Please help Newbie with Intel iMac choose most convenient digital camcorder

[waterbuck]

Hi-
I have an Intel iMac (2 GHz with 2GB RAM).
I'm planning a trip with my dad to his native country and this will be my main chance to hear important stories about his childhood.

I need a convenient camcorder, <$1000.
Key priorities for me are
(a) easy and fast transfer of data to the iMac
(b) easy to make DVD's from the data, with possibility of editing a bit.
(c) camera itself should have some shake-reduction and easy controls

I don't know if I need HD.
I do know how to edit with iMovie, but I don't desire to spend a lot of time converting formats.

What would be reasonable?
Thanks

 

[bigbossbmb]

(a) easy and fast transfer of data to the iMac
but I don't desire to spend a lot of time converting formats.

It is really one or the other, I haven't seen any magical cameras that meet both of those requirements.

That said, I would suggest something like the Canon HV20 which can be had for under $700 on Amazon. It shoots on miniDV tapes, so your capture time will be equal to the amount of footage you're bringing in. It's not a big deal, 'cause you can go do something else while this runs. MiniDV tape is also a very reliable backup.

Creating the DVD is the same for any format. You have to recompress the video regardless of how you shoot.