of the lens, usually found in the higher end camcorders.
Second hand solid state cameras may put a high end cam into the budget. They have hardly any moving parts as compared the old tape cameras and thus second hand solid state cams are a safer purchase second hand than tape cams.
As far as HD space you should get yourself an external fast drive eg. firewire, thunderbolt or USB 3 for media storage. As big as you can afford.
Nowdays that's about a 1Terabyte or so.
HD video when absorbed to FCE will use around 40 gig per hour and the render files during editing will keep the gigs climbing.
Al

Need suggestion on HD DV camcorder

I am thinking of getting a new video camera for casual home videos. Any suggestions on which one to get? We used to have the Canon DV that uses mini DVtapes, that takes ages to import and edit movies. Then we bought a Sanyo HD2, which is excellent but has just broken down- it uses .mov format, all we need to copy the files from the SD card and we can view the movies immediately, no need to import. We also tried friend's JVC-- absolutely hopeless. Cannot figure out how to view the movies at all!
Just wondering if there's anything new on market and it's mac friendly?

hey there lucmama & welcome to Discussions.
if the $3500.00 Panasonic is out of your wallet's reach, DXG has just released a new flash media-based HD cam that's around $ 200.00. check them out @ www.dxgusa.com some of their product line is very similar to the Sanyo cams.
good luck.

No laughing... I have a Canon ZR 300 camcorder. I can not see it when connected via firewire in system profile and iMovie doesn't see it either. Any suggestions?

I have an old Canon ZR 300 camcorder that I'm trying to connect to my 17" MBP via 9 pin firewire (its a 4 pin to 9 pin cable as the MBP doesn't have a 4 pin firewire - figured it was backwards compatible). Anyhow, iMovie 09 doesn't see the camcorder. I checked under System Profile and then under Firewire and it doesn't see it either. In fact I get some red letters about not seeing firewire devices. I'm running Lion. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Greg

Should using mixed wifi and ethernet clients on a timecapsule work? if so is it a feature I can use out of the box so to speak?
Thanks
No a TC cannot do what you want.. it is now in dumb stupid wireless join mode.. and it turns off the ethernet ports.. in case you want to use the TC as a wireless bridge to multiple clients which is plainly wrong.. (only airport express is allowed to do this since it has only one ethernet port).
Welcome to Apple. (The plainly wrong above is a figment of Apple imagination.. of strict network protocols.. but unhelpful for a home device. maybe also to encourage sales of expresses.)

Camcorder suggestions

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