Step 1: What camera do I buy?

Hope I am posting this question to the correct forum . . . if not, my apologies.
Was given a Sony DCR-DVD405 as a gift. Gone through 2 third party software vendors to convert the files -- what a pain in the butt. iMovie crashes with my 20 minute file of 10 clips because the Mac won't recognize MPEG-2 clips -- it downloads it as ONE BIG FILE.
Bottom line -- I think I need to sell my camera, though only used twice. I suspect I can get $300-$400 for it.
I want to know which camera would be best for me to get that will work with my Mac and allow me to edit?
Here's what I want:
- Budget is $200 to $400
- Using to video tape my baby and basic "home" family stuff and RC airplanes flying, etc. Amateur stuff.
- Like crisp pictures
- Want a well-made camera
- Want to be able to edit easily and be creative
I like Sony cameras and would be cool with a DCHR model. I am overwhelmed by my options.
I did see a Sony DCRH26 for $149 with full warranty that was a display model at my local electronics store, but I wonder if it would be better to get a higher megapixel camera.
I am running iMovie HD, QuickTime 7 Pro, and Tiger on the previous generation iBook.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me...
Advice?

At your price range you need to check the size of the imaging chip - the CCD size - which has the greatest bearing on the quality of image.
Most cheaper domestic camcorders will have a 1/6"CCD. Some may, like the Panasonic GS-500, have 3x1/4.7"CCDs.
The HC96 has a single 1/3"CCD which is why it gives a better image and lowlight performance than the 1/6"CCD offerings and, in my view, is a good choice.
It has a nice widescreen LCD pullout screen and can shoot 'proper' widescreen but has no external mic or headphone out connectors which may or may not be of use to you.
Here's a brief review:
http://www.simplydv.co.uk/Reviews/sony_dcr-hc96.html

Similar Messages

  • I think I have mastered the "What camera should I buy" issue.

    I have been doing research for months now on which camera is best.
    I have looked at every model, every brand, read their specs and checked their features.
    Things could change, but for now:
    ONLY CAMERAS WITH A FIRE WIRE PORT AND A MINIDV TAPE WILL WORK WITH iMOVIE directly with EASE OF USE, BEST QUALITY and LEAST AMOUNT OF COMPRESSION ISSUES.
    Two choices:
    1. High Definition cameras:
    Conclusion: They all suck. It is a question of which one ***** the least. In my opinion it is the Canon HV20 ($1099.99). It has the best features (I love the 24p mode) for the money. I think Apple agrees with me, they sell it in the Apple Store. If only it had a decent 3CCD lens that worked well in low light, it would be perfect. If you are only going to shoot in good light, no problem.
    Why I think they suck? NONE of the HD consumer level cameras have inputs for analogue and high definition video for recording from older equipment like VCRs and new equipment like cable boxes that output HD TV. This means you cannot record your favorite HD TV program OR MOVIE and make a HD DVD (Blue-ray or HD-DVD) with no loss of quality.
    NOTE: The upper end cameras like the Sony HDR-FX1 ($3699,99) and the Canon XL-H1 (7,999.99) are the only cameras that don't suck, but the prices do.
    WARNING ABOUT HD
    YOU WILL NEED A POWERFUL COMPUTER LIKE THE NEW MAC PROS WITH 2 GIG OF RAM AND HUGE HUGE AMOUT OF HARD DRIVE STORAGE and Final Cut Pro TO BE HAPPY WORKING WITH HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO.
    2. SD Cameras.
    I like the Sony DCR-HC96. ($649.99) It has Analog-to-Digital Converter (with Pass Through) and Analog Audio/Video Input(s) (Multi A/V)
    This camera is perfect for any Mac user with older machines like the dual G4's and older G5's.

    I guess we can agree to disagree.
    From your post:
    <ONLY CAMERAS WITH A FIRE WIRE PORT AND A MINIDV TAPE WILL WORK WITH iMOVIE directly with EASE OF USE, BEST QUALITY and LEAST AMOUNT OF COMPRESSION ISSUES.
    <div class="jive-quote">That is not really correct. HDV camcorders do employ MiniDV tapes and connect via firewire, but do have compression issues due to the MPEG-2 recording format.
    I said "The LEAST amount of compression issues" I did not say they do not have compression. SO YOU DID NOT UNDERSTAND.
    The you said:
    <YOU WILL NEED A POWERFUL COMPUTER LIKE THE NEW MAC PROS WITH 2 GIG OF RAM AND HUGE HUGE AMOUT OF HARD DRIVE STORAGE and Final Cut Pro TO BE HAPPY WORKING WITH HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO.
    <div class="jive-quote">Incorrect again. My iBook G4, 1.25 Ghz, 512 RAM handles HDV just fine (apart from the slow capture speed) and if your final output is an SD DVD, there's always the possibility to let the camera do the downconversion and edit in SD.
    I said "To be happy working with high definition video". It should have been clear to you that I am saying NO SLOW CAPTURE, and CREATING AN HD MOVIE FROM START TO FINISH. FINISH meaning Blu-ray or HD-DVD (with software from the future) in less than 6 hours. Your little G4 with 512 RAM will NOT be able to handle that when it becomes available. I hate how slow my MDD dual G4 which I upgraded to 1.5 Gig of RAM performs when working with SD video. I would cry if I had to go your speed. (Ergo NOT HAPPY) You said "If your output is SD" I did not say SD, I was referring to HD so,,,YOUR WRONG AGAIN.
    My point is that HD cameras are just not fully compatible with the Mac, and most (as normal) support Windowz with USB2 more than OSX.
    We cannot make full use of HD on our Macs until we can make HD DVDs.
    Do you get it now?

  • What camera to buy for taking close pictures of coins in mint state condition?​???

    hi
    what camera to buy for taking close pictures of coins in mint state condition????uncirculated coins ??

    BetterWay wrote:
    The camera is not so much of an issue here as making sure that you get the right glass(lens) .
    Both Nikon and Canon have specialty lenses to allow Macro (1:1 or lifesize or greater magnification) images to be made.
    I would also recommend that you get a good tripod and focusing rails to mount your camera on as most macro photography is best done using manual focus and moving the camera.  This is due to the fact that macro lenses have a very shallow depth of field.
    If you don't want to go to this extreme, then at least get a small sturdy tripod and always use a remote shutter release.
    All of this is related to DSLR's.
    If you want to go the PnS route, then look for one that emphasizes its macro capability and again, use a tripod.  Again, the lens is the most important item here.
    Actually, no - lens is not the most important - coins are highly reflective and as a result VERY difficult to light properly - the lighting equipment is going to be the most important.
    Lens will be second most important - you can probably do fine for coin photography with one of the common pseudo-macro lenses that only do 1:2 and not 1:1.  However a true 1:1 macro lens will give you the most flexibility.
    Since the lighting equipment is the most important, the key here is going to be that the camera has support for an external flash.  This is guaranteed for an SLR but rare in P&S cameras.
    *disclaimer* I am not now, nor have I ever been, an employee of Best Buy, Geek Squad, nor of any of their affiliate, parent, or subsidiary companies.

  • Adobe Flash Player wont work after all steps taken, what haven't I done to make it work?

    I tried to play a game I love & I got this message: "To view this page ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 10.0.0 or greater is installed" So I went to your site to update my flash player & hit the "Test Flash Player" button & it came up
    like this^^. I went to the suggestions your site provided & went to Manage add-ons to look for Shockwave Flash Object to enable it:
    You can see that it is enabled by this picture I have provided. So it also asks me to make sure that ActiveX isn't clicked on & so I did:
    As you can see it's turned off & I even tried it the other way where it has the spot checked & it still wont play. So I decided to see if I could reinstall it onto my computer & so in turn I got this message:
    That is the message I got even after trying to delete Flash Player & reinstalling it. Now you can see my frustration with all this. Adobe Flash Player wont work after all steps taken, what haven't I done to make it work? I have a Windows 8.1 Pro, I use Internet Explorer which has the latest version on it, which is Windows Explorer 11 Version: 11.0.9600.17498 & I was also under the understanding that I also had the latest version of Adobe Flash Player on this computer as well. Can someone tell me what to do??

    First, confirm that ActiveX Filtering is configured to allow Flash content:
    https://forums.adobe.com/thread/867968
    Internet Explorer 11 introduces a number of changes both to how the browser identifies itself to remote web servers, and to how it processes JavaScript intended to target behaviors specific to Internet Explorer. Unfortunately, this means that content on some sites will be broken until the content provider changes their site to conform to the new development approach required by modern versions of IE.
    You can try to work around these issues by using Compatibility View:
    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/use-compatibility-view#ie=ie-11
    If that is too inconvenient, using Google Chrome may be a preferable alternative.

  • 2008 Mac Mini - what webcam can I buy for this computer?????

    OMG help me. I have a 2008 Mac Mini - I need to skype and have tried a few webcams that either just don't work or there is no sound - I understand it nees to be the correct kind for mac... so what webcam can I use on this computer I've been researching for days and can't seem to find any definitive answers anywhere online.... what webcam can I buy for a mini mac 2008??

    Try this:
    http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Widescreen-Calling-Recording-960-000694/dp/B004FH O5Y6
    Works for me and Skype, anyway. 
    The microphone will have to be built-in to the camera and USB-connected - like the one above (and NOT a pink 3.5mm plug!)
    You also sure you're selecting the correct audio input on the webcams you've already tried?

  • What is better to buy Nokia N97 or HTC Touch HD?

    Hi, guys!
    Help me to decide, please, what is better to buy between Nokia N97 and HTC Touch HD for a few next use cases:
    1. Web-surfing;
    2. Notes;
    3. Contacts;
    4. Music;
    5. Films;
    6. Camera;
    7. E-reading.
    8. Calling;
    9. SMS, MMS.
    10. Text typing.
    Thanks a lot,
    Alexey

    N97 is Best
    The Nokia N97 is a S60 5th Edition mobile computer with a large 3,5“, bright nHD (640 x 360 pixels and 16:9 aspect ratio) TFT color display with resistive touch screen and tactile feedback. The device provides excellent user experience for internet and entertainment by combining qwerty keyboard with touch UI and Home screen functionality. Use the N97 to connect to mobile broadband using WLAN or HSDPA (3.5G). Find directions and locations with the integrated A-GPS and included maps. Additional features include game titles with N-Gage, a 5 mega pixel camera with dual LED flash and automatic geotagging of images and videos.
    Extra Features  Accelerometer Sensor
    Ambient Light Sensor
    Compass
    Files on OVI
    Flight Mode
    FOTA Firmware over the Air
    Magnetometer Sensor
    Nokia Maps 2.0
    Nokia Music Store
    Ovi Store
    PictBridge
    Proximity Sensor
    Share on OVI
    Software Updates
    Stereo FM RDS Radio
    Stereo Handsfree Speakers
    Still Image Editor
    Themes
    TV Out
    Visual Radio    A-GPS
    So i Suggest you only about N97
    You won't get a second chance to create a first good impression.

  • I bought a HD and the Itunes Stores say that the movie (Pretty Women) has Itunes Extras. Why I can not find it? It is a mistake from Apple? What happen if I buy the movie because the Extras and now I can not watch it? I have an Ipad last generation.

    I bought a HD and the Itunes Stores say that the movie (Pretty Women) has Itunes Extras. Why I can not find it? It is a mistake from Apple? What happen if I buy the movie because the Extras and now I can not watch it? I have an Ipad last generation.

    What version of iOS do you have on your iPad (Settings > General > About > Version), and is it connected to wifi ?
    From Buy and play movies with iTunes Extras - Apple Support :
    Here’s what you need to stream the new iTunes Extras:
    Mac using OS X Mavericks v10.9.3 or later and iTunes 11.3 or later
    PC using iTunes 11.3 or later
    Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation or later) using Apple TV software 6.2 or later
    iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using iOS 8 or later (You need to connect to Wi-Fi. Extras won't appear if you're connected to a cellular network.)
    An active Internet connection
    You can use the steps below on your Apple TV, Mac, PC, or iOS device for any purchased, HD movie that features Extras:
    On your Apple TV, select Movies, then select your movie to see the Extras menu. Extras aren't available from the Computer tile on Apple TV (Home Sharing).
    On your Mac or PC, open iTunes and go to the Movies section in your iTunes library. Double-click your movie. If there's no Internet connection, the Extras menu will be skipped. The movie will immediately play if you already downloaded it.
    On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, tap the Videos app, then tap your movie. If you're connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi, the Extras menu will appear.

  • I cant install flash player on my razr i android 4.1.2 what is happen i buy the app and didnt work

    Well when i finally buy my new cell and get out from symbian os one off the first things i gonna do is install flash player for listen my music on last fm and see the movies from streaming but i am too disapoint cause i goo to google store and find a free app from flash this make me soo happy ok i download it when i see its only say the version i need to buy and its 5 euro i am a brazilian here is almost 16 R$ a big assalt for app but i know flash soo good and buyed it via paypal it send me to a download page i get it there but when i gonna install it, it say the app is not install, the pack seens to be corrupt, i see the forum i make my configuration for app from outside but even like this did not install someone can help me i am get crazy with it.

    Hey bro i just asked about a refound but they tell to contact the
    developers cause after 15 min later they cant reefound and other they say
    the app they send is free and i donwload it for free from google play and
    then from there i gef a pay pall link from 5 euro i hope to know what kind
    off app is this cause it is not a official cause is on google play how it
    could be there if this one are discontinued i am assalted:.? In a official
    web site from google or its a official link? I am lost hows i can
    responsability for this? Hope you can help me i know you are not the
    trouble maker but is the only direct aswer i have! Tks about it i was found
    about browser with flash moments ago but i did know about the bateries
    issues good alert hope you can help a litle more too know what happen too
    me and know how responsability for this
    Hope talk too you soon
    Em 21/12/2013 17:28, "Mike M" <[email protected]> escreveu:
        Re: i cant install flash player on my razr i android 4.1.2 what is
    happen i buy the app and didnt work  created by Mike M<http://forums.adobe.com/people/CFMcBlob>in *Installing
    Flash Player* - View the full discussion<http://forums.adobe.com/message/5950011#5950011

  • What PSU should i buy?

    Hey, i have an important question. I have seen a bunch of posts here on the forum about lack of juice out of PSU's with certain hardware configs....
    I think i have the same problems here, flickering textures in games, when playing games they just quit and im back in windows.... and even sometimes it just hangs.... this is only when playing games or 3D rendering in 3D studio max.
    Here are my system specs.
    ESC K7S6A mainboard (bios version 1.0f )
    AMD Athlon XP 2400+
    512 MB DDR
    WD 40GB/8mb cache (7200rpm)
    WD 80GB/2mb cache (7200rpm)
    LiteOn CDRW 48x
    LiteOn CD/DVD 48x/24x
    SB Audigy player 5.1
    MSI G4Ti4600-VTD (also tested with MSI G4MX440)
    3com Network card 10/100
    Microsoft optical mouse
    PSU 300w
    Windows XP Professional Corp. (NL + SP1)
    DirectX 9.0
    nVidia 41.09 drivers for WinXP
    I think that my PSU is not good (correct me if im wrong), what PSU should i buy with my specs? please give me a brand and typenumber...

    Is there any way to check if the power supply is definetly causing problems - I just bought am G4MX440 and after installing it (was using 32meg TNT2), game graphics are all screwey
    TO-AOT (blank screen)
    Q3 (all i get in the menus is the firey surround 'quake 3')
    GTA3 ('bout a hundred tiled menu windows)
    After reading many of the posts I assumed it was my power supply, went back to where i bought it (both the pc and the card) to upgrade nah it's the card bring it back.
    P4 1.5 on GA-8IDX
    SONY DVD
    PANASONIC 8*4*32 CD-R/W
    512 MB SD
    MSI G4MX440-T
    some TV tuner card (dunno)
    directX 8.1 also tried 9
    300W psu
    3.3 - 14A    | 160W combined
    5    - 30A    |
    12  - 15A
    These guys are selling all their P4 packages with various G4 and other card with 300W power supplies without issue (or so they say)
    so any way to check for sure, will the rails dip significantly?  I be grateful for any suggestions caus if i take it back you know it will sit on a shelf for a a few days b4 they get around to it - and i'm itching to try it out....

  • Please help i bought an iphone from ebay and it is unlocked and refirbished by apple how do i know what sim card to buy for it? iPhone 3GS

    please help i bought an iphone from ebay and it is unlocked and refirbished by apple how do i know what sim card to buy for it? iPhone 3G

    Contact your chosen cellular provider to obtain a compatible SIM card.

  • I need appleisightinstaller.exe to install the isight driver for Windows Vista running in Parallel Desktop 6 for Mac, but I don't have a Leopard DVD. What came with my Macbook Air was a flash stick "MacBook Air Software Reinstall Drive" only.

    I need appleisightinstaller.exe to install the isight driver for Windows Vista running in Parallel Desktop 6 for Mac, but I don't have a Leopard DVD. What came with my Macbook Air was a flash stick "MacBook Air Software Reinstall Drive" only.

    All,
    A very interesting NOTE to this thread. In order to try and get the "ignore permissions" box to show up in GET INFO (so I could execute Matt the Magician's solution to file sharing issues)-- I ran the terminal command for disabling ACLs on my internal HD / start up disk (as indicated in the linked thread to BDAqua's forum).
    Although I understand that this was useless for disabling permissions on the start up disk (as everyone here pointed out) and allowing me to see the "ignore permissions" check box - somehow it did seem to fix my file sharing problem...and that was the root problem I wanted solved in the first place! After doing the terminal command and a quick reboot, I went in and tested file sharing on the chosen directory and I can create new files or work from existing files in the directory, with both users being able to modify / and save from both machines and each machine sees the revisions and can build from them. Bottom line - I'm stoked and want to thank everyone for their help.
    The only other tweak I made was going over to my wife's machine and instead of using her log in / password, I just used my name and password to connect to my main machine that was sharing directories. Maybe that's what fixed the problem or the ACL disable but either way...I'm up and running the way I want to be.
    Hope this thread helps anyone else who has these file sharing / permissions issues with Leopard. Especially for anyone wanting to do such a simple file sharing set up between 2 computers. I wish I understood exactly which tweak fixed the problem, but at least it works the way I want now.
    So happy to be done w/this one!
    Thx everyone. Any additional input on what solved it is welcome, so my curiosity is quelled...
    TC

  • What cord do i buy for my apple tv?

    What cord do I buy for my apple tv?

    To connect to the TV?  For that you need an HDMI cable.  The TV needs an HDMI socket.

  • What camera resolution mode is used by the Flash Player camera settings manager

    What camera resolution is used by the Flash Player camera settings manager? I am referring to the camera settings that you have to pull up by right-clicking on a Flash Player swf that is running, and from the right-click menu you hit settings...select the camera tab...and then you can hit the little camera icon and will show you the live video feed from the camera.
    In order for the live feed to be displayed, Flash Player requests a camera resolution mode to the driver. What mode is being requested?
    For example, could it be 160x120 @ 30fps?
    Or is it 176x144 @ 30fps?
    http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/help04.html#117113

    I have the same cam as you (it's apretty darn good cam IMHO).
    I don't ever see any resolution request when I click the icon.
    My cam initializes at 1920X1080, per the logitech specs. The box in the settings is 4:3, but the cam is running at 16:9, in apps like Skype, or FaceTime (Mac).
    It shows the same setup screen in WIn XP, Vista, Win 7 and Win 8, which ALL share the same cam on my setup.
    Being as the cam feed in the setup is 4:3, I'd have to say the resolution is 160:120  as opposed to 176:144 which would be a 5.3:3 or 16:9.

  • What windows do i buy for my new macbook pro

    what windows do i buy for my new macbook pro

    Windows 7 64bit Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate.
    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/shop
    See a comparison between versions here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare

  • What cameras are compatible with the ipad ?

    What cameras are compatible with the I pad?

    With the camera connection kit you're able to plug in regular SD cards with one adapter, while the second adapter does include a USB port to plug your camera in. I just remember reading that "most cameras" are compatible.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Adobe hosted videophone example doesn't work?

    What can be going wrong for me when others claim this is working?? I've tried using the Adobe hosted videophone example at http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/cirrus/samples/ It works fine for me when I have two machines on the same LAN both connectin

  • Detect key events on anything

    If I have a JFrame with many components on it, how do I detect if a key is pressed, without having to add a listener to every component? For example, how can I check for the escape key being pressed, but not having to have componentN.addKeyListener(t

  • Decryption Failed Error 4498, Microsoft Remote Desktop on Mac OSX Mavericks

    Our work server is hosted on the cloud. Every few minutes I get an error that reads: "Decryption using Standard RDP Security mechanisms failed (code DecryptFailed(4498))". I click OK, and it closes the remote desktop session. I re-open the session an

  • 5508 WLC upgrade

    Looking to upgrade our 5508 WLC to the newest code AIR-CT5500-K9-7-2-103-0-FUS We are currently running an older code  6.0.196.0 Are there any issues that I need to worry about with this upgrade ? Do I need to upgrade the AP's at the same time ? Any

  • Transformation in Process Flow

    hi I am using owb 11g and i am seeing some existing code which has been built by some one. In Process Flow, i couldn't see any Procedure name and their parameters, Could you some one let me know where i can find those stuff in 11g. thanks