Which camcorder?

[Newcomer]

Hi everyone, brand new here and know little to nothing about camcorders, so could really use some help.

Basically, I need a camcorder for use with Final Cut Studio 4 on Mac. My budget is ’…’‚‚£150, I can maybe stretch a little higher, but would prefer it to be lower if possible, and I am looking for the best quality for my money. I have no experience with camcorders, to a degree in which i don't even know what file type i need them to save to, all I know is that I'll be needing the videos to be easily compatible with Final Cut Studio and that they should be simple to transfer for a novice.

I've heard MiniDV would be a good idea, however, I am unsure how easy that is to transfer to my computer and edit. For instance, if I recorded a 10 minute clip in MiniDV, would I then need to wait 10 minutes for it to transfer to my computer? Am I correct in thinking that with MiniDV camcorders you have to wait in realtime through the entire video clip to transfer the video to your computer for editing? Also, you record one continuous video, opposed to individual ones, with MiniDV, is this right? If I were to choose a SD/HDD based camera, could I instead record separate clips, and drag them instantly into Final Cut Studio to edit, opposed to having to wait through the entirety of the video to find my clip and transfer in real time? If this is the case, I think I would prefer an SD/HDD based camera, despite reduced image quality, because primarily I am looking for simplicity in transferring my videos from camera to computer, and want to be able to do so quickly and easily. However, I would GREATLY appreciate any advice, recommendations or feedback as I am very confused with it all!

Thanks in advance, and sorry for my ignorance in this field, am new to the domain of video editing at the moment :-)

[RTaylor]

welcome to Byte,

I don't know much about the digital recorders, but what I do know of the questions you ask is more from being an owner of a digital camera and once owning a recorder to video tape along with understanding a lot about computers etc.

You wanted to know if because you would record 10 mins, would it take 10 mins for the file to transfer to you computer.
The answer would be no, it would take less.
As to how much time, I don't know exactly because it depends on how high a resolution the file was recorded and how fast your computer can transfer the file. I'm guessing under a minute.

As with any recorder, you can start and stop anytime you want. With tape, it became one continuous video showing all the starting and stopping.
With digital, at least with my previous Olympus C750 in 2003, I know it would save as separate files that you could choose to link together in the software package of your choice. Guessing that is the same concept with any digital recorder these days.

As for SD/HDD, thats just the type of card you place into the camera to record your video. The same type of card is used by many point and shoot cameras and can also be used for certain DSLR cameras.
Most DSLR camera's use either SD/HDD or Compact Flash (CF) cards. Both my Nikon D70 and D300 use the CF cards.

[northbeach]

You can do a lot research by simply googling "camcorders" and then check out reviews etc. I think the mini dvd is rapidly becoming a dinosaur. Here's a link for you that gives the pros and cons. I haven't read it all, so I don't know how well it will fit with with Final Cut.

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/d/Revie...l_c=MiniDV.htm

I'm considering buying a video camera and so I'm researching. I doubt seriously that you'll get a n hdd camera for around $150 and if you're serious about this (and final cut is an expensive application for just a mom and pop video) you might want to think about one that has the capability of recording at 24 fps.

I have a mac and imovie does a very nice job for the amateur - I would like final cut but it's too much money for me.

Good luck.

Sheila