Looking for an HD video camera

I am a teaching student and I need to film myself in a classroom activity next Tuesday. My school rents cameras, but for two days, it would cost $120 and it would cost $180 for a week. May as well buy one if I am spending that much.
I have an older Mac Pro Quad Core and I am running 10.6.7 and Final Cut Studio 2 (I bought FCS3 not too long ago, but have not installed it yet).
I'd like to go HD (I think) and spend no more than $500.
What I want to do is be able to film stuff, dump it into Final Cut Pro and make standard definition DVDs. I know how to capture video using a Canopus ADVC-100 and make DVDs from the resulting DV files using compressor and DVDSP, but from what I am seeing, cameras record in MTS and I'd need to do a log and transfer? Would I transfer to ProRes and make my DVD as usual out of that file? I have never actually captured video directly from a video camera, just VHS through the Canopus so this is ALL new to me.
I'd shoot mostly home movies and the occasional live band. Would a camera like either of these be good for my needs?
Sony HDR-CX160 LI
Canon - VIXIA HF R21
Any suggestions?

Good point(s). That's why I said I think I'd like to go HD. I didn't know how necessary it was, I just knew it was what was popular now. I'd mainly be using it to do home movies, maybe the occasional web clip and make regular SD DVDs. I don't even have a Blu-Ray player yet, though I plan on getting one and I don't think I'd take enough movies to have a burning desire to plug the camera into an HDTV to watch videos.

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What to look for in a video camera

i have an apple ibook 700 mhz with imovie....but ill be buying a mac mini within the next few months so i will then have idvd..what are some things that i need to make sure i look for in a video camera. like i dont want to buy something that isnt going to be compatible with my ibook/macmini. im assuming i want a mini dv recorder. any help is greatly appreciated thanks

... ah,we had that a while ago... no bookmark... hm?? :
* miniDV, no miniDVD/flashmem/whatever..
* firewire connected (all miniDV do so, some call it iLink or IE1394) ask dealer for a cable! (some manufacturers "forget" to include...)
* stay with the big brands, no exotic cheapos...
* I highly recommend Sony, pic & audio quality perfect! very good energy management ("stamina")
* in case you need: look for ext. mic plug-in
* in case you need conversion from analogue (beta, VHS, PSP..), look for analogue-IN
* spending BigBucks: HD is a nice-have, but besides playback to tape no other media in sight ("HDDVD")
* 3ccd has "better" pic quality, better lowlight/lowkey quality
* you shouldn't pay for any in-camera-fx (sepia, posterize, ...), you'll do that in iMovie...
* get hands-on experience in shop! some cameras are too small...
* set camera to 16bit audio (my Sony "prefers" 12bit - NoGo with iApps)
* get a tripod

Looking for a sports video camera that is compatible with the mac

Looking for a video camera that can record sports well and is also compatible with the mac. I've been using iMovie to edit videos for a highlight reel of my highschool soccer games that I coach.

I like Sony HD MiniDV (HDV) Handycam Camcorder - HDRFX1000, but I have also used several older Sony (DCR-TRV17 and DCR-TRV70) and Canon (VIXIA HV20, VIXIA HV30, and VIXIA HV40) tape-based Firewire-equipped camcorders with good results.
I prefer tape-based Firewire-equipped cameras because of their IEEE 1394 transfer speed, compatibility with iMovie HD, and ability to serve as the source recording directly into iMovie when desired. If none of these characteristics is important to you, other Mac-compatible camcorders with suitable zoom ranges and lens speeds for the light levels you encounter should also do nicely for recording at your games.
You do not say which iMovie version you are using, but you can find about known compatible camcorders by searching for the info in a search like this one.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.9

Looking for a retail available camera that is compatible with FMLE

I am looking for a retail available camera that is compatible with FMLE. I do not have a computer with HDMI input, and in the past, I have typically ran with a USB connection. Does anyone know of a camera that is available at a local retail store that would work with FMLE through a USB connection?

Webcams will work, although they may not give you the flexibility that you're looking for with a more traditional "camera".
You may be more interested in looking at a converter/digitizer -- something that can take a variety of inputs and pull those into your computer as a a video source that your computer, and FMLE, sees as a "camera".
Look at this page: http://www.adobe.com/products/flashmediaserver/flashmediaencoder/devicematrix.html
You'll see a variety of webcams, capture cards, cameras, and other devices that are known to work with FMLE. Most of those solutions, however, require the installation of a card or require that you have Thunderbolt connections or FireWire connections. Not on that list is the Dazzle line of digitizers. I know several people who use Dazzles with FMLE -- and while each one seems to have issues that you have to be aware of, they do work (some better than others). As long as you're aware of the issues, it's not a problem working with these devices -- and they're pretty inexpensive. The Dazzle Video Creator Platinum seems to have the least amount of problems (the only real problem that I'm aware of is that you have to be sure to disable your preview windows in FMLE if you want to make changes to the source settings -- or it will crash FMLE. But, once you get your settings in place you can enable the preview windows again and don't have to worry about it). The great thing about a digitizer is that you can now use any camera that can output to standard composite cables (the yellow, red, and white 'RCA' cables -- or SVideo cable). So your camera selection possabilities increase greatly.
If you're looking for a standalone camera that can deliver a live video feed through USB -- good luck. I'm sure they're out there, but your choices are going to be very limited.
Personally, I use the Canopus ADVC110 -- which allows me to hook up any camera (or even a playback deck/DVR/DVD player, etc.) that can output composite (RCA) or FireWire or S-Video. The ADVC110 will not work for you, as you need FireWire to hook up to your computer, but just in case you do have FireWire I can tell you that it is a stellar box with no issues at all.

How do i find a recent backup from on icloud. i don't want to restore on my iphone, just view on my Pc and keep as file. looking for pics and video i recorded thanks

How do i find a recent backup from on icloud. i don't want to restore on my iphone, just view on my Pc and keep as file. looking for pics and video i recorded thanks

The password is set on the WiFi router providing the service, by the owner of the network to prevent unwanted "guests" accessing the network. The only way to know it is to ask the owner permission to use the network. Otherwise, you have to find a free WiFi hotspot that doesn't require a password.

I'm looking for a music video that's not...

I'm looking for a music video that's not on itunes. Where can I express a wish?
(My wish: ofra haza "im nin alu" - musicvideo)
I want it because of the good quality recording.
Greetz!

MPD rocks, runs here for months without major problems.
The client side is very flexible, you can choose many players:
http://www.musicpd.org/clients.shtml
For X, for console, etc..
Edit:
MPD supports Icecast also, to create streams.
Last edited by mephisto (2007-05-15 14:00:36)

Looking for a good Video intro generator. Any recommendation ?

Hi there,
I am looking for some impressive video intro generator & bump into this:
http://www.reallusion.com/contentstore/cstore_vshowcase.aspx?id=525&CategoryName =iClone
I bought the iClone4 plus the Motion Montage because I like the part where it will generate the impressive video intro sequence automatically & all I need to do was to drag my pictures & videos into it.
But, when I used it, this software turns out to be very complicated. When I drag a picture into it, it turns dark immediately !! My guess is that I have to adjust the lighting & a whole series of buttons to get the effect. So, this is too cumbersome & too time consuming for me.
I need one that can generate an impressive video intro & all I have to do is to select my pictures & video files.
Any recommendation from experts here ?
Thanks

skalicki` wrote:
I'd never seen any program that could make something like that so easily until I clicked your link! Generally to do that kind of work you need a working knowledge of programs that support editing/modeling in 3D space.
If nobody else can name another product, you might try the "Contact Us" part of their website:
http://www.reallusion.com/aboutus.asp#contact
Yes, I have tried that, all they did was ask me to see their tutorial & manual & forum. But their forum are mostly on iClone4 and not Motion Montage.
Also, it is too time consuming to learn the iClone4. I bought it because I thought I can produce the impressive video intro by just dragging in my video files & picture files.
It work to a certain extend but the problem is that the very minute I drag my files into it, it becomes very dark & resolution quality drop to a very bad level, unlike what I see on the sales video.
I hope others can recommend me another product.
Thanks

IMovie start up stops when looking for i Photo video's

iMovie starts up but when looking for new iPhoto video's it looks like the program is in a loop and nothing happens anymore. I can only stop the loop by forcing the close of the program.

Removed all iMovie preference files from the library folder, still hangs on start up with the same message
"Updating iPhoto videos Event"
"Scanning for new videos in your iPhoto Library"
Gets half way thru scan,hangs. Spinning ball and iMovie "not responding" in Force quit window
Running iMovie is 9.0.1, on a completly standard machine as supplied from the factory
Cheers
Phil
Message was edited by: Philip Smith2

I'm looking for best HD Video Downloader any suggestion are welcome ...

I'm looking for best HD Video Downloader any suggestion are welcome ...

Are you unhappy with the videos from the iTunes store?

Looking for forums for Sony digital video camera recorder DCR-TRV 11

I've been thinking hard and decided that I WILL use my Sony digital video camera recorder DCR-TRV 11. (I was being tempted by a smaller Sony that has a 40x optical zoom.
Question: Do you know of where I can find a good forum for this brand and model? I Googled it but would like personal recommendations.
Thank you.
-L

Bengt Wärleby wrote:
Hi
Don't know of any other forum else this (and FinalCut)
Your Camera NEED an FireWire-Cable FW-800 <--> 4-pin or FW-400 <--> 4-pin
I have a FireWire cable.
The supplied USB-Cable will not work with iMovie or FinalCut - Sorry.
Yours Camera also can record Audio as 12-bit or 16-bit Audio.
Please - SET IT TO 16-bit (now) - else severe audio sync problems in iMovie
(FinalCut - might be able to Capture 32kHz audio)
How do I set my Sony digital video camera recorder DCR-TRV 11 to 16-bit?
Also, I do not have or use Final Cut.
Thank you for the warning about 16 bit. I wish you would tell me why it is important to set to 16 bit, though.
Thank you,
-L
Yours Bengt W
Don't know of any other forum else this (and FinalCut)
Your Camera NEED an FireWire-Cable FW-800 <--> 4-pin or FW-400 <--> 4-pin
The supplied USB-Cable will not work with iMovie or FinalCut - Sorry.
Yours Camera also can record Audio as 12-bit or 16-bit Audio.
Please - SET IT TO 16-bit (now) - else severe audio sync problems in iMovie
(FinalCut - might be able to Capture 32kHz audio)

Any recommendation for a rooftop video cam?

Hello!
I'm wondering if anyone here could recommend a video cam to install on a 10 to 15 foot pole on top of my roof. I'm trying to have a view of the beach and ocean across my house. I've done a "quick and dirty" Google search and so far, none look that good. The one's I've seen from a Google search are wireless, which is good, but the image quality may be mediocre. I don't necessarily need to record the images, but would like to be able to scan and zoom if possible. An interface to my computer or to one of the inputs available from a high-definition television monitor are hopefully available options.
Thanks.
~Raymon

Hi, Raymon.
Take a look at Ben Bird's Security Spy. This seems to be what you want w.r.t. an computer interface for the camera. Ben may also be able to recommend some cameras to you. He has a little "generic" info about using cameras outdoors here, but I'd suspect he could give you some good camera advice since it could also lead to your buying the software.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

LabVIEW Platform for Domestic Applications - Video Camera

Hello!
I’m looking into the possibility of using LabVIEW for some domestic type applications. For example, I’d like to automate the movement of a domestic type video camera. The movement would be realized with a type of low power motor with SCPI compatibility. A couple of questions to be asked:
1)      Do these types of low-powered motors exist that can support SCPI commands over a physical layer such as USB? If not, do some type of converters exist?
2)      Can a commercial grade video camera be sufficient?
3)      I would suspect that this type of application would address the Motion & Vision functions of LabVIEW?
4)      Does any supported NI documentation exist for this specific application?
Thank you in advance for your time & efforts!

Hi,
Thank you for posting on the National Instruments discussion forums.
Regarding the questions you have about your application:
1) Typically, motors require a separate drive to interpret commands received through a USB or serial port and convert these to signals of the type needed by the motor. I am not familiar with any motor which integrates the necessary hardware to do this, but it may exist.
2) Most consumer cameras are not compatible with our IMAQ for IEEE 1394 or IMAQdx drivers because they output data in a compressed format. This is explained in the following Knowledge Base article:
http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/AFDED7F599E8A73A8625689E007672E5?OpenDocument
3) If you do have a supported camera, the IMAQdx drivers will allow you to interface with the camera. To interface with the camera in LabVIEW, you will also need the Vision Development Module. More information on the VDM can be found here:
http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/2881
In regards to the motion portion of your application, NI-Motion will allow you to interface between one of our motion cards and a motion drive. If you will be communicating with your motor through a USB or serial port, you will use the VISA functions in LabVIEW.
4) The IMAQdx drivers include shipping examples which demonstrate how to interface with your camera in LabVIEW. These should serve as a good starting point for your application.
I hope this helps you get started with your application. Please reply if you have any follow-up questions. Thanks.
Rishee B.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

Looking for Camcorder or Video Recording DSLR That Meets Detailed Needs

I do apologise for asking a question that may have been answered but whose answer I have not been able to find. I think once you read my requirements you may understand why.
I am looking at being able to take video of places I go to. In the past I have used my semi pro camera system to take photos and to make movies from these with added music. Over time I am wishing that I had also taken a camcorder to record those memorable occasions which are fading in my mind.
I am looking for a camera that will meet the following requirements: -
1. HD 720P (do not like interlaced)
2. Final Cut Express editable
3/ Probably want flash memory (internal/external or external). Reason for this is that camera will be taken around in light aircraft, helicopters, 4 wheel drive vehicles, through desert, jungle, bush as well as normal circumstances.
4/ Want 720P or 1080P (1080P unlikely except in pro camera).
5/ Want to be able to use filters on camcorder lens.
6/ I like a proper view finder (but I wear glasses) as quite often in bright light external screens are not visible. But I also want to have a separate, rotatable screen for hip level and above head level filming. Must be bright enough to view in desert sunlight.
7/ Wish to be able to add a omnidirectional stereo mike or, a unidirectional mike.
8/ Either have a battery that allows for about eight hours recording a day, or have a swappable battery option.
9/ Be able to record in low light situations (in side cathedrals, cave entrances, sun set and sun rise)
10/ Be capable of being able to record wildlife at distances of up to 500 metres or more. I do not like digital zoom, preferring to use optical zoom.
11/ Being able to record fast moving objects (cheetahs to aircraft)
12/ Being able to transfer data to a backup storage device whilst travelling. This may not be feasible.
13/ Being able to play back what has been recorded to review all.
Now here is a problem. I am limited in budget (approximately £1200 to £1500), and also do not enjoy carrying suitcases around with me. Suitcases go missing an awful lot. I tend to travel with a carry on bag weighing up to 12 kg (including camera system & backup device).
If there were a digital SLR camera I might go for something like that (e.g. Panasonic DMC-GH1). Problem with this camera is that it records in AVCHD at the top levels and at Motion JPEG for 720p and below. The GH1 wraps its 24 fps movies in an interlaced 60 fps file. It is possible to use the Motion JPEG codec, though you have to drop the resolution to 1280 x 720 (at 30 fps), and deal with a 2GB file size limit. Would love to use my existing Nikkor lenses, but again not necessary.
I do understand I am unlikely to get such a system in my price range, but what is the closest system on the market, or coming soon that meets my requirements (whether DSLR with video or Camcorder which means I still carry my DSLR).
Thank you very much for taking the time to read all this.

Evening Tom,
Thanks for your response. What I am able to tell you about the Panasonic DMC-GH1 is: -
It can record full high definition motion pictures compatable with the AVCHD format or motion pictures recorded in Motion JPEG.
Audio will be recorded in stereo and Dolby Digital Stereo Creator format.
In AVCHD there are a number of possible settings. In all cases the aspect ratio is 16:9.
1/ FHD = 1920 x 1080 pixels, 17 Mbps, 50 frames per second interlaced (sensor output is at 25 fps)
2/ SH = 1280 x 720 pixels, 17 Mbs, 50 frames per second progressive (sensor output is 50 fps)
3/ H = 1280k720 pixels, 13 Mbps, 50 frames per second progressive (sensor output is 50 fps)
4/ L = 1280k720 pixels, 9 Mbps, 50 frames per second progressive (sensor output is 50 fps)
In Motion JPEG the possible settings are
1/ HD = 1280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps and an aspect ration of 16:9
2/ WVGA = 848 x 480 pixels at 30 fps and an aspect ration of 16:9
3/ VGA = 640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps and an aspect ratio of 4:3
4/ QVGA = 320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps and an aspect ratio of 4:3
AVCHD Movies can be recorded continuously for up to 29 minutes 59 seconds. Motion picture recorded continuously in MOTION JPEG the limit is up to 2 GB (approximately 8m 20 seconds) in any one scene.
Regards,
Hval

Looking for a music video app.

I'm looking for an app that will let me record one long video (where I'm miming to an entire song in time) then allow me to replace parts of it with other short videos and stills, not changing the timing of the long video. Does iMovie have this facility or does anyone know of other apps that do?

IMovie iOS is not able to edit different video over different video.
But this only applies to audio recorded with video.
So you could lay down the music track you are lip syncing to, then add your video over the top.
But you are unable to lay a second layer of video over the top of the first.
So iMovie iOS is not the app you are looking for.
This forum is specifically for iMovie iOS so I can't recommend any other app sorry.

I am looking for a iPad video recovery app.

I deleted an important video from my iPad 3 device. I need to recover this video soon so I can begin using my iPad 3 again. I do not want to overwrite the deleted free space where the important video was located (before deletion) until after I complete the successful recovery of the lost video file using recovery software. I have purchased the Disk Drill 1.8.148 application from the Mac App store for my iMac. The Disk Drill 1.8.148 application seems to recover loss files pretty well for attached external attached hard drives. My problem is that the iPad when attached via USB cable to my iMac is not in Mass Media Storage mode and therefore the Disk Drill 1.8.148 software application does not recognize this as searchable media to look for lost files.
There are no adequate instructions for converting the iPad 3 to the Mass Media Storage Mode requested by the Disk Drill 1.8.148 software application.
What do I do to get the Disk Drill 1.8.148 software application or any other software application to see and search the iPad 3 attached to my iMac?
I would appreciate any help you can offer.
Thank you.
Mark Stringfellow
[email protected]

There's no way to do those things on an iPad. If you have already installed a new application on the iPad (Disk Drill) then your file has probably already been overwritten. Sorry.

Looking for an HD video camera

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