Best 10 Camcorders
Camcorder help, please! 10 points!?
Hi! An interest of documentaries and short films has sparked my attention. I don’t know anything about camcorders, though. What software works best? Is everything capable with Mac, what is? Will i need to buy other stuff with the camera like wires, and other stuff? tripods? tell me alllll you know to make short films!!! micro phones??? what are good brands or good camcorders? what about the film?? or transfering it to a computer!!?? !?! please!! 10 points and anything else you need! thanks!!
Apple Macintosh computers can deal with any video – just like any other computer and operating system can. You merely need the right hardware and software tools.
Personally, I like miniDV tape because the video storage format (DV for standard definition; HDV for high definition) compresses a lot less than the other storage formats used by internal hard drive and flash memory camcorders. The low compression rate results in better video quality.
All Macs made in (about) the last 10 years come standard with a firewire 400 port. The only exception is the new MacBook Air.
MiniDV tape camcorders connect to your Mac with a Firewire cable (that you need to buy separately). You need a 4-in to 6-pin firewire cable. Firewire, IEEE1394a, I.LINK and DV are all the same thing. With the camcorder in “Play” or “VCE” mode, and the firewire cable connected, iMovieHD (or Final Cut) will import the video from the miniDV tape. Lock the tape and store it in a cool, dry place. This is your archive if you want to get back to it later. MiniDV tape is cheap.
Since you want to do short films or documentaries, you need to consider camcorders with a jack for and external mic – or you can capture the audio separately using a field recorder like those from M-Audi, Edirol, Marantz, Sony, Zoom and Fostex (among others).
If you stay with the audio in the camcorder, the least expensive camcorders with a mic-in jack are the Canon ZR800, ZR900 and ZR930. They are standard definition camcorders and do not have manual audio control.
The least expensive camcorders with a mic-in jack and manual audio control are the Canon HV20, HV30, Sony HDR-HC7 and HC9. The can record standard definition and high definition video.
Video will use a lot of hard drive space on your Mac when you import it. We don’t know how much available space you have on your computer’s hard drive… and external drive (USB or firewire connected) that is at least 500 gig is suggested. Standard definition uses ~14 gig per hour of imported DV. High definition is ~4x more than that.
A sturdy tripod (something around $50-$80 – the cheaper ones are not sturdy enough), high capacity rechargeable battery from the camcorder manufacturer and a mic or three will get you started. A sturdy case to protect your investment, and maybe a video light… and depending on the camcorder, you may also need a camera accessory shoe bracket to hold the mic and light.
Once you select the camcorder, DON’T buy it. Go to the manufacturer’s web site and download the manual (usually in the “Support” area). When you feel like you are more familiar with the camcorder and that you think it will do what you need it to do, then buy it and a few of the accessories.
There are books on film making – posting everything here is not realistic.
TOP 10 Best High Definition Camcorders to Buy
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Tripp Lite PV375 PV 375W 12V DC to AC Portable Inverter with DC Auto Power Outlet $41.95 TRIPP LITE DC TO AC POWER INVERTER ( EXTERNAL ) – 12 V – 375 WATT – 2 OUTPUT CONNECTOR(S) Manufacturer : TRIPP LITE UPC : 037332119841… |
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Streamlight 69220 TLR-3 Weapon Mounted Tactical Light with Rail Locating Keys $135.00 Streamlight’s TLR-3 Compact Rail Mounted Tactical Light can brighten up any mission especially because it is two to three times brighter than high-flux LEDs. The tactical light’s C4 LED delivers 4,100 candela peak beam intensity and 90 lumens. Its parabolic reflector produces a concentrated beam with optimum peripheral illumination. Its rail clamp designed to rapidly attach/detach from side of wea… |
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Black & Decker CP120B 20-Watt Power Backup Battery Pack $22.29 Powers and Recharges Personal Electronics Product InformationThe Black & Decker PocketPower Rechargeable AC/USB Power Supply is a compactportable source with rechargeable backup battery that powers and rechargespersonal electronics while on the go. The PocketPower simultaneouslypowers and recharges mobile electronic devices such as cell phones BlackBerry/PDAsMP3-like devices digital cameras … |
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PEC-PAD Lint Free Wipes 4×4 100per/Pkg $7.95 PEC PADs are the ideal photo wipes for those who hate photowipes! Until PEC PADs came along, photowipes fell apart, left lint and scratched emulsions. PEC PADs are extremely strong, lint-free and so soft and pure it is almost impossible to scratch an emulsion with them. PEC PADs are so soft they can be safely used to clean all types of sensitive surfaces: scanners, CD’s, mirrors, lenses, telescope… |
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EWA EWAEMV1000 UNDERWATER VIDEO CAMERA HOUSING $349 The V1000 is the 10 metre depth housing for the SONY DCR-VX1000 & VX700 digital camcorders. Designed specifically for these camcorders the model V1000 housing is manufactured from double laminated PVC and has an integrated, optically neutral flat glass port. Perfect for snorkelling or shallow diving, sandy, dusty, humid or foul weather conditions this housing will give your camera the best possible protection whilst being fully operable. It has a pair of non-corrosive and seawater resistant clamping rails which fit together for perfect sealing. They tighten by means of knurled thumb screw knobs. The straps at the bottom allow weights to be attached for perfect buoyancy under water. It is supplied in a handy yellow carry-case which has a water-proof interior and zippered side-pocket. |
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EWA EWAEMV2000 UNDERWATER VIDEO CAMERA HOUSING $479 The V2000 is the 10 metre depth housing for the SONY DCR-VX2000 and DSR-PD150 digital camcorders. Designed specifically for these camcorders the model V2000 housing is manufactured from double laminated PVC and has an integrated, optically neutral flat glass port. Perfect for snorkelling or shallow diving, sandy, dusty, humid or foul weather conditions this housing will give your camera the best possible protection whilst being fully operable. It has a pair of non-corrosive and seawater resistant clamping rails which fit together for perfect sealing. They tighten by means of knurled thumb screw knobs. The straps at the bottom allow weights to be attached for perfect buoyancy under water. It is supplied in a handy yellow carry-case which has a water-proof interior and zippered side-pocket. |
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EWA EWAEMVDT UNDERWATER VIDEO CAMERA HOUSING $325 The VDT is manufactured from double laminated PVC and has an optical glass port.It is rated to 10 metres underwater. It has been specially made for the camcorders Panasonic GS250 and Canon MVX250, but it will also fit other camcorder of similar size and shape. Perfect for snorkelling or shallow diving, sandy, dusty, humid or foul weather conditions this housing will give your camera the best possible protection whilst being fully operable. It has a pair of non-corrosive and seawater resistant clamping rails which fit together for perfect sealing. They tighten by means of knurled thumb screw knobs. It is supplied in a handy yellow carry-case which has a water-proof interior andzippered side-pocket. |