[darkovo666]

I am hoping to purchase a Digital Camcorder that has extra similar features as my Webcam (Logitech Pro 4000). I want to be able to link the camera to a PC via either Firewire (IEEE1394) or USB and use the Mouse & Keyboard to mainly take still's and also do video straight to the PC's software.
The camera needs to come with the relevant software and work in such a way that a digital still is taken by the click of a mouse, the image is added into the Picture editing application, from this software I can then cut and paste into any other application.

"So..." you may say "...why not just use the webcam?", the webcam's available are pretty naff with low quality zoom and pixel capabilities, I was hoping to get a camcorder for it's extra features also.

Hope someone can help.

Cheers

[darkovo666]

I've seen the Sony DCRIP220 which is great but costs about £1500 so too expensive, anyone any ideas ??

[MarkE19]

Most of the DV camcorders are now able to take fairly to very good stills. Most of the newer ones tend to have firewire for video and use USB or removeable media for stills (ie smatmedia, compact flash etc.)
As for software, I do not know what you will get with the cam, but it will be enough to at least get the pics onto the PC if useing USB or you will need a card reader if useing removeable media. Getting the pic into the editing software is just a matter of opening the software and openiong your pic from there.
I would not think you would get all the software included with the cam as after all it will mainly be designed for video use and therefore purchase of additional software stills software is almost certainly required . You would be more likely to get all this with a dedicated digital stills camera.

Mark.

What about the Panasonic MX-500? With the camera connected by the USB cable, clicking the "capture" button in the supplied "SD Viewer" software makes the camera take a pic.

I think it then immediately downloads the pic from the camera, but I can't be sure - I don't have the software in front of me at the moment 'cos I'm at work!). Besides, the picture appears in Windows Explorer, so it's immediatley available anyway.

If you're interested I'll be happy to confirm any other aspects of this facility when I get the chance...