Which $3-4k video camera to buy?

I currently shoot with the Sony VX2000, which has been great, but I'd like to improve my picture quality. I've been impressed with the Panasonic DVX100a/b (we have one at work). Other contenders are the Sony PD-170, for DVCAM, or the Sony HVR-Z1U, w/ HDV. So it's 24p vs. DVCAM vs. HDV. But then there's a whole crop of new HD camcorders coming down the pike, such as Panasonic's HVX200k, and others by Canon and JVC. So many choices - what do other shooters out there think?
And does anyone know of a good video forum out there (i.e. as good as Apple's)?

DVXUser.com for all the dirt on the DVX cameras and HVX cameras.
If you're going HD I'd go with the panasonic... but be ready for 10k. I wouldn't mess around with the others.
CaptM

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What is best type of 'new' video camera to buy for editing with PE 10?

I currently own two Sony miniDV camcorders (models DCR-HC28 and HC40) and was doing fine in Premiere Elements and recently upgraded to version 10. I was in the process of using the HC40 cam as a 'pass-through' device to digitize some old VHS tapes, and it worked well for copying from VHS to miniDV tape. Then, I could capture in Premiere Elements and edit, etc. (It would never work to pass all the way through to capture in PE in one step using Firewire). Now, the HC40 camera has locked up on me halfway through my box of VHS tapes, and is stuck showing the Time/Date screen and the touch screen seems to be disabled. What to do?
There do exist plenty of used DCR-HC40 and 52s (which also support pass-through) on Amazon for sale in the $200 range, and that is one option. I also went to Best Buys this week and looked at all the new Sony video cameras, and they fell into basically two series: the DCR-SX series, which record in standard definition onto flash memory (SD cards), and the more expensive HDR-CX series, which record in Hi Definition (also on SD cards) but also, I was told, can record in standard definition. The miniDV camcorders are no more, apparently. I am not so enamored of HD recording that I would go whole hog for it, as I am happy with the results I have been getting with my miniDV cameras once burned to DVD or converted to MPEG or MP4 for playing on my iPhone, etc. Plus, HD takes up so much more memory and space on the hard drive compared to standard def files.
I called Sony tech services today to find out that none of the new cameras support the pass-through function for digitizing from old VHS cassettes, so I am looking at buying a VHS-digitizing device as recommended here on the forum such as the ADS Pyro AV Link or Grass Valley ADVC110. Since I would rather spend that money on a new video camera instead of merely the AV link device which I will have no use for once the tapes are digitized, my question comes back to the cameras. Which of the new cameras will be most ideal for editing in PE10 going forward, or is it best to stick with miniDV for now?
Steve G has always seemed to point out that miniDV tape and the ensuing AVI files are the best for PE to work with. Sony told me today that even the SD cameras such as the DCR-SX65SD ($219) now record onto the SD cards in MPEG2 format, and that AVI is a thing of the past that died with the miniDV tapes. I assume MPEG2 still comes out as different clips that one assembles on the Timeline in PE10? One probably could convert the MPEG2 files to AVI, but would that give the same quality as an original AVI file from a miniDV tape? And if MPEG2 is the new standard going forward, do the resulting videos made with PE10 have the same quality as those made from 'native' AVI files? I will buy a used DCR-HC40 miniDV camera if the end result is better than those to be obtained with the brand new DCR or HDR series cameras now available in stores. But if the quality is the same, I could perhaps opt for one such as the HDR-CX 130HD ($349) which also records in SD in case some years from now I decide I really DO want to switch to HD formats.
Any advice on choice/use of the newer cameras and their default formats such as MPEG2 is welcome, in relation to PE10 editing and output capabilities.
Thanks very much,   paultool3

Dear JM and Steve,
Thanks much for your replies. I plan to get my DCR-HC40 miniDV camera fixed so I can use it for pass-through digitizing from VHS tapes. I also recently bought one of the Dazzle Video Creator Platinum capture units ($84 at Best Buys) just to try it, and actually got pretty good results in digitizing a VHS-C tape using a VHS-C to VHS adapter unit to play it in our VCR, and then using the Pinnacle Studio HD (version 15) that came with the Dazzle unit to import and digitize through the Dazzle unit.
The Dazzle unit would not show up in Premiere Elements 10 as an option to capture from, but did in Pinnacle Studio 15.   I used our Sony VAIO with i7 processor and Pinnacle captured the one hour, twenty-five minute- long VHS-C tape to a single 18GB .AVI clip which I then was able to bring into Premiere Elements 10 and use for output in various formats.
When using a less powerful laptop initially, the digitizing failed, with 319 dropped frames in the first 5 minutes.. So it takes a more powerful computer to work with a capture unit like Dazzle, apparently.
I will eventually be shopping around for a new, AVCHD format video camera as well based on your recommendations, but the current group of Sonys in this category, such as the HDR-CX130HD ($349) which record video onto SD cards, are getting bad reviews from CNET, claiming they have poor quality HD and other issues. So for the forseeable future I will be sticking with miniDV using my Sony DCR-HC28 and HC40 camcorders.

What Video camera to buy?

I am working with a not for profit group who is interested in putting some videos about members of the group as part of telling it's history.
I am considering buying a consumer camera, probably HD, and am wondering which camera's work well in this situation.I suspect that we will also be using some Sony studio camera footage if that makes a difference.
Thanks

I am no expert so I'll just tell you what works for me and what doesn't.
AVCHD as I've experience with my Panasonic HDC-SD9 absolutely *****! There is not better way to put it. The compression fragments are like a JPG compressed to leass than 40%. Also, the video cam ***** for low light, so anything I've done in low light has been unusable between the grain the fragments.
Now, as sad as it is, with my $1000 video camera sitting doing nothing, I have found my new love. My Canon SD960 IS. It does 720P video and it is nice. I've watched it directly off the camera on a 52" LCD and it was very nice. I'm guess that for what you are doing this might be a good choice. Not only does this camera do great video, it aslo take great pictures! After all, it's a camera that takes video, not the other way around.
Seriously, video on these devices (cameras) has gotten really good for general consumer use and it works for me for the most important thing in my life, my daughter (16 months now).
Do youself a favor and avoid AVCHD like the plague!
I won't even go into the nightmare I had editing, or even getting a computer good enough to edit AVCHD.
Curse Panasonic Video and HP Computer hardware. Curse you both!

Best $1000 video camera?

So, what is the BEST video camera to buy that is simple to edit in FCP??? (Preferably digital, not mini-DV, and under $1000) Is this a pipe dream?
Obviously, most the cameras out there, that record in AVCHD are not it.

Bill,
Look for a used Panasonic DVX100B which is MiniDV, but please don't shy away from Mini DV as a format in that price range! In my opinion, the arguments for recording digital aren't compelling enough... yet. Remember, MiniDV tape means "instant archiving" to a cost-effective, reliable media and a manageable workflow.
The important thing is that you not overlook audio. What ever you do, please get at least a prosumer camera with XLR inputs with switchable mic/line and 48volt. You won't find new cameras in that price range with XLR audio inputs.
The other reason to look specifically for a DVX100B, (besides great color) is 24 Progressive frame rate for film-like video recording.
You should be able to find them on Ebay in roughly the $1,200 - $1,500 price range.
Hope that helps.
Eddie

What is the best video adapter to buy? Pinnacle or Canopus..

i was wondering on what will be the best of the two because i'm trying to buy one of those but i dont know what to buy. because will be doing a lot of video editing using a Hi8 video camera because i don't have any money to buy a DV camera.
what would be the best Digital video camera to buy that would work on my laptop? that could connect in using a firewire?

Hi Bengt,
Thanks very much for the input. Your brief comparison rundown has given me a lot to ponder, I really appreciate it. Hope you don't mind me bouncing some of it off you?
I'm very new to iMovie (my background in commercial/graphic art and using Macs since '89 has helped me a lot). Previously I've put together a DVD from old family 8mm silent colour film, that I had digitised commercially, and a bunch of old slides and photos I scanned.
The family are very happy with the results, but I was hoping to save some money (and editing time) with the conversion of old BETA and VHS tapes of the remainder of our family footage by doing it myself.
You said of iMovie, The viewer is mere an approximation!
I didn't realise this but it posed some questions for me.
Firstly, do the 55 or 110 have any user controls over the quality of the signal that they send to the Mac?
If that not the case is there any difference between the two other than the ability, with the 110, to see your iMovie editing in real time on real TV?
Yes, I'm sure the 300 would be overkill for our needs, I don't see any future need for a converter once our 30-40 hours of unedited "happy snaps" are locked away again.
Cheers,
Ozi
iMac Intel C2D 2GHz 1GB Mac OS X (10.4.8) eMac G4 1.25 GHz 256 MB/80 MB; P'book G3 400 MHz 384 MB/6 GB

N86 8MP video camera useless since new firmware (2...

Hi,With v20 firmware, I used to have a problem where when I recorded a video, a couple of seconds after starting the recording it would stutter, once. Not a major problem.With v21 firmware, it now stutters every few seconds when recording video (and the stutters are permanently in the resulting file during playback)... Which makes the video camera totally useless for me. Not great as I have a young baby daughter who I've been filming a lot with my phone, and she's not going to be young for long.Can anyone else recreate this problem?

Video stuttering on FW: 30.009
Hope they release the next firmware soon
N8 FW: 022.014 -- Please separate Artist & Albums!
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Which cable do I need to connect my Mac Book Pro to my Panasonic PV-GS150 video camera for transferring video to iMovie?

which cable do I need to connect my Mac Book Pro to my Panasonic PV-GS150 video camera for transferring video to iMovie?

I totally understand.
Check some things from here, I have 2 and they have been great so far.
Check here, lots of storage and reasonable prices. Also great support, you get to speak to a person
Clean off your on the G5 drive and off you go.
I suggest buying a second drive and setting it up for a back up, Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner, or SuperDuper (both "bootable" back up) All searchable on the web.
http://eshop.macsales.com/search/elite+pro
You can talk to a person for REAL advice, Phone: 800.275.4576 Ask about exporting to your G5 and and exporting to your existing OSX, you may only need a small inexpensive drive for this.
Quick delivery and willing to help.
Hope this makes you back up and running :-)
Do get a back up drive, as it is not ""whether my drive will fail, as much as "when my drive fails"
All the best

Which video camera is mac compatible and suitable to record professional quality tutorials to be views on the internet?

Background: I want to make proffesional quality video tutorials to be accessed by other internet users. They will be filmed from a static overhead position. My budget is £400 but if I can get a camera for less that would be great. I have done my best to research which camera to buy and I am stuck (mainly because I have no knowledge of this field) with a few issues.
I thought I had found a suitable camera - Panasonic HCV-700 but I have identified a couple of issues surrounding Mac compatibility.
I would really appreciate any experience or advice you can give me.
I will be using imovie to edit my video and will probably add the sound after editing.
I understand this camera can film in iframe and that that makes it easily downloaded to imovie to edit. If I do this will the quaility be high enough to be viewed on a PC or Mac - or other smaller devices? I understand from what I have read iframe is not HD but is higher than SD.
Or is it better to film in another format (which as I understand it will need to have something done to it to be editable in imovie (not sure what or how much time it will add to the process of producing a video)
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Is the camera above suitable for my needs as a Mac user - to produce proffesional quality tutorials?
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If it is not iframe then do I need other software to be able to edit in imovie?
How much extra time do you think this will add to production times?
Any help or advice would be much appreciated - I am starting to tear my hair out trying to research this!

Here is the page with compatible cameras and other info. For less than $100 you can get personalized lessons on the Apple Software and how to accomplish much of what you want to do. It appears that you are starting a new endeavor and facing a steep learning curve.
http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=search&src=support_site.home.search_sugge sted.search&locale=en_US&q=compatible%20camcorders

I do video productions for a small local TV station. I use Final Cut Express to edit. I need a new video camera but am at a loss as to what to buy. I know I will get a digital camera but do not know the difference between just digital and digital HD.

I do video productions for a small local TV station. I use Final Cut Express to edit. I need a new video camera but am at a loss as to what to buy. I know I will get a digital camera but do not know the difference between just digital and digital HD. Also, I can not afford an expensive camera and need some advice on which of the available cameras would be best and also work well with a Mac. One last issue, I currently use a Panasonic #CCD camera that takes a tape. When I load video to Final Cut the audio and video are out of sinc. Go figure. Can anyone help with these questions. Karen

Hello Karen,
If you are using Final Cut Express, then look for camcorders that are AVCHD camcorders. Look especially for the AVCHD logo and specific mention of AVCHD in the specs. Most of the major manufacturers produce good quality camdcorders - Canon, Sony, etc.
Also, be aware that there are a lot of "not quite AVCHD" camcorders on the market (sometimes they say they record video as MPEG4-H.264/AVC) - buyer beware!
Most everything you are going to find on the market today is HD, which stands for "high-def".
Regarding your question about the Panasonic camcorder, it's best if you post that as a separate question, and please identify the specific model camcorder and the Easy Setup you are using in FCE.

Which video camera works best with Premiere Pro CS6

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This message has a really good graphic about requirements
- http://forums.adobe.com/thread/810750
More about Requirements http://forums.adobe.com/thread/618058
Disk Configurations http://forums.adobe.com/thread/878419
What I built for CS5 and the camera I use are in http://forums.adobe.com/thread/652694

I am looking to buy the least expensive high resolution digital video camera to convert/record 8mm video tapes.

Hi. Thanks for your help in advance.
I am looking to buy the least expensive digital video camera with the highest resolution I can find in order to use it to record 100s of old (1960s era ) reel to reel video tapes. I am told that in order to do that I must record the "old" video onto a new platform, which means I will set up an "old" projector and play the tapes and record the video on a digital camera. I only want to do this once so I want the highest resolution format I can find. Therefore, I am looking for a camera to purchase. Any help is appreciated.

Hello Lance,
Transferring film to digital video is a complex, challenging process. To cut to the chase, the best way to do this is to engage a firm that specializes in film-to-digital transfer services. There are quite a few around. Costs for 8mm transfer range anywhere from about $0.15 - $0.40 per foot and there are usually significant discounts for bulk projects. Plus, depending on the cost of the video camera you would otherwise consider buying, you may find it costs less overall to use a service than do it yourself.
You also mentioned that you "want the highest resolution format" ... Once you project 8mm/Super8 film onto a screen the effective resolution will not even be what we might consider "standard-def" in digital video. And the larger the projected image the lower & lower the effective resolution regardless of what kind of video camera you might use.
A transfer service, however, directly scans each frame to digitize them and depending on the math the resulting digital image may technically be as "good" as 720p ... but the overall image quality will still be limited by the quality of the original film ... and still probably not up the level of "standard-def" digital video ... but way better than anything you could obtain with a homebrew projector-screen-videocam setup.
Why DIY? Well, it sounds inexpensive and simple. But in reality it is a very time consuming way to get relatively low quality transfers no matter how high-end or expensive a video camera you use. I can share more details if necessary, but DIY film-to-video transfer is not the way to go if you are really interested in quality results.

I have a MacBook Pro (Retina) and a Sony HandyCam DCR-HC48 video Camera. The Sony only exports video via Firewire, which is not available on the Mac. Is there a firewire to USB or to HDMI adapter?

I have a MacBook Pro (Retina) and a Sony HandyCam DCR-HC48 video Camera. The Sony only exports video via Firewire, which is not available on the Mac. Is there a firewire to USB or to HDMI adapter?

tyler57,
it would be better to direct that question to Gary Loftis, since my MacBook Pro doesn’t have a Thunderbolt port.

How can i send videoes which are not in camera roll via whatss app to others ?

hi,
I am going to know that how can i transfer video which are not in camera roll via whatss app to others ?
thnaks in advanced.

Where are the videos?
If WhatsApp supports sending videos from the Camera Roll only and that is your only option, that is it.
Contact WhatsApp. They have a website.

I have a JVC video camera and it records the video to a .mod format (which Apple devices don't support). I figured out how to get them to iPhoto using iMovie but I want to be able to get the videos on my iPad 2 but it won't let it sync. Any help?

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Thanks for that. Much more constructive than the last comment. It's only the restriction code I can't recall, not the access passcode. So I can currently access the device, just not age restricted content. Does that's make a difference? I also wondered if anyone knew how many attempts you get to try to get it right. Now tried 21 times and so far nothing bad has happened but I am concerned I'll eventually be completely locked out of the device. That doesn't seem in the spirit of things though. Surely it's foreseeable that a child could repeatedly try to guess the code so I can't see that it would be right to lock the device down completely in that circumstance, particularly if the access code is being typed in correctly every time.
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I'm looking at buying an IPad and was wondering if it has the capacity to replace a video camera.

I'm looking at buying an IPad and was wondering if it has the capacity to replace a video camera. I'm looking at the 128GB version and I know there are many variables. But I'm thinking that it should hold at least 60 mintues of video before needing it to be downloaded. Thoughts?

If you want to record good video, get a camera.
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x

Which $3-4k video camera to buy?

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