No No, I have used video editing software, I thought you ment Pro stuff like final cut, after effects things like that.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
High Definition Camcorder
- Thread starter Nicolasdec
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
No No, I have used video editing software, I thought you ment Pro stuff like final cut, after effects things like that.
Is there any word on if Apple is going to support AVCHD in iMovie at some point? It does seem that it's going to be the industry standard for hard drive based camcorders (Sony, Panasonic, and Canon all use it so far).
You are right, I am an absolute beginner -- I know a lot about still photography and editing and almost nothing about video. Based on above comments I have now corrected a previous impression; I see DV is compressed at the individual frame level.
Maybe its my price range that's throwing it -- can you point me to a sub $1000 DVD or hard drive camcorder that saves to a format that is as useful for editing as DV?
I have not been impressed in the past by trying to edit and reedit MPEG2, and I notice iMovie (since I am just learning this) takes all my imports and transcodes them to DV, so it seems using DV as a source would lead to the least artifacts down the road.
well formats are complicated. mpeg2 is not bad...just different. when you burn a "dv" imovie project to a dvd you are converting the entire thing to mpeg-2 because dvd players can only read mpeg2....so the cameras that record in mpeg-2 are already doing the converting for you. high def cameras that record to tape are mpeg2 because it allows you to fit that amount of quality onto tape, plus it's still a format you can edit with.
I'll make this simple.
1. don't buy a "dvd camera", period. you can't edit the footage.
2. only buy mpeg2 if it's high def and onto mini dv....trust me.
3. only buy a hard drive camera if it is 100% compatible with imovie or final cut pro.....which I only think a few of them are.
if you shot in mpeg2 hdv, imovie can edit that footage without changing a thing, well it does, but to keep things simple, it doesn't. if you shoot hdv, choose a hdv project in the format window.
any of that make sense?
Well the next version of iLife is coming out with Leopard in October, so I would expect AVCHD to be supported in that.
high def camcorder
From all the research and speaking to a professional user I have come to this conclusion. The Hard Drive high def camcorders are not ready for prime time yet, especially for $300-500 more. The tapes are a proven entity, reliable and will give the best high resolution definition. As my pro friend says "I use tapes still, your life won't be ruined if you do".
I bought a Canon HV20, all reports give it a top rating. So far I find I can't download high def onto the 160GB MacBook hard drive (running Leopard and 2GB ram) and have to find an external HD preferable with appropriate RAID value. If anyone can recommend a quality reasonably priced way of accomplishing this task I'd appreciate it. The best system is a RAID 5 that costs over $6,000, no thanks. As well, is the basic software in the Mac good enough for basic high def editting? Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I'm a new camcorder user and just switched from PC to Mac, so I'm on a big learning curve here.
thanks
From all the research and speaking to a professional user I have come to this conclusion. The Hard Drive high def camcorders are not ready for prime time yet, especially for $300-500 more. The tapes are a proven entity, reliable and will give the best high resolution definition. As my pro friend says "I use tapes still, your life won't be ruined if you do".
I bought a Canon HV20, all reports give it a top rating. So far I find I can't download high def onto the 160GB MacBook hard drive (running Leopard and 2GB ram) and have to find an external HD preferable with appropriate RAID value. If anyone can recommend a quality reasonably priced way of accomplishing this task I'd appreciate it. The best system is a RAID 5 that costs over $6,000, no thanks. As well, is the basic software in the Mac good enough for basic high def editting? Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I'm a new camcorder user and just switched from PC to Mac, so I'm on a big learning curve here.
thanks
Why do you need a RAID setup at all? If you're using the HV20, the tapes can serve as your back-up. Just get a nice FW/USB2 hard drive and be done with it. If you want some extra piece of mind, buy 2 external HDDs, one for working and the other one for backing up the other.
Much cheaper than $6000. I saw the MyBook FW/USB2 500GB for $130 the other day.
ft
thanks ftaok: You are right, the tapes are cheaper than the raid 5. My local Mac seller has suggested the LaCie 500G Porche FW, which is supposed to be very Mac friendly. http://reviews.cnet.com/hard-drives...hard/4505-3186_7-32057615.html?tag=prod.txt.1
It's about the same price range as the the MyBook.
I suppose I'll also want a back up for the finished DVDs, which can just be DVDs.
follow me
I got the 40 GB hard drive true HD camcorder from an online source for much less than Best Buy. It works nicely and does everything but night vision. Plan to be rather close to the subject because zooming is tough to stabilize at it's peak. BUYER GUIDE look up any product you want by it's name on google and the best price will show itself to your delight.
I got the 40 GB hard drive true HD camcorder from an online source for much less than Best Buy. It works nicely and does everything but night vision. Plan to be rather close to the subject because zooming is tough to stabilize at it's peak. BUYER GUIDE look up any product you want by it's name on google and the best price will show itself to your delight.