Best Camcorder for iMovie

Mike,
I've been using Sanyo Xacti cameras for years now with 3 different versions of iMovie and I am really happy with the results.
The only thing that does not work is iMovie 09 stabilisation with the Sanyo CMOS chip.
If you can do without stabilisation then I recommend them.
I have an old Xacti, a HD1000 and a CG-10 which is a really light and inexpensive entry level HD camera.
This is a sample of the output from a CG-10, handheld on full auto, edited with iMovie 09 exported to QuickTime then uploaded from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw_4dCTPcQA&fmt=22
Regards,
Zyfert

A Firewire miniDV tape cam will give you lossless quality video and is best for any editing purposes (iMovie, Final Cut etc.).

Having a tape cam also allows you to always safely keep your original footage, plus make a tape copy of your finished movie by exporting from iMovie 06 or Final Cut back to your cam. Tapes are far more reliable long term storage media, if stored properly, than any DVD or hard drive will ever be.

Get a high def camcorder that records in 1080P. Get AVCHD or iFrame format.
Sony, Canon, Panasonic, and Sanyo are all good.

If you don't need features like zoom, the Flip HD and similar are also fine.

Get SDHC or hard drive. Stay away from DVD models.

As you can see, there is no one size fits all. Once you verify that it will work with iMovie, you need to figure out which features are most important to you.

Newbie here. A convert from PC. I am looking to purchase a camcorder between $1000 and $2000. I want to be able to move the video into Final Cut Express. I was looking at the new Panasonic HDC HS700 which is not available as of yet, but I noticed that there is no firewire port. This is a problem right? I understand that I need to get an external HDD to back up and my stuff and I am looking at one that is 2T... anyway.
Give me your best ideas. Thanks

Ziatron-- I have a Sony digital video camera recorder DCR-TRV 11, which, I have learned, is a mini DVR camcorder which uses a tape cassette. I like that because I will be able to archive/store the cassettes in a box in my closet. Also, I doubt that I will need the hours long capacity that the Hard Drive models were meant to supply.

I bought iLife '09 last week because I wanted iMovie '09. If I use my present Sony digital video camera recorder DCR-TRV 11 to take videos, will the only thing I lose be the High Definition/High Density quality? If so, then I can live with that.

What I DON'T want to lose out on is the ANTI-SHAKE feature in iMovie '09 which helps to smooth out the sharp jerkiness.

*Will I lose anything aside from the High Definition quality* if I continue to use my Sony digital video camera recorder DCR-TRV 11?

And: Is there a camcorder smaller than mine with equal quality? If so, I would sell my present one and use the money to buy that smaller one.

-L

AppleMan1958 wrote:

Get SDHC or hard drive. Stay away from DVD models.

.......... Lorna says ...........................


Why are you recommending that people stay away from DVD models? I am trying to learn so that I can either keep my present Sony digital video camera recorder DCR-TRV 11 or buy a new one.

-L

Message was edited by: Lorna from Hawaii

Message was edited by: Lorna from Hawaii

I was working with a borrowed dvd model of the Sony and personally I hated it. The small dvd's don't work with my MacBook Pro (they don't go into the slide) so I would have to purchase another unit that would firewire or USB to my computer.

Back to my question (see above) I wanted a HDD camcorder so I could simply work between it and a large external drive. I know that I want HD, I know that I want the ability to use Final Cut Express, and I know those wants listed will cause me to spend a bunch of money, but heck, that is what I have been saving for.

I would still love to get a few recommendations on the kind of camcorder to purchase. Anyone?

And about that pesky firewire? If I don't want to spend years waiting for downloads, don't I need something other than a USB port download? I just don't understand why the new Panasonic would not have a firewire port.

See link

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Camcorder s/2010-Camcorders/model.HDC-HS700K110027000000000000005702