Which HD Camcorder

I want a new HD, 1080i compatible camcorder. I know I need iMovie 08' so I can import the video. I'm looking into buying one around $1500. So which camcorder do you all recommend?
PS. This is an important feature here. MUST also record in low lighting because I do alot of indoor with very little lighting like a wedding reception when people are dancing in very little light.

How important is your low light requirement? Any camera on the market will be a series of trade-offs. In terms of HD, there isn't a camera that will perform as well a standard definition camera in low to little light (wedding reception). Most professional shooters will even use an on-camera light on a SD camera in order to get a somewhat decent picture. The only HD camera that comes close is Sony's EX1, but that is several thousands of dollars over your budget. So if low light is your main concern, I recommend a standard definition camcorder. You can probably get a used Sony 2100 on eBay for around your budget. And that series (2100, 170, 250) is the best at low light performance.
Mike

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Which Canon Camcorder has the best built in microphone for recording musical instruments

Which Canon Camcorder in the affordable price range has the best built in onboard microphone for recording musical instruments
Thanks.

TheBee,
Thanks for writing!
The built-in microphones on the camcorder are fairly similar. When you're recording music, we recommend the use of an external microphone.
The mic you use really depends on what you're recording and where.
So we may better assist you, please provide a bit of information regarding the type of recordings you'll be making, the music and the setting (i.e. what kind of venue, your distance to the music, etc).
Did this answer your question? Please click the Accept as Solution button so that others may find the answer as well.

Poor Picture Quality in iMovie Which USB Camcorder Will Work and Which Won'

Dear Colleagues,
I continue to read accounts by readers regarding iMovie 98 havinga poor image quality when sharing to iDVD. It has been suggested that users with non-High Definition camcorders, standard DV8 camcorders such as my Sony DCR-TRV315, are stretching the Movie to far when using the Large and Medium setting for sharing ing to iDVD and other media.
If this is the case, what pixel size should I use when sharing to iDVD. I had understood that 720X480 was the standard format for non-High Definition Digital 8 Camcorders. So what correct pixel ratio should I use for DVD playback on a wide-screen HDTV with non-HD recordings.
I am planning to purchase a Sony USB camcorder and I continue to hear reports that they and other brands of USB camcorders won't work with iMovie 08. Is this simply a new user not fully understanding how his new camcorder works?
If this is not the case, how can one determine which USB camcorders are compatible with iMovie 08?
Please get back to me soon.
Best regards,
Robert O. Cobb
aka The Clemmons Kid

A great deal has been said about im08 degrading interlaced video, to qualify the matter im08 resorts to progressive video depending on the capabilities of your mac, I for example can achieve full quality 1080i exports.
Additionally the matter has to be put into perspective. Of course a source video looks clearer on a mac if it is displayed in it's original interlaced format on a frame by frame basis, but this isn't how one would watch video. interlaced video looks dreadful on a computer monitor and needs to be de-interlaced to be watched, additionally you would never watch a video frame by frame and so comparing video in this way is somewhat pointless. There is a quality difference on some macs but if the video is compared in a realistic way the difference is quite small and often unnoticeable.
720 x 480 as you likely realise uses non square pixels which will be converted to square pixels for your AVC exports in im08, to maintain the aspect ratio of the pixels you should export to DV.
There are a list of supported cameras here, but of course there are many that are not in this list that do work. If you select a camera, post to see if anyone has had any compatibility issues, but as you seem to be aware a number of apparent issues are as a result of user errors rather than incompatibility.

More confused than ever which HDV camcorder to buy

I do whitewater rafting videos. Have MacPro 2.16Intelcore2 duo, 1 gig memory with 111.47gig harddrive using imovie6. Super fast footage processing needed for quick souvenir DVD turnaround. Considering new 3chipHD JVC camcorder with 60gig harddrive for faster than realtime downloading(in theory!). 1)Will this GZ-7 work and if so, how much faster than real time will it download? Also noticed that it is much faster to record a DVD in realtime to a Philips DVD recorder than it is to export to iDVD and burn. I burn the video back to DV tape, rewind and firewire record the movie to the Philips DVD recorder (Since the Macbook doesn't recognize the Philips as a recorder) 2)Which DVD recorder would the imovie recognize? 3) Is there any way to beat real time recording with my current set-up? Here's the concept: Chase a raft trip and get 8 to 10 mins footage. Upload it to an imovie that already has stock shots and music, make a few quick edits and burn as many DVDs as possible before people leave. I have roughly 30 to 45 minutes to produce say six finished DVDs. The longer I look the more confused I am which camera to buy ($1500 budget) and the fastest way to get mutiple DVD copies finished. I've looked at stacked multiple DVD recorders and wonder if they will work to record at real time - say 5 DVDs at once using firewire from imovie or is it just another box of empty promises?

from a movie-makers point of view I'm more on tilmans side... (sorry, Kirk )
sure, Kirk's recommendation, DVDcorders, produce fast instant-dvds.. but including all errors while recording... no extras, no 'good lookin' '
I would:
* use any standard miniDV camera (you get water-proof cases for...)
* for superb quality, get a 3ccd with a large ccd ...
* I would create a 'frame' project in iM... that includes:
a nice intro, a standard message 'hi, I'm scc, and THIS is your ride of a lifetime..', add some 'stock' footage (=best scenes), perpare an iPhoto album of stock-pics (map of your canyon etc), an iTunes playlist (your Garageband projects )...
after recording, double-click on that 'frame project', and first step, save it under a unique name ('tour 12may07') ... that keeps your 'frame' intact for future use...
import your few minutes of fame, use the crop feature (oops, you're using v5? upgrade to v6... ), add the few scenes, save project. launch iDVD, add your ready-made backgrounds and DVD-intro animation, etc. and select iM project under media... burn disk.
to multiply that disks, use a copier as tilman recommend it, use Toast's copy feature, or use a HDD/DVD standalone (I'm owning a Pioneer DVR520), which also allows a very fast copying of DVDs...

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 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 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 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 Digital Camcorder best suites my needs?

I'm wanting to purchase my first digital camcorder and I'm not sure what I should be looking for. As a mother of 5, I spend ALOT of time at sporting events and will be doing a majority of my filming there. I need a camcorder that's both good outside as well as in the gym...And manual focus would be a plus! I've been told that flash drive camcorders are the way to go also. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

I've been a pro shooter/editor for the past 12 years and have played with everythign from HD studio cams to the very simplistic "flip" cams. The range of quality and cost is huge and will depend on what you are looking for.
If your budget is about $150, then you're looking at the simple "flip" cameras that all have issues, but are also very easy to use and do not require a lot of manual adjustments. They're all auto-focus, auto white balance, auto iris, and are point & shoot cams with an SD card as the media drive. Some will have better video quality while others will have better hardware. It really depends on what you need.
If you're looking at the sub $500, you're looking at better cameras with actual lens and mechanical zoom modes. This makes for a much better image when zooming in than the pinhole "flip" camcorders, and will have options for DV tape, mini-DVD, SD card, or built in storage.
I'll take a wild guess that as a mother of 5 you're looking for something in the sub $500 class that's fast and easy to use. The bigger and more expensive the camcorder, the more you'll need to know about videography. It'll also take more time for the camera to startup than the "flip" cameras (which are really a point&shoot dream).
I have both the 720P Insignia, and the 720P Aiptek. I like both for different reasons and use them often when teaching my martial art to record students progress. I get exactly what I need with them...I can accurately see what they are doing. I'm not concerned about true HD quality since these clips get compressed anyway.
Hope this helps.

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 HD camcorder will be best compatible with macbook pro?

Which HD Camcrder will be best copm with Macbook Pro?

There are scores of them on the market at any given time that will work just fine with the MBP. The list changes every week as models are introduced and discontinued. No one has tried enough of them to have any idea which is "most compatible," and since prices range from under $100 into the thousands and you've told us nothing about how much you hope to spend or what features you want, no one can answer your question.
Google is your friend:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=camcorders+compatible+with+i Movie&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

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

Which HD camcorder is best for Apple TV? Limited to 720p @ 24fps?

I am considering the Sony HDR-TG1 camcorder. It is extremely portable and takes respectable 1080i videos (30fps only).
I know the Apple TV supports 1280x720 (720p) playback at 24fps. My question is, how do you get home HD videos into this format, considering that most HD camcorders record at 30fps?
My understanding is that you cannot effectively go from 30fps to 24fps without the video playback becoming unnatural. Is that true? Are there other options? I don't want to step down to 960x540 (540p) just because that's the only way to playback 30fps videos on the Apple TV.

Personally I wouldn't bother unless you want that 24 fps look. technically 720p @ 24 fps has about 30% more information than 540p @ 30 fps, but I challenge you to spot the difference. If you pause the picture on your computer monitor you might just see that one is softer than the other, but is that how you are going to watch your movies.
You might also want to consider that your camera takes video at 1080 lines of resolution, downscaling to 540 is a simple matter of sampling 2 lines into one, downscaling to 720 lines of resolution involves a complicated sampling process that doesn't always give you the quality you might expect in comparison.
Here in PAL land we are lucky enough that the tv also accepts 720p @ 25 fps, however as imovie is much easier to use when exporting at 540p this is what I do, I see no visible improvement by spending additional time messing around with quicktime settings.
Oh and don't forget because 720p has about 30% more information, in order to fit it into the same file size as 540p it needs to be compressed that much more.

Which HD Camcorder

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