Camcorder for Non - pro !

[BoomBoomBarney]

Hi Looking for a decent camcorder for under £300 ?

Saw a deal on the Pan SD9 for £270 but is no longer available ?

Are there others out here with similar capability at around that price ?

I run an Intel Mac and I'm not into editing (no time !) just looking for something to point then play that will fit comfortably in my pocket.

All advice appreciated.

[A n d r e w]

Sony TG3 or Panasonic SD9, if you can find either for the money, are good camcorders.

[BoomBoomBarney]

Thanks Andrew.
Had no joy locating an SD9, will take a look for the Sony.

How easy are these to load onto the Mac, edit briefly and burn ?

Also, what's the best way to archive ?

cheers

Boom

[A n d r e w]

Originally Posted by BoomBoomBarney

How easy are these to load onto the Mac, edit briefly and burn?

Pretty easy. AVCHD camcorders connect via USB. iMovie detects the camcorder, opens a preview and import pane, and away you go. Tutorial here: Apple - iLife - Find out how to use iLife applications on the Mac.

Originally Posted by BoomBoomBarney

Also, what's the best way to archive?

I use Disk Utility to make a disk image (.dmg file) which I copy each full card's contents to intact, all folders included, on an external hard drive. Then all you need to do is double-click the .dmg to mount it, and iMovie behaves as if you'd just plugged in your camcorder.

[BoomBoomBarney]

Just read a couple of reviews on the Sony that seem decent, but not recent.(No pun intended!)

Do you know if they're now sub £300 anywhere ?

[dougal365]

Originally Posted by A n d r e w

Pretty easy. AVCHD camcorders connect via USB. iMovie detects the camcorder, opens a preview and import pane, and away you go. Tutorial here: Apple - iLife - Find out how to use iLife applications on the Mac.I use Disk Utility to make a disk image (.dmg file) which I copy each full card's contents to intact, all folders included, on an external hard drive. Then all you need to do is double-click the .dmg to mount it, and iMovie behaves as if you'd just plugged in your camcorder.

I'm interested in this. I have just been copying my movie files across to my NAS drive to back up.
What is the advantage of making a .dmg file?
That's not meant to sound critical ... if there are advantages to me I'll change over.
I'll open a new thread if needs be...don't want to hijack this one.

[A n d r e w]

Originally Posted by dougal365

What is the advantage of making a .dmg file?

Originally Posted by A n d r e w

I use Disk Utility to make a disk image (.dmg file) which I copy each full card's contents to intact, all folders included, on an external hard drive. Then all you need to do is double-click the .dmg to mount it, and iMovie behaves as if you'd just plugged in your camcorder.

Also takes up much less hard drive real estate than archiving the massive AIC .mov files created by iMovie / Final Cut when importing.

[BoomBoomBarney]

Taking into account my budget and what I've found (or not!) thus far Im looking to plow on and buy the Canon FS100.

I guess the next thing I'll need will be suitable memory for it...any ideas where and what memory to purchase ?

Thanks for all advice so far...even managed to have a worthwhile tinker with the iMOVIE app last night !

[stadleroux]

Originally Posted by BoomBoomBarney

Taking into account my budget and what I've found (or not!) thus far Im looking to plow on and buy the Canon FS100.

I guess the next thing I'll need will be suitable memory for it...any ideas where and what memory to purchase ?

Thanks for all advice so far...even managed to have a worthwhile tinker with the iMOVIE app last night !

Over here at least one shop, a big discount chain, is selling the FS100 + 16Gb SDHC card at more or less the same price another shop, a photographic specialist place, is claiming for the FS200, and they don't even have stock of the FS200 yet(!), so you may want to look for a place with stock of both who wants to get rid of the FS100.

[BoomBoomBarney]

Originally Posted by A n d r e w

Pretty easy. AVCHD camcorders connect via USB. iMovie detects the camcorder, opens a preview and import pane, and away you go. Tutorial here: Apple - iLife - Find out how to use iLife applications on the Mac.I use Disk Utility to make a disk image (.dmg file) which I copy each full card's contents to intact, all folders included, on an external hard drive. Then all you need to do is double-click the .dmg to mount it, and iMovie behaves as if you'd just plugged in your camcorder.

Thanks Andrew, am keen to know how to make a .dmg file, but firstly I'm unable to playback through imovie after uploading ?

I've followed procedure as per Canon user manual and imovie tutorial but I'm only getting sound playback in imovie with no visual...any tips ?