HD Camcorder

Hi Folks.

Happy New Year to all.

Can anyone recommend a HD Camcorder that plays nicely with iMovie 09? I've read conflicting reviews that AVCHD is not Mac compatible. Preferably £300-400.

Many thanks,
Adam

Edited by astanden (Tue 05-Jan-10 00:07:12)

I have used a SONY "Webbie" which is a HD camcorder that relies on Memory Stick media which should be in your price range. It runs well with iMovie '09. Only drawback I can tell you about, is the Webbie does not have firewire capability, just usb. I use this camcorder as my back-up and fun video camera. I still prefer the SONY HDR-HC9 Mini DV camcorder for my more important video work. Unfortunately, that one is way out of your price range.

MacFriar

Thanks for info. Have changed the price range - typo error!!

Regards,

Adam

Adam,

With that corrected price range, you may want to shop around. Both Sony and Canon camcorders would fit in that range and have great reputations, but what type of media are you planning to record with? You can go for Mini DV which offers some of the best quality, to hard drive, to flash media. In that range you would also now have the benefit of firewire download. That would help narrow down the range and probably then give some specific recommendations.

MacFriar

If you want true HD then read the small print in the specs. A work colleague was wondering why I paid £600 for a 1080i Canon (HF200) when he had seen one for half the money.

It was when I pointed out the Canon had a 3.0MP sensor (more than enough for 1920x1080) and the one he was looking at was 1.3MP (about 0.7MP short of the resolution required) that he decided to go for the Canon.

Just because something records in 1080i or 1080p does not mean it has the resolution to make any use of it.

iMovie is fine with AVCHD, you will find that you don't need the camera attached to the computer if you go for an SD based camere. Just stick the card into an SDHC card reader.