Good quality reasonably priced digital video camera? For Mac and iMovie

[LMH]

OK I am moving into this century. I need to buy a digital video camera and get all my old VHS horse tapes converted to DVD.

The camera certainly does not need to be 'pro level' but not too big and natural blonde simple:lol:.

And where does one go to get tapes converted?

Obviously I need to get out more.

[Lady Counselor]

I recently bought 2 HD video cameras. One was the Sony handycam. Very simple, good video, not sure how rugged it is though. The other is for motorsports. You can wear it on your helmet though, there's a holder that allows it to fasten to goggle straps. That's the Contour HD. It's $300, and produces very high quality, wide angle video. It is a fixed lens though.
I can't help you with the tapes. I *think* there's stuff out now where you can play them into your 'puter and convert them, but I have no info.

[arabianeventing]

OK And where does one go to get tapes converted?


Can't help you with the video camera part of your question, although I'll be interested in the responses you receive.

Regarding converting VHS to DVD. I've tried both the computer route and the machine route. The computer route (buying software) was a pain in the you-know-what and required a lot of time (play the video so it is captured by the computer, edit as desired, play again to capure on to DVD). Now this was a few years ago, so perhaps things have changed and it isn't such a time consuming process; or perhaps there is better software. But I quickly tired of that approach and simply bought a DVD player that has a VHS slot and the ability to transfer from VHS to DVD as you play the VHS tape. Mine happens to be a Sony, but I know there are other brands that do the same thing. As a plus, mine had a digital tuner in it so I did not need to purchase a converter box or a new tv when tv braodcasting went from analog to digital this year. Got my machine a year or two ago and it cost around $300. Perhaps they are cheaper now.

Only drawback I've found is that some VHS tapes are copy protected and I could not make DVD copies of them. I'm very aware of copyright law and am not trying to make copies for any other purpose but a backup of the VHS copy I have purchased. Anyone know a way to make DVD backup copies of the tapes that are protected?

I had to smile at the beginning of your post when you said you were moving into this century, because I did that in another way when I finally moved from internet dial up to DSL this year. Ah, the wonders of modern technology!

[Brown Horse]

When I wanted to convert my VHS tapes, I put the little tape in my camera, rewound it all the way to the beginning. You'll need a firewire cable (different computers require different types of firewire cables, you'll need to figure out which one yours will need). Connect the cable between the camera and your computer. iPhoto imported the video to my computer. It takes as long as the tape is...so to import an hour of tape took an hour. However, it could be a different process on a Windows seeing as they don't have iphoto.

You can probably find some pretty good answers if you google it - that's what I did. Took a while to find exactly what I needed but I got it done all by myself :D hehe

[neal2324]

thank you!I have been using Pavtube HD Video Converter (http://www.pavtube.com/hd-video-converter/),
because its green codec environment and optimized audio and video sync technology

the info from Pavtube (http://www.pavtube.com)
Optimized audio and video sync technology
The program adopted optimized audio and video sync technology, so as to output video with better quality and never let you be troubled by the audio and video sync issues.
Green codec environment
You are expected to enjoy a green codec environment because its built-in codec will not install any codec on your computer, so as to avoid the unexpected codec problem.

[LMH]

After spending WAY too much time online and hitting dead ends I have changed the title.

I have MacBook with iLife 08.

Evidently purchasing a camcorder that actually works with a mac is as easy as finding a nasty-free hoof thread:lol:

SO now I must ask about camcorders for MACs!!!

Anyone???

[equineartworks]

After spending WAY too much time online and hitting dead ends I have changed the title.

I have MacBook with iLife 08.

Evidently purchasing a camcorder that actually works with a mac is as easy as finding a nasty-free hoof thread:lol:

SO now I must ask about camcorders for MACs!!!

Anyone???

I have yet to find anything that doesn't work with a Mac? Everything is basically plug and play.

Using my JVC with the pcfromhell was so ridiculous I stuck it in a drawer and forgot about it. Got my new Mac, dragged out the camcorder, charged it, did a quick video and hooked it up to the mac with a usb cable. iMovie instantly recognized the camcorder (which is like 6 years old) downloaded the video in record time and it was ready to use within minutes.

[TheHorseProblem]

I have a Canon ZR80 that cost around $200, maybe $300. It's very easy to use and I just plug it in using the firewire, and I can use iMovie to edit clips. It uses mini-DV tapes.

Do they make cameras that are strictly digital these days, no tape required? At a clinic a few weeks ago, a woman was recording the lecture part on a camcorder that recorded directly on to mini DVDs. Every 15 minutes she had to put in a new one, so imagine sitting outside, missing the lecture, while you fumble with tiny DVDs trying not to scratch them. So I would not recommend that option.

[Peggy]

Paid $50 for a Flip on Amazon. Decent quality. Blonde simple. Plugs into Mac, software loads from camera to computer. Upload to YouTube easy.

Sample on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqsTr9dTkr8)

[equineartworks]

I have a Canon ZR80 that cost around $200, maybe $300. It's very easy to use and I just plug it in using the firewire, and I can use iMovie to edit clips. It uses mini-DV tapes.

Do they make cameras that are strictly digital these days, no tape required? At a clinic a few weeks ago, a woman was recording the lecture part on a camcorder that recorded directly on to mini DVDs. Every 15 minutes she had to put in a new one, so imagine sitting outside, missing the lecture, while you fumble with tiny DVDs trying not to scratch them. So I would not recommend that option.

I tried a digital and it was "jittery", and you need a stockpile of SD cards too. My Canon 5D shoots video too, but it's so-so. I really like mini-dv the best of all that I have tried. The mini-dvd thing was a pain!

[LMH]

Evidently the miniDVDs work well but I have about so many issues with the newer models.

My first pick is a Sony Handycam-but all I read about is troubles with mac:(

[Dressage.For.Life.]

It looks like someone else has helped you with converting the tapes to dvd.

As for the camera, it all depends on your price range- The option for HD (high definition) video is great. The best thing to do would be to stick with well known brands and to read the reviews on a website such as Amazon. In the reviews it's usually mentioned if it works with a MAC or not.

PM me if you have more camera related questions- I'm quite into equine related videography and photography.

[bird4416]

I've got a Sony Handicam and hate it. Way too complicated. Another vote for the Flip Mino. Easiest camcorder I've ever seen. No cords to lose and super user friendly.

[LMH]

The flip looks amazing but what about the digital zoom? If I recall it is only 2x so not very zoom-y?

[equest]

Evidently the miniDVDs work well but I have about so many issues with the newer models.

My first pick is a Sony Handycam-but all I read about is troubles with mac:(

Canons sync well with Macs, from what I have researched.

[LexInVA]

Any camcorder from a major brand (Canon, Sony, Panasonic, JVC) will work with a Mac but the thing of it is that older ones do not always work with the newer platform. In reality, you simply need to take the camcorder out of the equation and only deal with the recording medium, which is flash memory these days. Specifically SDHC cards.

[Peggy]

The mini-disks from my trainer's Sony do not seem fond of my Mac. I may have been able to play it on the Mac with a tray (maybe?), but not the laptop where you just slide in the DVD. But that's about it--no manipulation possible. I looked a bit online and found references to a Mac/Sony incompatibility and pretty much gave up and bought the Flip before my next video lesson. Which admittedly seems odd for a company whose computers come with QuickTime and seem otherwise to be somewhat Mac-wannabe.

[LexInVA]

Well, the thing of it is that you aren't supposed to use the non-standard sized optical discs with "slide-in" drives. They are only intended to accept the normal CD-sized optical discs. As far as video manipulation goes, you really have to keep in mind that those mini-DVD cameras are intended for "shoot-n-share" video. Meaning you shoot it and then you share it. If you want to do something with the video you shot, you have to get the appropriate programs to edit the video and create a standardized DVD and many people don't realize that.

[LMH]

Actually many don't work well with iMovie-that is why I am asking for live experience!:D

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1014

That is the compatible list BUT many of those don't even work (after visiting some forums).

So there is my dilemma.

The Canon FS200 is listed as yes but many folks complain they can't import video.

Panasonic S26 is another

Sony Handycam is not listed as working well.

I called Wolf Camera and they said most Sony's have trouble but didn't have any good suggestions.

So far it looks like the Fiip is the only one that gets lots of positives but I would really love more zoom ability.

[RugBug]

the laptop where you just slide in the DVD. But that's about it--no manipulation possible. I looked a bit online and found references to a Mac/Sony incompatibility and pretty much gave up

My trainer has a Sony Handycam and it's horrible to use because you can't edit the video. The format it records in isn't compatible with any of the editing software out there...PC or MAC. Basically if you don't want to edit video, you're fine...but if you're like me and have 30 minutes of footage from your Greg Best clinic where you're videographer taped the dirt while he was talking, you're SOL.

Let's not even mention the sales video that I had planned to edit into a nice presentation with conformation footage, walking/trotting to and from camera, flatwork, jumping, etc that is one long mess that I can't do anything with.

There is software to convert the format but I just decided to not bother.

For these reasons I'm fan of the Flip. :winkgrin:

[ambar]

I have a Canon VIXIA HF200 (I think that's the right model) which "just works" with iMovie. I pull the little chip out of the camera, drop it into a USB card reader, and The Right Thing Happens.

[LexInVA]

Actually many don't work well with iMovie-that is why I am asking for live experience!:D


"iMovie" is your problem. Switch to Final Cut Express.