camcorder recommendations?

[erikv11]

I am going to buy a camcorder. I like the HDD models as DVDs and tapes seem one more hassle I can do without.

The Sony DCR-SR62 with 30GB Hard Disk (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...s&Dept=cameras) seems to fit my budget (~$600), storage and resolution needs, but there are some things I am unsure of:

Would I be able to use this camera to convert my old VHS and 8 mm analog videos to digital? (I know I can buy a separate device for this, but if the camcorder can do it anyway ...)

How easy would it be to import and edit files in iMovie? I understand that I may need "native DV" for that; is that true? And, can this camcorder export native DV (or whatever I need)? I'm not a Final Cut user, not likely to become one either.

Thanks for any help, including suggestions of other recommended cameras if they have similar capabilities and price -

[erikv11]

According to the "specifications" tab on the page below the camera does not have analog in, am I reading that correctly to mean that it could not convert my old analog tapes?

http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/produc...38&catId=10822

[Reacher]

camcorderinfo.com helped me make an informed decision when I bought my camcorder (Canon Elura 100 fwiw) last year. They have a very comprehensive rating and review criteria.

[erikv11]

that site is terrific, between that info and the Apple support forums I have learned a lot today - like that a hard drive camera is probably not for me!

thanks

[BillNav]

Eric
Familiar theme here as I just upgraded camcorders w/in the last month. The aforementioned site is terrific. I was able to find the Elura 100 at a semi local (1+ hour drive) Best Buy. I wanted miniDV (for known iMovie compatibility) and pass through to digitize old analog 8mm tapes. Though I liked the idea of dropping files from a HD cam (vice playing a tape from start to finish), the encoding of HD cams make processing more difficult for novices like me.
Bill

[johngpt]

Last year I purchased a Canon ZR500 which had just been ousted from top of the line (of that feature and price range) by the ZR700, so it was less expensive. As I'm a snob about the quality of still photos, I felt I didn't need/want the camcorder to take still photos. I've been very happy with the quality of the ZR500 thus far. And this last weekend I finally began making use of iMovie and iDVD. Quite fun. I just went to the camcorderinfo web site and compared features with other Canon models. For me, the ZR500 was still the better choice.

[Sparky9292]

Quote: Originally Posted by erikv11 How easy would it be to import and edit files in iMovie? I understand that I may need "native DV" for that; is that true? And, can this camcorder export native DV (or whatever I need)? I'm not a Final Cut user, not likely to become one either.

If you want to use iMovie, then you really have two choices. Get an HD (High Definition) camera, or get a MiniDV one.

As of Spring 2007, the MiniDV's run around $200 to $350 depending on the bling you want. Camcorderinfo.com makes a big deal about the 2006 Canon Elura 100 with it's 1/5" sensor. More about it at this link:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-Review.htm

However, there are many threads complaining about the motor noise that it's mic pics up when recording. You can check this thread:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t124975.html
There also have been many low light advances by Sony that now exceed this camera's capability.

There are two other camcorder types you should stay away from as far as iMovie is concerned:

HDD (Hard Drive Driven) - these are the new thing where a non-removable internal drive records in Mpeg2. iMovie doesn't understand this format, so you'll have to use VisualHub to transcode it to DV which is a lossy change.

DVD -- these camcorders record straight to a DVD. These are made for people that have virtually no interest in editing the movie. Again, iMovie will not understand this format natively, and you'll have to use a 3rd party lossy transcoder to convert to a format iMovie understands.

The MiniDV's vary in price depending on what extra features you want. I think any money spent on the crappy still picture features is dumb. Use a real digital camera for still pictures, and a camcorder for movies.

[johngpt]

Sparky, I thought this sounded familiar, and searched camcorders, finding your posted question. Looks like you've really done your homework!

What camcorder did you eventually purchase?

[Sparky9292]

Quote: Originally Posted by johngpt Sparky, I thought this sounded familiar, and searched camcorders, finding your posted question. Looks like you've really done your homework! What camcorder did you eventually purchase?

Well, the one that Camcorderinfo is all hot and bothered about is the Canon Elura 100 -- which is no longer made. I can only find "refurbished" deals online.

I think I just might close my eyes and throw a dart to pick one. I'll go with the best Brick and Mortar deal where I can take it back to get another one if there is some major gripe. Generally, plan on spending $240 to $300 for a decent deal.

[johngpt]

Have fun.

I wonder what erikv11 ended up getting.

[Sparky9292]

Quote: Originally Posted by johngpt Sparky, I thought this sounded familiar, and searched camcorders, finding your posted question. Looks like you've really done your homework! What camcorder did you eventually purchase?

After tons of research, I decided on the Panasonic PV-GS80 MiniDV. I got it onsale from Best Buy for $250. The biggest factor for me was the Optical Image Stabilzation (OIS). Most camcorders have EIS which kills image quality for stabilzation.

[johngpt]

Congratulations. I've been having fun learning iMovie and iDVD, and I'm sure you will also.

I've even started video taping patients walking and running on a treadmill at work, then putting the movie on dvd to show the patients the gait disturbances. I found a great plug-in that allows me to do split screen in iMovie. It's Slick 4 from geethree.

http://www.geethree.com/slick/galleries/d_v4.html

The split screen allows me to show them walking with and without an orthotic or before and after remedial exercise program.

[Sparky9292]

Quote: Originally Posted by johngpt Congratulations. I've been having fun learning iMovie and iDVD, and I'm sure you will also. I've even started video taping patients walking and running on a treadmill at work, then putting the movie on dvd to show the patients the gait disturbances. I found a great plug-in that allows me to do split screen in iMovie. It's Slick 4 from geethree. http://www.geethree.com/slick/galleries/d_v4.html The split screen allows me to show them walking with and without an orthotic or before and after remedial exercise program.

Yeah, those are awesome. I recently bought the entire suite of ten from them. They are pretty cool though I've seen some of them crash iMovie from time to time.

[erikv11]

Quote: Originally Posted by johngpt Have fun. I wonder what erikv11 ended up getting.

Sony DCR-HC96. It's a DV camera with Firewire out (simple connection to iMovie) and analog in. And it was cheap. Been a great camera, still going strong ...

[johngpt]

Quote: Originally Posted by erikv11 Sony DCR-HC96. It's a DV camera with Firewire out (simple connection to iMovie) and analog in. And it was cheap. Been a great camera, still going strong ...

LOL

Sounds like you'd recommend it to others who might be searching. Although it doesn't seem to take long before camera models get superseded by newer models. It's good to know that the Sony DCR line works with iMovie. I seem to remember reading that there had been Sony models in the past which weren't compatible.