Which HD camcorder? Sony - Canon - Panasonic

Currently I use a Panasonic MiniDV with great results
but not HD and would like to upgrade to HD.
I am looking at three HD camcorders and would like
to see if anyone has an opinion of them.
The three HD cameras I am looking at:
Sony HDR-HC3 - MiniDV tape
Canon HV10 - MiniDv tape
Panasonic HDC-SD1 - Memory card (4gig = 1 hour recording)
I am not interested in a DVD disc camcorder.
Harold

Hi guys, I'm estimating hd camcorder between Canon
HV10 and Sony HDR-HC3.
but what do you really mean with "you will need to
convert the footage to something imovie can use"
I don't think you need to convert it.
Can I import hd video direct in iMovie from this
camcorder?
Probably; Apple is very good with camcorder support.
See:
http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/features/importing.html
and
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=43000
"iMovie works with most DV camcorders that have a FireWire connection. For information on cameras that Apple has tested and qualified for use with iMovie, see the following:
For iMovie 1 see "iMovie 1.0.x: Compatible Camcorders"
For iMovie 2 see "iMovie 2: Compatibility"
For iMovie 3 see "iMovie 3: Compatibility"
For iMovie 4 see the iMovie webpage.
Tip: Devices that are not on the qualified device list may still work. Results will vary depending on the device. Consult with the camera's manufacturer for additional compatibility information."
-Robert

Similar Messages

Which HD Camcorder to buy to use w/ iMovie 11?

I have done hours of research to figure out what type of HD Camcorder to buy to work with iMovie (without using a conversion software utility). The world of HD video is VERY confusing to me. The best summary of all this I've seen is at Camcorderinfo.com.
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/d/Reviews&level_b=Camcorder&level_c=HD.htm#
However I am still confused with all this. Seems like there are several key things to factor:
I Type of HD:
     1. Resolution
     a. "Full" HD
     b. HD
     c. HD "Light"
     d. SD
     2. Scan rate:
     a. i (interlaced)
     b. p (progressive)
    3. Frame rate:
     a. 24
     b. 30
     c. 60
     x. native or not
II. Compression (Codec):
     a. ACVHD
     b. mpeg4
     c. mpeg2
     d. HDV (old, so probably not recommended)
So the question are:
A. which of the above combination of types works well with iMovie 11?
B. which camcorder meets these types the best (preferably a newer model, and preferably a Sony, Canon, or Panasonic)
Any help would be EXTREMELY APPRECIATED
Thanks!

a. "Full" HD
This is a marketing term. It usually means 1920x1080, but there is nothing inherently better in 1920x1080 or 1440x1080 or 1280x720. The sensor makes the difference not the format. Cheap little sensor that gives Full HD is worse than large sensor that shoots 720.
b. HD
Anything that isn't standard definition. In the US technically anything larger than 720x486 is HD.
c. HD "Light"
Another meaningless marketing term. I guess it means 1280x720. In the US CBS and NBC shoot in 1080i, while ABC and Fox shoot in 720p60, progressive frame, high frame rate, which is great for sports.
     d. SD
In the US that's 720x480 for DV and 720x486 for uncompressed.
a. i (interlaced)
Media in the US is recorded and broadcast at 29.97fps, basically one frame every 30th of a second. In an interlaced recording half of the resolution is recorded in 1/60th of a second. During this recording the image is written as a series of lines from top to bottom, the first set of lines in the first field in the first 60th of a second might be the even lines, line 0 (actually half a line), line 2, line 4, line 6, and so on. In the second 60th of a second the other half of the image resolution, the odd lines are written, line 1, line 3, line 5, and so on. If there's motion in the image the two halves of the image, the two interlaced fields, are not identical.
b. p (progressive)
This can be even more confusing. Theoretically it means that one complete image is taken 29.97 times a second. In most cameras this is not the case. What they actually shoot is called PsF or progressive segmented frames. This lets a camera shoot both interlaced or progressive. It shoots half the resolution, the single field of interlaced video, and then the second field. The difference here is that each field is the same. As there is no difference in the fields no interlacing appears on the motion.
a. 24
Only film cameras and very few video cameras shoot true 24fps. Video cameras shoot 23.976fps, sometimes referred to 23.98 and sometimes simply called 24, which it isn't. To confuse things further many cameras claim to shoot 24fps but don't. They capture 23.976fps but record at 29.97 with what is called pulldown added to make up the difference of frames between 23.976 and 29.97. It uses a complicated method alternating interlaced and progressive frames in a 2:3:2:3 cadence. (There is also an advanced pulldown cadence that's 2:3:3:2, which can have the pulldown removed and be restored to 23.976 for editing.) Pulldown is the way movies are shown on television. The 24fps film is played back at 23.976, pulldown is added, and the result is broadcast at the standard 29.97 frame rate. This adds flickering to the image which we're used to watching. Those who come from Europe and watch US television often find the pulldown flicker quite noticeable. When an iMovie project refers to 24, it means something shot at true 23.976, not something shot 24 with pulldown added and recorded at 29.97.
b. 30
No such thing, except maybe in computer animation. The correct frame rate is 29.97. iMovie calls it 30. It's not. An iMovie project is 30 when it's shot at the standard North American (and Japanese and Korean) frame rate of 29.97.
c. 60
Again, no such thing. The frame rate is 59.94. Some cameras shoot this, quite a few professional cameras do. iMovie does not support it.
x. native or not
No idea what that is, unless it's the frame rate they use in Borneo.
a. ACVHD
Codec stands for compression-decompression algorithm. It's the mathematical formula that's used to calculate how the video is compressed. AVCHD (Advanced Video Compressor HD) is a format based on the H.264 codec using MPEG-4, which is another format.
b. mpeg4
This is a format that can be used for acquisition or delivery. It's not a codec. MPEG-4 is used in AVCHD. It can also use other codecs.
c. mpeg2
This is another, older format. It can be either HD or SD. It's most common usages are as the format for DVD disc encoding, and as the basis for HDV.
All of these formats, MPEG-2, MEPG-4, AVCHD, use what are called GOP structures or interframe compression. What that means is that a single frame is encoded, the I-frame, and the next (usually 15 frames) are made up of comparing the previous frames and also the next frame, the B and P frames. These long GOP structures are great for encoding, easy to compress, and widely used for acquisition in cameras, and delivery on the web and disc; they're horrible for production, because there are no individual frames. When you specify a frame you want to edit on, the computer has to do a whole lot of work to calculate and generate a complete actual frame where none really exists in the GOP structure, unless it happens to be that one in 15 frames at the start of the GOP. This is why most professional systems, especially high end systems, convert these interframe compression formats to intraframe compression formats. Here each frame is individually encoded and compressed. The files are larger but it's much easier for the computer and the application to calculate what you want to do.
d. HDV (old, so probably not recommended)
An MPEG-2 based HD format that's 1440x1080 or 1280x720. It's never 1920x1080.
A. which of the above combination of types works well with iMovie 11?
B. which camcorder meets these types the best (preferably a newer model, and preferably a Sony, Canon, or Panasonic)
No good answers to these. HDV tape and AVCHD work well with iMovie. All three manufacturers make cameras of these types. Though you can throw pretty much anything you want into iMovie (it's remarkably resilient), it prefers, like most editing systems, to work with I-frame based media. Both HDV and AVCHD get transcoded on ingest to the Apple Intermediate Codec. This is a high data rate codec used by QuickTime. It's pretty good quality by prosumer standards and easy for the computer to work with, but these are much larger files than the original media.
Check here
http://help.apple.com/imovie/cameras/en/index.html?lang=en_US
to see if the camera you're interested in works with iMovie.
I hope I have you thoroughly confused by now. Oh and by the way, it's changing every day. This answer will be obsolete probably by the time I finish writing it.

Which Speedlite for my Canon 600d I am new to Photography

Which Speedlite for my Canon 600d
I am new to Photography
I am choosing between
a) Bower SDF680C Digital Flash for Canon SLR Cameras, Guide Number 139
http://www.adorama.com/BOWSFD680C.html
or
b) Bower SFD926C Dedicated Digital Flash for Canon SLR Cameras, Guide Number 125
http://www.adorama.com/BOWSFD926C.html
I want a Wireless Speedlite,
btw how does these Speedlites do the Wireless Connection with the 600d if they can ?
Does both use Slave Function, does both have Wireless Channel Selection.
Does My camera the 600d have Wireless Channel Selection by Radio Signal I know my camera has Slave Function Pls Help pls

1) My Canon 600d has a Slave Function and it does Not have any Radio signal or Infrared Wireless Connection between an External Speedlite ?
Correct, though I'm not sure it's called a slave function? The 600D can use it's flash to trigger speedlights that are off camera, and set in slave mode. But it has no Radio or IR signal.
The IR is something that is on speedlights. As mentioned above, it's really just red light. But it's used for focus, not for triggering flashes.
2) is the E-TTL just like the Operating system or Firmware of the 600D Flash System ?
TTL is an automated flash function, and it will be a function on a speedlight, not a camera (though you're cameras flash does have eTTL). It lets the flash/camera decide how much flash power it needs. In a nutshell, it fires a flash before opening the shutter so it can measure how much light it needs, then fires a second time with the shutter open to expose the scene. It all happens very fast, you can barely see it.
Flashes will either come in manual only, or offer TTL in addition to manual. Manual is just that, you choose the power level, and it fires during your shot.
eTTL is Canon's version of TTL.
3) Does the 600d have a Wireless E-TTL or something like that ?
As mentioned above, the 600D can use its on-camera flash to trigger other flashes, and yes, it can do it in eTTL.
The down side to this is that the flashes have to be in the line of sight of the camera's flash (more or less). [And it uses up your camera battery for the flash] When you want to place flashes in modifiers or behind people, or screens or in a completely different room, it doesn't work so well. So people use Radio Frequency transmitters to trigger the flashes. It used to be an expensive thing to have, but now it can be done quite cheap, and quite reliable.
So the Only option I have for my 600d wireless connection to a Flash is
a) Slave Function.
b) I buy a Wireless Transmitter and receiver
Pretty much. You could also get a long cord to get it off camera, but it's really not a great option.

I have picked out a moderately priced camcorder (Sony HDR-CX260V High Definition Handycam) andwant to know if it produces files that easily integrate with FCP X on Lion. Thanks.

I have picked out a moderately priced camcorder (Sony HDR-CX260V High Definition Handycam) andwant to know if it produces files that easily integrate with FCP X on Lion. Thanks.

Download the free 30 day trial of FCP X to find out for certain.
http://www.apple.com/uk/finalcutpro/trial/

Does Photoshop Touch have a built in raw converter for Canon, Panasonic and Olympus raw cameras?

Does Photoshop Touch have a built in raw converter that you can use with your Canon, Panasonic and Olympus raw shooting cameras ?

Thank you for getting back to me on this. Hopefully, raw conversion will be available soon and this fact will be publicized so people won't miss the opportunity.
Walter

Can I Transfer Videofilme Files directly from the Camcorder (Sony NEX 20) into the iPad?

Can I Transfer Videofilme Files directly from the Camcorder (Sony NEX 20) into the iPad?

Can I Transfer Videofilme Files directly from the Camcorder (Sony NEX 20) into the iPad?

Does anyone of you use a HD-camcorder like Canon Legria HF G10 and cut films with Final Cut Express.

Does anyone of you use a HD-camcorder like Canon Legria HF G10 and cut films with Final Cut Express 4.0.1. I did not buy this product yet but ask before. Now I have 4GB RAM and i5 MacBooK Pro. Do any problems exist using FCE having made films with this camera?
I save the films als QuickTime films (mov) and create DVDs with iDVD.
Will the data be too many if I make films with such a camera (HD) so that 1 hour of film cannot be burned to one DVD (or if is not necessary to film with such a good quality because in iDVD the film looses its quality?).

I was able to find this info regarding the camera:
AVCHD 1080/50i. 1080/25P (Maximum AVCHD 24Mbps)
Recording Modes
MXP 24Mbps / FXP 17Mbps / XP+ 12Mbps / SP 7Mbps / LP 5Mbps
The 1080/50i (interlaced) modes will work with FCE. PAL in this case. 60i is NTSC.
Al

Camcorder (Sony) with old cassette format 35mm

This camcorder is non digital but can i transfer this file into imovie or what is the best way to convert this

marathonman26 wrote:
camcorder (Sony) with old cassette format 35mm
just to feed my curiosity.. :
largest magnetic-tape video machines I remember were Ampex 2" (editing with scissors!) ..
first consumer video I remember was a Sony open-reel, using half-inch ..
but 35mm ? ?
or, do you mean size of cassette.. ?
no.. too small ...
maybe you can share a name/type/model .. ? thank you! ..

Which would you buy? Panasonic vs Canon

I am looking at 2 new camcorders
1. Canon FS 200 - flash drive $329
37x optical
or
2. Panasonic SDR H80K - hard Drive $399
70x optical
THANKS!
I am gadget challenged - This would be to record childrens' activities

With that limited amount of usage information, I would suggest the Canon in most cases. The panasonic would be great if your kids are into sports (larger zoom). Only thing about that large of a zoom capability is that you will need a tripod in order to effectively take advantage of the maximum zoom. If it is going to be used in a handheld manner, the video will get very jumpy and jittery without a tripod. We don't want to make our viewers seasick do we? lol
If you are planning on using the zoom feature on a regular basis, check and see if either camera has optical image stabilization. That feature will help keep the image steady and avoid jitter. Make sure it's optical stabilization though since the digital stabilization is nopt nearly as good at steadying images. Keep in mind that some brands don't tell you outright whether it is optical or digital on their overviews (like Sony with Steady Shot (digital) vs. Super Steady Shot (optical)).
When all else fails, go in to a Best Buy store and speak with someone in a Blue Shirt. If they are doing their job correctly, they should ask you a good amount of questions about how you are going to use it. Once they know what you want to do with the camera they should be able to make a good recommendation for you and be able to explain why they are recommending that particular item.
Good luck.

Which HD camcorder to buy???

I am looking to buy a new camcorder for HD recording. I see that Sony has new hard disk camcorder which is attractive (I have an old 8mm HI8 that has worked well for me), but I am looking for the best camcorder that currently works with FCE HD (tape or tapeless). I don't have an HD DVD burner yet, but would like some suggestions on the best HD camcorder for general use (family, around the house, and travel type applications).
Thanks all!

XL H1 is nice, but for the price tag booo. I say the only real nice option is the interchangable lens. I'd maybe go with the Sony HVR-Z1U. I just got one and so far i like it. Anything that is 1/3 CCD or better is a great camera.
With the Z1U its big but not too big of a camera. The Lens hood is nice. You can quickly open and close the hood to protect your lens. The XLR inputs are nice and will come in handy.
As far as tapeless recording i would say NO. because i personally would like to have those tapes forever. With the hardrives you must keep the data on there and it does cost a lot. Nothing better than a raw footage tape. The 16:9 LCD screen is nice on the Sony Z1U.
I was using the Panasonic ADG30. It was great. So now coming from a 1/4 to a 1/3 CCD i can see picture quality increase. Along with the HDV.
The handle bar on the Z1U is nice too. great for action footage or low angles.
Again, i don't know a lot about cameras. If you get the Canon or the Sony, you will be happy. I just think the Canon XLH1 is overrated. Too big of a pricetag for the interchangable lens option.
John Cook

Which HDD Camcorder

Hello all,
I figured this was the best place to post this. I'm looking for some constructive feedback. I am planning on purchasing a Hard Disk Drive Camcorder sometime in the next 6 months. I intend to shoot the typical family footage along with some amature nature stuff. Indoor, and outdoor use applies here. Mostly, I'm worried about it's compatability with my MacBook (Running 10.5). I've been looking at the Sony models (DCR-SR62, DCR-SR82, etc.), and like their light weight, size of hard drive, and placement of buttons. I'm looking to spend somewhere under the $650 range.
I'm looking for feedback regarding what YOU think is the best camera (brand and model) and why.

Call me a "traditionalist" and you probably will be right, but before I buy a HDD video camera, I would compare the advantages and disadvantages between Tape based camcorders and HDD ones, and you may want to refer to the site below (and others).
http://www.cnet.com.au/camcorders/camcorders/0,239035915,240061716,00.htm
Despite some disadvantages, the Tape based format is the best choice in terms of image quality; more compression is applied to HDD and as you would know, you will compress further when you burn to a DVD. At the end of the process you finish up with a very compressed piece of video, resulting in loss of details and image clarity.
If easy access to your material is a major factor in your choice of Camera, keep in mind that, as you burn to DVD, you can have your chapters which gives you such access. And forget about in-camera editing which is a feature of HDD !
Also keep in mind that Discs can be very easily damaged, if you drop them for instance; they can end up with scratches etc ... which make them un-readable. With HDD you also have to "render" in camera and that process may take some time.
Familly type footage is an extremely valuable asset hich you will want to treasure for many years to come. Prices have come down a lot in recent years and I would even suggest you consider the purchase of a tape based HD camera such as the Sony HC7 or Canon HV20. One drawback for me with those two is that the viewfinder does not swivel, but that may not worry you. You'd have to pay a lot more to get that feature. You are about to make a long time investment here, and remember, you get what you pay for !
Finally, I would also suggest you use iMovie 6.
All the best in your hunt.
jc

Which HD camcorder will work with iMovie '09?

Hello folks,
It's time to upgrade my old camcorder (a Sony Digital 8) with something from this century (HD).
I have my eyes on these products:
Sony HDR PJ10
Sony HDR XR160
Canon Vixia HF 400 (but this one records on memory card only, aparently)
To my surprise, Sony says that Mac OS X is not supported (Duuuh?! Wake up, people!) Also, from what I can see in the specifications, none of these offer a firewire connection (only USB)
Does anyone have experience with any of these three models? Do they work with Snow Leopard & iMovie?
I am familiar with the camcorder support list provided by Apple - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3290#2 - however, I noticed that none of these cameras appear there. Moreover, under Sony it seems that HDR XR 150 is supported, but that is an older model.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Loerincz

I have a Panasonic HDC-SD700 and use it with iMovie '09. You can also use just the SDHC card to transfer files into iMovie rather than having to connect the camcorder.
Hope this helps. (By the way, it is a good camera too)

Which Format/Camcorder best for PE7

Dear Experts:
I am just starting out making DVD memoirs for hospice patients (mostly interior head shots). I just acquired PE7 am learning and need to buy a camcorder, which with the different formats(mini dv, HDD, SDHC) is very confusing . The Canon HV 40 and HF s100 BOTH LOOK GOOD FOR AROUN $800. BUT I WORRY ABOUT DIFFICULTIES IN EDITING WITH MY 64 BIT DUAL PROCESSOR MACHINE.
Any pointers or relevant experience?
Thanks much in advance you any help.
Tom

The best editing format (least problems) is DV AVI type 2 with 48khz sound... which you get from a miniDV tape camcorder, transferred to your computer via Firewire connection
All DVD and hard drive camcorders give problems of one kind or another, due to the compressed format they use
For a Firewire DV Camera - look at Panasonic PV-GS320 or GS500 (Note that I have not used either, but they have good reviews)
http://reviews.cnet.com/Panasonic_PV_GS320/4505-6500_7-32330317.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/panasonic-pv-gs500/4505-6500_7-31660646.html
I have not looked lately to check price/availability, so you will have to Google

Which format camcorder should I buy to import the way I want?

I currently have an old Sony digital8 camcorder which works fine, but I find myself using my regular digital camera (Canon SD100) to shoot video because I don't have to import video in real time. It just pulls the video files right out of iPhoto from when I import my photos off the camera. I'd like to get a new camcorder, but I want the new one to be able to work the same. Maybe not import into iPhoto, but import as a file and not real time. What a hassle when I have to sit there and playback and record a 45 minute movie of my father-in-laws 70th birthday party into iMovie, before I can even work on it. I'm not sure if any of the DVD formats will let me do this or if I have to playback the movie again. Is a hard drive camcorder my only solution? Any info would be great. Thanks.

I like Canon MUCH better than Sony. Sony is a direct competitor of Apple and as such I think they support Apple with reduced enthusiasm.
Canon makes excellent equipment and their technical support people always seem Macintosh savvy (They were very familiar with iMovie).
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid= 173
I use my Canon with iMovie 06 and iDVD 08. (and occasionally with iMovie 08)

Which HD camcorder is compatible with HD 6?

I am looking to get an HD camcorder to get better color saturation and resolution. I am looking at a compact consumer friendly model: Like Panasonic HDC-DX1, Sony HDR-UX7, and Cannon HV20.
I have read that there are issues with compatilibily of AVCHD format and iMovie. I am willing to upgrade to Final Cut Express if necessary. Having said this, which of these models are compatible with iMovie and/or Final Cut Express?
Thanks for your help.
iMac 17 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

AVCHD isn't supported on Macs.
any miniDV, firewire connected camcorder is compatible with iM/FCE.

Which HD camcorder? Sony - Canon - Panasonic

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