Good HD camear to buy now

[bowmah]

So, we have been using our tried and true Panasonic MiniDV to shoot everything. It is now time for us to upgrade. Our goal is to upload HD videos for online use. Would love a MiniDV option but quality on this old Panny is not what is used to be. What is a good option for an HD camera that is around $500-$600? Not sure I like the internal HDD option but have not kept up enough to know any better when comparing it with Camera's that record on media cards. Any tips from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

[edDV]

Explain the workflow you will use to get to the upload format.
Are you going to edit these videos? On what software and equipment?
How many minutes do you shoot? How many minutes do you upload?

Process defines best camera.

[bowmah]

Thanks for the guidance. I am looking at the Canon VIXIA HF200 as the price is right. Workflow will be:

1. Shoot footage
2. Download to PC
3. Use supplied software or 3rd party software like Adobe Premiere to edit and output HD video
4. Upload to video server

Computer equipment will be a Windows 7 Pro, Quad Core 6600 with 4 Gigs of RAM. Will hopefully probably shoot no more than 30 minutes in raw footage to get a 5-8 minute final video. Any more advice?

[edDV]

Even on that equipment expect a sluggish CS4 timeline but with only 30 min source you can deal with it.

To speed the CS4 timeline use Cineform Neoscene $129.

[bowmah]

Let me clarify, it will be probably Adobe Premiere Elements, not the full blown version. Any feedback on the Canon VIXIA HF200. I did a search for "HF200" without quotes on this forum with zero results!

[edDV]

I haven't used the latest Elements with AVCHD so can't comment.


PS: If you have Premiere Elements 7, try to find some AVCHD samples (1440x1080i and 1920x1080i) and test them on your system.

[Soopafresh]

"Version 7.0 can import AVCHD files from camcorder, and edit directly on the timeline. Takes a fast computer of course, but it works. One of the most powerful features of Premiere, keyframing (animated effects), is somewhat hidden but fully functional. Inline rendering takes forever for some effects, but most are reasonable. "

Video review of HF200 http://www.vimeo.com/7139935

[greymalkin]

not sure how you feel about used equipment..but i just got a used hf10 with an extra battery and 8gb memory card for $400 off craigslist.
The hf10 is like the hf100 except it has 16gb built in memory. It's actually supposed to be better in low light situations due to the larger cmos sensor.

For editing, there's a group of .bat files floating around somewhere on this site that will convert the avchd files to all I-Frame MPEG2 files..it just takes a lot of HDD space but it will probably make it possible to smoothly edit the video.

[Soopafresh]

For editing, there's a group of .bat files floating around somewhere on this site that will convert the avchd files to all I-Frame MPEG2 files..it just takes a lot of HDD space but it will probably make it possible to smoothly edit the video.

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/314441-Customized-Version-of-FFMPEG-for-Professional-Usage

Neoscene is faster, however

[greymalkin]

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/314441-Customized-Version-of-FFMPEG-for-Professional-Usage

Neoscene is faster, however

thanks for the link Soopa!

I'm sure Neoscene is faster, but thought I'd also alert the OP to the free-er option :P.

[bowmah]

So looks like the HF200 is a good unit. Anything else in the same price range that I should be looking at? I will want a mic input and head phone jack. And what's this about a small hot shoe on the HF200? Does this mean a normal sized mic shoe won't fit here?

[Soopafresh]

And what's this about a small hot shoe on the HF200? Does this mean a normal sized mic shoe won't fit here?

That's true
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/297507-REG/Stratos_SIFBXS_Mini_Digital_Folding_Bracket.html

or

http://www.adorama.com/VDCMSFLAT.html