Camcorder compatibility

FCE 3.5 is best suited for DV cams (for standard def) and HDV tape cams (for hi-def).

If you get a flash-based camera or hard drive camera, like the AVCHD hi-def cameras, you'll really need to upgrade to FCE 4.0 (not free) and then update 4.0 to 4.0.1 (free).

Unless I miss my mark, if you get the newer flash-based cameras that shoot only in standard-def (MPEG-2 format), or any of the small DVD cameras, that won't be compatible with FCE (any version) out of the box, but if the files are copied to the Mac and converted to a QT file with a DV codec, FCE 3.5 will work with them.

I'd second Geoff's thoughts.
HDV tape base is the only step up with your existing gear that will work directly with FCE.
Many users like tape as it's cheap, reliable and is an instant backup.

Al

I have a Sony AVCHD camcorder. It records in HD and SD. SD takes less room in the camcorder memory: more recording time. FCE 4 cannot use SD, however. (Little did I know that SD is a format, not shorthand for Standard Definition.) Converting SD takes a $20 program from Apple plus MPG Streamclip (free) and is cumbersome. FCE 4 can use the HD directly via a function called Log and Transfer. That works like a champ. The Sony can take stills, too, even simultaneously while recording video. In SD, however, the stills cannot be recovered. In HD, they come right into iPhoto.

Ok, so with AVCHD, I would just need the 4.0 upgrade plus the free updates? >Nothing additional for formatting video to a specific format for FC to read?

That's correct.
As long as the camera shoots standard AVCHD.
Some cameras use +AVCHD Lite+ which is not directly compatible at this time.

Al

Dr. Dave, the SD is standard def, but on your camera it is encoded in MPEG-2, similar to the encoding on DVDs; that is your format. It just so happens that FCE only knows how to directly capture SD video if it's in the DV format and on tape. As you've learned, you can still 'come in the back door' with it via MPEG Streamclip, etc.

Geoff: Thanks for clearing the format stuff up. Coming in the back door is very cumbersome because the clips have to be imported one at a time. Bummer. Record in HD; it is much simpler and works like a champ. I merely invested a couple of bucks in a backup chip. If I run out of storage space on the camcorder, I just put in the spare chip and direct the camcorder to record on it.

Streamclip has a batch function. You should be able to do multiple clips at a time.

Darned if I could make it work. No matter; I'll just record in HD.