Video Camera Recommendations

My sturdy old Sony SD Handycam has died, so I'm in the market for a new one.
I had asked for advice on this a while back but it's taken me a while to get to the point where I'm actually buying and I wanted to make sure nothing had changed drastically. Can you review the info below and comment?
First of all, I suppose it's time to upgrade from SD to HD.
Seems like it boils down to 2 basic camps: tape-based HDV and memory-based AVCHD.
For the best editing experience on PRE, HDV wins. But HDV cameras are much harder to find, and tapes certainly aren't as convenient as memory cards for many reasons. AVCHD is much more popular, but you'll need a fairly beefy computer for satisfying editing (which I don't currently have, I'm on an old XP 2GB, 2.8GHZ Pentium D).
So, if I get an AVCHD, can I easily convert the video into an HDV format? If I could do that easy and reliably, that seems like the best solution but that's a critical piece of the puzzle.
Thoughts?

When you are ready for a new computer, do read in http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere/hardware_forum
Most of the discussion concerns Premiere Pro, but there is still a wealth of information there
A short summary... for Premiere Elements 10 and AVCHD
Intel i7 2600 (or 2600k if you plan to overclock)
Motherboard of your choice... ASUS is most often recommended
Windows 7 64bit... Home version for up to 16Gig of ram, Pro version for more ram
16Gig of ram at "current" prices for 4 x 4Gig ram sticks
-32Gig of ram if you want to buy 4 x 8Gig ram sticks if/when available
320-to-500Gig boot drive
AT LEAST one data drive, 1T is a good size
750watt "gold" power supply
Unless/until PrElements adds "CUDA" support, just about any ATI graphics card will work... I suggest at least 512Meg video ram on the card
My 3 hard drives are configured as...
1 - 320Gig Boot for Win7 64bit Pro and all program installs
2 - 320Gig data for Win7 swap file and video project files
3 - 1Terabyte data for all video files... input & output files (*)
(*) for 4 drives, drive 3 all source files & drive 4 all output files
Search Microsoft to find out how to redirect your Windows swap file
http://search.microsoft.com/search.aspx?mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US

Similar Messages

Pro-consumer Video Camera: Recommendations?

I'm looking to purchase a pro-consumer miniDV camera but I am confused by the selection. I know that I want a 3-CCD imager (probably rules out Sony cams), 4:3 ratio and true 16:9 aspect ratio, 24p, 30p, 1080i/60i, and XLR audio input. It seems these cams run around +$3k.
I will not be using the cameras to shoot wedding or events but experimental video and I require rich colors. I will also probably be shooting dance. I would also like to leave room to film a short independent feature. (I might eventually have to upgrade to accomplish this.)
Which cams do you recommend?
Another question: In your opinion is it worth spending a couple thousand more to get a lower priced but true HD video camera. By true HD I mean progressive scan video at 720p. By is it "worth it" I am concerned about the cost of shooting in 720p mode, the limited storage capabilities, the cost to purchase hard drives and decks. What are the costs and complications of purchasing a 720p camera? I know I am probably limited to Panasonic or JVC brands. Which cameras do you recommend?
Thanks so much for all your feedback.
Mac OS X (10.4.1)
Mac OS X (10.4.1)

Standard Definition (the format which the DVX100 shoots in) has a relatively straightforward editing workflow, tried and tested in recent years and easy to work with, particularly if you are working on a budget and are restricted to using an iMac, which has less options for expandability i.e adding a second firewire bus (not firewire port - sometimes you can get problems capturing video via firewire if you have your transfer deck or camera hooked up to your computer on the same firewire bus, despite being on separate ports - not always and you may never experience the problem, but if you're editing in more than a casual user environment you don't want to take the risk)
You can't add e-sata drives (alternative to fW drives) via an e-sata card on an iMac whereas you can with a macpro which can also add internal storage whereas an imac can't.
HDV which the XA-H1 shoots in, is at the lower end of the Hi Def formats, looks great when shot well and displayed on a large screen hi-def tv, but is highly compressed and causes problems in the editing workflow.
Ideally, you want to have a monitor or at least a portable tv hooked up to your computer for external monitoring of your video - to check whether titles are correctly displayed within the title-safe areas and more importantly for colour correction as computer displays and tvs don't display video the same and whereas this may not be important if you're videoing your great aunt's birthday or the kids playing in the park, if you're doing serious stuff, such as commercials or short films you need to be able to monitor externally.
Performing this is simple if you're editing standard def but if you're editing HDV you can't do this using the method described.
You either have to use a combination of HD monitor such the Apple 23" Cinema display coupled with the Matrox MXO card or use a compatible capture card to convert to a more edit friendly format such as dvchpro to avoid long render times - both options will cost more than the price of the imac on it's own and is why it's recommended to get a macpro tower when using a Proapp such as FCP if you're hoping to edit for a living or if you're a serious and regular user.
That's not to say you cant edit HDV using a imac and external FW hard drive set-up - I'm sure many contributors to this forum do - just to illuminate the possible difficulties.
Also, when shooting in any hi-def format, your technical camera skills need to be more proficient - focus in an image that is blown up to higher sizes if much more critical and you're going to show every blemish and wrinkle of a character's skin.
Yeah, the XA-H1 is a fine camera for shooting with from a camera and image perspective - much more difficult to deal with the footage as an FCP editor and potentially a lot more expensive if you want/need to do it properly.
Yes, as large hi-def tv's become more widespread, Hd is going to become the format of the future - as I've no doubt, will tapeless cameras.
Many Prosumer HDV cameras offer the option of downconverting in-camera to standard def, meaning you can shoot in the HDV format, then downconvert to standard def for editing, retaining the HDV master for future re-editing if you don't currently have the setup capable of editing HDV natively or if, in future, the HdV editing workflow becomes easier to deal with.
This may be your best option, but you'll need to check if the XA-H1 has this facility - I'm not familiar with this camera but know that the Sony Z1 or v1 both offer this facility.
Don't forget, there's not yet an inexpensive way of burning HD/HDV material to DVD that'll play in the majority of HDDVD/Blu-ray players yet - that's coming in the near(ish) future, so if you are outputting to DVD, you'll have to do this in SD anyway.
BTW, I have used the DVX-100 extensively and it's the standard for 1/3" CCD standard def prosumer cams.
Search the forum for HDV to check out the current thinking on editing HDV - there's masses of opinion out there.
Good luck!

Imovie compatible hd video camera recommendations

We broke our Flip camera and need to replace it.
We loved the ease of use and HD quality recordings (especially in low light) but the 2x zoom was insufficient. Any suggestions for purchasing a new HD video camera that's 1- simple to use, 2- compatible with iMovie, 3- has zoom feature, 4- external mic input, and 5- does well in low light?
What has worked for you? Recommendations and things to avoid would be appreciated.

iMovie 9 - cameras supported:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290?viewlocale=en_US

Flash Card Video Camera recommended...

Hi,
I owned a JVC GZ-HD7 and Canon HF10 now...wonderful result but one thing i'm not happy...unable to read the file that i've transfer to my desktop directly with QuickTime...that's mean i have to import or convert those files into QT format or the format which reganize by FCP or QT...
Any recommandation of Flash Card Video Camera that record media into QT readable format like (.mov,mpeg4...) and so on..and sure the quality i do concern as well...
Thanks!!

Convert them using MPEG Streamclip to something like Prores 422.

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

Digital Video Cameras? Recommendations PLEASE!!!

Hi,
I recently purchased a MacBook (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1GB memory, 80GB hard drive, Double-layer SuperDrive).
I would like to buy a digital video camera for filming on holidays etc...
What type of digital video camera (DVD, HD or miniDV) should I buy to have the least trouble importing and editing my footage in iMovie????
I heard there's a problem with importing/editing from DVD & HD based cameras as well as they don't come with firewire connection.
Can you help me? Thanks...
Hroshik

welcome to the  boards of discussions ...
iM/iDVD works with miniDV devices only ..
and:
upper right, 'search field', key words 'camera recommendation' comes up with >500 topics within the last 90d ...

Any recommendations for video camera?

Hi all
thought this would be a good place to ask for advice
My church is looking into getting a grant to buy some equipment and one of the pieces that is required is a video camera.
One of the people involved has plans on using it to podcast our coffee house and summer concert series that we host.
As i am the videographer and webcaretaker, i have input, but my experience is limited to a high end Sony videocam used for broadcasting (which I used in a course i taught 10 years ago) ... one extreme ... and the Canon Elura dv video cam that i own (and use when I tape the Christmas lessons service) and, the other extreme: my Panasonic Z28 digital camera that i use to tape clips of concerts to post on our website.
Here are MY requests:
• it must also be able to tape to a card, so that i can easily copy .mov files to my computer for the little mini bits that I put on the website (much more convenient than capturing video for this purpose)
• tape, not dvd or hard drive, unless you can give me a good reason not to
• can plug in cables for sound systems, or at least an external mic
• price around $3000 (Canadian)
• but a 'pre-owned' one might be a good value, too
Any and all recommendations are welcome
Elizabeth

thrillcat editorial wrote:
Um, you are basically saying that it must be Blue, but it can't be blue unless you give me a good reason.
Well, that's just being silly and unhelpful:
• some video cameras tape to a hard drive only .... i find that useless: it limits you in size and or quality of what you can tape.
• Others use dvd: from what i understand this compresses the data, affecting quality ...
However, tapes contain raw and uncompressed footage.
That's my understanding of these media.
Now, if you can give me a reason to use dvd or hard drive video cameras that corrects a misunderstanding that I possibly have, then please do so.
Besides, what 'blue' are you referring to: cerulean? azure? prussian? cobalt? ultramarine? As you can see, limiting oneself to 'blue' is not really a limitation.
Elizabeth

Help me shop for a video camera? Recommendations?

Hello Friends,
I have been lurking in the forum and decided to ask for help. Thank you in advance for your thoughts, opinions.
My (old) current video camera is a Panasonic AG-EZ20 (1998?) which uses mini-dv tapes and firewire (1.1 megapixel). My old laptop died and I had to buy a new one with Windows Vista. Now I HAVE to upgrade to PPro (I was happy with Premiere.old).
My new Toshiba laptop has AMD64x2 chip (2.2 ghz) with 3 gb ram, 250gb hard drive has 125gb free, and I have an external 250gb storage drive. Is it sufficient?
My video projects are not professional. However, striving for quality at the prosumer level is a fun hobby worth spending time and money on. I will be shooting events, vacations, you-tube stuff about car repair hobby, NOT cinema epic or high definition type stuff.
I like the idea of a 3-ccd camera. Is there something about capture via firewire using mini-dv tape that is bad or troublesome compared to the new hard drive cameras and 3-CCD quality?
I have been looking at video cameras on Ebay and B&H photo. The AG-DVX100B seems like champagne compared to my old camera. Another thought was a PV-GS350 or PV-GS500 camera which would probably be an improvement that is reasonable priced. If you are happy with your camera, PPro software and computer please tell me about your kit? Is there a web site you found useful in your search for pre-sale information? I was hoping to spend less than $1,000 on the camera, but I would spend more if the ease of capture/edit and quality of output helped me justify it.
I look forward to reading your responses!

Although E-bay can be attractive, I agree with Harm on this (not so much on HDV though). I also agree with his recommendation RE; B&H. I purchased my VX2000 and XH-A1 from them and most of the accessories as well as still cameras. Are you aware that B&H sells used equipment? This could be an option if $$$ is issue.
To emphasize on the others--by all means mini-DV transport. Yeah, its inconvenient to lug around a few extra mini-Dv tapes--they take up so much room in a jacket pocket. So, save the inconvenience of tapes and get a cam with HDD--then you can either stop shooting when the disk is full or drag around a laptop to take an hour from shooting to download so you can continue shooting--much more convenient!! (wink wink).

Recommendations for Semi-Pro or Pro HD Video camera to use with fcp and Mac

Recommendations for Semi-Pro or Pro HD Video camera to use with fcpX and Mac with auto settings and ability to override, need to add external mic or 2. Am one person crew so needs to be easy to use.

And check out the Panasonic AG-AC90. Very good specs for a prosumer unit. Everything in the semi-pro area will involve trade offs for sure. Key thing is to study up enough to know what your needs are vs what trade off are involved in the various models. The ag-ac90 trade off (one of them) is diffraction limited sharpness.

Recommend a Video Camera

Colleagues-
I need a recommendation and discussion on a video camera which will work with FCE and iMac. Looking in to $250 range. I know i could spend alot more, but just need to get something compatible by Thursday.
Regards
Russ

Hi(Bonjour)!
HD or standard def ?
It's better to choose a camera that shoots in a format natively supported by FCE, thus avoiding the time consuming conversion process.
Michel Boissonneault

Can recommend a slim/mini video camera that is compatible with FCE ?

I have some technical problem.
My video camera is too big in size to film in between spaces. My friend has build a model of a few cluster of flats. He wants me to help him film the spaces between the flats from the bird's eye perspective. By bird's eye perspective, he meant to say he wants me to record what the bird can see if the bird fly surrounding the flats & between the flats & then make turns surrounding the buildings.
My present video is too bulky to squeeze into those small models.
I think the only way is to purchase a video camera that is so slim like a shape if pencil so that it can go in between the blocks.
Where can I buy this ? Will this type of video (if exist) records video in good quality & compatible with FCE4 ?
Thanks

Hi(Bonjour)!
You should look in Radio-Controled airplane model equipment. There are mini camera that mount on the model and broadcast the video on the air to a receiver that can be connected to a camcorder. You can connect them on any VCR
See example:
http://www.vimeo.com/2189945
one of the supplier of the KX-171 :
http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php?mainpage=product_info&productsid=96
Other models:
http://www.trendtimes.com/camera.html
http://www.wonderhobby.com/smmiwicospyc.html
Google with "how to install a mini camera in a model airplane?"
Michel Boissonneault
Message was edited by: Michel Boissonneault

Macbook pro fails to read sd card with movies recorded on it, any ideas? I can view them in the video camera so know they are there somewhere. I am now thinking I should have formatted or initialised the new card before using it.

My macbook pro is failing to read a new sd card with movies recorded on it. Any ideas please? A previously used SD card has downloaded without problems. I have tried using a card reader as well as downloading from the video camera itself, neither works.
I can view the latest recordings on the video camera so know they are there somewhere. I am now thinking I should have formatted or initialised the new card before using it but didn't think of that at the time. Obviously don't want to do this now as it will wipe the movies.

Hi and Welcome to the Forums!
From everything you've described, you've done everything possible. Hence, I recommend you seek out your warranty support.
Good luck and let us know.
Occam's Razor nearly always applies when troubleshooting technology issues!
If anyone has been helpful to you, please show your appreciation by clicking the button inside of their post. Please click here and read, along with the threads to which it links, for helpful information to guide you as you proceed. I always recommend that you treat your BlackBerry like any other computing device, including using a regular backup schedule...click here for an article with instructions.
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How do I connect two video cameras to my computer have them both show up on the desktop at the same time so I can see and capture both images using a screen capture program?

Hello,
I am a teacher and want to make some videos to post online for my class. I would like to have it set up so that I have a powerpoint presentation going, a video camera pointing at a piece of paper I can write on and another video camera pointing at me. How do I do this? I have seen several solutions but they seem to be for switching between videos whereas I want both video images to be on at the same time.
Also, is there a screen capture program you would recommend?

Go to System Preferences - Sharing and change the computer name there. You can also, optionally, change the name of your hard drive to further clarify the origin of your backups. Click once on the "Macintosh HD" on your desktop, then click its name to allow you to edit it.
Matt

Can't capture from my cannon video camera to Final Cut or iMovie.

Hi. I can't capture from my cannon video camera to FInal Cut or iMovie. ANy help would be greatly appreciated. I don't think my iMac is recognizing the camera. I was told I don't need a firewire, that USB would work if I'm just capturing. If I need a firewire what kind (the one I was sold didn't fit). I'm getting an "unable to locate external device message". Not sure of next steps to try. Thanks.
Computer= iMac 21.5-inch: 2.5GHz
            2.5GHzQuad-Core Intel Core i5
            1920 x 1080resolution
            4GB (two 2GB)memory
            500GB harddrive1
                        AMDRadeon HD 6750M with 512MB
Processorand Memory -
Powered by a quad-core Intel Core i5 or i7 processor and DDR3memory.
Connectionsand Expansion
SuperDrive, SDXC card slot, audio in, audio out, USB 2.0,FireWire 800, Thunderbolt, Gigabit Ethernet.
Video camera = Canon Vixia HV40
Standard Definition or High Definition
High Definition
Power Consumption
4.3 W
Television System
NTSC
Video Recording system
MPEG2
Image Sensor
1/2.7-inch CMOS, RGB Primary Color Filter
Total Pixels
Approx. 2.96 Megapixels
Effective Pixels
Tape: HD/DV (16:9) mode: Approx 2.07 Megapixels (1920x1080) DV (4:3) mode: Approx 1.55 Megapixels (1440 x 1080) Card: (16:9) mode: Approx. 2.07 Megapixels (1920 x 1080), (4:3) mode: Approx. 2.76 Megapixels (1440 x 1080)
Tape Format
HDV / DV
Maximum recording Time
SP: 80 minutes, HDV, DV LP: 120 minutes DV
Lens
Zoom Ratio 10x Optical / 200x Digital Focal Length f=6.1-61mm (35mm equivalent: 43.6 - 436mm) Zoom Speed Variable / 3 Fixed Zoom Speeds Max. F/Stop f/1.8-3.0mm (when tapes are used)
Focusing System
Instant AF, TTL (through the lens)
Manual Exposure
Yes
Programmed AE
Auto, Program, Av, Tv, CINE, Portrait, Sports, Night, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Spotlight, Fireworks
Max Shutter Speed
Movie: 1/2000, Still image: 1/500
Auto Date/Time
Yes
Record Search/Review
Yes
Focusing System
10 mm (wide) / 1m (tele)
White Balance
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Manual
Frame Rate
60i, Native 24p Progressive (records at 24p), 24p Progressive (records at 60i), 30p Progressive (records at 60i)
Minimum Illumination
0.2 lx (Night Mode)
Image Stabilization
SuperRange Optical (lens shift)
Filter Diameter
43mm
Viewfinder
Widescreen 0.27-inch Color Viewfinder / (Approx. 123,000 dots)
LCD Screen
2.7-inch Widescreen LCD (Approx. 211,000 dots)
Recording Media
High Definition Mini DV (recommended) (63 min) or MiniDV cassette
USB Terminal
USB 2.0 Full Speed
Video Terminal
component (output), composite (output)
Audio
DV: 16 bit (2ch) 48 kHz 12 bit (4ch) 32 kHz 4ch synchronous recording not possible HDV: MPEG1 Audio Layer II (2 ch) (4-channel playback of tapes containing 4-channel recordings possible)
Accessory Shoe
Advanced
Supplied Video Editing Software
None
HDMI Terminal
HDMI Type A (19 pins) Connector (output)
Microphone Terminal
3.5 mm stereo mini-jack
AV Mini Terminal/Headphone Terminal
3.5 mm 4 pole mini-jack (video/audio input and output)
Dimensions
(W X H X D) 3.5 x 3.2 x 5.4 in. (88 x 82 x 138mm)
Weight (not including lens and battery pack)
1.2 lbs. (535g)
Weight
1.4 lbs. (615g)

Forget USB for capturing from tape. USB is only for stills from a Tape Based camera.
You require a firewire cable.
The camera connection end will be four pin and the Mac is nine pin to the 800 port.
Ask for a 9 to 4 pin firewire cable. Sounds like you have the wrong one as they can also be 4 to 4 or 4 to 6 pin!!
Also you will need the correct Easy Setup in FCE so FCE talk to the camera, exactly which one depends on what type of footage is being sent to FCE from the camera during capture.
Al

How to connect a video camera (not a webcam) in a way that Flash player sees it as webcam

Dear All,
I'm working on an interactive/augmented reality project for an exhibition, where viewers trigger a video by standing at a certain point in a room (just like BBC's Frozen Planet). My problem is that the webcam's image that we've used to capture the audience is not up to the task and produces a really low quality image. Now I'm trying to to attach a video camera with Blackmagic's Mini Recorder but Flash Player 17 (standalone) doesn't recognise the the input as a webcam. Is there a way to connect an external camera so flash can handle it? Alternatively, can anyone recommend a superb webcam, that is SIGNIFICANTLY better than Logitech's Pro 910? Thanks in advance!

We just get a list of webcams from the browser (who gets them from the OS). If you could convince the OS that the camera is a webcam, you'd be good, but that probably means writing your own drivers.
Alternatively, could you use something like Flash Media Server with the camera attached as a live video source, then stream a high-res video back to the client for processing?

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