What kind of video camera?

Question

Im a sony type of guy when it comes to digital cameras and video cams. i was wondering if the DCR-SR62 30GB hard drive would work. Whats the best type of camera to use to just hook up and put on your computer without all the converting, such as a mini-DV, Harddisk, hi8, digital8.
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/wbr%20target=_blank_INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInfor mation-Start?ProductSKU=DCRSR62&Dept=cameras&CategoryName=dcc_DICamcordersHardDiskHandycamCamcorders
If anyone could help me wth this because i just like filming stuff. like vacations and jsut random videos. i just use imovie. i was wondering what sony video cam i should get because im getting one the beginning of May. Thanks!
PS: i was also wondering what a good and EASY to use editing program is. i can figure stuff out by just using it. or should i just stick with imovie?
Black Macbook Intel-Core Duo 2GB RAM   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  

Answer 1

Always go Mini-DV...basically DV which is Digital Video. If you want to do some editing with your camera and footage, the DV cam is your best bet, whether it be regualr DV (Standard-Definition) or HDV (Hi-Definition). The camera's that can be a major pain while editing in all different editors are: Hard-Drive and Hi8.
I'd be suprised if you would come to find a Hi8 camera, as they are extremely outdated. It's a good idea for you to keep a backup of your vacation/kid's graduation video's to your computer for a great backup and then you could edit it and throw it on a DVD for family viewing.
If you do not want to edit your footage you shoot, go ahead and get the hard drive camera. This is the future format, but for now, there's no way to edit it easily. If you get it, in the future there will sure be a software update of some sort that allows import with camera's with hard drives. They still work well and deliver relitively good quality, while on the camera of course, but you will need to compress the video to edit with it, thus compressing your footage and potentially reducing quality at either drastic measures or minimal measures.
If you want a more intensive editing program that allows multi-layers, more audio, and a much better application to keep yourself organized while editing, get Final Cut Express ($299). It's relitively easy to learn, if you have the time and is extremely powerful for price. You are getting a great application for your money.
Hope this was some help...
Remember to mark as helpful or solved.
-benny