Looking for HD camcorder recommendations

[Jumpem]

I'd like something with an "auto" mode that adjusts all the settings automatically for the best picture. I'd also like image stabilization, face recognition, etc.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Kaido]

Canon HF100. Tigerdirect has it on sale for $559:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...=3588924&Sku=C925-1350

Records to an SD card in full 1080p High Definition - no tapes required! Includes a remote control and has a 12x optical zoom. It has Image Stabilization, but as always video cameras show "shake" more than still cameras, especially in high definition where small movements are more noticeable. I'd definitely recommend picking up a tripod, even a cheapie plastic knockoff from ebay for $10 or $20. Just make sure your editing program supports AVCHD or you use a conversion program to change it into a format your video editor can use.

I enjoy playing with HD camcorder stuff a lot, so feel free to ask any questions

 

[Kaido]

Here is a good converter app I've used:

http://www.shedworx.com/

It's called VoltaicHD. It works on both PCs and Macs and can convert MTS and M2T footage into a different file type for editing in your program. Many HD camcorders are switching over to the AVCHD codec, which is what Blu-ray movies use, but there aren't very many editing programs that natively support it yet. For example, if you want to use a basic Video Editing program like Movie Maker for Windows, you can use VoltaicHD to convert the HD file into WMV and then import and edit the movie without any problems:

http://www.shedworx.com/hd-information/movie-maker-hd

 

[Jumpem]

Hmm, the thought of software never entered my mind. I assumed I would simply connect the camcorder to the tv, or save it on a PC in some standard format.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
Hmm, the thought of software never entered my mind. I assumed I would simply connect the camcorder to the tv, or save it on a PC in some standard format.

There's no such thing as a "standard format" on a PC; it's simply whatever you like to work with - there's MOV, AVI, WMV, MKV, etc. This is why I recommend the $35 VoltaicHD program - it lets you change the camera format to a format that works with your video editing software. Think of it like cookies - your goal is to eat cookies (videos), but all you have is the raw materials like flour and eggs (camcorder clips). So you have to turn them into cookies (transcode the files) in order for you to eat them. So the workflow goes like this:

1. Record clips on Camcorder and Import to Computer
2. Transcode Clips to Editable Format
3. Edit Clips and Export to Medium of Choice (Youtube, DVD, Blu-ray, etc.)

Record Clips -> Transcode to Editable Format -> Edit & Export

You don't have to spend money to get an editor though - Windows XP and Vista come with Movie Maker and Macs come with iMovie. I think iMovie 08 might have AVCHD support now, but Movie Maker doesn't. You'll have to research what apps support it. What kind of computer do you have - Mac? PC? XP? Vista? And what kind of application do you want - super easy, easy but with more control, or professional?