I want to buy a Camcorder.....
I want to buy a camcorder which will enable me to use iMovie and perhaps some other movie programmes in time. I use an Intel iMac and Mac Book with 10.4
So, what camcorder to buy that will be compatible with all of this? I've picked up from these sites that DVD and HDD camcorders seem to incompatible with editing etc., so I will steer clear of them. That seems to indicate a mini camcorder which has a removable storage device, like a tape. So, what models ? I don't want to spend more than £250 on one ($500), so something in that region would be good. Sony, Canon, Panasonic ?
Also, once I get to want to go beyond iMovie and do something a bit more adventurous, what software is good and compatible with a Mac ? Final Cut ? Not sure what that is but have seen it around and it has something to do with movies, I think !
Thanks.
Chris
If you can stretch to £350, the Sony HC-96 has a large (1/3") image sensor (usual fare for this level of camera is about 1/5" to 1/6") and this will give you better image quality and better low light performance. Also shoots in 16:9 mode.
http://www.simplydv.co.uk/Reviews/sony_dcr-hc96.html
Better still is the Panasonic NV GS-500:
http://www.simplydv.co.uk/Reviews/panasonic_nv-gs500.html
With 3 x 1/4.7" CCD's you get even more imaging power and more manual controls for when you become more proficient.
Drawback? It's £536 best price.
The Panny NV GS-320 is less well specc'd but still has 3 x 1/6" CCDs and can be had for £305.
Once you've mastered iMovie (or simply want more editing control and features) Al's advice RE: FCE is wise.
Don't forget that mini dv video files are large (5 mins=1GB) so if you are planning on doing a fair bit of video work you may want to factor in the cost of an external FW hard drive in the future - they're pretty inexpensive at the moment.
Similar Messages
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I want to buy a new camcorder and am considering one by JVC. This one, plus a few others such as Sony use AVCHD. I gather this would be need converting before any editing can be done in imovie?? I cant find a simple answer to this question. It seems strange to me that Mac dont appear to support AVCHD when so many video camera companies use it. Can anyone advise please, in simple language as I am far from a computer geek!!!
Is conversion a complicated or time consuming process and would it be simpler to fo for an MP4 typeMost AVCHD camcorders can be used in iMovie without any conversion needed if they are imported directly from the camcorder.
When you hear someone mention that you must convert AVCHD to use in iMovie, it is usually because they removed the files from the camcorder and only removed part of the files and folders. You need all of them to import to iMovie.
However, you should check to see if the camcorder you are choosing will work in iMovie. Here is a list of compatible camcorders.
http://help.apple.com/imovie/cameras/en/index.html?lang=en_US -
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 -
What is the best camcorder for about $1000. Advise me please I want to buy
What kind of a camcorder you can advise me to buy for about $1000? Whether new, refurbished or used. The one which uses miniDv tapes.
I have used a camera service and repair shop for years. This guy used to be a highly acclaimed lead engineer in Sony's Professional Division, who now runs his own shop and performs all the maintenance, service and repair for a number of broadcasters and TV stations, as well as consumers and professionals. He gets all kinds of cameras and decks in his shop, so he has a very broad experience and sees all kinds of causes for problems.
One is often surprised of the myriad of causes for severe problems one can have with a camera that really looks in pristine condition. Stupid little things like a filter thread on the lens that is ruined, the mini mic connector, that is bent internally, moist that corroded the audio board, salt water spray that ruined the i-Link connector, worn-out drums or heads, head clogging on tape based cameras, overloaded audio connectors that cause a hiss, etc.
There can be so many small but bothersome things with a used camera that looks as if it is brand new, and are very dificult to discern. Example of a used Sony Z1. Looks superb, drum and head hours are OK and looks good. No visible damage, test shows it works without problems, but how do you find the the mic suspension has once been broken and replaced, but not with the original screws, but a size larger. On the Z1 this is a weak point. Now if you break it again and get a replacement, you find out that the original screw size does no longer fit. Minor problem, but it may require additional parts to get it back in original condition. Or you may find out that there are dead pixels on the LCD screen, or one of the sensors has been burned in by shooting an sunrise just a bit late, or the lens is slightly misaligned due to heavy force when removing a filter, etc.
A camera left in the sun in a car and getting very hot, which reduced the life span of the disk, a Monday morning hard disk that developed a number of bad sectors, a camera used at the Niagara Falls in the spray causing internal corrosion, used in the rain without a rainslicker, all these things can not be determined by a visual inspection.
I'm not saying there are no good used cameras, I'm saying you have to be very careful if you want to buy a used camera and ideally you would have a good service shop do a complete inspection of the camera and advising you whether it is worth the asking price, like one does when buying a used car.
To continue the Z1 example. I was on a sailing trip, island hopping in the Caribbean and the accessory shoe on the camera came loose, you still have 6 days before you can find a local shop if you can find one to repair it on Jost van **** or Virgin Gorda or Saba. So you try to repair it on board with limited tools and means. Nail polish and loctite were temporay solutions, but when one wants to remove the screws that were fastened with loctite on board, you have a problem. You don't see it until it is too late. Hidden limitations that a seller usually does not tell you.
Personally I prefer to save a bit longer and buy new. -
I want to buy a new apple tv but it used hdmi cables and my house is only wired for analog. Is there any way I can use the apple tv on analog cables?
Welcome to the Apple Community.
It's do-able, but I don't think it's a great idea.
DVI
Some users with DVI have managed to get their TV's to work with DVI-HDMI cables. DVI carries no audio, so alternative connections need to be explored to enable audio. DVI doesn't necessarily support HDCP as well as other standards used by HDMI (which may or may not be an issue)
Analogue
There are hardware converters that will convert HDMI to various other types of output, however there are some issues with doing so that you should be aware of.
HDCP
HDCP compliant converters will not allow you to watch HDCP protected content such as that from the iTunes Store. Non compliant converters exist but we cannot discuss them under the Terms of Use for these communities.
Resolution and aspect ratio
I'm not aware of any converters that will scale the output from the Apple TV, any TV or projector which is used will need to be widescreen and support resolutions of 720p (Apple TV 2), 720p/1080p (Apple TV 3)
DAC
DAC (Example Only - Not a recommendation or suggestion that this is suitable in your circumstances) -
how can i save my individual playlist on itunes on my external hard drive because i want to buy a laptop and install itunes and move all my music and playlist thats on my desktop to my laptop and almost all of my music is from a bunch of cds i own
Hello ryane84
The easiest and most efficient way to copy your music is to follow the steps under the External drive section. Make sure that you have organized the iTunes library first before you copy it over. Then put the copied iTunes folder in the same Music folder on your computer.
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
Regards,
-Norm G. -
I Wanted to buy itunes gift card but instead I got apple store gift card accidentally how can I buy itunes gift card using my apple store gift card?
You can't from Apple, they don't let you buy iTunes gift cards with an Apple Store gift card. You could see if a different store in your country might let you (though they possibly won't), or try selling the card to somebody e.g. family, friend, eBay etc
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I bought a book on itunes, and can't open it. tried to send it to my iphone so i could read it there and it won't let me carry it over. I have updated Ibook on my iphone. What do I do? I do not want to buy the book again.
You won't be able to open it on your computer, ibooks can currently only be read in the iBooks app on an iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. How were you trying to get it to your phone, syncing it by selecting it on the iPhone's Books tab when connected to your computer's iTunes, or by dragging-and-dropping it from the Books part of your iTunes library over and onto the iPhone 'device' ? Another option is to try re-downloading it directly in the iBooks app on your iPhone via the Purchased tab in the ibookstore in it (re-downloading).
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I updated my iPod and it erased everything i had on it. How do i retrieve the songs that i bought from the iTunes store? when i try to download/buy them again they tell me i have already purchased them do i want to buy them again? I have authorized my computer but none of them are in my music now.
You buy one and only one download.
It is your responsibility to move/copy/backup your music.
Certainly you did not update your ipod without making sure that you had transferred anything purchased on the ipod to your computer and included it in your regular backup copy of your computer. -
the numbers turn out grey next to my apple id and i wanted to buy i song but it said my account was going to be debited when i have $25 still on my iTunes acct from an iTunes gift card!
Contact Apple for assistance by going to https://expresslane.apple.com, then click iTunes>iTunes Store>Account Management>The topic is not listed.
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apple id was originally disabled. I reset my password and can sign into my apple id account. But when i want to buy an app in the app store it says my apple id is disabled again.
It's real easy to create a new one and, in fact, it's too easy. I say that because multiple IDs are a PIA. The problem is that anything obtained from the iTunes Store is PERMANENTLY associated with the ID that was used to obtain the item(s). iTunes items can not be transferred from one ID to another and IDs can not be merged.
The problem arises when you want to update an app. If you're doing it from iTunes on your computer, you must log out and back in to get to the correct ID. Then you update and log out/in again to get back to where you started. It's slightly easier if you update from the iPad/iPod device as there is no need to log out/in BUT you still need the correct password for the appropriate ID. Of course, with a disabled ID, the problem is much worse!
A replacement Apple ID makes sense ONLY if you wish to start out absolutely brand new with zero iTunes Store purchases.
If you're really butting your head aginst a wall and you're reasonably close to an Apple Store, my suggestion is that you make an appointment with the resident "Genius" and get his/her help.
One last thought... If your brother actually got a human on the phone to dispute the charges, go there and explain the problem. Of course, if Apple did not accept his explanation of what occurred, that could be the whole issue. Apple believes that money is owed on the account! -
I downloaded from the Apps.store a game named,"Ninja Run". When I was plkaying the game, I got out and a message appeared, asking me whether I would like to buy 5 revivals for Rs.170/-. When I hit the,"Buy"button, I was asked to confirm my Credit card details. I confirmed it and was asked to enter the Security Code. When I did so,, a message appeared telling me that the Security Code was invalid and the purchase could not be completed. When I continued the game and got out again, the message appeared again asking me whether I wanted to buy. Thinking that my purchase was not completed, I again hit the,"Buy" button. Nothing happened. I continued the game and when I got out, I received the same message and obliged accordingly. This went on for three or more times. By this time,however I got confused and quit the game. All these things happened on 6th September 2013. The next day,I was shocked to see 5 receipts from the Apple Apps.store in the In Box of my email account,each for Rs.170/-
totalling Rs850/. Worse still, when I played the game the next day and got out and asked for a revival, would you believe it, I was again asked whether I would like to buy 5 revivals for Rs.170/-.
Thus,I ended up buying a game for Rs.850/- while the actual price is only Rs.170/-,and not even able to play the full game.
Could anyone please tell me whether I can get a refund of Rs.680/-,the extra amount I paid for this game.
I will be much thankful to anyone who can guide me and help me claim the refund. Thank everyone.For customer service issues, go here...
https://expresslane.apple.com/Issues.action -
How do I use the itunes credit I have on my MAC? I received a gift card and loaded it on my MAC. I want to buy itunes. When I go to check out it asks for my credit card info. How do I use the credit?
Purchase and Redeem an iTunes Gift Card.
How to Redeem a Code > http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1574 -
i cannot found iLife app on my macbook pro and when i want to buying it i cannot and i have this massage (These apps cannot be accepted by your Apple ID.These apps were already assigned to another Apple ID, and they will be available in that Apple ID's purchases list. If you don't have access to that AppleID and want to receive future updates, you will needto purchase the applications ) what i want to do now ? please tell me
Either use the Apple ID you used when you originally purchased the applications or you will have to purchase them using your Apple ID. If you did not have the other Apple ID, then you have the applications illegally or they were improperly included with a computer you purchased from someone else.
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BEFORE JUST REJECTING MY QUERY, AS A POTENTIALLY NEW CUSTOMER I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME FORM OF AN ANSWER!!
I want to buy an iPad (my first one), but would rather wait a couple of months to get the latest one if they are planning on a release of a newer version later this year. I certainly cannot afford to buy one now and then update when a newer model comes out, especially if it's released only a couple of months from now.The latest one came out just 4 months ago. Doubt one is coming out soon.
There are always going to be people who are one day out of their return period when a new device comes out, and that's just that. No one can predict. And we are all just users here who would have no idea. But I would get an iPad now given the last one came out four months ago.
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