Just tell me waht to buy please! LOL

[jboysvideo]

Let me just start by saying that I am terribly sorry for posting such a loaded question as "which one's best?". If I had more time I would gladly read through the forums and research this stuff. (I swear!)

I just bought my wife a Panasonic SDR-S26P-PC for Xmas. I spent the last three days trying to write just one single video file to DVD and having no luck. I decided that for almost 270 dollars, I shouldn't be having so much trouble, and today I returned the camcorder for a refund. I had one PC that could never see the camcorder via the USB and another that could connect with the camcorder but did not like the software that came with it.

So anyhoo... ... Could ya'all maybe point me in the direction of a SD cam for 300 or less that REALLY IS USER FRIENDLY?
They all claim to be "sooo easy" and "simply upload this" and well I'm a little sick of all the hype. They never put the fine print on the outside of the box! It's allways buried in the manual (if your lucky enough to get a manual) that "this camera records in a format that is only compatible with the included software". Why does it have to be so hard?

I just want something (if there is such a thing) that an average Joe like myself can get DVD's out of. Preferably something that records to an SD card in a format that windows Movie maker or media player (NOT media center! I hate that thing) could work with.

If you stuck with me, and read this rant all the way to the end, THANKYOU! I do apoligize. However, I am confident that there are lots of people out there that would appreciate the help of the experts, just as much as I will!

BTW... I have been contimplating the idea of purchasing the "Roxio" pro suite. Does anyone know if this software is as good as it sounds?

[edDV]

WMM is all set for MiniDV or D8 tape camcorders so long as you have an IEEE-1394 port. See Canon ZR series or Sony.

SD flash cams are proprietary for USB transfer. You would use the software that ships with the cam. Don't expect other software to deal with the cam (without your hacking) unless they claim support for that model.

Roxio in most cases is not as good as it sounds.

Simple answer for ~$300?
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&source=hp&q=Canon+ZR+MiniDV&um=1&ie=UTF-8...wAA#ps-sellers

Plus an IEEE-1394 card if you don't have one. Still money left over for tax and tapes.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=IEEE-1394+card&x=0&y=0

Plus an IEEE-1394 cable
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10301&cs_id=1030101&p_id=...seq=1&format=2

[jboysvideo]

Thx for the advise!

[classfour]

I've always had problems with video transfers via cables (USB or Firewire). With the old Hitachi DVD-Cam I simply pulled the .vro files from the disc, and with the JVC Everios I take it straight from the MicroDrive/Compact Flash/SD card with a media reader.

I've found it faster to put the video on the hard disc, and start working from there - much faster, much faster!

AND - It doesn't crash!