Advice on DVD camcorders

**tropical_gal** · July 10th, 2006, 06:02 AM

I was interested in buying a DVD camcorder to use for diving. I have NO information on the types of camcorders available and have never owned one, only a digital camera to date. I would like some opinions on what ones work best with MAC. I have OS10.4.7, iLife and iWork. This is just for personal use for family and friends - not professional. If there are any divers out there that are using a camcorder and housing already, it would be great to hear how it's working. Thanks

**RGrphc2** · July 10th, 2006, 05:43 PM

from what i've heard...do not get one that writes directly to a DVD, the best ones to get are MiniDV ones w/ Firewire ports so this way you can edit your movies using your mac and then burn it to a DVD that way.

the DVD's that those camcorders use are more expensive than the regular DVDs you can burn in a computer.

**Satcomer** · July 10th, 2006, 09:42 PM

Also make sure you by one with image stabilizer. Shaky home movies are the worst ones to buy.

**sinclair_tm** · July 11th, 2006, 12:23 AM

the biggest reason not to get a dvd camcorder is that there is no way to copy the info from the camera to the mac. the only way is to rip the video from the dvd, and that reduces the quality by too much imo. like said, i'd get a minidv camcorder, and most panisonic, jvc, and sonys work with the mac. just be sure to check the imovie camera support web page before buying.

**JetwingX** · July 11th, 2006, 04:49 AM

Advice is, don't get one. you are stuck with a pre-compressed DVD that you really can't do much with. not to mention a lot of them use mini-DVDs which Apple STRONGLY advises you not use in slot-loading drives (which is everything except G3 iBooks, eMacs, and most powermacs.

**tropical_gal** · July 11th, 2006, 06:15 AM

So I should get a mini-DVD without a slot, that will work with imovie, and has a stabiliser (good for old people) with firewire. I just need one that has an underwater housing and will take all the views I want not what I am aiming at.

Thanks so far - any divers comments on ones with good underwater housing? I've seen some disasters with leaking cases.