Recommendation for entry level cam
- Thread starter rugrats
- Start date
- Status
magicdragon
Member
More info required. 1) What editing software will you be using 2) is your computer powerful enough to handle AVCHD 3) Do you need a tapeless camcorder (harder to edit and takes up lots of hard drive space), 4) Low Light Requirements (need a camcorder with large sensor) 5) Do you really need HD format?
BTW no camcorder can "fix" shakes - use a tripod, or monopod or hold very still (at wide angle setting and don't zoom when you shoot). The optical and digital stabilizers in camcorders can only reduce shakes by a little.
BTW no camcorder can "fix" shakes - use a tripod, or monopod or hold very still (at wide angle setting and don't zoom when you shoot). The optical and digital stabilizers in camcorders can only reduce shakes by a little.
Thanks for the reply magicdragon. 1. Using iMovie 08. 2. Using 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo with 4Gb rams on a MBP (not too sure if its good enough). 3. Tapeless is preferred. 4. I'm not too sure about this as I'm a noob to videography. 5. I'm not too sure about which is the best format either.
I'm been looking around but samsung keeps coming up HMX-20c. Is this good? Appreciate your inputs.
I'm been looking around but samsung keeps coming up HMX-20c. Is this good? Appreciate your inputs.
Last edited:
magicdragon
Member
iMovie 08 - ouch! Either get a copy of iMovie HD 6 (it's quite okay with tape based HDV and SD Mini DV). Or upgrade to iMovie 09. As for tapeless it's gonna get difficult - iMovie 09 should do the job but your files are going to get pretty big. Do get a firewire external HD. A decent low light camcorder....get a second hand HV20 or HV30 (tape based), Panasonic NV-GS 400 or 500 (tape based also). Alternatively try the Canon Powershot SX200IS ! See here: http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=28807
But the Canon Powershot doesnt perform well in low light. Videography esp artistic videography is quite different from photography. You have 25 or 50 frames per second! Don't try hand holding a videocam - use a tripod. With $1K you can get the Canon SX200IS, upgrade iMove to 09 version (via iLife 09) and have some spare $ to spend on other photographic stuff. BTW I don't own or have ever used the Canon Powershot SX200IS. I would suggest you give that link a read. Sorry but I dont know much about the Samsung camcorder. I would stick to either Canon or Panasonic. The only thing I've heard about Samsung camcorders is that the focusing is very slow. It's stylish though.
But the Canon Powershot doesnt perform well in low light. Videography esp artistic videography is quite different from photography. You have 25 or 50 frames per second! Don't try hand holding a videocam - use a tripod. With $1K you can get the Canon SX200IS, upgrade iMove to 09 version (via iLife 09) and have some spare $ to spend on other photographic stuff. BTW I don't own or have ever used the Canon Powershot SX200IS. I would suggest you give that link a read. Sorry but I dont know much about the Samsung camcorder. I would stick to either Canon or Panasonic. The only thing I've heard about Samsung camcorders is that the focusing is very slow. It's stylish though.
magicdragon
Member
No worries - always glad to help a fellow Mac user ;-). Our numbers are growing but we're still in the minority. With a $1K budget this is how I would spend my money. Get the Canon SX200IS (around S$600), buy a decent tripod (a mid-range Slik would do S$100+) Get a 16GB SDHC Card for now (32 GB class 6 are expensive and the class 10 are really ouch). Shoot outdoors in good daylight. Edit using iMovie 09 (S$139) apple store. If you go to Cathay (they sell macs) you probably can get everything there and a better discount. If you want to future-proof your system a little buy a Gitzo tripod (above $250). I personally prefer Gitzo over Manfoto (but I like both). If you are really into it in the future get a Canon EOS7D (not out yet) it's "fei chang how" for video and you'll get a good SLR to boot. It's user interchanglable lens would make it a killer in videography. It can soot video at 25p 30p and 50i (please check this as it's from memory).
Oh! I was actually looking at the panasonic/canon hv20/30 series. You reckon the SX200IS is better for me? What do you think about final cut express? Sigh! I have EOS450D and wanted to upgrade to a EOS500D (to capture video) but I would loss too much money on something that was bought a couple of months ago. Are you referring to Cathay photo?
Reportage
Senior Member
for your budget, you can LOCALLY get a very good SD flash camcorder or entry level HD flash camcorder. the quality of the videos depends a lot on the bitrate during transcoding so higher is better but for youtube, 5Mp is enough.
avchd depends on the NLE used. I was contemplating Premiere pro but it was such a pain on the hardware that i used Pinnacle Studio instead which worked better for my purposes and cheaper too.
if you are getting a hybrid camera/video, i recommend waiting till they allow multi format recording as most are exclusively .mov (h.264).
avchd depends on the NLE used. I was contemplating Premiere pro but it was such a pain on the hardware that i used Pinnacle Studio instead which worked better for my purposes and cheaper too.
if you are getting a hybrid camera/video, i recommend waiting till they allow multi format recording as most are exclusively .mov (h.264).
Reportage
Senior Member
Non Linear Editing is software like sony vegas, adobe premiere, pinnacle studio and so on.
Have to try as each camcorder feels different to each person. Your budget most likely looking at SD based camcorder like Canon FS11 and etc.
can check out camcorderinfo for reviews on video cameras.
magicdragon
Member
Rugrats,
Final Cut Express doesn't handle AVCHD very well. In the end you'll want to edit (set a budget for that).
Final Cut Express doesn't handle AVCHD very well. In the end you'll want to edit (set a budget for that).
Thanks. I hoping to get a 2nd hand one or maybe up my budget for HD.
Is my hardware too slow for editing?
What software would you recommend for a Mac then?
Reportage
Senior Member
A Canon HF100 is pretty good if you can get one cheap.
Reportage
Senior Member
If you are serious on video work, grab a desktop or a mac which the processor can be upgraded. Will save money in long run.
portable computers for video editing are not cost efficient as before you know it, the cpu is obsoleted.
With quad core (or more) processing inevitable, might want to look for a upgrade-able desktop.
With the higher bitrate, even mine overclocked cpu is now just manageable but just in case, now scouting for a Q6600 or Q9400 processor.
Thanks for the recommendation.
- Status
Similar threads
