What HD camcorders are compatible with Mac?

Compatible Camcorders for Mac?

• I was told that Mini DV is the only type of camcorder that can be imported to iMovie HD, NOT iMovie 08. Anyone know if this is true? If it is, there is no way I am spending $7 an hour to record, mini dv tapes aren't even re-writable.... If you know the answer for this, please provie all of the popular types of camcorders that I can upload video from onto iMovie HD on my mac. Thanks!

• Answer:

  Whomever told you that miniDV tape based camcorders are the only ones that are "Mac compatible" has no idea what they are talking about. I buy miniDV tapes that are closer to $3 each (Sony Premium). I record high definition video using a Sony HDR-HC1 and HDR-FX1. I do not reuse the tapes - but I could if I did not want the original footage for later use and archiving. Whomever told you that miniDV tapes are not re-writable has no idea what they are talking about. I have transferred video from a Panasonic DVX100B which uses P2 cards. I have tranferred video using a crappy Sony DVD based camcorder that a friend hates but uses. I have transferred video from Canon flash memory and hard drive camcorders... in each case, I have successfully edited the video with iMovieHD06 - all camcorders recorded standard definition (with the exception of my Sony miniDV tape based camcorders, which record 1080i high definition and standard definition) using a G5 iMac 17" flatpanel. All standard definition camcorders are compatible with all computers - some may need a cable - some may need conversion software. MiniDV tape based camcorders use Firewire for transfer. I also had to install the Apple Intermediate Code as a custom installation from the OSX system discs to deal with HDV format video. DV format video does not require the AIC. For the hard drive and flash memory camcorders, I have to convert the video files using StreamClip - available for free download and use from the apple.com downloads area. For the DVD based cam, I had to use a drawer loading DVD optical drive and rip the video using HandBrake. Since you are talking about $7 tapes, I presume you are talking about high definition. In the Hard drive, flash memory and DVD based camcorder environment, high definition files are saved in a relatively new format called AVCHD. iMovieHD06 cannot deal with it the MTS or MT2S format. When iMovieHD06 came out 3 years ago, there were no AVCHD camcorders. iMovieHD08, running on an Intel-chip based Mac is required for AVCHD video. (For what it is worth, Windows MovieMaker cannot deal with AVCHD video - not even the new version running on Vista.) In the digital video world, the best video is that which is least compressed - especially at capture. MiniDV tape storing DV and HDV format applies the least amount of compression. Special "HD" miniDV tape is not required for capturing HDV. Like I said, I use the cheap Sony Premium tapes. You will need to buy a firewire cable because the camcorder manufacturers typically do not include a 4-pin to 6-pin firewire cable in the box. All Macs made in the last 10 years have a firewire 400 port. The only exception is the MacBook Air. Personally, I think a camcorder should have a mic jack and manual audio control. The Canon ZR900 and ZR930 have a mic jack - but no manual audio control... they are standard def miniDV camcorders. The least expensive camcorders with a mic jack and manual audio control - of which I am aware - are the Canon HV30 and Sony HDR-HC9. They do high def and standard def. Hard disc drive (HDD) and Flash memory camcorders save similar file types. I would recommend skipping hard drive based camcorders because of known issues with vibration (from loud audio) and high altitude. In both cases, the hard drive will park the heads and not allow video capture. There are some other reasons - and while the video they capture is OK (not as good as DV or HDV), staying with flash memory, if you must, is a better idea. Flash memory, with the files like HDD is not as good video quality wise as miniDV tape... but at least there is no vibration or altitude problem (miniDV tape does not have the vibration or altitude problem, either. The Canon FS10, FS11 and FS100 are flash memory, standard definition camcorders that will work with your Mac (using StreamClip for file conversion) and transfer video data files over USB. The other issue with HDD and flash memory camcorders is related to the extra step you need to take to archive your video... but I won't go there, now. DVD camcorders are useless, provide poor video quality for editing and barely make good doorstops. Don't waste time researching - and certainly don't waste your money on them. And that is all I will say about them.